Chapter XVIII: Act III: Whereas the usuall way of chuseing burgesses by the votes

of all persons who, haveing served their tyme, are ffreemen of this country, who, haveing little interest in the country, doe oftner make tumults at the election to the disturbance of his majesties peace, then by their discretions in their votes provide for the conservasion thereof, by makeing choyse of persons fitly qualifyed for the discharge of soe greate a trust, =_And whereas the lawes of England grant a voyce in such election only to such as by their estates real or personall have interest enough to tye them to the endeavour of the publique good_=; It is hereby enacted, that none but ffreeholders and housekeepers who only are answerable to the publique for the levies shall hereafter have a voice in the election of any burgesses in this country; and that the election be at the court house.

["Bacon's Assembly" of 1676 repealed this restriction and restored
free manhood franchise; but that act fell with the other attempted
reforms of that year; Nos. 106, 109, below.]

106. "Bacon's Laws," in Virginia (Political Discontent)

Hening's _Statutes at Large_, II, 341-365.

Cf. _American History and Government_, # 105.

_At a Grand Assemblie Holden at James Citie the fifth day of June, 1676._