Thanks to your advocacy efforts on our behalf, we're happy to report that the recently passed Omnibus Spending Bill includes a very small increase in funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities! While our work is not over with regards to the upcoming 2018 budget to be passed in the fall, the Omnibus Spending Bill represents an endorsement of the important work that the humanities do for our communities. These funds will continue to support our work of providing free access to authoritative content about Virginia's history and culture.
In "An act concerning the building of a ffort," passed in October
1665, the General Assembly
requires that the Patawomecks
sell all of their remaining land for the site of a fort.
IN obedience to his majesties royall commands for the better
defence of the country, this assembly have thought fitt to enact,
and be it enacted that a ffort be built with all convenient expedition, where
the right honourable the governour shall thinke most convenient, and that ffourescore thousand
pounds of tobacco be levyed to that purpose besides the sale of the king of Potomacks
land. Be it further enacted that his honour give power to
presse carpenters labourers and other workemen, and that the carpenters finding
themselves dyett and lodging be allowed fforty five pounds of tobacco per day; and for the expediting and finishing the
said ffort, It is hereby enacted that it shalbe lawfull for
the surveyor of the workemen to cause pines to be fallen on any mans land for that
use, paying to the proprietor of the land six pence for each tree; And it is further enacted that each person of the trayned bands in James Citty and Surry counties
contribute six days worke towards the perfecting the said ffort, and bring their owne
provisions with them. And be it further enacted that
captain William Bassett be authorized surveyor of the whole
worke and have command of the workemen therein imployed, the country gratifying the
said captain Bassett with tenn thousand pounds of tobacco:
And this assembly takeing into their consideration what person be fittest to keep
the
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ffort and be captain of the same have
enacted, and it is hereby enacted that the souldiers that attend the governor
att generall courts be ordered to keepe the ffort, those courts excepted where a
single centinell will be suffitient, and that the captain of the guard have the
command of the ffort and receive a fitting annuall satisfaction for the same, And
that the souldiers likewise have a competent addition to their former pay, And it is
further enacted that noe tobaccoes for these occasions be levyed this year.