"There is a report that Sir William Berkeley hath sent to the King for 2,000 redcoats, and I do believe it may be true," said Bacon. "Tell me your opinion, may not 500 Virginians beat them, we having the same advantages against them the Indians have against us?"
"I rather conceive 500 redcoats may either subject or ruin Virginia," Goode replied.
"You talk strangely. Are we not acquainted with the country, can lay ambushes, and take to trees and put them by the use of their discipline, and are doubtless as good or better shots than they?"
"But they can accomplish what I have said without hazard ... by ... landing where there shall be no opposition, firing our houses and fences, ... preventing all trade."
Bacon replied that he knew how to prevent this.
Goode then pointed out that all the principal men in the country would join the redcoats.
"Sir," he added, "you speak as though you designed a total defection from his Majesty and our country."
"Why, have not many princes lost their dominions so?" asked Bacon.
Goode replied that his followers did not think themselves engaged against the King's authority, but against the Indians.
"But I think otherwise, and I am confident of it that it is the mind of this country, and of Maryland and Carolina also to cast off their Governors, ... and if we cannot prevail by arms to make our conditions for peace, or obtain the privilege to elect our own Governor, we may retire to Roanoke."[47]