And now before I am come to the most terrible time in the history of
our town of James, let me set down that which the London Company has
decreed, for it is of great importance to all those who, like Nathaniel
and me, came over into this land of Virginia before they were men and
women grown.
Master Hunt has written the facts out fairly, to the end that I may
understand them well, he having had the information from Captain
Newport, for it was the last decree made by the London Company before
the John and Francis sailed.
I must say, however, that the reason why this decree, or order,
whichever it may be called, has been made, was to the end that men and
women, who had large families of children, might be induced to join us
here in Jamestown, as if we had not already mouths enough to feed.
The Council of the Company has decided to allow the use of twenty-five
acres of land for each and every child that comes into Virginia, and all
who are now here, or may come to live at the expense of the Company, are
to be educated in some good trade or profession, in order that they may
be able to support themselves when they have come to the age of four and
twenty years, or have served the time of their apprenticeship, which is
to be no less than seven years.
It is further decreed that all of those children when they become of
age or marry, whichever shall happen first, are to have freely given
and made over to them fifty acres of land apiece, which same shall be
in Virginia within the limits of the English plantation. But, these
children must be placed as apprentices under honest and good masters
within the grant made to the London Company, and shall serve for seven
years, or until they come to the age of twenty-four, during which time
their masters must bring them up in some trade or business.