[bells clanging] [bells clanging] good morning. I am kirk cox, speaker of the Virginia House of delegates. Im delighted to welcome everyone here at jamestown settlement in the recreated church in james fort. And those viewing these proceedings online or watching from beyond to the 400 that anniversary today. Of the first and oldest continuous representative legislation body in the western hemisphere. As our forefathers did on this very day 400 years ago assembled here at the birthplace of american democracy, jamestown. Freedom in the form of Representative Democracy began here in virginia. The unforgettable and inspiring event that happened here, what began here, has changed not only virginia, and not only america, but much of the entire world. Special occasions and commemorations like this offer us an opportunity to pause and reflect on the history of 1619. As a retired schoolteacher, i taught government for 30 years. I know the year 1619 was pivotal. As well as complicated. Events that year profoundly shaped the history of america. The year 1619 saw the beginning of the highs and lows of america. Which included the noteworthy birth of democracy in the new world and the ongoing experiment in representative selfgovernment. But also the forced arrival of africans to english north america which tragically was a , genesis of the shameful evils that was slavery. Special occasions like this also challenge us, to seek insight and learn lessons regarding how our american evolution has brought us here. For example, we know from keen observers, that with those first steps, which English Speaking settlers took in this new land of virginia, and down the centuries to this very day, promised hope and achievement have vied with difficulty, conflict and failure. Our virginia, and our American Journey continues as does the noble work toward finding and forging together a more perfect union. A historic milestone in commemoration also can encourage us to not just look back upon our storied past, but to look forward. To lift up our eyes and aspirations and to envision a better, brighter, and more fair and just future as a people. As a commonwealth, and as a nation. Virginia is more deeply rooted in americas soil and history than any part of our country. Those of us honored by our fellow citizens, fortunate enough to be elected as delegates, senators to the virginia General Assembly are stewards of that great inheritance. We are fortunate to be among the many keepers of the flame. Of american democracy that was first lit and began here at jamestown virginia 400 years ago. Back in 1619, elected representatives called burgesses, from the 11 major settlement areas, for the first time gathered as an assembly with governor George Yardley and council of leaders. The purpose was to pass laws to better manage the colony and to improve peoples lives and livelihoods. So it was truly apt that earlier this morning at the Memorial Church on jamestown island, delegates and senators who now represented portions of these 11 burroughs, were present. Just as their predecessors were 400 years ago today. They come along with our governor, representative tribes that were native to the soil, and the with leaders and guests, assembled where representation of the will of the people began. And america evolved and thrived to the United States. Likewise, here now at jamestown settlement, in this recreated church, we are again joined by certain successors, representing the 11 major settlement areas. But also with us on this historic occasion, are two leading participants and wellinformed witnesses who attended that very first session of the virginia General Assembly four centuries ago. By special arrangement, the marvelous wonders of living history, let is now hear the voices of virginia colonies first governor followed by the first speaker of the General Assembly. Good morning. Distinguished guests, gentlemen and kind ladies, it has only been a few years passed now since i returned to virginia in the spring of 1619. I brought with me my commission as governor of virginia. And a new set of instructions from the Virginia Company of london that has come to be known as the great charter. Which we hoped would bring stability to this colony that had been suffering under martial law for nearly nine years. We had been at peace with the powhatan indians for many years and the harsh hand of martial law, rather than a help to the colony was now a hindrance. To further the colony growth and prosperity, the Virginia Company instructed me to end martial law and to Institute Law and justice in the colony. They also instruct me to call for each of the 11 towns and plantations along the river to send two representatives here to the capital at jamestown but where these newly appointed burgesses would meet to pass laws on the governing of the colony. Citizens of virginia no longer had to fear the arbitrary decisions of Company Officials for we had brought about a familiar form of governing here , in virginia. In which their own interests and concerns what drive legislation. At the companys behest, we divided executive, legislative and judicial power between the authority of the governor, the council and this new Representative Assembly made up of colonists living here in virginia. This elected assembly is now the voice of the people here. This assembly is also going to serve as a check on the power and a balance to the power of myself and my council. It is my belief that the citizens of virginia have certainly welcomed this method of establishing laws, grounded in English Common law and Political Institutions including , this newly formed Representative Assembly that will certainly continue to tend to the affairs of virginia for some time to come. Today as we mark the first meeting of that General Assembly that took place on the same date , these few years past, some would say that as near as may be, we have brought virginia to the laudable form of justice and government that we all knew in england. I call upon my good friend and counselor, the man i appointed speaker for that first meeting of our General Assembly, master john, for his recollections of that gathering. Speaker . Thank you, governor yardley. I remember when you and i, along with a few appointed counselors, and about 20 elected burgesses, began meeting together on this very date. July 30, doing the torrid and sickly summer of 1619. Our first legislative session was held in the choir of the church here at jamestown. It was the most convenient place we could find to set. To sit. Tis true the governor appointed me from his counsel. To serve as a speaker for the whole assembly. Not because of my kinship to his wife, lady temperance. Nay, but rather i was the only member of the assembly who had served as an elective lawmaker in the house of commons. I drew upon my experience there to organize our new assembly, and reduce all the matters pending before it into a ready method, for the greater ease of the members. The first task of our proceedings was to review and discuss the new great charter of 1618. After close examination, and committees, this charter received the general assent and applause of the whole assembly. Tis certain the ending of cruel martial laws and the granting of good lands to planters who had labored here, give us all great encouragement and hope. Another great task was to propose debate and vote upon suitable laws for the welfare and peaceable government of this infant commonwealth. Our new laws were carefully drawn from two sources. Firstly, Previous Company instructions sent from london to governors here in virginia, were reviewed by committees. Those instructions, thought fit to be converted into new laws were reported and further debated. 18 of them were given yet one review more. And then did pass the final consent of the assembly. I recall, several of these laws, dealt with labor contracts and the production of particular commodities deemed profitable by the Virginia Company. Secondly, another 18 laws were debated and passed, which originated within the minds of the People Living and working here, in virginia. Several of these laws promoted regular religious observances and required our ministers to record births, deaths and marriages among our growing population. Other laws safeguarded the peace and regulated our trade with the native indians that were living in great numbers all around us. In sum, these laws were created from previous instructions and proposals made on behalf of the sundry inhabitants who elected legislators councilors and burgesses. These new laws brought to life by our flock, did touch everyone living here to the life. Our General Assembly also produced several petitions to forward to Company Leaders in london. Mostly to clarify some points in the great charter, touching upon land and rent and inheritance and new settlers. I included these petitions in a detailed report of our legislative and legal proceedings. I was charged with writing and then sending these across the ocean. I am told that this report, some 30 pages of manuscript, has survived and is now known to all of you. I can testify that for many years, the future of our newly planted General Assembly remained very much in doubt. I witnessed the crown dissolving the charter of the Virginia Company and converting this land into a crown colony less than six years after our First Assembly. And yet, tis also true that People Living here did carefully nurture and protect the valuable right to elect their own burgesses, and thus maintain a growing voice in their own affairs. On this special day, my concluding charge to all of you is this. Keep the promises in the great charter, and in governor yardleys commission. And follow the rules of justice and good government. For the benefit of the people, and the strength of our commonwealth. Adieu. [applause] winner jon prize meacham not long ago said the obligation for a historian or storyteller is to put yourself in the shoes of the people engaged in those events and then try to figure out what they knew, when they knew it. From the presentations we just witnessed, the wisdom of that statement is clear. Thank you, governor yardley and speaker pory. Also i truly hope everyone will find time or make time to see johns original 1619 minutes of the First Legislative Assembly that convened four centuries ago today. They are on loan for the first time in america in 400 years from the National Archives of the United Kingdom in a public exhibit for several months here at the jamestown settlement. Now it is truly my pleasure to welcome our next speaker who also has a marvelous way of making history come alive. Jon meacham is a talented, extremely gifted historian. He is one of todays preeminent biographers. Hes won a Pulitzer Prize for his literary endeavors and is a popular, bestselling author. His writing has helped many people young and old find knowledge and understanding and wisdom and purposes in history. Perhaps better still, he tells stories as well as anyone writing about america. The legacy of jamestown in 1619 , as i alluded to earlier, is complex. But through this yearlong commemoration, we have been working hard to make sure it is examined thoughtfully, carefully, and in full historical context. Here, as with other aspects of history, we confront contradictions between stated purposes and recorded outcomes, between principles embraced and deeds done. But we can and should and are sorting through this, trying mightily to better educate us all. Thats why having an historian as astute as jon meacham here today is a tremendous opportunity for education and learning. Readers will go along with you when youre telling stories about even wellknown events if lived,te it as it was without knowing the end. Well, we are very much in the flow of history these days, and none of us knows the end. The stories of American History illuminated, clarified and enriched by our distinguished speaker. I cannot think of a more appropriate engagement for him this veryith us, on important anniversary in American History. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in giving a warm welcome to mr. Jon meacham. [applause] mr. Meacham thank you. I can tell the speaker was not sworn, as he went through that. Whenever i think i am the most preeminent anything, my mind goes back to a moment, it was about 10 years ago now on the washington mall. I was at that point on my way to give a talk about andrew jackson. And a woman ran up to me, which doesnt happen enough, or ever, actually. She said oh my god, it is you. Well yes, existentially speaking. Hard to argue with. And she said, your books have meant so much to me, i love them. Will you wait right here . I will go get your book and have you sign it. I said, yes, maam. I sat there thinking, this is the way the world is supposed to be. Women are supposed to run up to you, buy your book. It was a twofer. Hand to god, she brought back John Grishams latest novel. [laughter] so as a distinguished guest, whenever i think i am that distinguished, i remind myself somewhere in america there is a woman with a forged copy of the runaway jury. Because you had to sign it. This is a significant act for of ecumenical diversity to have a tennesseean come to you on this day, so i am delighted. The story that we commemorate today began with dreams of god and of gold, but not necessarily in that order. Issued by king james the first in 1606, the first charter of virginia was 3805 words long. 98 of those words were about carrying religion, as it is put, to such people as yet live in darkness and miserable ignorance of the true knowledge and worship of god. 97 of the charter concerned the taking of, as it put it, all the soil, ground, havens, mines, minerals, waters, fishing, commodities and orders to dig, mine and search for all manners of gold, silver and copper. And so god and mammon propelled men across the seas, and the evolutionary beginnings of popular government came soon after their arrival. We are here this morning in large measure because in 1618, a faction within the Virginia Company, led by sir edwin sands, successfully argued for a series of reforms resulting in what the governor and the speaker just told us was the great charter. A set of instructions sent to governor yardley, who was to begin his term in 1619. Officials of the Company Authorized the governor to oversee this election of two male settlers from each of the 11 major settled areas to attend a General Assembly here in jamestown. This new form of government divided political and judicial power between the governor, a council appointed by the Virginia Company, and the new General Assembly. The assemblys first meeting took place four centuries ago this very day. From tuesday, july 30 through sunday, august 4. Our friend john poirier, secretary of the colonies, served as speaker. Six appointed Council Members attended along with 20 of the 22 selected burgesses. And so, Representative Government in the new world began. As Abraham Lincoln reminded us, we cannot escape history. And i would argue that we should not want to, or try to. For by our heritage and our hope, we as americans are charged with a sacred duty to fulfill the injunction that to whom much is given, much is expected. And as americans, we have been given much. And those gifts in many ways are rooted here at jamestown. Gifts of liberty and of opportunity, of selfgovernment, and of what lincoln was to call a fair chance to enable us to lead lives of prosperity and of peace. Which is why this is a good moment and a good place to reflect on who we have been, who we are, and where we might go in the next 400 years. For to know whats come before is to be armed against despair. If the men and women of the past, with all their flaws and limitations and ambitions and appetites, could press on through ignorance and superstition, through racism and sexism, through selfishness and greed, then perhaps, we too, can take another step towards a more perfect union. History has the capacity to bring us together. For our story is ultimately one of obstacles overcome, crises resolved, and freedom expanded. The story, jamestowns stories and americas, is about the best of us and the worst of us. There was human enslavement. They was the abuse and dispossession of the native inhabitants, some of whom it must be said were essential to the survival of jamestown in its earliest days. There was the subjugation of women. There was, there is, our mixed record of welcoming new immigrants to our shores. And yet, and yet. So much of American History is captured in the phrase, and yet. And yet in this place, Representative Government, government of the people, not of princes or prelates, began. This First Assembly on the banks of the james was the forerunner of the United States congress, of the other 49 state legislatures, and of all other american legislative bodies. In the fullness of time, this first planting blossomed into a world