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Bacon

Bacon Sometimes there comes an event in American History in which no one knows exactly why it happened. What the motives of the event were are left to the interpretation of the historian doing the research. Bacon’s Rebellion in 1676 was on such event. Wilcomb E. Washburn’s view is precise when he states, “ Bacon’s Rebellion. . .was an event on which observers could agree on the facts, but divide on the interpretation.” Historians have been picking into peoples’ accounts and versions of the legend for over 3 centuries, but never coming to a common conclusion. One fact is for sure and that is that the rebellion, known as Bacon’s, was what was going to pave the way towards Revolution of British Authority. In this paper I will look at one aspect that I feel was the motivation behind one individual's defiance to authority and the need to take matters regarding Indian relations into his own hands. Bacon was the kind of person to take what he thought was right into his own hands, even if it meant that he was breaking the law. In his eyes he was doing right and if he did not have the official support, he was going to do it anyway. On the other side was the feeble and zealous Governor of Virginia, Sir William Berkeley. The Rebellion was also called, “ the first protest against royal authority in America.” Sir William Berkeley was the second cousin of Bacon. Not wanting for the relations with the Indians to deteriorate, Berkeley did not thirst for an all out war in order to control the growing Indian crisis. He believed that the Indians should be punished for killing the settlers and wreaking havoc on their lives, however, not in the magnitude that Bacon had in mind. Berkeley spent a large amount of money on building a system of forts that would keep the Indians under control, but not go all out and destroy them completely. The Governor said in his original request, in 1676, to build forts that, “ ‘…500 men should be speedily raised out of the inland Counties, and that fforts of howes of defence should be built att the heads of the Rivers for the resort of the soldiers, and the security of Ammunition.’” Nowhere does the governor say anything about an offensive position to seek revenge. The Indians found out where the forts were and then they were able to go around them. Peter Force said in his book, “The Indian Proceedings”, that the Indians, “found out where the mouse traps [forts] were sett and for what purpose and so resolved to keep out of the way of their danger.” For this the people of Virginia asked that the Governor step down and allow the people to deal with the Indians themselves. The money for these forts came from the Governor initiating a tobacco tax. As we shall later see, this was also to have a profound impact on the colonists and another reason for the rebellion. The planters would have rather planted more tobacco in order to finance the intended forts; instead they were forced to pay the tax. Some of the colonists also thought that they should take Indian matters into their own hands by the, “…charge and hazard of their own lives and fortunes.” In 1676 when the rebellion began, Bacon had only been a resident of Virginia for 2 years. The son of a wealthy aristocrat, Bacon came to the new world and settled along the York River on 1,230 acres. Berkeley aided young Bacon on the transition from England and gave him a commission to trade with the Indians upon his arrival. It was not uncommon for a relative to help a family member in their transition to the New World. Berkeley, being in the position that he was in enabled him to make life easier for young Bacon. Indian relations at this point were excellent since the colonists defeated the Indians in 1646. The indigenous chief, Opechancanough, signed a treaty that gave their power over to the King of England, Charles II. This was a time when the Indians were completely powerless over the colonists. Also, with this defeat the colonists were not as scared of the Indians as they were before. This enabled them to venture out farther into the wilderness and on Indian lands. This secure feeling was not to last for very long, soon the relations will begin to dwindle and violence erupts. In July 1675 a colonist named Thomas Mathew traded with some Doeg Indians and did not make good on their deal. The Doegs in turn stole a few pigs for due retribution of the unjust trade. The colonists killed some Indians under the direction of militia Captains George Mason and George Brent for the theft of the pigs. When they came upon the Doeg tribe they attacked and killed the chief. When the other Indians heard the shots they came running out of their huts looking for cover and the militia killed fourteen more Indians, fourteen friendly Susquehanoughs. With tensions high between the two parties the last thing the passive Berkeley wanted was another confrontation to escalate matters. Nathaniel Bacon apprehended another friendly Indian tribe, the Appomattox, because he thought that they had stolen some corn. Berkeley called Bacon’s actions impulsive and not very thought provoking. This put even more edge on the colonial relations with the Indians. The reason for these actions is put forth in Bacon’s Declaration in the name of the People. One hundred years after this Declaration there was another one with similar character. Bacons Declaration consists of eight complaints that he has against the Governor and his relations with the Indians. This declaration would put into words all of the tribulations that Bacon had against the Indians and Berkeley’s relationship with them. Bacon argues to the King that Berkeley has sold the land and loyal subjects of the King to the Natives. He went on to say that the Indians could have been wiped out before but the Governor was avoiding conflict, and the result is that they now have, “… a very formidable enimy, who might att first with ease have beene destroyed.” This declaration is big words for Bacon to be saying about one of the appointed governors. Bacon called that the Governor surrender in four days and if he did not, and refused to give him the Commission that he wanted, he would be considered a traitor and that the common people of Virginia would take up arms against him. Two months prior to this letter, Berkeley sent a letter to the settlers of Virginia informing them of the rebel Bacon. This letter was to be read at every courthouse in Virginia to condemn Bacon and his disloyalty to the Governor and the King himself. If these acts were committed in England against the King, whether the rebellion won or not, there would be a treason charge brought up. This is because the rebel was not given a commission to execute the actions that were carried out. In his Manifesto, Bacon does not see himself as a rebel rather a man of the people. He states that he was no, in fact, trying to undermine Berkeley or the government. The Manifesto states that Bacon does not, “find one single spott of Rebellion or Treason or that we have in any manner aimed at the subverting ye setled Government.” Berkeley said in this letter, dated 19 May 1676, which he has, “… granted Mr. Bacon three pardons, which he hath scornfully rejected." This is to show that he has given Bacon several opportunities to renounce his insurgence and submit to the Governor. Berkeley also says that he is willing to die for the King and to uphold his laws. We will see later that this is true when the Governor bears his chest and challenges Bacon to exterminate him. Bacon knows that what he is doing is not right, he must get a commission in order to out and defeat the Indians and bring a sense of security back to the people of Virginia. As Bacon tries to get his commission, the Governor either resists or takes the commission back. This aggravated the frail relationship that already existed between Bacon and Berkley. Bacon saw no reason why he should not get a commission for a case that he thought was right for all of the people of Virginia. When the legal means of obtaining a commission disappeared Bacon took matters into his own hands. He assumed that he was the, General by Consent of the People, as he called himself. Berkeley’s version of this was written in his letter to the King entitled, A History of our Miseries. In this letter he explains to the king that the first time Bacon came to the Assembly to obtain his commission Berkeley had the chance to kill Bacon but did not. Bacon told the council that he had 2,000 men on their way to get him if he ran into any trouble. So all that he did was to make Bacon confess his faults and sent him on his way. Then he returned with what Berkeley called them the, “six hundred of the meanest of people, came into the court. . . with their guns ready to fire”, so that their leader should get his commission. Bacon was to lead a mass of men against the Indians as well as the government of Virginia. During his rebellion he would send the Governor out of Jamestown, his own home, and, “defied the might of England itself.” This one man would succeed because the population of America was getting too large for England to control. Since England was not the great and powerful settling government that they thought they were, things were about to get out of control. Another circumstance that fueled the rebellion was that of the government oppressing the people of Virginia. However, I want to look at Bacon as a man full of the rebellion. He thought an offensive attack against the Indians was needed in order to fulfill a secure land free of Native insurrections. This would enable the planters to expand and prosper in their new home. Berkeley saw things differently, he saw a man that was out in the wood chasing his trading partners and killing the people that were bringing him pelts. The men of Virginia thought that the Governor was thinking more about keeping an abounding trade with the Indians, rather than the protection of the colonists. In addition the Governor said that all trade with the Indians was prohibited, yet, he continued to trade, “powder and shott ect. Soe that they were better provided then his Majesties Subjects.” If Berkeley were to let Bacon kill the Indians his personal trade with them would be impaired. The idea of this Indian trading was another idea that was brought up in Bacon’s Manifesto. In it also pointed out that the Governor was trading with the Indians. Bacon said that the governor was breaking the same law that he made to protect the people from the Indians. The Governor was trading with the Indians, when in fact, there was a law prohibiting it. This illegal trade caused Bacon to call the Governor a, “rebel and Traytor”. Recruiting men for the rebellion was the first thing to achieve. Bacon sought out rich planters in the northern counties to be the officers in his, “Army of Virginia against the Indians.” Bacon found a well-known Indian killer named John Washington, who was feared not only by the Indians, but also by the colonists for his reputation as being malicious. Captain Giles Brent, of Virginia, led almost 1000 farmers to Bacon to support the rebellion. The men joined near the falls of the James River, it was here that the men named Bacon the leader of their cause. Bacon, Washington, and Brent had the men and arms to begin their offensive attack against the natives. Soon after getting word of Bacon and his movement, Berkeley went to tell his men that he did not give Bacon a commission to go out against the Indians. Berkeley mustered 1200 men to go out and stop Bacon and his men from carrying out commands and liberties that were never given to them by Berkeley. The men made a decision that they would fight with Bacon and his cause and not, “enemies of the people”, with Berkeley. By the time that Berkeley got to where Bacon and his men had mustered, they had gone into the woods on their mission. Soon he began to take action on all of the Indians that he saw. Bacon was found by a band of troops that was sent out by Berkeley, brought back to the Governor and was given a pardon and left to go on his own recognizance. Bacon was also given back his seat on the Council and promised a commission to go out against the Indians. When this did not happen in a timely fashion, Bacon went to Jamestown on June 6, 1676, to inquire about the delay. He walked into the House of Burgess when they were holding council and asked for his commission. The Governor replied with a simple, “no”, and Bacon bawled, “God damne my blood, I came for a commission, and a commission I will have before I goe”. Finally the governor succumbs to Bacon and allows him to draw up his own commission. Then received 30 blank commissions to enlist officers under his command. It was now legal and Bacon was ready to go and kill some Indians. As soon as Bacon gets all of his men together and has them take their oath to him and his cause, the word comes that the Governor has repealed his commission. Now the chase is on. While being chased by Berkeley, Bacon proclaimed, “ that while I am hunting the wolves and tigers that destroy our lambs, I should myself be pursued as a savage”. On his way to Middle Plantation Bacon’s army got larger and larger until they reached their destination and held a convention. It was here that Bacon made his men swear their oath to him and his cause. Bacon calls his men in order for them to take an oath of loyalty to him and his actions. Bacon told his men that they are to honor this code while they go out against the Indians and make the land free of Indian carnage. There were five points that the men had to swear to while under Bacon’s command. If they did not take the oath they would be known as adversary of the Virginians. The first pledge was that the men were to oppose the English army and hold out until Bacon and the King could communicate on the actions that have lead to the rebellion. Later the king was to send a force over to the Colonies to suppress Bacon and his men. Berkeley asked the king to do this because the majority of the people were planters and they were the ones that were so afraid of the Indians. Berkeley did not have to manpower that Bacon had consequently he had to wait for the King to send over support. Second, the men were to swear that the governor acted illegally and what Bacon was doing is not against the law. Bacon had asked for a commission to go and defend the planters of Virginia. This was a legitimate claim that bacon thought warranted a commission from the Governor. However, the Governor said that if what Bacon did happened in England he would be executed. Thirdly, the men also had to swear that Bacons commission was legal and was obtained legally. The fourth oath said that the men were to defend Bacon and his cause whenever anyone would speak out against him. The men were to stay loyal not only to Bacon but to his cause as well. The fifth and final was that what ever happens during the rebellion, which the men had to keep it a secret and tell no one what was going on. Berkeley, in need of some supporters fled to the Chesapeake to find men who would go with him and disband Bacon’s cause. The men that Berkeley got were mainly servants, because he guaranteed them freedom after the rebel was caught. When he brought them back with the Royal navy he called for Bacon to come to Jamestown. Bacon did come and when the royalist saw Bacon and his men they retreated in the night. Bacon wondered if he could keep the town and what good it would do for his cause. If the English army was told that they had to stay in the wilderness and fight the planters in the woods with out any place to retreat, this would dishearten them to the utmost. So, Bacon saw no other alternative then to burn the town. The fire could be seen 20 miles from the peninsula. But the exposure that Bacon and his men were shown to everyday was taking its toll on the men in the way of death and sickness. Soon, bacon was dead of the bloody flux and the rebellion was all but ruined. Now that their leader was dead it was Berkeley’s chance to seek revenge for the rebellion with the remaining leaders. It was Berkeley’s’ turn to run the show; he hanged twenty-two men for the offence of being traitors. It was a number that even king Charles II was extreme, “the old fool, has taken away more lives in the naked country, than I, for the murder of my father”. This was also the first time a Native American, Thomas Hansford, was executed by the hand of the government. Bibliography: Bibliography Andrews, Charles M. Narratives of the Insurrections: Original Narratives of Early American History, 1675-1690. New York: Barnes & Noble, Inc., 1915. Frantz, John, B. Bacon’s Rebellion: Prologue to the Revolution?. Massachusetts: D.C. Heath & Co., 1969. Middlekauff, Robert. Bacon’s Rebellion. USA: Rand McNally & Company, 1964. Mooy, Age. “William Berkeley on Bacon’s Rebellion”, The American Revolution-an HTML Project. Accessed on 7 October 2000. Available at http://odur.let.rug.n1/~usa/D/1651-1700/bacon_rebel/berke.htm Mooy, Age. “Bacon’s Declaration in the Name of the People (30 July 1676)”, The American Revolution-an HTML Project. Accessed on 7 October 2000. Available at http://odur.let.rug.n1/~us/D/1651-1700/bacon_rebel/bacon.htm Washburn, Wilcomb E. The Governor and The Rebel: A History of Bacon’s Rebellion in Virginia. North Carolina: The University of North Carolina Press, 1957. Webb, Stephen Saunders. 1676: The End of American Independence. New York: Alfred A. Knopf Inc., 1984. Wertenbaker, Thomas Jefferson. Torchbearer of the Revolution: The Story of Bacon’s Rebellion and its Leader. New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1940. William & Mary College Historical Magazine. Vol. 9, Issue I. (July, 1900)

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