ON COLONIAL ADMINISTRATION
Although the subject of the early administration of the Colonies is dealt with in the text, it may be convenient to summarise certain conclusions here.
1. The first Virginia Charter appears to contemplate a separate
Privy Council for colonial affairs.
2. With the failure of such a scheme the Privy Council was the
natural authority to deal with colonial business.
3. The Privy Council would naturally act by committees, and so the
transition is easy to the Commission (appointed April 28, 1634), to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, the Lord Keeper, the Lord High Treasurer and some other officers of State, “for making laws and orders for the government of English colonies, &c. &c.”
4. The names of the Special Commissioners appointed by Parlia
ment in 1643 to deal with colonial matters should be noted. Robert Rich, Lord Warwick Sir B. Rudyard.
( President ).
Lord Pembroke and Montgomery.
Lord Manchester.
Lord Saye and Sele.
Lord Wharton.
Lord Roberts.
Sir G. Gerard.
Sir A. Haselrig.
Sir Henry Vane (junior).
5. After T648 plantation affairs were controlled by the Council of
State or special committees of it. At the Restoration a Plantation Committee of the Privy Council was at once set on foot, and new Councils of Trade and Plantations were instituted, which were intended to be, to some extent, representative of trade interests. 1
1 Their establishment followed on lines proposed by two merchants, M. Noell and T. Povey.
John Pym.
Oliver Cromwell. Dennis Bond. Miles Corbet. Cornelius Holland. Sam. Vassall.
J. Rolles.
Wil. Spurstowe.
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