" The Assembly of 1676 was of a
different temper and opinion from that of the Long Assembly. It was an
insurgent body, composed to a large degree of mere freemen and small
planters, with a few of the richer, more influential sort who nevertheless
queried that old divine right of rule. Berkeley thought that he had good
reason to doubt this Assembly's intentions, once it gave itself rein. He
directs it therefore to confine its attention to Indian troubles. It did,
indeed, legislate on Indian affairs by passing an elaborate act for the
prosecution of the war. An army of a thousand white men was to be raised.
Bacon was to be commander-in-chief. All manner of precautions were to be
taken. But this matter disposed of, the Assembly thereupon turned to "the
redressing several grievances the country was then labouring under; and
motions were made for inspecting the public revenues, the collectors'
accounts," and so forth. The Governor thundered; friends of the old order
obstructed; but the Assembly went on its way, reforming here and reforming
there. It even went so far as to repeal the preceding Assembly's
legislation regarding the franchise. All white males who are freemen were
now privileged to vote, "together with the freeholders and housekeepers."
A certain member wanted some detail of procedure retained because it was
customary. "Tis true it has been customary," answered another, "but if we
have any bad customs amongst us, we are come here to mend 'em!"
"Whereupon," says the contemporary narrator, "the house was set in a
laughter.
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