A better day seemed now to be at hand, and the whole country rejoiced with hope, when again the tempest gathered. Scarcely had Bacon marched with his troops towards the frontiers, than Berkeley, repenting of the concession that had been made to the popular party, again proclaimed him a traitor. This unadvised step excited the indignation of every generous heart in Virginia, and the party of Bacon was strengthened by the accession of many powerful names. Drummond the late governor of North Carolina, and Richard Lawrence, “a man of deep reflection and energy of purpose,” hastened to the camp of Bacon. “Shall persons wholly devoted to their king and country, men hazarding their lives against the public enemy, deserve the appellation of rebels and traitors?” exclaimed Bacon, when the news reached him. “But those in authority, how have they obtained their estates? Have they not devoured the common treasury? What arts, what sciences, what schools of learning have they promoted? I appeal to the king and parliament, where the cause of the people will be heard impartially.” The purpose of Bacon was now changed; and, addressing the people of Virginia, he invited them, by their love of country and home, to meet him in convention at Middle Plantation, now Williamsburgh, and “aid in rescuing the colony from the tyranny of Berkeley.” The call was responded to, and an oath was taken by a convention composed of the principal men of the colony, to join him against the Indians, and to prevent, if possible, a civil war; yet still, if forces should arrive from England—for Berkeley had appealed to the mother-country—they would resist them, until their own appeal should reach the king. It was about this time that “a spy was detected in Bacon’s camp. Being sentenced to death by court-martial, Bacon declared that if any one in the army would speak a word to save him, he should not suffer. Not a word was spoken, and he was put to death. Bacon’s clemency won the admiration of the army, and this was the only instance of capital punishment under his orders; nor did he plunder any private house.”