The seeds of democracy in America ... The House of Burgesses

  • Published
  • By John M. Lacomia
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing History Office
When you think of the origins Democracy in America, what is it that first comes to mind? Is it the Albany Plan, the Virginia Bill of Rights or the Declaration of Independence? If you were thinking that the roots of American democracy were conceived in the late 1700s, then you would be 150 years late. To accurately answer that question you would have to travel back to the Virginia Colony in the year 1619. 

As many recall, the first permanent English settlement was established at Jamestown on May 13, 1607 by 104 men of the Virginia Company. Notable figures of the early settlement included Capt. John Smith, Capt. Christopher Newport, George Percy, John Rolfe and Pocahontas. This was a company owned venture created for one specific reason, profit. 

The early settlers encountered starvation, disease, Indian attacks and numerous other set backs. When it turned out that Jamestown had no viable goods that could yield a profit, many in England and the Virginia Company contemplated deserting the settlement. Of the first 100 settlers, only 38 survived the first winter at Jamestown. Times were tough and within a short period of time the Virginia Company put a governor in absolute control of the settlement. Martial law was imposed soon after to keep the settlement together. 

Under the leadership of Sir Thomas Dale, the settlement was subjected to strict rules which became know as "Dale's Code." This code of laws was in force from 1611 until 1619 and was noted for their callous severity. Capital punishment was administered to any colonist for marginal crimes such as stealing property deemed invaluable to colonial life. 

With the assistance of John Rolfe, the cultivation and exportation of tobacco became the colonies' first profitable venture by the end of 1614. After realizing the potential market for tobacco, the Virginia Company set about making a series of reforms to attract more people to the settlement. English Common Law was invoked replacing the strict laws that the colonists had to endure. 

With the appointment of Sir George Yeardley as the Governor of Virginia the laws of the colony would be forever changed. A legislative body selected by the colonists was created, which was called the "House of Burgesses." This body of government encompassed the 11 boroughs along the James River and each borough had two representatives. 

It was at the Jamestown Church July 30, 1619, that the first legislative assembly met for the first time. Governor Yeardley presided over the burgesses with the addition of the governor's council. During the session, the assembly approved the great seal of the Virginia Colony. Additionally, the assembly's first law that was passed that stated that the sale of tobacco would not be sold for fewer than three shillings per pound. 

Some can debate the significance of the first assembly at Jamestown in 1619, but few can argue that its influence became the blueprint of representative government. The three-tiered House of Burgesses was empowered to enact legislation for the entire colony and soon became the model of self-government in all of the American colonies. 

As we, the "American people" continue to fight to preserve our freedoms through democracy, one thing is for certain, "It all started for us at Jamestown."