Second Charter of Virginia, (May 23, 1609), granted by King James I, stated:
Because the principal Effect which we can expect or desire of this Action is the Conversion and reduction of the people in those parts unto the true worship of God and the Christian Religion.257
And forasmuch, as it shall be necessary for all such our loving Subjects, as shall inhabit within the said Precincts of Virginia, aforesaid, to determine to live together, in the Fear and true Worship of Almighty God, Christian Peace, and civil Quietness, with each other, whereby every one may, with more Safety, Pleasure, and Profit, enjoy that, whereunto they shall attain with great Pain and Peril.258
257 Virginia, Second Charter of. May 23, 1609. Ebenezer Hazard, editor, Historical Collections: Consisting of State Papers and other Authentic Documents; Intended as Materials for an History of the United States of America (Philadelphia: T. Dobson, 1792), Vol. I, p. 72. William McDonald, ed., Documentary Source Book of American History, 1606-1889 (NY: The Macmillan Company, 1909), pp. 1-2. “Our Christian Heritage,” Letter From Plymouth Rock (Marlborough, NH: The Plymouth Rock Foundation), p. 1.
258 Virginia, Second Charter of. May 23, 1609, granted by King James I. Ebenezer Hazard, Historical Collection: Consisting of State Papers and other Authentic Documents: Intended as Materials for an History of the United States of America (Philadelphia: T. Dobson, 1792), Vol. I, p. 72. Perley Poore, ed., The Federal and State Constitutions, Colonial Charters, and Other Organic Laws of the United States (Washington, 1877), Vol. II, p. 1893 ff. Henry Steele Commager, ed., Documents of American History, 2 vols. (NY: F.S. Crofts and Company, 1934; Appleton-Century-Crofts, Inc., 1948, 6th edition, 1958; Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, Inc., 9th edition, 1973), Vol. I, pp. 10–11.
