Bacon's Rebellion

Papers, and overlooking us round, walking in the Room said
“Which of these Gentlemen shall I Intreat to write a few Words
for me,” where every one looking aside as not willing to Meddle;
Mr. Lawrence pointed at me Saying “That Gentlemen Writes
very well,” Which I Endeavouring to Excuse, Mr. Bacon came
stooping to the ground and said “Pray Sr. Do me the Honour
to write a Line for me.”

     This Surprizing Accostment Shockt me into a Melancholy
Consternation, dreading upon one hand, that Stafford County
woud feel the smart of his Resentment, if I shoud refuse him
whose favour I had so lately sought and been generously
promis’d on their behalf; and on th’ other hand fearing the
Governours Displeasure who I knew woud soon hear of it;
What Seem’d most Prudent at this Hazadous Dilemma, was
to Obviate the present impending Peril; So Mr. Bacon made
me Sit the Whole Night by him filling up those Papers, which
I then Saw were blank Commissions¹ Sign’d by the Governour
incerting such Names and Writing other matters as he Dic-
tated; which I took to be the happy Effects of the Consult
before mentioned, with the Commanders of the Militia, because
he gave me the Names of very few others to put into these
Commissions, and in the Morning he left me with an hours
worke or more to finish, when Came to me Capt. Carver,² and
said he had been to wait on the Generall for a Comission, and that he was resolved to adventure his old Bones against the
Indian Rogues with other the like discourse, and at length
told me that I was in mighty favour – and he was bid to tell
me, that whateverI desir’d in the Generals power, was at my
Service, I pray’d him humbly to thank his Honour and to
acquaint him I had no other Boon to Crave, than his promis’d

royal instruction and proclamation, and by formal act of the assembly which
met at Green Spring, February 20, 1677. (Calendar of State Papers, Colonial,
1674-1676, 3 1298.)

     ¹Bacon took the title “General of the Virginia War” and issued commis-
sions to his followers, authorizing them “to impress horse, armes, and furniture
for and in order to their present march,” July, 1676. Many who accepted com-
missions went vigorously to work to aid him, until the commission was rescinded by Berkeley, when they withdrew.

     ²Captain William Carver of Lower Norfolk County, merchant and mariner
and high sheriff, sided with Bar.on. He was captured and put to death and his
estate confiscated in January, 1677.