having suspended him, was glad to admit him again of the
council; after which he hoped all things might be pacified.

Sec. 101. Notwithstanding this; Colonel Bacon still insisted upon a
commission to be general of the volunteers, and to go out against the
Indians; from which the governor endeavored to dissuade him, but to no
purpose, because he had some secret project in view. He had the luck to
be countenanced in his importunities, by the news of fresh murder and
robberies committed by the Indians. However, not being able to
accomplish his ends by fair means, he stole privately out of town; and
having put himself at the head of six hundred volunteers, marched
directly to Jamestown, where the assembly was then sitting. He presented
himself before the assembly, and drew up his men in battalia before the
house wherein they sat. He urged to them his preparations; and alledged
that if the commission had not been delayed so long, the war against the
Indians might have been finished.

Sec. 102. The governor resented this insolent usage worst of all, and now
obstinately refused to grant him anything, offering his naked breast
against the presented arms of his followers. But the assembly, fearing
the fatal consequences of provoking a discontented multitude ready
armed, who had the governor, council and assembly entirely in their
power, addressed the governor to grant Bacon his request. They prepared
themselves the commission, constituting him general of the forces of
Virginia, and brought it to the governor to be signed.

With much reluctancy the governor signed it, and thereby put the power
of war and peace into Bacon's hands. Upon this he marched away
immediately, having gained his end, which was in effect a power to
secure a monopoly of the Indian trade to himself and his friends.

Sec. 103. As soon as General Bacon had marched to such a convenient
distance from Jamestown that the assembly thought they might deliberate
with safety, the governor, by their advice, issued a proclamation of
rebellion against him, commanding his followers to surrender him, and
forthwith disperse themselves, giving orders at the same time for
raising the militia of the country against him.

Sec. 104. The people being much exasperated, and General Bacon by his
address and eloquence having gained an absolute dominion over their
hearts, they unanimously resolved that not a hair of his head should be
touched, much less that they should surrender