The closing paragraphs (here given) follow some two pages of
specific charges of misgovernment against Governor Berkeley and
certain of "his wicked and pernicious counsellors, confederates,
aides and associates against the Comonality."
_The Declaracion of the People_
... And we doe further demand that the said Sir William Berkeley with
all the persons in this list be forthwith delivered up or surrender
themselves within fower days after the notice hereof, Or otherwise we
declare as followeth.
That in whatsoever place, howse, or ship, any of the said persons
shall reside, be hidd, or protected, we declaire the owners, Masters
or inhabitants of said places, to be confederates and =trayters to the
people=; and the estates of them as alsoe of all the aforesaid persons
to be confiscated, and this we the =Commons of Virginia=, doe declare,
desiering a firme union amongst ourselves that we may joyntly and with
one accord defend ourselves against the common Enimy, and lett not the
faults of the guilty be the reproach of the inocent, or the faults or
crimes of the oppressors devide and separate us who have suffered by
theire oppressions.
These are therefore in his majesties name to command you forthwith to
seize the persons above mencioned as Trayters to the King and Country
and them to bring to Midle plantacon, and there to secure them untill
further order, and in case of opposicion, if you want any further
assistance you are forthwith to demand itt in the name of the people in
all the Counties of Virginia.
Nath. Bacon.
Genll by Consent of the people.
108. Testimony of Political Discontent as a Cause of Bacon's Rebellion
_Virginia Historical Magazine_, II, 166-173, 289-292.
When Bacon's Rebellion had been crushed, royal commissioners
arrived in the colony, with instructions to inform themselves "of
all grievances." The commissioners met the inhabitants at various
County Courts, and took down their complaints in writing. These
complaints show some of the real causes of Bacon's Rebellion. Of
course, to these royal commissioners the people as a rule would
say little of infringements upon political liberty (because
commissioners from Charles II could not be expected to have any
sympathy with such complaints), and they _would_ say much about
misgovernment and economic oppression. The following extracts from
the commissioners' records are selected to show that complaints
regarding political oppression did find voice, even under such
conditions. These entries might be greatly extended.
(1) _Gloster County_
4. That severall grievances being presented to the June Assembly [1676]
upon which many good Lawes were consented to by that Assembly [No.
106] ... they Beg those good and wholesome Lawes may be confirmed.
(2) _Lower Norfolk County_
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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