28. JAMESTOWN ABANDONED AS THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT

In October, 1698 a disastrous fire destroyed the statehouse at Jamestown. Thus, as had been the case when three earlier statehouses burned, it was necessary to rent space in private homes and elsewhere for the Assembly session in 1699. It was at this session, on May 18, that the House of Burgesses initiated action that led to the removal of the seat of government from Jamestown where it had been for 92 years.

The House (according to the Order of the day) Resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House to take into further Consideration and Debate the matters referred to this Day relateing to the Building a State House, and Mr. Cary took the Chaire and after some time spent therein Mr. Speaker resumed the Chaire and Mr. Cary reported from the said Committee That they had come to a Resolution therein which he read in his place and afterwards delivered in at the Table where the same were read as followeth

This Committee having maturely considered and fully debated the matters to them referred relateing to the place for Erecting and building a State house after the nomination of Several places.

Resolved That the said State house be built at the Middle Plantation.

Ordered That Mr. Custis, Mr. Bassett, Mr. Robinson & Mr. Talliaferro do forthwith wait upon the Council and acquaint them that the House have had in Debate and under their Consideration the place for building a State house, and have resolved that the said Statehouse be built at the Middle Plantation to which the House desires their Honors Concurrence.

Journals of the House of Burgess

Soon the various agencies of the Government, together with the records, were being moved to the new capital in Williamsburg only six miles from Jamestown.

[December 17, 1700.]

Resolved, [by the House of Burgesses]

That the Records of this Government, which stil remaine at James City, be, with all Convenient Expedition, removed from thence to the place Appointed for Keeping the Secretary's office in his Majesties Royal Colledge of William and Mary, Adjacent to the City of Williamsburgh, according to the petition of Edmund Jennings, Esquire, Deputy Secretary, made to his Excellency and the honorable Council in that respect.

Resolved,

That the Records and papers belonging to this house and now lodged at James City, he, with all Convenient Expedition, removed from thence and placed in the Chamber appointed for the Clerk of this house in his Majesties Royal Colledge of William & Mary, adjacent to the city of Williamsburg.

Ordered,

That a Message be sent to the Councill to desire their Concurrence to the Resolves of this house, touching the removal of the Records belonging to the Secretary's office and to this house. . . . His Excellency & his Majesties honorable Councill concurr [December 18] WITH the house of Burgesses in the above Resolves.

Calendar of Virginia State Papers.

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