May it please Yor Maty
In obedience to Yor Matys Order of Councill of the 4th instant, We have heard the Complaint of the Commissrs of yor Customes agst John Culpeper and being attended by the Lords Proprietors of Carolina we were fully satisfyed that the said John Culpeper had by divers seditious practises abetted and encouraged a Rebellion in that Province, whereby seaven of the Lawfull Magistrates Deputies to the Lords Proprietors were all imprison'd (the eighth of them only being drawn into that Confederacy) And that the said John Culpeper by color & force of that Rebellious Authority imprisoned the Collector of Yor Matys Customes, and having seized into his own hands the Customs belonging unto yor Maty did by a Proclamation in his owne name declare himself the Lawfull Collector, embezeling and endamaging Yor Matys Customes to a considerable value. All which being proved upon oath before us the said Culpeper acknowledges ye Fact & layes himself at Yor Matys feet for Your Gracious Pardon. And in case Yor Maty shall think not fit to Extend Yor mercy towards him, he desires he may be tryed in Carolina where the fact was committed But wthall the Commrs of yor Matys Customs humbly beseech yor Maty that no favor may be shewed him unless he make or procure satisfaction for the Customs seized and embezeled by him which we are informed do amount to the value of about three thousand pounds sterl.
Councill chamber
the 7th of Feb: 1679-80