They still supposed that liberty could be gained while they retained their allegiance to the king of England.

It required a hundred years more to convince them that freedom was incompatible with royalty.
The paper signed at Middle Plantation on this third day of August, 1676, was a notable document.

It began by stating that certain persons had raised forces against General Bacon, which had brought on civil war, and if forces came from England they would oppose them.
The next step of the rebels was to organize a government.

Bacon issued writs for the representatives of the people to assemble early in September.

The writs were in the king's name, and were signed by four of the council.
This done, Bacon set off on his Indian campaign, leaving behind him a mighty tumult.