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Virginia is a state in south USA. Virginia, known as the 'Old Dominion', was one of the original thirteen States of the USA. Its shores were perhaps explored by Sebastian Cabot in 1498 and Verazzano in 1524, and certainly by Sir Walter Raleigh, who attempted to colonize the territory which he named Virginia in honour of Queen Elizabeth I.
In 1606, the London Company was chartered and obtained a grant of the land between the thirty-fourth and forty-first degrees of latitude. Three years later new boundaries were given to Virginia. Starting from Old Point Comfort it was to extend two hundred miles north and south, and west and north-west to the South Sea or Pacific Ocean. The London Company were to have the profits of the colony for twenty-one years, after which they were to pass to the crown. The government of the colony was placed in the hands of the two councils, one of which was resident in the colony. All settlers were guaranteed all rights as if living in England. One hundred and forty-three colonists set sail for Virginia and in 1607 founded Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in America.
For the first years the colonists were too largely gentlemen who were totally unfit to endure the hardships of pioneer life, and the colony was saved only by the exertions of Captain John Smith. In accordance with royal instructions the colonists lived by the communal system until 1612.
Samuel Argall as Governor in 1617 exercised all the tyranny of martial law until recalled the following year. Under his successor, Yeardley, the first representative assembly in the history of America convened in 1619 at Jamestown. This encouraged immigration, and in the same year some women appeared in Virginia.
Slavery was introduced in 1619 by the sale of twenty African slaves from a Dutch man-of-war.
Factions having appeared in the London Company a writ of quo warranto was issued against the charter, and in 1624 Virginia became a royal colony. Virginia remained loyal to Charles I during his struggle with Parliament, and became the home of many royalist fugitives who were the ancestors of many of the most famous men in the history of the State.
Charles II repaid the loyalty of the people by granting the entire territory to Lords Arlington and Culpepper, and by the enforcement of the Navigation Act, which compelled the colonists to sell all their products in English markets. The discontent was increased by the tyranny of Governor Berkeley and an uprising of the Indians, and Bacon's Rebellion followed in 1676. Upon the death of Bacon his followers were defeated and many hanged.
From this time until the American Revolution the colony increased in population, wealth and influence, and was recognized as the leading power in the struggle against England. Her militia, under George Washington, did effective service in Braddock's campaign in the French and Indian War.
The assembly was dissolved in 1774 by Governor Dunmore, when a protest was being drawn up against the Boston Port Bill, but the members immediately reassembled in convention. In May, 1776, another convention adopted the first constitution of the State. The delegates in Congress from Virginia proposed the declaration of the independence of the colonies. Virginia took a prominent part in the insurgency of the American Revolution which closed on her soil by the capture of Yorktown and Cornwallis, on October the 19th, 1781.
Much opposition was made to the Federal Constitution, which threatened to prevent its adoption, but it was finally ratified by a State convention on January the 25th, 1788. The boundaries of Virginia caused much dispute because of the extensive claims made by Virginia. Her western territory was surrendered to the general Government because of the reluctance of Maryland to ratify the Articles of Confederation until that should be done. Kentucky became a separate State in 1792.
An ordinance of secession was passed by a State convention on April the 17th, 1861, and ratified by a popular vote on May the 23rd, 1861. During the American Civil War Richmond was the capital of the Confederacy, and Virginia the scene of many of the largest battles. The State was readmitted to the Union on January the 26th, 1870.
Virginia is a city in Cass County, Illinois, USA.
Virginia is a township in Union County, South Dakota, USA.
Virginia is a township in Coshocton County, Ohio, USA.
Virginia is a village in Gage County, Nebraska, USA.
Virginia is a township in Towner County, North Dakota, USA.
Virginia is a city in St Louis County, Minnesota, USA.
Virginia is a township in Cass County, Illinois, USA.
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