of the opportunity,
being befriended by a gloomy night, and so made an honourable retreat
homewards. Howbeit we may judge what respect he had gain'd in
James-Town by this subsequent transaction.

When he was first brought hither it was frequently reported among the
Commonalty that he was kept close Prisoner, which report caused the
people of that Town, those of Charles-city, Henrico, and New-Kent
Countries, being in all about the Number of eight hundred, or a
thousand, to rise and march thitherwards in order to his rescue;
whereupon the Governor was forced to desire Mr. Bacon to go himself in
Person, and by his open appearance quiet the people.

This being past, Mr. Bacon, about the 25th of June last, dissatisfied
that he could not have a Commission granted him to go against the
Indians, in the night time departed the Town unknown to any body, and
about a week after got together between four and five hundred men of
New-Kent County, with whom he marched to James-Town, and drew up in
order before the House of State; and there peremptorily demanded of
the Governor, Council and Burgesses (there then collected) a
Commission to go against the Indians, which if they should refuse to
grant him, he told them that neither he nor ne're a man in his Company
would depart from their Doors till he had obtained his request;
whereupon to prevent farther danger in so great an exigence, the
Council and Burgesses by much intreaty obtain'd him a Commission
Signed by the Governor, an Act for one thousand men to be Listed under
his command to go against the Indians, to whom the same pay was to be
granted as was allowed to them who went against the Fort. But Bacon
was not satisfied with this, but afterwards earnestly importuned, and
at length obtained of the House, to pass an Act of Indemnity to all
Persons who had sided with him, and also Letters of recommendations
from the Governor to his Majesty in his behalf; and moreover caused
Collonel Claybourn and his Son, Captain Claybourn, Lieutenant Collonel
West, and Lieutenant Collonel Hill, and many others, to be degraded
for ever bearing any Office, whether it were Military or Civil.

Having obtained these large Civilities of the Governor, &c. one would
have thought that if the Principles of honesty would not have obliged
him to peace and loyalty, those of gratitude should. But, alas, when
men have been once flusht or entred with Vice, how hard is it for them
to leave it, especially it tends