Bacon’s Lamentable Times
An excellent example of early American protest occurred in Virginia in 1675, when Nathaniel Bacon rose against the Governor William Berkeley, and led virtually his own army (self-titled “Baconians”) in deliberate raids to purge the Virginia territory of local native Americans. His efforts culminated in a march to rid Virginia of its ineffectual governor. Unfortunately, he would die prior to Berkeley being removed from office, as a result of his rebellion. Fiercely determined to exterminate these native groups of ‘savages’,(thereby ending attacks on colonists whose properties bordered the native villages), he led multiple raids attempting to rid Virginia of every last Indian, thereby increasing the amount of land available for white settlers, especially those without financial resource. Surprisingly, primary sources abound for these events, which took place in 1675-1676.
Especially interesting is a letter, written by a female colonialist, Mrs. An Cotton, from Q. Creek Virginia, describing the discord, fear and anti-Indian sentiment, the failure of the Governor to acknowledge these emotions, and chronicling the circumstances leading up to Bacon’s actions. Her letter was sent to Mr. C. H. at Yardly in Northamptonshire. The text was published from the original manuscript, in the Richmond VA Enquirer of 12 September 1804, and can be found online at the Virtual Jamestown Project, listed in the section titled First Hand Accounts of Virginia, 1575-1705. This source states her letter was written in 1686. The Virtual Jamestown project describes itself as “a digital research, teaching and learning project that explores the legacies of the Jamestown settlement and ‘the Virginia experiment.’ As a work in progress, Virtual Jamestown aims to shape the national dialogue on the occasion of the four hundred-year anniversary observance in 2007 of the founding of the Jamestown colony. “
Mrs. Cotton’s letter provides a comprehensive narrative, with excellent background detail. Her description of events agrees with other primary and secondary sources and includes the emotion of the period. Mrs. Cotton begins by informing Mr. C. H. of events leading up to Bacon’s Rebellion, and describing the temperament of Virginia at the time. Her narrative, as listed at The Jamestown Project, describes these events as follows:
Maryland and Virginia had acknowledged the Susquehana Indians as engaged enemies. A group of soldiers, led by ‘Colonel Washington’ held the Indian’s fort under siege as the Susquehanas were determined not to relinquish their land to the colonists. Six of the Susquehanas were sent with a message of peace to the soldiers surrounding their tribe. These six were beaten to death by Washington’s men, Ms. Cotton proceeds to note, in “an action of ill consequence… For the Indians having in the darke, slipt through the Legure, and in there passage knock'd 10 of the beseigers on the head, which they found fast a-sleep, leaving the rest … resolved to imploy there liberty in avenging there Commissionres blood, which they speedily effected in the death of sixty inosscent soules, and then send in there Remonstrance to the Governour, in justification of the fact, with this expostulation annext: Demanding what it was moved him to take up arms against them, his professed friends, in the behalfe of the Marylanders, there avowed enimyes… Complanes that there messingers sent out for peace were not only knock'd on the head but the fact countenanc'd by the governour; for which … they had revenged themselves, by killing ten for one of the English; such being the disperportion between there men murthered, and those by them slane…” Ms. Cotton’s reporting ensures understanding both that the retaliation of the Susquehana’s caused fatalities exponential in number to those inflicted upon them, and that the Governor shared responsibility for this event, as the Susquehanna’s were reaching out to him for an explanation of his allegiance with the ‘Marylanders’, their enemies, after he had signed a treaty with them, proclaiming them friends and partners in the fur trade. Virginians believed his reluctance to ‘deal with the savages’ stemmed from his treaty. The Governor had lost the support of many Virginians, as he was, per Mrs. Cotton, “…judged too remiss in applying meanes to stop the fewrye of the Heathen” native Americans, whose attacks on colonists were spreading fear and rage throughout Jamestown. Virginians thought the Governor spineless.
After establishing this foundation, Ms. Cotton notes, Nathaniel Bacon enters the scene. “Esqr. Bacon, newly come into the Countrey, …whom they (colonists) desired might be commissionated Generall, for the Indian war; Which Sr. William … accepts of a commission from the peoples affections, signed by the emergences of affaires … and so forthwith advanceth with a small party … against the Indians; on whom, it is saide he did signall execution.” Both the online sites for The American Colonist’s Library, and the Virginia Center for Digital History provide an accounting from the year 1704, by Robert Beverly, noted as ‘one of Virginia’s earliest historians, titled “Robert Beverly On Bacon’s Rebellion, 1704”. Beverly corroborates Cotton’s assertion that as a leader, Bacon was the people’s choice: “He was young, bold, active…of powerful elocution. …He was every way qualified to head a giddy and unthinking multitude. Before he had been 3 years in the country, he was, for his extraordinary qualifications, made one of the council, and in great honor and esteem.”
The Governor had not authorized Bacon’s Commission to advance on the neighboring natives, and proceed with this colonial version of ethnic cleansing. Cotton reports Governor Berkeley’s anger at Bacon’s initiative: “In his (Bacon’s) absence he (Bacon) and those with him, were declared Rebells to the State, May 29…” and Berkeley led his own soldiers “raised to reduce him to his obedience … advanceth some 30 or 40 miles to find Bakon. … but not knowing which way he was gon, he (Berkeley) dismisseth his army, retireing himself and councell, to James Towne, …”
Cotton describes Bacon’s returning to Jamestown, to report his progress against the Indians, when he was instead imprisoned with many of his men. Bacon was sent to trial, and forced to apologize for his initiative and insubordination to the Governor. Bacon, was again falsely promised that a Commision to fight the Indians would be shortly forthcoming and was readmitted as a member of Jamestown’s leadership council. Upon discovering no Commission would be offered “ he smothers his resentments, and …returnes to Towne at the head of 4 or 5 hundred men, well Arm'd: … reassumes his demands for a commission. Which, after som howers struggling with the Governour, being obtained, …he takes order for the countreyes security, against the attemps of sculking Indians; fills up his numbers and provissiones, …and so once more advanceth against the Indians, ….” Beverly again corroborates Cotton: “Upon his return…(the Governor chose) to admit him again of the council; after which he (Blakely) hoped all things might be pacified…. Bacon still insisted upon a commission … to go out against the Indians. “
Bacon was now know as ‘General Bacon’ by Virginians, who felt he, not Berkeley, would protect their interests. Shortly after leaving again to fight, (without Commission by the Governor) he received word that the Governor would attempt to imprison him upon his return. By Cotton’s account, he was “wery and spent from his Indian servis. This strange newes put him, and those with him, shrodly to there Trumps, beleiveing that a few such Deales or shufles (call them what you will) might quickly ring both cards and game out of his hands.”
The Governor’s setting his sights on Bacon, as an enemy of the territory, instead of supporting his raids on the murderous Indians, to end their attacks upon the colonists, enraged Bacon. How could the Governor not see that it was necessary to destroy them (Virginia’s Indians) and why was he wasting his time focusing on Bacon? According to Cotton, Bacon described the native American’s as wild animals, attacking defenseless colonists this way: “…that while he (Bacon) was a hunting Wolves, tigers and bears, which daly destroyd our harmless and innosscent Lambs, that hee (Bacon), and those with him, should be persewed in the reare with a full cry, as more savage beasts. …” Marshall verifies Cotton here, attributing to Bacon: "for to think that while I am hunting Indian wolves, tigers, and foxes which daily destroy our harmless sheep and lambs, that I, and those with me, should be pursued with a full cry, as a more savage and no less ravenous beast." Bacon would turn his focus on the Governor and brought his “Baconians”, five to six hundred strong, along with him. Cotton reports: “ after a short consult with his officers, he countermarcheth his Army (about 500 in all) downe to the midle Plantation… “ in order to oust the Governor. “Governour …sends out some 6 or 7 hundred of his soulders, to beate Bacon out of his Trench: But it seems that those works,…could not now be storm'd …” Beverly agrees with Cotton on the events and (roughly) even agrees with the soldiers’ number: Notwithstanding… Bacon still insisted upon a commission…against the Indians; from which the governor endeavored to dissuade him… He had the luck to be countenanced in his importunities, by the news of fresh murder and robberies committed by the Indians. … he stole privately out of town; and having put himself at the head of six hundred volunteers, marched directly to Jamestown. A second verification of Cotton’s accouting and numbers is found in H.E. Marshall’s History textbook, "This country of ours; the story of the United States, Part II, Chapter 20." by Henrietta Elizabeth Marshall (1876-). From Chapter 20: “Bacon had grown tired of waiting for the commission which never came. … he marched back again at the head of six hundred men. … Bacon answered (the Governor) peaceably enough. "No, may it please your honour," he said, "…We are come for a commission to save our lives from the Indians which you have so often promised."
A near riot followed. Bacon and followers emptied the Council and set fire to parts of Jamestown in the process. Berkeley fled Jamestown for Accomack after proclaiming Bacon a rebel. Cotton: “With in too or three days after this disaster, the Governour reships himself, soulders,…to Accomack; leaving Bacon to enter the place at his pleasure, which he did the next morning before day, and the night following burns it downe to the ground …” The date was July 29th. Marshall again verifies: “as soon as Bacon was safely away, and at grips once more with the Indians, the Governor again proclaimed him and his followers to be rebels and traitors.”
Bacon again requested the involvement of Virginians, and the Council, wanting a concensus on the elimination of the Indians and in opposition to Berkeley’s leadership. Bacon drafted a letter to the King of England, read to the citizens prior to being sent, pointing out Virginian’s differences with their Governor in his approach to taxation, solutions to the native American threat to Virginia’s society, and the institution of policies which caused abuse of trade and violations of justice, and Bacon includes the complicity of Berkeley’s councilmen. The letter’s contents were summarized and detailed by Cotton, with comment “And so concludes with an Appeale to the King and Parliament, where he doubts not but that his and the Peoples cause will be impartially heard.”
This letter, whose details agree with Cotton’s description, is available in its entirety, signed by ‘Nathaniel Bacon, General by Consent of the People’ on Virtual Jamestown, "The Declaration of the People, against Sr: Wm: Berkeley, and Present Governors of Virginia," 1676. “This document is Nathaniel Bacon's summary of the grievances of the people of Virginia against Sir William Berkeley, governor of the colony, and his advisors. The declaration includes a list of each of the grievances and of Berkeley's "wicked and Pernicious Councellours and Confederates, Aiders and Assistants against the Commonality."
Cotton’s story continues: once this letter was on its way to the King of England, Bacon again set off in his quest to annihilate the Indians, in the company of approximately 900 ‘Baconians.’ Berkeley, learning of Bacon’s departure, returned to Jamestown, as Cotton states, “from Accomack, with about 1000 soulders ..” entreating the colonists by sending “a summons…with a pardon to all that would decline Bacons and entertaine his cause. ...” Cotton’s version of Bacon’s story is ending: “Bacon being informed, he stops his proceedings that way, and begins to provide for another expedition against the Indians,…which while he was a contriveing, Death summons him … he surrenders his life…’ And Bacon’s Rebellion lost it’s core; the movement would fall apart shortly after his death.
However, Cotton’s narrative continues. She describes the Governor’s vengeance against Bacon’s men. Great numbers were hanged although justice prevailed in the end: the Governor was stripped of his office by the King, and summoned to England, where he died in shame months later. Marshall corroborates the accounts with this summary: “It seemed as if the Governor's vengeance would never be satisfied. But at length the House met, and petitioned him to spill no more blood. "For," said one of the members, "had we let him alone he would have hanged half the country." News of his wild doings, too, were carried home, and reached even the King's ears. ‘The old fool,’ cried he, ‘has hanged more men in that naked country than I did for the murder of my father.’ So Berkeley was recalled. At his going the whole colony rejoiced. Guns were fired and bonfires lit to celebrate the passing of the tyrant. Berkeley did not live long after his downfall. …The King refused to see him, and he who had given up everything, even good name and fame, in his King's cause died broken-hearted, a few months later.”
After reviewing Cotton’s account, we can conclude she missed her calling as an historian. Her letter was well written, cohesive and inclusive of great detail and background. She captured both the events and the emotions of the time, and must have been well invested in life outside the normal milieu for colonial women: home and hearth and children. We may infer that she was intimately involved in current events, was included in discussions with husband, neighbors and fellow citizens, and was rather well educated
It appears that the account was written some 10 years “after the fact” and one must raise the question of the accuracy of some statements, especially in light of her own statement, first sentence of the letter: “...I have, by his permition, adventured to send you this briefe account, of those affaires, so far as I have bin informed.” The statement “ I have bin informed” indicates second-hand knowledge, although the bulk of information read in secondary sources seems to corroborate her statements. A few minor discrepancies were noted in the documentation, however, these did not affect the overall accounting.
Mrs. Cotton’s letter, written over 300 years ago, paints a vivid picture of the social mores of the pre-revolution era, and defines the social classes as defined by financial markers, as well as provides insight to the lives of slave and freeman, European adventurer and Native Americans, many of which extended into the mid 19th century, and, some misconceptions still present today.
Work Cited
Bacon, Nathaniell. "The Declaration of the People, against Sr: Wm: Berkeley, and Present Governors of Virginia." 1676. Grady, Paul. 2000. Virginia Center for Digital History. Charlottesville, Virginia. http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/etcbin/jamestown-browse?id=J1035
Beverly, Robert. “On Bacon’s Rebellion, 1704.” June 2001. http://www.etsu.edu/cas/history/docs/bevbacon.htm
Cotton, An. “To Mr. C.H. at Yardly in Northhamptonshire”. 1686. Published from original manuscript in The Richmond Enquirer. September 12,1804. Komksi, Beth. 2000. Virginia Center for Digital History. Charlottesville, Virginia. http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/etcbin/jamestown-browse?id=J1058
Marshall, Henrietta Elizabeth. “Chapter 20: Bacon’s Rebellion.” This Country of Ours; the story of the United States. New York. George H. Doran Company. 1917. http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/marshall/country/country-II-20.html
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