[290] P. R. O., CO1-8-62. [291] P. R. O., CO1-8-61. [292] Report of Com. on Hist. Mans. 3. [293] P. R. O., CO1-10-14. [294] P. R. O., CO1-9-121. [295] P. R. O., CO1-9-121. [296] P. R. O., CO1-10-6. [297] P. R. O., CO1-10-6. [298] Fiske, Old Va., Vol. I, p. 295. [299] P. R. O., CO1-10-32. [300] P. R. O., CO1-10-73. [301] P. R. O., CO1-10-10. [302] P. R. O., CO1-10-10. [303] P. R. O., CO1-10-15. [304] P. R. O., CO1-10-5. [305] P. R. O., CO1-10-3. [306] P. R. O., CO1-10-43. [307] P. R. O., CO1-10-26, 32. [308] P. R. O., CO1-10-61. [309] P. R. O., CO1-10-67. [310] P. R. O., CO1-10-64. 1. [311] P. R. O., CO1-10-64. [312] Report of Com. on Hist. Man., 3. [313] Report of Com. on Hist. Man., 3. CHAPTER IV GOVERNOR BERKELEY AND THE COMMONWEALTH Sir William Berkeley, who succeeded Governor Wyatt in 1642, is one of the striking figures of American colonial history. Impulsive, brave, dogmatic, unrelenting, his every action is full of interest. He early displayed a passionate devotion to the house of Stuart, which remained unshaken amid the overthrow of the monarchy and the triumph of its enemies. When the British Commons had brought the unhappy King to the block, Berkeley denounced them as lawless tyrants and pledged his allegiance to Charles II. And when the Commonwealth sent ships and men to subdue the stubborn Governor, they found him ready, with his raw colonial militia, to fight for the prince that England had repudiated. Throughout his life his chief wish was to win the approbation of the King, his greatest dread to incur his censure. Berkeley did not know fear. When, in 1644, the savages came murdering through the colony, it was he that led the planters into the forests to seek revenge. In 1666, when a Dutch fleet sailed into the James and captured a number of English vessels, the Governor wished to sally out in person with a few merchantmen to punish their temerity. He possessed many of the graces of the courtier, and seems to have charmed, when he so desired, those with whom he came in contact. His friends are most extravagant in his praises, and their letters refer to him as the model soldier, statesman and gentleman. The overthrow of Sir Francis Wyatt was a severe blow to the enemies of the old Harvey faction. Anthony Panton entered a protest against the change of administration, claiming that it had been brought about by surreptitious means and that no just complaint could be made against Governor Wyatt.[314] At his petition Berkeley was ordered to postpone his departure for Virginia until the matter could be investigated further. Upon signing an agreement, however, to protect the interests of Wyatt and his friends, he was allowed to sail and reached the colony in 1642.