USA > Virginia > The history of Virginia, from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 11
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183
1676.] BERKELEY'S TYRANNY.
them despatch the Indian business, and meddle with nothing else till that was done. The in- creasing popularity of Bacon, his eloquence, his engaging manners, his blameless life, and, above all, his freely expressed sentiments of patriotism, kept the suspicions of the governor constantly on the alert. When liberal principles wholly prevailed in Virginia, Berkeley had acknowledged himself the servant of the burgesses. The roy- alist tendencies of the latter, and a grasping de- sire on their part to maintain their seats for life, . had led them to contract the liberties of the people, and to surrender to the crown the ap- pointment of the governor and council, in the hope of retaining for themselves a permanence of office. With increase' of power, Berkeley grew imperious and dogmatic. He was no longer the servant of the assembly, but its arrogant master, and any attempt to resist his dictation, or to infringe upon what he considered his pre- rogative, was, in his opinion, a crime little short of treason to the crown.
Bacon, from his commanding talents, and the affection with which he was regarded by the masses, soon became to Berkeley an object of fear and dislike, and the impetuous old man was but a poor dissembler. When, therefore, Berkeley was requested to sign the commission of Bacon as commander-in-chief, he refused. Bacon im-
184
HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. [1676.
mediately left Jamestown, and in a few days re- entered it at the head of five hundred men.
These sturdy followers, after surrounding the statehouse while the burgesses were in session, clamoured loudly for a commission to their leader, and indemnity for their present act.
Presenting their fusils at the windows of the apartment where the burgesses mét, and which was then crowded with faces, they repeated the demand for the commission, adding menacingly, " We'll have it! we'll have it!" One of the members then waved his handkerchief to them from the window, and cried out, " You shall have it, you shall have it !" Upon this promise the men unbent their locks, and grounding their arms waited till Bacon should rejoin them.
No sooner was the presence of the latter at the head of an armed force known to Berkeley, than, accompanied by his council, he went out to meet him. There was no want of courage in the testy old governor. Baring his breast as he advanced, he cried out to Bacon, " A fair mark ! shoot !" The reply of the young leader was calm. "No, may it please your honour," said he, " we will not hurt a hair of your head, nor of any other man's. We are come for a commis- sion to save our lives from the Indians, which you have so often promised ; and now we'll have it before we go." On the second day, Berkeley, pressed on all sides, was compelled to submit. A
185
BACON'S PROCEEDINGS.
1676.]
commission was issued, appointing Bacon general of all the forces then raising in Virginia, and a despatch was transmitted to England, signed by the governor, his council, and the burgesses, commending the legislation of the new assembly, and the zeal, loyalty, and patriotism of Bacon.
Energetic operations were at once commenced against the savages. As preliminary to the cam- paign for which the troops were organizing, the thickets and swamps were pierced by scouting parties of rangers, and the stragglers of the enemy driven back upon the main body.
At length, when Bacon was prepared to put his little army in motion, Berkeley retired to Gloucester county, called a convention of the inhabitants, and against the openly avowed opinions of those whom he had summoned together, proclaimed Bacon a rebel.
Berkeley's " two rogues," Lawrence and Drum- mond-the former an Oxford scholar, and the latter but recently governor of the new province of North Carolina-immediately bore the tidings to Bacon in his camp. Conscious of being inspired by none other than patriotic motives, Bacon ap- pealed at once from the irascible governor to the people of Virginia, whom he called upon, by all they held most dear, to meet in convention and shake off the tyranny of Berkeley.
His summons was responded to with alacrity. The ablest and best men in the province assem-
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186
HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. [1676.
bled at Middle Plantation-now Williamsburg. Many excellent speeches were made, but those of Bacon were superior to any. The whole con- vention promised, under the sanctity of an oath, to support him in the war against the Indians, and to make common cause with him, even against troops from England, until such time as a correct statement of affairs could be laid before the king.
Berkeley now retreated across the bay to Ac- comac county, accompanied by Beverly, Lud- well, and a few other ultra loyalist partisans. Here he succeeded in collecting, by profuse, promises of pay and plunder, a force of nearly one thousand men. With this army, in two ships and sixteen sloops, he sailed up the James River, and on the 8th of September, 1676, en- camped at Jamestown.
In the mean time, Bacon had not been idle. Acting upon the advice of Drummond, Lawrence, and other patriotic counsellors, the retreat of Berkeley to the eastern shore was proclaimed an abdication of his government, and writs were issued by Bacon and four of his colleagues, call- ing upon the people to send delegates to a new . convention.
No act could have been more popular with the great majority of the people. Even the women of the province expressed their joy on this occasion. Sarah Drummond, the wife of the patriotic ex- governor of North Carolina, said, " The child
187
SARAH DRUMMOND.
1676.]
that is unborn shall have cause to rejoice for the good that will come by the rising of the coun- try."
" If we overcome the governor, a greater power from England will ruin us in return," said Ralph Weldinge. Sarah Drummond smiled contemptu- ously. Taking from the ground a small stick, she broke it in two pieces as she replied, " I fear no more the power of England than a broken straw." "
Always resolute and cheerful, this noble hearted woman animated the troops with a por- tion of her own enthusiasm; and in the midst of increasing dangers, cried out hopefully, "We shall do well enough."
As soon as tidings were received that Berke- ley again occupied Jamestown, and in force, swift messengers were despatched throughout the pro- vince, calling upon the planters to arm in defence of their liberties. Drummond and Lawrence immediately set out to join Bacon, who had just disbanded his troops after a successful expedition against the Pamunkey Indians.
A new force was speedily collected, and though it was still inferior to that under Berkeley, Bacon determined to march at once upon Jamestown.
In order to enable him to throw up his in- trenchments without annoyance from the loy- alists, Bacon despatched small parties of horse to bring in from the neighbouring plantations the
188
HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. [1676.
wives of such gentlemen as had taken up arms in support of the governor. These he displayed on the crest of his unfinished works; but when the latter were completed, the ladies were re- moved beyond the reach of harm. Berkeley, confident in his numbers, sallied out at once to attack the patriots ; but being repulsed with loss, his followers deserted him in search of plunder, and the old governor was compelled to embark hastily on board his ships during the night, and retreat down the river to Accomac.
The following morning Bacon entered James- town. To prevent it from becoming a second time a place of refuge for the loyalists, it was determined in a council of war to lay the town in ashes. Drummond and Lawrence, the owners of the best houses in the place, set the example, by each putting fire to his own dwelling.
Jamestown being destroyed, even to the church, the first that ever was in Virginia, Bacon march- ed against Colonel Brent, who was advancing from Accomac at the head of a reinforcement of twelve hundred men. On the approach of the little army of patriots, Brent was deserted by his troops, and hastily fell back from whence he came; while Bacon, having revolutionized with ease the entire western shore, made his prepara- tions to cross the bay, and subject the only small `strip of territory which yet acknowledged the authority of Berkeley.
189
DEATH OF BACON.
1676.] 1
But the malaria of the marshes around James- town was more fatal to the cause of the young patriot general than the arms of the aristocratic Cavaliers. He was attacked by a malignant fever caught by sleeping in the trenches, and on the 1st of October he died.
With the loss of Bacon ended the hopes of the patriots. The new leader, Ingram, did not pos- sess either the talent or the popularity of his former chief. Berkeley exerted himself with renewed activity ; and having entire possession of the naval force of the province, was soon enabled to attack separate detachments of the patriots, and beat them in detail.
Thomas Hansford, a native of the colony, was the first partisan officer that was taken prisoner. Young, gay, reckless, with a keen sense of honour, and a sincere love for his country, his fate was regarded with the greatest commiseration. After his sentence had been announced to him, he asked no favour of the governor but that he "might be shot like a soldier, and not hanged like a dog." Berkeley replied vindictively, " You die not as a soldier, but as a rebel !"
Turning to the assembled crowd, as he ap- proached the gibbet, Hansford said : "Take notice, I die a loyal subject, and a lover of my country."
Two other partisan leaders, Cheeseman and Wilford, were captured shortly after, upon the 1
190
HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. [1676.
York River. Wilton was the son of a royalist knight, who had died fighting for Charles I. Alluding to the eye which he had lost in the late skirmish, he said jocosely, " If I was stark blind, the governor would afford me a guide to the gal- lows."
" Why did you engage in Bacon's designs ?" demanded Berkeley, at the trial of Cheeseman.
"My provocations," said his wife, stepping forward, "made my husband join in the cause for which Bacon contended ; but for me he had never done what he has done." Then falling on her knees, she continued : "Since what is done was done by my means, I am most guilty ; let me be hanged, but let my husband be par- doned."
" Away !" exclaimed Berkeley, adding, in the fierceness of his passion, a term of reproach that sullied the lips which uttered it.
When Drummond was brought in a prisoner, Berkeley, made him a profound bow. « You are very welcome," said he ; " I am more glad to see you than any man in Virginia; you shall be hanged in half an hour." In three hours he was dead.
Berkeley's thirst for blood increased with the means of gratification. Twenty-two persons were hanged in spite of remonstrances and interces- sions.
" The old fool," said Charles II., " has taken
191
DEATH OF BERKELEY.
1676.]
away more lives in that naked country, than I for the murder of my father."
The commissioners who had been sent over by the king to inquire into the origin of the disturb-
ances censured the conduct of Berkeley. The English people expressed in loud terms their de- testation of his sanguinary measures ; and Berke- ley, who had returned to England with the vessel which had borne the commissioners to Virginia, took the public reprobation so much to heart, that he sickened and died almost immediately after his arrival in London.
CHAPTER XVI.
Jeffreys appointed governor-An attempt made to regulate the Indian traffic-Political restrictions again enforced-Chiche- ley deputy-governor-Arrival of Lord Culpepper-Appointed governor for life-His avaricious disposition-Defrauds the troops-Returns to England-Administration of Chicheley- Impoverished condition of the province-Discontent of the people-Return of Culpepper to. Virginia-Compromises with the planters of the northern neck-Embarks for Eng- gland-Lord Howard appointed governor-His meanness and avarice-Transportation of prisoners for political offences -Their reception in Virginia-Administration of Nicholson -Project for a college-A charter obtained-Andros ap- pointed governor-His neatness and method-Is succeeded by Nicholson.
UPON Berkeley's embarkation for England, Herbert Jeffreys was appointed governor. He ' made soon after a treaty of peace with the In-
192
HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. [1677.
dians. In October, 1677, a new assembly was convened, which attempted to regulate the future traffic with the Indians, by limiting it to certain fixed places, at which the traders and the savages were to meet semi-annually.
But these regulations were soon violated by the Indians, who conceived that the treaty of peace remained imperfect while they were re- stricted in their mode of dealing. After an in- effectual attempt to systematize the traffic ac- cording to the law, the rules were abandoned as impracticable.
The death of Bacon was peculiarly unfortu- nate for Virginia in many respects. The liberal opinions he had encouraged and sustained found no open advocacy after the terrible punishment awarded by Berkeley to the prominent prisoners who had fallen into his hands. The right to define the form of government was taken from the people, and assumed by the crown. The as-
semblies were thenceforth to be called only once in two years, and the session was limited to fourteen days. The old restriction upon the franchise was restored under an order from the king, which directed that freeholders alone should be entitled to elect the members of assembly. All the old grievances returned, many of them in an aggravated shape, and the aristocratic faction were once more in full possession of their former supremacy.
193
LORD CULPEPPER.
1680.]
On the death of Jeffreys, which took place in December, 1678, Sir Henry Chicheley, who had been deputy-governor under Berkeley, produced his old commission, and his authority was ac- knowledged by the council until a new governor should arrive from England.
In April, 1679, the assembly met at Middle Plantation, and ordered forts to be built and garrisoned on the Rappahannock, the Matapony, the Potomac, and James Rivers.
In the spring of 1680, Lord Culpepper arrived in Virginia. He had obtained from the facile Charles, besides the immense tract of land lying between the Potomac and the Rappahan- nock, an appointment as governor of Virginia for life. An assembly was convened in June, and three acts, already passed and ratified in Eng- land, were offered to the burgesses for their ac- ceptance. The first, and most grateful to their feelings, was an act granting general pardon and oblivion for all transgressions and outrages com- mitted in the time of Bacon's rebellion. The second, took the power to naturalize foreigners out of the hands of the assembly and placed it in those of the governor. The third, of a far more grievous character, was also accepted, though not without encountering severe opposi- tion, for it authorized a perpetual export duty of two shillings on every hogshead of tobacco, and granted the proceeds as a royal revenue for the 17
194
HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. [1680.
support of the government, to be accounted for, not to the assembly, but to the king.
Lord Culpepper was less evil disposed, politi- cally, toward the colonists, than avaricious to make the most he could out of them in the short- est possible space of time. .
In consideration of his being a peer, he ob- tained of the king a salary of two thousand a year as governor of Virginia, instead of one thousand as previously allowed. He also received one hundred and fifty pounds a year for house rent, in addition to the usual perquisites.
The latter, Culpepper took especial pains to increase in every possible way. It had been customary previously, for all masters of vessels trading to Virginia, to make certain presents of liquors and provisions toward the governor's housekeeping. These presents Culpepper re- mitted, and received instead, as a duty, twenty shillings on every vessel of less than a hundred tons, and thirty shillings for all over that bur- then. The amount being ordered to be paid regularly at each clearance of the ship.
Culpepper had other schemes also for raising money. The standard of value being higher in the neighbouring colonies than in Virginia, he proposed to the assembly to raise it to an equality with others. The assembly consented, and were about to pass a law for that purpose, when his lordship stopped them, and told them as it was
195
RAPACITY OF THE GOVERNOR. .
1680.]
a part of the king's prerogative, it would be bet- ter for himself as governor to effect the change by proclamation.
The money for the payment of the regiment of soldiers sent over during Bacon's rebellion passing through Culpepper's hands, he had bought up, at a reduced price, light pieces of eight-a silver coin approximating in value to the modern dollar. He now issued a proclamation for raising the value of pieces of eight from five to six shillings. As soon as the coin passed cur- rent at the new rate, he produced an order for the payment and disbanding of the troops ; but when his own salary and perquisites were about to be paid in coin at the same high estimate, Culpepper again made use of his prerogative to reduce the value of money to its former standard.
In less than a year he returned to England, leaving Sir Henry Chicheley deputy-governor. The rapacity of Culpepper, and the pursuance of a similar system of extortion by Chicheley, so impoverished the province, that the planters were only restrained with great difficulty from breaking out into open revolt. Had not the disastrous issue of Bacon's rebellion, and the sanguinary excesses committed afterward, taught them the prudence of curbing their resent- ment, there is no doubt that a serious insur- rection would have arisen out of the oppressed condition of the province. As it was, disturb-
196
HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. [1683.
ances were continually occurring, which kept Chicheley and his council in constant alarm. These were not wholly quieted until Culpepper again reached Virginia in 1682, and hanged, in a summary manner, a few of the most prominent offenders.
The design of Culpepper in returning to a country which was distasteful to him as a place of residence, was for the purpose of reviving his claim to the northern neck. In this object he was so far successful as to compel the planters to negotiate a compromise.
In May, 1683, he again embarked for England ; and the council, soon after, taking into considera- tion the impoverished condition of Virginia, pe- titioned the king to recall his grant to Arlington and Culpepper.
The petition was successful. Arlington sur- rendered his rights ; the patent to Culpepper was annulled by process of law; and, in July 1684, Virginia again became a royal province, of which Lord Howard of Effingham was appointed go- vernor.
The new governor was soon found to be as avaricious of money as his predecessors. He required a license to be taken out by all school- masters and members of the bar. He extorted excessive fees for putting the official seal to pro- bates of wills and letters of administration, even where the estates of the deceased were of the
197
LETTER TO THE COUNCIL.
1685.]
meanest value. He even descended so low as to share the perquisites of office with his clerks.
In 1685, James II. ascended the English throne. The rebellion of the Duke of Mon- mouth, a natural son of the late king, took place soon after. When the bloody executions which followed its suppression were in a measure check- ed, many of the unfortunate prisoners who had escaped with their lives, were condemned to be transported to the colonies, for terms of years never less than ten, where they were sold to the planters as servants.
The demand for labour was at this time so great in the plantations, that the convicts and labourers shipped from abroad were purchased at from ten to fifteen pounds each. Of those trans- ported by the sanguinary Jeffreys for their par- ticipation in Monmouth's rebellion, many were gentlemen by birth and education. Against such, James was excessively severe. Under the coun- tersign of his minister Sunderland, he wrote to the governor and council of Virginia : "Take all care that they shall serve for ten years at least ; and that they be not permitted to redeem themselves, by money or otherwise, until that term be fully expired. Prepare a bill for the assembly of our colony, with such clauses as shall be requisite for this purpose."
But the Virginia assembly were not inclined to follow the dictation of the king. No bill was
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198
HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. [1690.
passed. The exiles were received in the province with that commiseration which their misfortunes merited. Immediately after the accession of William and Mary, in 1689, all those who had been transported to the colonies for political offences received a full pardon.
After the downfall of James II., Lord Howard of Effingham returned to England, leaving the duties of governor to Colonel Nathaniel Bacon. The administration of Bacon was brief, and un- marked by any occurrence worthy of notice. In 1690, Francis Nicholson, who had been appoint- ed lieutenant-governor under Howard, reached Virginia and immediately assumed the duties of his office.
The business of Nicholson was to recommend himself to the people of Virginia, and through them to the new government in England. He accordingly sought to ingratiate himself by pa- tronizing sports and games of various kinds, and by awarding prizes to all who excelled in the exercises of riding, running, shooting, wrestling, and backsword. A project for a college, which had been for some time in agita- tion, was warmly encouraged by the new gover- nor. He declined, nevertheless, to call an as- sembly for the purpose of taking the matter into consideration, but acceded to a proposition for a general subscription, to which he personally contributed largely. His example was promptly
199
SIR EDMUND ANDROS.
1692.]
followed. Aided by the generous contributions of several merchants in London, the sum raised within the year, amounted to two thousand five hundred pounds.
When the assembly was convened in 1691, it entered heartily into the proposed scheme for a college. An address in its favour was drawn up and transmitted to England, and the Reverend Mr. Blair sent out to obtain from the joint sove- reigns, William and Mary, a charter for the same. The envoy was peculiarly successful in his mission. He obtained a charter such as the people of the province desired. Their majesties also gave, toward the founding of the college, the balance due on account of quitrents, amount- ing to nearly two thousand pounds sterling ; while toward its endowment, they allowed twenty thousand acres of choice land, together with the revenue arising from tobacco exported from Vir- ginia and Maryland to the other plantations.
In 1692, Nicholson was succeeded as governor- in-chief by Sir Edmund Andros. During the six years the latter remained in office, many reforms were introduced by him from which the colony received considerable benefit. Andros was one of the most methodical of men, and through his nice sense of neatness and order, the office of the provincial secretary underwent an entire revi- sion. Important documents had hitherto been thrust negligently into the first vacant space that
200
HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. [1698.
offered. Many original patents, records, and deeds, with other papers of importance, had been scattered loosely about the office until they were partly eaten by the moths, or otherwise soiled and mutilated. These irregularities were speedily reformed. The governor caused the loose and torn records of value to be transcribed into new books, and ordered shelves and closets to be con- structed for their better preservation in future. He had scarcely ceased to congratulate himself upon the completion of his labours, when the State House took fire in the month of October, 1698, and was burned to the ground. Notwith- standing this calamity, and in despite of the brief period yet remaining before his term of office expired, the governor caused all the re- cords and papers saved from the fire to be pro- perly arranged and registered, and in this excel- lent condition turned them over to Nicholson, who had been appointed his successor.
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201
A NEW CITY.
1698.]
CHAPTER XVII.
Administration of Nicholson-Williamsburg founded-Dissent- ers tolerated by statute-Enormous power of the governor- Modes of its restriction-Bold project of De Callier, Gover- nor of Montreal-How defeated-English scheme of general defence for the colonies-Virginia refuses her quota-Nichol- son's letter in consequence-Loses his popularity-Political discontent -- Nicholson removed-The office of Governor of Virginia granted as a sinecure to the Earl of Orkney-Ed- ward Nott appointed deputy governor-Revised code of Virginia-Prominent provisions-Jennings president of the council - Succeeds Nott- Colonel Spotswood appointed deputy-governor-Crosses the Blue Ridge-Is knighted-Is succeeded by Hugh Drysdale-Death of Drysdale-Accession of Brigadier-general Gooch.
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