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Untitled Article
leas indigence . This fact became obvious to aH who had the charge of the testator ' s bounty , but Colonel Oglethorpe had the energy to effect a remedy . He moved the House of Commons to inquire into jail fcbuses , but it is evident from the state in which Howard found them , that very little was done
towards their reformation . He succeeded , however , in obtaining a grant of 10 , 000 / , for the release of more debtors , in promotin g the formation of the province of Georgia , ana in removing to it all the liberated prisoners who would emigrate , hoping , by an entire change of scene , to alter their habits , and once more to render them capable of enjoyment . Perceiving the necessity of leavening his community with some elements
of industry , morality , and religion , he induced a party of Moravians to join it , also a number of Scotch Highlanders , of Piedmontese silk-workers , and finally several of the new sect of Methodists , led by their founder John Wesley and his brother Charles . Oglethorpe himself accompanied the emigrants , assisted in forming and rearing the settlement , and gratuitously performed the office of governor .
It will be sufficiently obvious from this short account of the foundation of the principal states , that we must expect to find the constitution of one differ from that of another ; but if a clear view could be given of the institutions of Virginia and the New
England 6 tates , a tolerably correct idea would be communicated of the whole , so much were they formed on one plan ; allowance being made for the modifications arising out of diversities of time , place , and circumstances . Such a view will here be very briefly attempted .
The charter granted to Virginia by James I . gave to the colonists and their children the same liberties and privileges with Englishmen ; but rather inconsistently with such liberties , committed its government to two Boards of Council nominated
by the king , and directed by his ordinances ; the one , resident in England , the other subordinate to it , in America . James himself drew up their code of laws . He ordered the gospel to be preached , and divine worship performed , in conformity solely witn the rites and doctrines of the Church of England . Lands to be holden on the same tenure as in England , with a provision
for a community of labour and goods , to endure for five years . Trial by Jury was established for grave offences . Unrestrained freedom of trade was granted , and also liberty to work mines , with a reservation of part of the produce to the king . These Were the chief features of the first charter and code of laws in British America .
The history of Virginia for many years is that of an infant colony , struggling with virulent diseases , dangers , and hardships ; and had it aot been for the promptitude and energy of Captain Smith , a distinguished member of the body of emigrant * ,
Untitled Article
North America . SOI
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1836, page 303, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2657/page/39/
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