King's Letter to the Duke of York, 1676

From the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. 21:3 (1913) 235-236.

Charles R,

Most dear, and most entirely beloved brother, We greet you well; It is not unknown to you that Nathaniel Bacon the Younger, hath made himself the head & leader of a rebellion in Our Colony of Virginia, highly to the Dishonour of Our royal Authority and no less to the Detriment of Our good subjects in that Colony besides the danger of the Example which, if not suppressed and punished, may spread its infection into the neighboring plantations; For prevention whereof & in Order to the due chastisement of the Authors and abettors of those traitorous and pernicious proceedings in our said Colony of Virginia, We have thought fit to signify our pleasure unto you that if the said Nathaniel Bacon or any of his Accomplices or abettors in that Rebellion, shall, for their safety or otherwise, retreat or resort into Yo^r Colony and Territory or New York, or into any part thereof, you cause them and every of them to be forthwith seized & secured, and that immediate notice thereof be then given to Our Governor or Deputy Governor of Virginia, to the End such further course may be taken with them as the law shall require in that case. So not doubting of Yo^r Zeal and Diligence in a matter so much conducing to the public peace & welfare of Our subjects, both in Virginia, and other Our adjacent Colonys and Plantations. We bid you most heartily farewell. Given &c. the last day of September 1676, in the 28th Year of Our reign.

To His Royal Highness the Duke of York, or Commander in chief under him of the Colony of New York in the West Indies.

By His Ma^ties Command
H. Coventry,
Teste
W. Davis