The Enquirer

The Beginning Progress and Conclusion of
Bacon's Rebellion in Virginia in the
YEARS 1675 & 1676.

[Continued from our last.]

During these protractions the people often flaine. Most or all the officers, civil and military with as many dwellers next the heads of the rivers as made up 500 men taking Mr. Bacon for their commander met, and concerted together, the danger of going without a commission on the one part, and the continual murders of their neighbors on th' other part (not knowing whose or how many of their own turns might be next) and came to this resolution viz't to prepare themselves with necessaries for a march, but interim to send again for a commission, which if could or could not be obtained by a certain day, they would proceed commission or no commission.

This day lapsing and no com'n come, they marched in the wilderness in quest of these Indians after whom the Govern'r sent his proclamation, denouncing all rebels, who should not return within a limited day. Whereupon those of estates obeyed; but Mr. Bacon with 57 men proceeded until their provisions were near spent, without finding enemy's when coming nigh a fort of friend Indians, on th' other side a branch of James river, they desired relief offering payment which these Indians kindly promised to help them with on the morrow, but putt them off with promises until the third day, so as having then eaten their last morsels they could not return, but must have starved in the way homeward and now 'twas suspected, these Indians had received private messages from the Govern'r and those to be the causes of these delusive procrastinations: whereupon the English waded shoulder deep thro' that branch to the fort palisado's still intreating and tendering pay, for victuals; but that evening a shot from the place they left on th' other side of that branch killed one of Mr. Bacon's men, which made them believe, those in the fort had sent for other Indians to come behind 'em and cut 'em off.

Hereupon they fired the palisado's, stormed and burnt the fort and cabins, and (with the loss of three English) slew 150 Indians.

The circumstances of this expedition Mr. Bacon entertained me with, at his own chamber. on a visit I made him, the occasion whereof is hereafter mentioned. From hence they returned home where writs were come up to elect members for an assembly, when Mr. Bacon was unanimously chosen for one, who coming down the river was commanded by a ship with guns to come on board, where waited Major Howe the high sheriff of James town ready to seize him, by whom he was carried down to the Govern'r and by him received with a surprising civility in the following words: "Mr. Bacon have you forgot to be a gentleman? No, may it please yo'r hon'r answered Mr. Bacon; then replied the Govern'r I'll take yo'r parole, and gave him his liberty in March 1675/6 writs came up to Stafford to choose their two members for an assembly to meet in May; when Col. Mason Capt. Brent and other gentlemen of that county, invited me to stand a candidate; a matter I little dreamt of, having never had inclinations to tamper in the precarious intrigues of government and my hands being full of my own business; they pressed several cogent arguments and I having considerable debts in that county, besides my plantation concerns, where (in one and th' other) I had much more severely suffered, than any of themselves by th' Indian disturbances in the summer and winter foregoing.

I held it not (then) discreet to disoblige the rulers of it, so Col. Mason with myself were elected without objection, he at time convenient went on horse back; I took my sloop and the morning I arrived to James town after a weeks voyage, was welcomed with the strange acclamations of All's over Bacon is taken, having not heard at home of these southern commotions, other than rumours like idle tales, of one Bacon risen up in rebellion, no body knew for what, concerning the Indians.

The next forenoon, th' assembly being met in a chamber over the General court and our Speaker chosen, the Govern'r sent for us down, where his hon'r with a pathetic emphasis made a short abrupt speech wherein were these words.

"If they had killed my grandfather and grandmother, my father and mother and all my friends, yet if they had come to treat of peace, they ought to have gone in peace, and sat down."

The two chief commanders at the aforementioned siege who slew our Indian great men, being present & part of our assembly.

The Govern'r stood up again and said "if there be joy in the presence of the angels over one sinner that repenteth, there is joy now, for we have a penitent sinner come before us, call Mr. Bacon; then did Mr. Bacon upon one knee at the bar deliver a sheet of paper confessing his crimes, and begging pardon of god the king and the Govern'r whereto (after a short pause) he answered "God forgive you, I forgive you," thrice repeating the same words; when Col. Cole (one of the council) said, "and all that were with him," yea, said the Govern'r and all that were with him, twenty, or more persons being then in irons who were taken coming down in the same and other vessels with Mr. Bacon.

About a minute after this the Govern'r starting up from his chair a third time said "Mr Bacon! if you will live civilly but till next Quarter court (doubling the words) but till next Quarter court, I'll promise to restore you again to yo'r place," there pointing with his hand to Mr. Bacon's seat, he having been of the Council before these troubles, tho' he had been a very short time in Virginia but was deposed by the aforesaid proclamation, and in th' afternoon passing by the court door, in my way up to our chamber, I saw Mr. Bacon on his quondam seat with the Govern'r and council, which seemed a marvelous indulgence to one whom he had so lately proscribed as a rebel.

The Govern'r had directed us to consider of means for security from th' Indian insults and to defray the charge etc. advising us to beware of two rogues amongst us, naming Laurence and Drummond both dwelling at James town and who were not at the Pas cat away siege.

But at our entrance upon business, some gentlemen took this opportunity to endeavor the redressing several grievances the country then laboured under, motions were made for inspecting the publick revenue, the collectors accompts etc. and so far was proceeded as to name part of a committee whereof Mr. Bristol (now in London) was and myself another, when we were interrupted by pressing messages from the Govern'r to meddle with nothing, until the Indian business was dispatched.

This debate rose high. but was overruled and I have not heard that those inspections have since then been insisted upon, tho' such of that indigent people as had no benefits from the taxes groaned under our being thus overborne.

The next thing was a committee for the Indian affairs, whereof in appointing the members, myself was unwillingly nominated having no knowledge in martial preparations, and after our names were taken, some of the house moved for sending 2 of our members to intreat the Govern'r would please to assign two of his council to sit with, and assist us in our debates, as had been usual.

When seeing all silent looking each at other with many discontented faces, I adventured to offer my humble opinion to the Speaker "for the committee to form methods as agreeable to the sense of the house as we could, and report 'em whereby they would more clearly see, on what points to give the Govern'r and council that trouble if perhaps it might be needless."

These few words raised an uproar; one party urging hard "It had been customary and ought not to be omitted: whereto Mr. Presley my neighbour an Old assembly man, sitting near me, rose up, and (in a blundering manner replied) "tis true, it has been customary, but if we have any bad customs among us, we are here to mend 'em" which set the house in a laughter.

This was fudled off without coming to a vote, and so the Committee must submit to be overawed, and have every carpt at expression carried straight to the Governor.