USA > Virginia > A history of Virginia : from its discovery and settlement by Europeans to the present time. Vol. I > Part 22
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The people joyfully breathed again the air of elective freedom, from which they had been so long debarred. From the county of Henrico, Na- thaniel Bacon was returned a member of the Colo- nial Legislature, and corresponding changes occur- red in other places. No attention was paid to the hated law restricting the right of suffrage to the freeholders of the colony. Many of the burgesses themselves were only freemen, and the dangerous powers usurped by the last Assembly seemed at once to be overthrown. But, though the Governor was compelled to yield to the blast, he was not appeased. He still cherished thoughts of revenge for the insults which he professed to have received.
As Bacon approached Jamestown, in a small sloop, utterly unprepared for hostilities, he was suddenly arrested by an armed ship, under the guns of which his frail bark was brought, and he was himself taken into custody by the High Sheriff of Jamestown, and carried into the city .. But the
a Breviare et Conclusum, in Burk,
c T. M.'s Account, Force, 12; Our Appen. ii. 250 ; Burk's Text, ii. 165. Late Troubles, 4, 5; Bacon's Pro- b Bacon's Rebellion, Force, 11; ceedings, 11. " Some being put into Breviare et Conclusum, in Burk, irons." Burk, ii. 167. Appendix, ii. 251; Bancroft, ii. 219.
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344
BACON RELEASED.
[CHAP. VI.
Assembly convened in a short time thereafter. Already the young leader was regarded with the warmest affection by men who considered him their deliverer, not merely from Indian cruelties, but from the injustice of their own government. Berkeley could not venture long to keep such a man in confinement. With the hope of gaining a character for clemency, he released his prisoner from custody, reversed the sentence of attainder formerly, pronounced against him, and restored him to his place in the Council.a
But before Bacon would consent to give his parole, to resume his duties in Council, or to acknowledge his fault, he received from the Go- vernor a promise that he should have a regular commission as commander of the forces against the Indians; and this was a condition precedent on which depended his own agreement. That the governor gave this promise, no reasonable doubt can exist : the fact is not only asserted by cotem- porary authorities,' but it must be taken for grant-
ª Breviare et Conclusum, Appen., his admiration of the insurgent, yet Burk, ii. 251; Burk, ii. 167; Ba- con's Proceedings, Force, 11.
b Read Bacon's Proceedings, Force, 11, 12; Our Late Troubles, by Mrs. Ann Cotton, Force, 4, 5; Breviare et Conclusum, Burk's Appen. ii. 251. Beverley, 70, and Keith, 159, love Berkeley and hate Bacon too much to be trusted. Mr. Campbell is very illiberal in his whole account of the Rebellion, and tacitly does Bacon in- justice by saying nothing about the governor's promise, page 76. Mr. Bacon is admitted to be, 62. Burk is generally enthusiastic in
he seems unable to acquit him of the dishonour of having broken his parole, ii. 167, 168; and doubts on the point are yet entertained by ge- nerous and cultivated minds .- Let- ter from Charles Campbell, Esq., of Petersburg, to the author, dated April 16, 1846. But the authorities first above cited are conclusive ; and even without them, I would find it impossible to impute deliberate per- fidy to a character such as that of
345
LAWS OF A FREE ASSEMBLY.
1676.]
ed, in order to give consistency to the conduct of the parties in the scenes which followed. (June 5.) When this agreement was made, a written paper was presented by his uncleª to Nathaniel Bacon, who solemnly adopted it in the presence of the Coun- cil, acknowledging himself to have been guilty of many imprudences and " unwarrantable practices;" begging pardon of the governor for his offences against him; promising allegiance and true faith to the government in future; and expressing his willingness to pledge his whole estate for his subsequent good conduct. This acknowledgment was made on the 5th day of June; and immediately afterwards the newly elected Assembly commenced its labours.b
The action of this Assembly was salutary and important. Once more we mark the infusion of the popular spirit into their laws, giving life to what would otherwise have been a dead body of enactments, displaying the presence neither of wisdom nor of liberty." Ecclesiastical monopolies were destroyed, by limiting vestrymen to a term of three years, and making them responsible to the free voters of each parish.ª Just levies of county
a Nathaniel Bacon, Sen., a mem- ber of Council; note to Hening, ii. that, though they were all. repealed 544; T. M.'s Account, in Force, 15. by special instructions from the King, yet subsequent legislatures found it necessary to revive them ; and nearly all were re-enacted under different and page 391, in note.
lasting honour be it remembered,
b The acknowledgment may be read, in full, in Hening, ii. 543, 544. c The acts of this memorable ses- sion are generally known by the titles. Preface to Hening's Sta. ii. v., title of " Bacon's Laws." They are in Hening, ii. 341-365. To their
d Hening, ii. 356, Act vi.
346
LAWS OF A FREE ASSEMBLY.
[CHAP. VI.
taxes were provided for ; the enormous perquisites of the Governor and Council were greatly cur- tailed;ª the sale of spirituous liquors throughout the country was forbidden; two unworthy magis- trates were disgraced and disfranchised; and an act of general indemnity was passed, to cover all offences for which the actors in the late scenes might be called in question. And, we note with interest, that the restrictions on the elective pri- vilege, which had been imposed by the "Long Assembly" of Sir William Berkeley, were removed, and all freemen were permitted once more to have a voice in choosing the men who were to exercise over them the power of liberty and bondage-of life and death.b Among laws so wise and so healthful in their influence, we find but one which must call for reprobation. The Assembly declared that Indian captives taken in war should be made slaves during lifee-thus, for the first time, depriv- ing the red man of the freedom he prized more than existence, and adding to the burthen of an institu-
a Hening, ii. 357, 358, 359 ; Ban- of free suffrage-the reverse rather croft, ii. 221.
b Hening, ii. 356, Act vii .; Ban- croft, i. 220. On this clause a brief passage of arms occurred in the Vir- ginia Convention of 1829-30. B. W. Leigh, Esq., called Bacon a "rebel," and declared that he was the author of universal suffrage in Virginia. Mr. Leigh cited the note in Revised Code, i. 38, which certainly does not ascribe to Bacon the paternity dians.
is plainly set forth. In this debate, Bacon's character and laws were ably vindicated by John R. Cooke, Esq .- Virginia Convention, 1829- 30, pages 339-341.
" Hening, ii. 346; Gregory os. Baugh, iv. Randolph, 624-633. This law did not remain long in force. It was the fruit of continued indigna- tion against the cruelty of the In-
347
REBELLION.
1676.]
tion which had already inflicted unmeasured evil upon Virginia.
But new troubles were soon to arise. The go- vernor positively refused to comply with his pro- mise, and withheld from Bacon the eagerly sought commission. Indignant at this breach of faith, and fearing, for stringent reasons, that treachery would be employed against him,a the young plan- ter obeyed the warning of his uncle, and secretly left the seat of government. Berkeley, in great alarm, issued warrants for his apprehension, but they were impotent against the idol of the people.
Four hundred men were soon under the com- mand of Bacon, who led them to Jamestown, and, arranging them in order upon the green in front of the State House, demanded from the Council a fulfilment of their pledge. Roused by this daring act, the old cavalier recalled his well-known cou- rage. He had not entirely lost the heroism of earlier years. Advancing towards the insurgents, he bared his breast to their presented fusils, and cried aloud : "Here, shoot me-a fair mark- shoot !"b But his young opponent was not inferior in chivalrous honour. His passions were violent, and they were now excited to intensity ; yet he did not forget his duty. His reply deserves a record. " No, may it please your honour, we will not hurt a hair of your head, nor of any other man's. We have come for a commission to save our lives from
2 T. M.'s Account, 15; Bancroft, ii. 221; Robertson's Am. 424; Gra. ii. 221.
hame's Colon. Hist. i. 120; Bever-
b T. M.'s Account, 17; Bancroft, ley, 71; Keith, 159.
348
REBELLION.'
[CHAP. VI.
the Indians, which you have so often promised ; and now we will have it before we go."
The Council and Assembly sought to moderate the excitement, and persuaded Berkeley to grant the commission. The moment it was obtained, Bacon led his followers away, and prepared for a vigorous prosecution of the Indian war. But when relieved from the immediate presence of this for- midable patriot, the Governor and his Council yielded to a mean desire for revenge; and pretend- ing that their late grant had been forced from them by arms, they declared Bacon a rebel, and prepared for hostilities against him. Berkeley repaired to Gloucester, a county fertile in soil, abundant in wealth, and containing a large population. Here he raised the royal standard, and invited the plant- ers to rally round him and make war upon the dis- turber of the public peace. Great was his astonish- ment to find that his summons excited no enthusiasm, no cordial response. The seeds of disaffection had already taken root upon the very soil on which he stood. The leading men of Gloucester sent him a temperate and manly reply, telling him that they regarded Bacon as their brother and the friend of their country ; that he was now leading an army against the savages, from whom they had so much to fear ; that they could not consent to bear arms against one thus endangering his life for their safety ; but that, should he engage in any treason- able designs, the Governor might depend upon their aid.ª
a Bacon's Proceedings, Force, 13, 14; Our Late Troubles, ditto, 5.
دـ
349
REBELLION.
1676.]
Meanwhile, intelligence of these measures against him was conveyed to the insurgent by Drummond and Lawrence, two steady patriots, who were both afterwards victims of their love of liberty. Bacon hesitated not a moment in his course. To be thus hunted in the rear like a savage animal, while he was pursuing the wolves, tigers, and bears, in front, was sufficient to awaken his anger.ª Retracing his steps, he advanced rapidly upon Sir William Berke- ley, resolved to force him to the adoption of more equitable counsels. But the Governor prudently withdrew from the coming storm; and, attended by a few adherents, he transported himself with the feeble remnant of his friends across the bay to the eastern county of Accomac.b
Bacon had advanced to Williamsburg, then known by the name of the Middle Plantation, when, finding that his enemy had fled, he sum- moned the gentlemen of the country to a free con- ference on the state of their affairs. Serious difficulties presented themselves. No organized government existed, and doubts prevailed as to the mode of obtaining one. ' But brave men are never discouraged by obstacles that can be overcome. The flight of Sir William Berkeley was considered a virtual abdication of the government;" and when
a Bacon's words in "Our Late
Beverley, 72; Keith, 160; Bancroft, Troubles," Force, 5; Bacon's Pro- ii. 224; Campbell, 77. ceedings, 15; Bancroft, ii. 223.
c Burk, ii. 172; Campbell, 78;
b Burk, ii. 171; Grahame, i. 121; Beverley, 72; Keith, 161, all say " on Marshall, 161 ; Robertson, 424; Ba- con's Proceedings, in Force, 19;
pretence that the Governor had abdi. cated," &c. But see Bancroft, ii.
350
SARAH DRUMMOND.
. [CHAP. VI.
it was farther urged that the period of ten years, for which he had been appointed, had expired,a the people of Virginia did not hesitate to take into their own hands the responsible power of self-legislation. Bacon, and four other members of Council, issued writs for a new Assembly.' The utmost joy and enthusiasm prevailed. Even the sensitive nature of woman caught the spirit, and aided in its diffu- sion. Sarah Drummond was the wife of Bacon's friend, and was worthy to be the companion of a patriot martyr. "The child that is unborn," she . said, " will have cause to rejoice for the good that will come by the rising of the country."c
To give consistency to their action, and to bind themselves into closer union, the assembled colonists published a manifesto, which, after due debate, they all subscribed. In this paper they recite the con- dition of the country, the raising of the army, the appointment of Bacon as general, the outrages of the Indians, and the unjust measures adopted by Sir William Berkeley. After this preamble, the manifesto concludes with three articles of agree- ment : by the first, the colonists pledge themselves at all times to join with Bacon against the common foe; by the second, they promise to use all proper
224; Our Late Troubles, 6; Bacon's in time to escape the fate of his Proceedings, 15-17. There is a re- father. remarkable parallel between these , a Bancroft, ii. 224, citing Bonds, &c., from office of Gen. Court, Rich- mond. movements in the colony of Virginia and the revolution which occurred twelve years after in England, when b Burk, ii. 172; Bancroft, ii. 224. James II. was declared to have " ab- c Bancroft, ii. 224, copying from Bonds, &c., in Gen. Court, Richmond. dicated" the throne, because he fled
351
BLOODY RUN.
1676.]
means for the discovery and apprehension of his enemies, who desired to beget a civil war by op- posing him; by the third, they go further, and, re- citing that the Governor had informed the King that the people of Virginia were rebellious, and had requested that troops might be sent from England to subdue them, they solemnly engage to oppose all such troops, until his majesty should be informed of " the state of the case" by delegates sent by Bacon in behalf of the people. These bold articles of agreement were all signed by the colonists then assembled, on the 3d day of August, 1676.ª
Having thus successfully exerted himself in re- storing the powers of government, Bacon advanced with his gallant army to attack the Indians. Al- ready they had taken the alarm, and had hastily united their few remaining tribes to oppose his progress. He destroyed the towns of the Pa- munky, the Mattapony, and the Chickahominy In- dians, and then marched immediately to the point at which he expected to encounter the whole sa- vage force. Very near the site of the present city of Richmond, is a spot well known as "Bacon Quarter Branch," which is supposed to have been included by the plantation of the renowned insur- gent. Nearly three miles below this flows a small stream, which has for many years borne the name of Bloody Run, a title but too well merited by the fierce conflict which once took place upon its bor-
a The manifesto is in Beverley, See Bancroft, ii. 223, 224; Bacon's 73, 74; Burk, ii. 173-175. Mr. Gra. Proceedings, 16, 17; Oldmixon, i. hame gives a parody, i. 121, 122. 387.
352
BATTLE OF BLOODY RUN.
[CHAP. VI.
ders.ª On an eminence overhanging this stream the natives had collected their whole force, and knowing that here must be made their final stand, they prepared for a desperate resistance. A fort, defended and palisadoed in the best manner known to the savages, had been erected, and within its barriers, women, children, and warriors were all as- sembled. When Bacon approached, he instantly saw the difficulty and danger of an assault, but without a moment's delay, he threw himself at the head of his forces upon the Indian fortress. The palisades were torn down; the eminence was gain- ed; the Indian warriors were met hand to hand ; and in the terrible combat which followed, it is said that streams of blood ran down the hill, and mingling with the waters of the rivulet below, gave to it the ominous name which it has ever since preserved. The savages were completely routed ; many of them were slain, and a large number were made prisoners. So decisive was this blow, that the Indian powers were for ever broken, and in eastern Virginia we hear of them no more.b
While in the full tide of victory, Bacon received intelligence which again turned his thoughts to the enemy whom he had left in his rear. When Sir
a Burk, ii. 176; Howe's Hist. Collec., 75 and 304; Charles Dick- ens's Amer. Notes, 56.
b I am convinced that this is the battle described by T. M., in his ac- count of Bacon's Rebellion, Force, bell, 78, 79.
11; though it is there displaced from its proper order in the succes- sion of events. Vide Burk, ii. 176; Grahame, i. 122; Outline in Howe, 75 ; Bacon's Proceedings, 23 ; Camp-
1676.]
BLAND-CARVER-LARIMORE. 353
William Berkeley first arrived in Accomac, he was received with coldness, and among the better part of the population, no enthusiasm was felt for the royal cause. In this peninsula, the odious Naviga- tion Laws had been felt in all their force, and the easy access to all parts from the seaboard rendered evasion of these laws both difficult and hazardous.a Berkeley could gather around him few friends, ex- cept the lowest and most cowardly of the country's population. His condition was highly critical, when his fortunes were suddenly restored by an unexpected event. Giles Bland and Captain Carver, two zealous promoters of the late revolution, deter- mined to make a descent on Accomac in two armed vessels which Bacon had pressed for the service. Their design was, if possible, to take Berkeley a prisoner and convey him to Jamestown.b But treachery revealed their design. One Captain La- rimore, had commanded one of these vessels, and had professed fervent zeal for the cause of Bacon. He was a man of coarse passions, and had even heretofore been little loved; but now he covered himself with greater infamy by assuming the of- fice of a traitor. Hastening to. Berkeley, he ap- prised him of the intended attack, and offered to head an expedition for defeating it. Bland and Carver were incautious, and both themselves and their crews seem to have yielded to the seductions of the wine cup, at a time when it specially be- hooved them to be sober. Twenty-six tried men,
a Burk, ii. 177; Outline in Howe, 75.
b T. M.'s Account, 21, 22 ; Bacon's Proceedings, 20.
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354
CARVER EXECUTED.
[CHAP. VI.
heavily armed, were placed in two boats, and at midnight they approached in profound stillness the vessels of the insurgents. The work was accom- plished in a moment. The crews were in no state to resist, and were all made prisoners.ª Giles and Carver were carried on shore and immediately put in heavy irons. The spirits of the royalist Governor rose in proportion to his former despair, and with them returned the thirst for vengeance. Four days after the capture, the unhappy Carver was execu- ted upon a gibbet. Bland was retained in custody, but his death was not long delayed.b
Collecting in haste his whole naval and military force, Berkeley set sail for Jamestown with one large armed ship, seventeen sloops and nearly six hundred men. (Sept. 7.) When he entered the town, he first offered solemn thanks to God for his delivery, and then issued renewed proclamations against the rebels, whom he now supposed to be utterly discomfited. But his triumph was brief. In his camp, near the scene of the late battle, Bacon received notice of the disasters of his friends and the success of his foes.d Calling his followers once more to arms, he advanced rapidly towards
a Bacon's Proceedings, 20 ; T. M.'s
· d Breviare et Conclusum, Burk, Account, 22, 23; Burk, ii. 180; Bre- Appen. ii. 251 ; The Insurgent, or a viare et Conclusum, Burk, Appendix, 221.
b T. M.'s Account, 23; Bacon's Pro- ceedings, 20, 21; Our Late Trou- bles, 9.
c Breviare et Conclusum, Burk, Appen. 251; Bancroft, ii. 226.
Tale of Early Times, 216, 217. This exciting tale is founded on the events of Bacon's Rebellion. With much of pure fiction, it embraces more of historic truth.
.
355
DEFEAT OF THE LOYALISTS.
1676.]
Jamestown, and while in route, he caused to be brought into his camp the wives of several leading royalists who were found at their houses in the country. Sending one of the number to apprise their husbands in town of the capture,a he has- tened onward with his determined army.
(Sept.) As the sun was sinking beneath the horizon, the insurgent forces gained a gentle emi- nence above Jamestown. Having first sounded defi- ance with their trumpets, and fired a volley, they im- mediately began preparations for attack and defence. A beautiful night in autumn favoured their design, and under the moonbeams they worked with little intermission. A trench was cut and a breastwork thrown up, composed of felled trees, earth, and brushwood.b. The royalist army could discern their labour; but, fearing to injure the wives of their leaders, who were in the rebel camp, they ventured not to fire a single shot, either from the . ships or from the ordnance in the city.
But early in the next morning, Berkeley led out a large force of nearly eight hundred men, resolved to storm the entrenchment and drive the rebels be- fore him. He encountered the very chivalry of Virginia, against whom his degraded followers would combat in vain. The royalist force was broken and routed in every direction; many of
a Bacon's Proceedings, 23, 24; treated," Am. Colon., 162. This is Our Late Troubles, 8; Marshall says, unjust to the insurgents. " the wives of those who supported b Breviare et Conclusum, 251 Burk, ii. 183; Bancroft, ii. 227. the government were carried to the eamp, where they were very harshly
356
DEFEAT OF THE LOYALISTS. [CHAP. VI.
them were left dead on the field ; their drum was abandoned to the victors, and with difficulty did the leaders themselves escape captivity.
Bacon followed up his success with the prompt- ness of an experienced general. Planting several heavy cannon upon a commanding position, he turned them against the fleet anchored near the city. The first shot was sufficient to convince the governor that his naval force, upon which he chief- ly depended, would be destroyed if longer retained in its perilous anchorage; and, with deep disap- pointment, he found himself again compelled to fly before his enemies.ª He deserted Jamestown with all his followers, and entering the vessels, they sailed down the river beyond the reach of the in- surgent cannon.
No opposing force remained to dispute the en- trance of the city. Bacon and his followers took · possession of Jamestown, and found in it neither enemies nor friends. There is no evidence that they sought for spoil, nor is it probable that a body comprising some of the highest and most refined men in the colony, could have tolerated pillage in a town in which many of themselves had formerly dwelt.b But the very existence of their prize gave them serious difficulty. To remain in Jamestown, with a sufficient force to guard it, would be impos- sible ; to abandon it again to the royal forces would
a Bacon's Proceedings, 25, 26; Burk, ii. 186, 187; The Insurgent, 242-244; Breviare et Conclusum, this subject, p. 81.
b Mr. Campbell is not more inac- curate than unjust, in speaking on
Burk, Appen. 252.
357
BURNING OF JAMESTOWN.
1676.]
be dangerous. In this dilemma, Bacon adopted a measure, stern indeed, yet apparently both wise and necessary. He proposed that Jamestown should be destroyed, and his counsel was imme- diately approved. His two faithful friends, Drum- mond and Lawrence, with their own hands set fire to their respective houses, and in a short time the ancient, the only city in Virginia, was wrapped in flames.a
From the mouldering ruins behind him, the in- surgent chief slowly retired with his victorious army. Hearing that a large force, consisting of nearly one thousand men, was advancing through the upper counties, under Colonel Brent, with the supposed design of attacking him, he gathered his men around him, and informing them of the threat- ened danger, asked them if they were ready to renew the contest. Shouts, acclamations, the thun- der of drums, and the clash of steel, attested their enthusiasm. With one accord they divested them- selves of every thing that could impede their march, and prepared to meet the enemy.b But their zeal, though sincere, was in this case hardly required. Already Brent's men were deeply infected with the spirit of freedom, which had roused their brethren; they learned, with joy, of the victories of Bacon ; and refusing to march farther against him, they returned each man to his home." Thus this great storm was speedily dissipated. Brent was a royal-
a Note to Burk, ii. 190; Bancroft, ii. 228; T. M.'s account of Bacon's Rebel., Force, 21.
b Bacon's Proceedings, 27.
c Ibid. 27.
358
DEATH OF BACON.
[CHAP. VI.
ist, and was deeply mortified at the departure of his men ; but he could not alone resist the tide which was now rapidly sweeping from Virginia every trace of monarchical rule.
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