To the Honorable Herberte Jeffries Esq’. S’ John Berrie Knighte ffrancis Morrison Esq’ his Maiesties Commissioners apointed to Enquire into, and to make reporte to his most Exelent Maiestie of the Grievances and pressur’s of his Maiesties Subjects of this his Maiesties plantation of Virginia.

We his Maiesties most obedient and Gratefull Subiects being Some of y’ Inhabitants of the parishe of Blisland, in the  Countie of New Kent, in obedience to his Maiesties Condescention and mission, doe humbley present to you’. honou’s these ffollowinge Greiveances and pressures.

Wee present as an insupportable Greiveance the greate taxes impos’d upon us yearely, especially the sixtie pounds poll wh for two years together was levied upon the Countrie, over and beside all ordenarie and Legall [ for the publique, Countie and parishe,

Wee present as a most Heavie Greivance the late frequent Horrid and barbarous Murthers Committed and Ppetuated upon our ffellow Subjects by the Pfidious Indians, the Manifould Rapins and depredations by them Committed upon our stocks and estates, and still Expectinge

releife, but no order was taken but only that wee should drawe together at Least tenne able men to one house, Whereupon ensued the Lamentable burninge of Houses, and Severall Kild the Indians, in adventuringe to goe to there plantation to make some Corne.

We present as a greivance the Greate exactions of shirriffes, although the Compleate Sallarie of Tenn in the Hundred be raised wth y° Leavie, yet in Case a man hath not tobacco readie at his owne house, he will not receive it at any other place w’hout the alowance of Tenn pounds. more for every hundred more.

We present as a greivance, the sellinge of strong drinke at any place where the Countie Courte is kept during the Courte day or what time the Courte shall sitt or Continue, it breeding Matter of protraction in the Countie afayres, to the great expence and Losse of time to those that live remote.

We present as a maniffest Greeance the ffort Duties Mentioned in the printed booke of Acts of Assemblie Levied upon the ships ffor and towards a Magazeene, it being as we Conceive for the use of the publique, notw¹hstandinge when we are at any time Called fourth by publicke authorie  upon any Millitarie occation, we are forced to find our selves Amunition upon our private Charge, nor canne we understand, who have, or to what use imployed the sayd Amunition soe raysed to soe Nessesarie and good intent

We present as a great greevance the imposition of two shillinges the Hogshead, we humbly Conceive if Narrowly Looked into, and imploy’d accordinge to the true intent and Meaninge of the express words of the acte, it would Lessen the Leavie and give Mutch Creaditt to the publicke Dated the 2th day of Aprill 1677 we the subscribers have sett our names or Markes