Yet in the end, after violent contentions, the assembly at Middle Plantation drew up and signed a remarkable paper, the "Oath at Middle Plantation." Historically, it is linked on the one hand with that "thrusting out of his government" of Sir John Harvey in Charles I's time, and on the other with Virginian proceedings a hundred years later under the third George.

If his Majesty had been, as it was rumored, wrongly informed that Virginia was in rebellion; if, acting upon that misinformation, he sent troops against his loyal Virginians--who were armed only against an evil Governor and intolerable woes then these same good loyalists would "oppose and suppress all forces whatsoever of that nature, until such time as the King be fully informed of the state of the case." What was to happen if the King, being informed, still supported Berkeley and sent other Red Coats was not taken into consideration.
This paper, being drawn, was the more quickly signed because there arrived, in the midst of the debate, a fresh Indian alarm.

Attack threatened a fort upon the York--whence the Governor had seen fit to remove arms and ammunition! The news came most opportunely for Bacon.
"There were no more discourses." The major portion of the large assemblage signed.
The old Government in Virginia was thus denied.

But it was held that government there must be, and that the people of Virginia through representatives must arrange for it.

Writs of election, made as usual in the King's name, and signed by Bacon and by those members of the Council who were of the revolt, went forth to all counties.