XXVII.
SIR WILLIAM BERKELEY.
XXVII. Governor and Captain-General.
XXVII. February, 1642, to June, 1644.
Sir William Berkeley was constituted Governor
August 9, 1641, but did not assume the government until
February, 1642. Harmony prevailed, and the memory of
ancient griefs was lost in the growing spirit of independence
which thrilled through every vein of the new and growing
Body Politic. Virginia now enjoyed all the liberties which a
monarch could concede and retain his supremacy.
The Indians, however, goaded on by grievous wrongs and
a determination on the part of the settlers to make no terms
of peace with them, resolved upon a general massacre of the
pale-faced foe. This they attempted on April 18, 1644, but
after slaying three hundred they abandoned their savage work
and fled to the woods. So little was apprehended from them
after this, that two months later Governor Berkeley embarked
for England and left Richard Kempe as his substitute.
Sir William Berkeley was born near London in 1610. He
was educated at Oxford, and by extensive travel and acquaintance
with the world, was well fitted for the position of influence
to which he was appointed in the Colony. How sad that
so fair an entrance into power should e'er have had so foul an
ending!
