An eyewitness reports that presently he saw "Mr.
Bacon on his quondam seat with the Governor and Council, which seemed a marvellous indulgence to one whom he had so lately proscribed as a rebel." The Assembly of 1676 was of a different temper and opinion from that of the Long Assembly.

It was an insurgent body, composed to a large degree of mere freemen and small planters, with a few of the richer, more influential sort who nevertheless queried that old divine right of rule.

Berkeley thought that he had good reason to doubt this Assembly's intentions, once it gave itself rein.

He directs it therefore to confine its attention to Indian troubles.

It did, indeed, legislate on Indian affairs by passing an elaborate act for the prosecution of the war.
An army of a thousand white men was to be raised.