The charter of the Colony of Virginia, issued in 1608, was a significant document that not only defined the territory of Virginia but also marked the expansion of English colonial ambitions in North America. This charter extended the territorial claims of Virginia from the Atlantic Ocean all the way to the Pacific Ocean. By doing so, it provided a framework that encouraged further exploration and settlement in these vast and largely uncharted regions. The significance of this charter lay in its provision for English rights to land and resources, which would be pivotal in the subsequent establishment of more colonies along the Atlantic coast and beyond.

In the years leading up to this charter, England was keenly interested in establishing a foothold in the New World. The founding of Jamestown in 1607, the first permanent English settlement in North America, was a crucial step in this direction. As King James I authorized the charter, he aimed to promote both commerce and settlement that would bring wealth and power to England. The board of the Virginia Company, responsible for overseeing the colony, recognized the need for clearer territorial definitions to attract more settlers and investors.

This charter also laid the legal groundwork for disputes over land with indigenous populations, which would be a consistent theme throughout colonial history. The 'sea to sea' provision reflected the belief in Manifest Destiny, where territories were viewed as meant to be explored, claimed, and populated by Europeans. This mindset would have lasting implications on the relationships between European settlers and Native Americans, and it would shape the future of the American continent as it fell under colonial influence.