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to destroy all our neighbouring Indians; whome, when they've
subdued, conquered and destroyed, I believe their next designe
will be against the Inhabitants of both these Colonies, whose
stocks of Cattle and hoggs they already make bold with, and
especially in Virginia where these Savages kill and destroy
hoggs and Cattle afore the faces of the Owners of them; arrd
if the English make any opposition, they're immediately fired
at by these villians, and upon the like occasion, were five men
and a woman killed about a month since in Maryland. Upon
these disturbances given us by these heathen rogues, some
evill ill disposed spirits have been tampering to stirr up the
Inhabitants of Maryland and those of the north part of Virginia
to mutiny, of which I haveing notice, as also being, certainely
informed who were the chiefe contrivers, and carriers on of
the designe I imediately sent orders for the apprehending
one Josias Fendall and John Coode, two Rank Baconists; the
first of these was some twenty yeares since my Father's Lieut.
Governor here; but upon his breach of trust and beginning a
Rebellion here he scaped the Gallows very narrowly; since
then and in the time of Bacon's Rebellion in Virginia it was
expected every day when he would have fallen in with him;
and had there not, by the vigilancy, care and resolution of my
Lieutn Tho: Notley now deceased, been a stop put to the
Rebellion here in Bacon's time, this Fendall had certainly joined
with Bacon, and then Maryland had been imbroiled and ruined
as Virginia was. The Encouragement this fellow had now to
lay this wicked designe, was the hopes, and confidence he had
that upon his Maj''-'s meeting his Parliament there would be
such differences, as would occasione civill warrs, and that then
there would be no establisht laws in England, and so he and
his crew might possess themselves here and in Virginia of
what estates they pleased. This Fendall has a great influence
on, and interest in most of the Rascales in the North parts of
Virginia where he was for some time when he was forced to
absent himselfe from Maryland and at that time I gave notice
to Sir Henry Chicheley to sett eyes over him, the same notice
I gave to Coll: Nicholas S'pencer secrar of Virginia but I feare
the latter either through want of resolution, or loyalty did not
prevent (what he might) the seditious practices of this Rebell;
and I may the more boldly affirm this, since formerly and but
few days afore my apprehending this fellow, he had openly
entertained and cherisht this Rascall in his house: which gives
me cause to be confident that he has encouraged Fendall in
his designes against Maryland; forgetting, or (as I suppose)
not considering that a defection in my Government may raise
an other Bacon in Virginia the people there being as ripe and
readdy for another Rebellion as ever they were; and I know
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P. R. O.
Colonial
Papers.
B. B.
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