Nathaniel Bacon's "Declaration of the People" (1676)
For having upon specious pretenses of Publick works raised unjust Taxes upon the Commonalty for the advancement of private Favourits and other sinnister ends but noe visible effects in any measure adequate.
For not having dureing the long time of his Government in any measure advanced this hopeful Colony either by Fortification, Townes or Trade.
For having abused and rendered Contemptible the Majesty of Justice, of advancing to places of judicature scandalous and Ignorant favourits.
For having wronged his Maties Prerogative and Interest by assuming the monopoley of the Beaver Trade.
By having in that unjust gaine Bartered and sould his Mats Country and the lives of his Loyal Subjects to the Barbarous Heathen.
For having protected favoured and Imboldened the Indians against his Mats most Loyall subjects never contriveing requireing or appointing any due or proper meanes of satisfaction for their many Invassions Murthers and Robberies Committed upon us.
For having when the Army of the English was Just upon the Track of the Indians, which now in all places Burne Spoyle and Murder, and when wee might with ease have destroyed them who then were in open Hostility for having expresly Countermanded and sent back our Army by passing his word for the peaceable demeanour of the said Indians, who immediately prosecuted their evill Intentiions Committing horrid Murders and Robberies in all places being protected by the said Engagement and word pass’d of him the said S’r William Berkley having ruined and made desolate a great part of his Mats Country, have now drawne themselves into such obscure and remote places and are by their successes soe imboldened and confirmed and by their Confederacy soe strengthened that the cryes of Bloud are in all places and the Terrour and censternation of the People soe great, that they are now become not only a difficult, but a very formidable Enemy who might with Ease have been destroyed &c. When upon the Loud Outcries of Blood the Assembly had with all care raised and framed an army for the prevention of future Mischiefs and safeguard of his Mats Colony.
For having with only the privacy of some few favourits without acquainting the People, only by the Alteration of a Figure forged a Commission by wee know not what hand, not only without but against the Consent of the People, for raising and effecting of Civill Wars and distractions, which being happily and wthout Bloodshed prevented.
For having the second tyme attempted the dame thereby, calling downe our Forces from the defence of the Frontiers, and most weake Exposed Places, for the prevention of civill Mischief and Ruine amongst ourselves, whilst the barbarous Enemy in all places did Invade murder and spoyle us by his Mats most faithfull subjects.
Of these aforesaid Articles wee accuse S’r William Berkley, as guilty of each and every one of the same, and as one, who hath Traiterously attempted, violated and Injured his Maties Interst here, by the losse of a great Part of his Colony, and many of his Faithfull and Loyall subjects by him betrayed, and in a barbarous and shamefull manner exposed to the Incursions and murthers of the Heathen.
And we further delare these Ensueing Persons in this List, to have been his wicked, and pernitious Councellors, Aiders and Assisters against the Commonalty in these our Cruell Commotions
Sr Henry Chicherly, Knt.,
Col. Charles Wormley,
Phil. Dalowell,
Robert Beverly,
Robert Lee,
Thos. Ballard,
William Cole,
Richard Whitacre,
Nicholas Spencer,
And wee doe further demand, That the said S’r William Berkley, wth all the Persons in this List, be forthwth delivered upp, or surrender themselves, wthin foure days, after the notice hereof, or otherwise wee declare, as followeth, That in whatsoever house, place, or shipp, any of the said Persons shall reside, be hide, or protected, Wee doe declare, that the Owners, masters, or Inhabitants of the said places, to be Confederates, and Traitors to the People, and the Estates of them, as also of all the aforesaid Persons to be Confiscated, This wee the Commons of Virginia doe declare desiring a prime Union among ourselves against the Common Enemye. And Let not the Faults of the guilty, be the Reproach of the Innocent, or the Faults or Crimes of ye Oppressors divide and separate us, who have suffered by theire oppressiions.
These are therefore in his Mats name, to Command you forthwith to seize, the Persons above mentioned, as Traytors to ye King and Countrey, and them to bring to Middle Plantation, and there to secure them, till further Order, and in Case of opposition, if you want any other Assistance, you are forthwith to demand it in the Name of the People of all the Counties of Virginia
