There are a multitude of reasons why Virginia should not pass from King to Company, among which these are worthy of note: "We may not admit of so unnatural a distance as a Company will interpose between his sacred majesty and us his subjects from whose immediate protection we have received so many royal favours and gracious blessings.

For, by such admissions, we shall degenerate from the condition of our birth, being naturalized under a monarchical government and not a popular and tumultuary government depending upon the greatest number of votes of persons of several humours and dispositions." When this paper reached England, it came to a country at civil war.

The Long Parliament was in session.

Stafford had been beheaded, the Star Chamber swept away, the Grand Remonstrance presented.

On Edgehill bloomed flowers that would soon be trampled by Rupert's cavalry.