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P. R. O.
Colonial
Papers.
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thereof according to his Royall wisdome, and to remaine under
consideration till such time as the persons concerned, or some
sent over hither by and from the Petitioners shall arrive to
negotiate the same in England, which wee are not impowered
or concerned to doe.
To his Majesty's Commissioners for the Settlement of Vir-
ginia in these troublesome times of Rebellion and Generall
disturbances.
The humble Representation of the Colony and Assembly of
Virginia Shewing:—
That all the time since the dissolution of the Virginian Patent
not only then but ever since they have from time to time
received assurances under the Broad Seal of England and by
many other ways and declarations from the then King and
ever since from time to time that their estates should be in all
respects conserved and in no sort prejudiced. During which
time the Petitioner Co" Claiborne hath been resident in Vir-
ginia and enjoyed as a Councellor and Secretary of State there
the benefits thereof and did accordingly by virtue of Commis-
sions under his Majesty's Government and Seal of Virginia
and by expressed directions from the Commissions under the
Broad Seal of England discover and plant the Isle of Kent.
From time to time it continued under the Government of
Virginia, warrants were directed to arrest men at the Isle of
Kent; one man was brought down and tried in Virginia for
felony and many were arrested for debt and returned to ap-
peare at Iames City; and so in many particulars.
It continued under the Government of Virginia untill Lord
Baltamore's officers came and expelled us by force of armed men
severall times, but especially they wounded and then hanged
our men without any tryall of Law, or any just cause given;
they took away all our goods, servants and Cattle there and in
like manner they displanted us at Palmers Island out of their
limits in Susquohanouh River: All this they did to us though
we presented them and gave them Copies of his Majesty's
commands to the contrary, strictly commanding them not to
molest us to which we had no other answer, than slighting and
contempt.
March 13. 1676/7. W. Claiborne.
By the Governor and Captaine generall of
Virginia.
To all to whom these presents shall come I Sir George
Yeardley Knight Governor and Captaine generall of Virginia
send greeting in our Lord God everlasting. Whereas there
remain divers places and parts of this Kingdom of Virginia
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