When he had finished, Sir William Berkeley said: "God forgive you; I forgive you," and three times he repeated the words.
"And all that were with him ?" asked Colonel Cole, one of the council.
Hugh Price, who was present, was about to interpose some objection; but before he could say anything, Sir William Berkeley answered: "Yes, and all that were with him." As Bacon rose from his knees, the governor took his hand and added: "Mr.Bacon, if you will live civilly but till next quarter day, but till next quarter day, I'll promise to restore you to your place there," pointing to the seat which Bacon generally occupied daring the sessions of the council.
The order to release the prisoners was at once given, and Robert Stevens was again a free man.

He hastened to the home of his mother and sister, where he met his stepfather, whose conduct was so odious to the young man that he took up his abode at "the house of public entertainment kept by the wife of a certain thoughtful Mr.Lawrence." Bacon was also living here under his parole, for it was generally understood that he had not been given permission to leave the city.
One morning, just as the excitement incident to the arrest and confession of Bacon had begun to subside, a large ship entered the river and cast anchor before the town.

The ship flew English colors and was a veritable floating palace.

There are few crafts afloat even at this day that equal it in elegance.

It had been built by the most skilful carpenters in the world at that time, and the long, tapering masts, the deck and bows were more of the modern style than ships of that day.
Her cabins were large, roomy and fitted up with more than Oriental splendor.