Nathaniel Bacon's Father Petitions the King, 1676

From the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. Vol. 1, No. 4 (1894). 430-431.

To the Kings most Excellent Maātie The Humble Petition of Tho: Bacon.

Sheweth: That yo^r Pet^r is the sad father of Nathaniell Bacon his only son now in Virginia, who hath been unhapyly prevailed with by the Importunity of his distressed Neighboures to lead them forth agst: theire cruell and pāfideous Enemys the Indians who had now murdered divers of his family as well as others that lay neare to them & who had heertofore destroyed the whole collony all but about five hundred pāsons by reason of the credulity & security in which they were betrayed, But for as much as yo^r Pet^rsson & those with him presumed to preserve themselves without the commission of yo^r Ma^ties Governour, finding the Protection Provided for by him & his Cousell in noe way able to defend them from the dayly Ircutions & murders w^ch every day destroyed them In Contempt of those forts & oppositions w^ch were easily evaded; yo^r Pet^rs son hath by his compassion & assistance incurd as great a danger to himself being hereby become obnoxious to the Letter of the Law by adventuring upon soe publick a good without the allowance of the Governour; without which yo^r Pet^rs son refused to act further, having been Indemnified for what allready past. But in persuance of the Governours order to keep the people Quiet hee was enforced to accompany them not being able to restraigne or perswade them from comeing doune to press Governour & Assembly with much Earnesness to grant his Commission; w^ch they not only thought fitt to doe but to make the Inclosed Address to yo^r Ma^tie tending to the vindication or at least the Extenuation of what yo^r Pe^trs son hath done or suffered on this occasion. Yo^r Pe^tr therefor being under an Apprehention & feare of the Exteremities of yo^r Ma^ties displeasure & Justice against yo^r Pe^trs said son, humbly Implores yo^r Ma^ties Mercy, beseeching you not to cast him into dispaire by exempting him from yo^r forgiveness as one that maliciously & trayterously, or for evell ends of his owne had conspired ag^st & subverted yo^r Ma^ties Royall authority, which yo^r Pe^tr is well assured by his said sons Protestions & other good Testimonys hee utterly abhores as upon Inquisetion will appeare, yf yo^r Ma^tie shall be graciously pleased to admit his serious repentance in what hee hath offended & the Manifestation of his Innocent Intentions, & actings in every perticular, but the weakness of being over persuaded to lead the people ag^st there enemies upon the Grounds w^ch are more largely set forth in the paper hereunto annexed.

And yo^r Pe^tr (as in duty bound) Shall ever pray &c.