The King's Privy Council summoned the Company, or rather the "country"
party, to answer these and other allegations. Southampton, Sandys, and
Ferrar answered with strength and cogency. But the tide was running against
them. James appointed commissioners to search out what was wrong with
Virginia. Certain men were shipped to Virginia to get evidence there, as
well as support from the Virginia Assembly. In this attempt they signally
failed. Then to England came a Virginia member of the Virginia Council,
with long letters to King and Privy Council: the Sandys-Southampton
administration had done more than well for Virginia. The letters were
letters of appeal. The colony hoped that "the Governors sent over might
not have absolute authority, but might be restrained to the consent of the
Council . . . . But above all they made it their most humble request that
they might still retain the liberty of their General Assemblies; than which
nothing could more conduce to the publick Satisfaction and publick Liberty."
In London another paper, drawn by Cavendish, was given to King and Privy
Council. It answered many accusations, and among others the statement that
"the Government of the companies as it then stood was democratical and
tumultuous, and ought therefore to be altered, and reduced into the Hands
of a few." It is of interest to hear these men speak, in the year 1623, in
an England that was close to absolute monarchy, to a King who with all his
house stood out for personal rule.
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