A
Pardon
granted
unto the Governor and Assembly of his Majesties Plantation of
Virginia for passing certaine Acts, being under a Force.
Charles
the Second by the grace of God King of England, Scotland, France
and Ireland Defendor of the Faith etc. To all to whome these
presents shall come, Greeting. Whereas Nathaniel Bacon the
younger of our Plantation of Virginia combining with divers
indigent and seditious persons, Did in the month of June last
past Trayterously levy Warr, against Us and our Government.
And the sd. Nathaniel Bacon and his Complices (to the number
of about Five hundred persons) did in a violent and hostile
manner, besett and encompasse our Governour and Assembly of
our said Plantacion (being then Assembled and mett together
in the Statehouse within our Towne called James Citty, to consult
about and Debate the publick Affaires of our said Plantacion)
And the said Rebelle and Traytors holding up their Musquetts
ready charged and cockt, did threaten to Kill and murder the
said Governor and Assembly Unlesse they would grant such a Commission
to the said Nathaniel Bacon as was by him desired for the
constituting him Comander in Chiefe of certaine Forces to be
raised within the said Plantacion. And unlesse they would passe
and enact certaine pretended Acts and Lawes which were prepared
and offered to them by the said Nathaniel Bacon and his said
Adherents and Complices. And more particularly one pretended
Act, whereby the said Rebells and Traytors might bee Pardoned
and indempnified for their said
Treason and Rebellion. All which said Acts they the said Governour
and Assembly were (for feare of their lives and the terror of
the said threat and violence) compelled to passe accordingly.
And though wee are sufficiently satisfied That our said Governor
and Assembly were not guilty of any presumpcion or ill affection
towards us in passing the said pretended Acts, but were constrained
out of pure Feare, and for safety of their Lives to doe what
they did therein. Yett to the intent that they the said Governor
and Assembly may not be Subject to any Questions or bee in danger
of any Punishment for such their assent to, or Concurrence in
the passing of the said pretended Acts, or in granted the said
pretended Commission. Wee doe hereby of Our
especiall grace, certaine knowledge and meer mocion Pardon and
Release unto the said Governour and Assembly and every of them
(in as full and ample manner as if their Names were herein particularly
mencioned and expressed.) All and all manner of Crimes Misprisions,
comtempts and Misdemeanors by them or any of them comitted or
done in or about the passing, assenting to, or concurring in
the said pretended Acts, or in granting the said pretended Commission.
And Doe for us our heires and Successors freely and absolutely
Discharge, Pardon and Forgive the said Governour and Assembly
and every of them (in as full and ample manner as if their Names
were herein particularly inserted) all punishments, paines,
Forfeitures and advantages which wee our heires or successors
might have or take against them, or any of them, for or by reason
of the premisses. Soe that they, or any of them shall not at
any time hereafter bee in anywise impeached questioned, or proceeded
against for the same. And our will and pleasure is That these
our Letters Patents shall be taken most favourable for the
discharging, Indempnifying and Pardoning the said Governour
and Assembly and every of them for and
concerning the premisses. Notwithstanding the not nameing the
said Governor and Assembly by theire Christian Names, Sir Names,
Places of abode, or addicions. And Notwithstanding the not reciteing
or not true reciteing or expressing the particular Offenses,
Crimes, Forfeitures, Penaltyes & Advantages hereby released,
pardoned, remissed, and Forgiven or indended to be released,
pardoned remissed and forgiven, or any Law, Statute, or Usage
to the contrary hereof in any wise notwithstanding. In Witnes
whereof Wee have caused these our Letters to be made Patents.
Witnes Our selfe att Westminster, the Tenth day of October in
the Eight and twentieth yeare of our Raigne.
Concordat cum
Originali
Wisiman ipm
Regem
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