June 30, 2010

The Burgess Oath of 1652
You and every of you shall swear on the Holy Evangelists and in the sight of God to deliver your opinions faithfully and honestly according to your best understanding and conscience for the general good and prosperity of this country, and every particular member thereof, and do you utmost endeavor to prosecute that, without mingling with it any particular interest of any person or persons whatsoever:
RandolphMS, vol, iii page 245

Lieut-Colonel Walter Chiles was elected for Speaker of the Assembly of the House of Burgesses in the June/July 6, 1952 session, but he refused due to conflict of interest. His ship “The Fame of Virginia” had been taken by Captain Richard Husband and his crew of the “Hopeful Adventure” under the premise that he had no license. The Virginia authorities had ordered it released but to no avail. Eventually the House of Burgesses gave him the ship “Leopoldus” which had been confiscated for violation of Navigation Laws.
RESEARCH NOTES:
I reviewed the book JOURNALS OF THE HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIRGINIA 1619/1658/59
Edited by H.R. McIlwaine
Page XVI Session 1641/42 Burgess for the Assembly representing Charles City - Walter Chiles
Page XVIII Session 1645/46 Burgess for the Assembly representing James City – Walter Chiles
Page XIX Session October 1646 Burgess for the Assembly representing James City – Walter Chiles
Page XX Session 1649 Burgess for the Assembly representing James City – Walter Chiles
Page XXI Sesssion 1653 Burgess for the Assembly representing James City – Walter Chiles
Page XXIV Session 1658/59 Burgess for the Assembly representing James City- Walter Chiles

Bill of Sale of the ship Leopoldus to Walter Chiles page 127
Whereas the Ship Leopoldus of Dunkirk hath by the grand assembly of this country been adjudged forfeit and according confiscated according to the act of parliament for increase of navigation. Now know all men to whom these presents shall come that we the subscribers authorized by the said Grand Assembly do for and in consideration of the sume of four hundred pounds sterling paid by Ltt. Coll. Walter Chiles of this colony for the use of his colony before the sealing and delivery hereof acquit and discharge him, give, grant, bargain, fell assigne and set over the said ship named Leopoldus about the burthen of three hundred tuns with her guns, tackle, apparel and furniture and whatsoever belongeth or appertaineth to the said ship unto the said Leiut. Coll. Chiles, his heirs and assigns for ever, To have and to hold the said ship with all her said guns, tackle, apparel and furniture to him the said Walter chiles, his heirs, and assigns for ever without any let, hinderance, molestation or disturbance of any person or persons whatsoever claiming any right, title or interest to the said ship in the behalf of this colony or the Commonwealth of England, We hereby in the behalf of the Grand Assembly warranting the same unto the said Lieut. Coll. Walter Chiles, his heirs, ex’rs. Administrators, In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals and caused this our act to be registered in the records of this colony of Virginia the Twelveth of July, 1653.
R. Bennett, Seal.
Wm Whitby Speaker of the House of Burgesses
In presentia mea
Wm. Clayborne, Sec. Robt. Huberd
Geo. Fletcher John Corker, Cl, to the House of Burgesses
Also see
Hening’s Statues at large, I, 382,383
The History of Virginia: from its first settlement to the present day, Volume 2 by John Burk, Skelton Jones and Louis Hue Girardin
Stanards Colonial Virginia Register

I have attached known dates where Walter Chiles served on the House of Burgesses and Bill of Sale for Leopoldus. The book Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia 1619/1658 has far more information which will be in tomorrow’s post.