119 



Then follow the articles stipulated by the governor 

 and council, which relate merely to their own persons 

 and property, and tlien the ensuing instrument: 



"An act of indempnitiemade att the surrender of the 

 countrey. 



" Whereas by the authoritie of the parliament wee 

 the commissioners appointed by the council of state 

 authorized thereto having brought a ffleete & force be- 

 fore James cittie in Virginia to reduce that collonie 

 under the obedience of the common wealth of Eng- 

 land, & finding force raised by the Governour & coun- 

 trey to take opposition against the said ffleet whereby 

 assured danger appearinge of the ruine & destruction 

 of the plantation, for prevention whereof the Burges- 

 ses of all the severall plantations being called to ad- 

 vise and assist therein, uppon long & serious debate, 

 and in sad contemplation of the great miseries & cer- 

 tain destruction which were soe neerely hovering over 

 the whole countrev ; Wee the said Commissioners have 

 thought fitt & condescending & granted to signe & 

 confirme under our hands, scales & by our oath, Arti- 

 cles bearinge date with theise presents, and do further 

 declare that by the authoritie of the parliament & com- 

 monwealth of England derived unto us their commis- 

 sioners, that according to the articles in general wee 

 have granted an act of indempnitie & oblivion to all 

 the inhabitants of this coloney from all words, actions, 

 or writings that have been spoken acted or writt against 

 the parliament or commonwealth of England or any 

 other person from the beginning of the world to this 

 daye. And this we have done that all the inhabitants 

 of the collonie may live quietly and securely under the 

 commonwealth of England. And we do promise that 

 the parliament and commonwealth of England shall 

 confirm & make good all those transactions of ours. 

 Wittness our hands & scales this 12th of March 1651. 

 Richard Bennett — Sealc. Wm. Claiborne — Seale. 



Edm. Curtis. — Seale." 



The colony supposed, that, by this solemn conven- 

 tion, entered into with arms in their hands, they had 



