<P> To encourage settlers to come to Virginia , in November , 1618 the Virginia Company 's leaders gave instructions to the new Governor Sir George Yeardley , which became known as `` the great charter . '' Emigrants who paid their own way to Virginia would receive fifty acres of land and not be mere tenants . Civil authority would control the military . In 1619 , based on the instructions , Governor Yeardley initiated the election 22 burgesses by the settlements and Jamestown , who , together with the royally - appointed Governor and six - member Council of State , would form the first General Assembly as a unicameral body . The governor could veto its actions and the Company still maintained overall control of the venture , but the settlers would have a limited say in the management of their own affairs , including their finances . A House of Assembly was created at the same time in Bermuda ( which had also been settled by the Virginia Company , and was by then managed by its offshoot , the Somers Isles Company ) and held its first session in 1620 . </P>
<P> To encourage settlers to come to Virginia , in November , 1618 the Virginia Company 's leaders gave instructions to the new Governor Sir George Yeardley , which became known as `` the great charter . '' Emigrants who paid their own way to Virginia would receive fifty acres of land and not be mere tenants . Civil authority would control the military . In 1619 , based on the instructions , Governor Yeardley initiated the election 22 burgesses by the settlements and Jamestown , who , together with the royally - appointed Governor and six - member Council of State , would form the first General Assembly as a unicameral body . The governor could veto its actions and the Company still maintained overall control of the venture , but the settlers would have a limited say in the management of their own affairs , including their finances . A House of Assembly was created at the same time in Bermuda ( which had also been settled by the Virginia Company , and was by then managed by its offshoot , the Somers Isles Company ) and held its first session in 1620 . </P>
who authorized the creation of a legislative assembly in 1619
who authorized the creation of a legislative assembly in 1619
the Virginia Company
the Virginia Company