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Show VIRGINIA THE early history V7Sr 0t ViI"S'ni re- if fw ui v0,ves about the II j'ffS ill name of Capt. Johu 11 -M J Smith. It was his v"MS?y Indomitable spirit which enabled th : settlement ut Jamestown to survive the privations and difficulties that encompassed It during those first years. There in 1007 was made the first permanent English colony in America. The charter given by King James'-I to what was known as the London company, under whose auspices Janieslown and the later Virginia Vir-ginia settlements were founded, designated desig-nated that Ihis colony should extend 200 miles north and 200 miles south of Old Point. Comfort and stretch westward west-ward to the sea. Under the reign of Charles II it was considered such an important colony that it was called the fourth dominion of his empire, that is, England, Scotland, Ireland and Virginia. Vir-ginia. From this Virginia was often called the Old Dominion. The name Virginia Itself means the virgin land and was so called after Queen Elizabeth, Eliza-beth, the "Virgin Queen." The early government of Virginia is of great Interest. In-terest. At first communism was tried, under which system the land and nil property was owned In common and all profits were divided equally. This proved a disastrous failure. In 1019 the first real representative government govern-ment in the colonies was established, called the house of burgesses, which continued in force under varying fortunes for-tunes until Virginia Joined the Union and became the tenth slate In 178S. Much might be written of the character char-acter of the early Virginian settlers and their great Inlluen-e on American life. From Virginia has sprung (wo other states, Kentucky and West Virginia. Vir-ginia. Even so, the state's present area is 42.027 square miles. Politically the Old Dominion state js entitled to twelve presidenlinl elcct.-s. This Is -about the average of the sonJiem stiites. |