Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-07-27
Bacon. the Patriot Rebel OF 1875

Bacon. the Patriot Rebel of 1876.
The article by Mr. EDWARD EGGLEsToS,
published in the Ccri,ry for this month,
comes nearer doing justice to NATHANIEL
Bacon than most other accounts claiming
historical accuracy and authenticity.
When Nirginia's royal Governor, BERKE-
LEY, refused 20 harken 10 the cries OF the
people for protection from marauding and
numbering bands Of Indians, Bacon took
command of the indignant settlers and
marched to the front and inflicted upon
Che savages the punishment they deserved;
but came back only to find himself treated
rs a rebel. After awhile he extorted a
commission as major-general from BERKE-
LILY and soon was on the war-path again.
but hearing that the treacherous Governor
was arming the militia to pursue him, he
returned to Jamestown laid siege to the
place. captured and destroyed it. BERKE-
LEY escaped Ia the Eastern Shore. and
Bacon not long afterwards died.
Mr.. EGGLEsroN is a Nirginian md writes
understandingly Of the causes that induced
BACON and his men to revolt against the
Kings representative in Virginia. There
had been long course OF tyranny prac-
ticed upon our people. during which the
colonists were compelled to submit to the
domination Of an uusympathetic and I'M
representative government; onerous taxes
and great waste Of the public moneys, and
nerciless exactions from the few dozen
london merchants who controlled the
Virginia trade. BERKEIEY was more IN
tent upon serving these interests than
those Of the settlers, and MIR. EGGLEsroN
In reviewing the facts shows quite clear
" that Bacon and his followers were iustl-
fable in proceeding on their own account
against the Indians, and what followed
was but the natural consequence of that
movement, inasmuch as BERKELEY was an
irresolute and untrustworthy official.
though by no means lacking in personal
courage.
Had BACON lived until BERKELEY secured
help from England and came against him
in overpowefing numbers no doubt he
would have been conquered and put to a
shameful death. A. it was, he died VIC
tor, his mind full of military matters to
the last. His followers made away with his
body. II is supposed that they sunk 1t in
the York river, so that il could not be torn
from the grave and gibbeted, as was the
customary treatment of dead rebels III
those days.
Mr.. EGGLTsroS finds that NATHANIEL
Bacon was of good family aud an NJ. A. of
st. GATHERINGS College. Cambridge. At
the outbreak OF the rebellion he was
twenty years Of age. He was indif-
ferent tall. but slender. black haired, and
of an ominous. melancholy aspect, and
was not given TO much talk or sudden re-
plies" said the British commissioners who
were sent here 10 make an investigation
after the restoration of royal authority.
lie was for several years member of the
Governors Council and resided at Curle's
(Curl's Neck. but had IAN outward
plantation called Bacon's Quarter on
what is now known as "Bacon's-Quarter
Branch The latter settlement had been
ravaged by the Indians and BAooN's over
seer killed.
In his pursuit of the savages BACON, with
three hundred men, crossed the James
river near the falls. A party of the Sus-
quehannocks had taken refuge on an island
which is described as two hundred miles
che southwark of James river and which
seems to have been in the Roanoke river.
This island was the seat Of the Ockiuagees,
one Of the trading tribes" and are
thought to have been members of the great
Dakota family. Their island was com
modious for trade and the mart for all the
Indians for at least five hundred miles.
These Ockinagees appear to have been the
same as the Mangoaks Of whom RALEIGH 5
colonists heard, who had great trade for
copper which was brought from the North
west, passing through the territory OF
several tribes before reaching them"
After various adventures and engagements,
IN which be lost many men, Bacon returned
60 the settlements and was hailed as the
deliyerer Of the people.
A new Assembly having been called
and Bacon 'defantly elected MEN,
ber forty of his Henrico constituents, with
guns In their hands, went with him in a
ploop to jamestown to see that no harm be-
fell their hero from the treachery of the
Governor. After some conflicts between
them and the royalists BACON surrendered
and was paroled by BERKELEY, and made an
apology and was readmitted TO his old seat
In the council, and was promised his CON-
mission of Inajor-geDeral.
Now BERKELEY began TO act treacherous-
". BACON fed. reassembled his troops, and
boldly pounced down upon Jamestown and,
O. before stated, extorted from BERKE-
LHY the desired commission. and
"BEaKKIEY, subdued for the time.
assented to set Of laws well adapted
20 reform abuses aud relieve the
people. When BACON was dead and his
work abrogated the oppressed Virginians
begged for the reenactment of the laws of
Che June Assembly and BAcoN's laws. !"
Once more the Indians grew very bold
and murderous, and BACON marched
against them. mo sooner were the
vebels out of jamestown than the Gov
ernor set himself TO undo their work"
upCn hearing which BACON returned, and
then it was be destroyed Virgina's first
cap,tal-a place Of some sixteen or eigh-
teen houses. October &c, 1876, BACON died.
Mr.. EGoLEsroS well says. Considering
Che really great administrative qualities
chat we're combined in this man of un-
failing resource, one Is tempted to wish
Shat the Virginia HAnDES had CHANGED on
, more fortunate time and a larger field for
the exercise of his genius"