Bacon's Rebellion

ment was pretended to be taken: And that before this could
be effected, those Men must first be beaten from there Arms,
before the other could get there heeles at liberty, to do him
any servis, Therefore he began to cast about how he might
remove those Blocks which stoode in the Gloster Mens way:
which being once don, it must take away all Pretences, and
leave them with out all excuse, if they should offer to sitt still,
when he, and his good providence together, had not onely
knock’d off there shackles, but eather imprisson’d there Jay-
lers, or tide them up to the Gallows.

      He had with him now in Yorke River 4 Shipps besides 2
or 3 Sloopes. Three of the Ships he brought with him from
Accomack: the other (a Marchantman, as the rest were) was
som time before arived out of England, and in these about
150 Men, at his emediate command; and no more he had
when he came into Yorke River: Where being setled in Con-
sultation with his friends, for the Manageing of his affaires,
to the best advantage; he was informed that there was a
party of the Baconians (for so they were still denominated,
on that side, for destinction sake) that had setled them selves
in there winter quarters, at the howse of one Mr. Howards,
in Gloster county.

      For to keepe these Vermin from breeding, in there warme
Kenill, he thought good, in time, for to get them ferited out.
For the accomplishment of which peice of servis, he very
secritly despacheth away a select number under the Conduct
of Major Beverly, who very nimbly performed the same, have-
ing the good fortune (as it is saide) to catch them all a sleepe.
And least the Good man of the Howse should forgett this
good servis, that Beverly had don him, in removeing his (to
him) chargable gues[t]s, with these sleepers, he convayes a
good quantety of there Landlords goods aborde: the Baconians
(where of one a Leift. Collonell) to remane prissoners, and the
goods to be devided amongst those whose servis had made
them such, according to the Law of Arms; which Howard will
have to be the Law of Harms, by placeing the first letter of
his name before the vowill A.

      But in ernist (and to leave jesting) Howard did really
thinke it hard measure, to see that go out of his store, by the
Sword, which he intended to deliver out by the Ell, or yard.