University of Virginia Library

3. CHAPTER III.
Scene in the Assembly.

Not a week elapsed after the interview between these two gentlemen,
ere the rumor reached Jamestown that Colonel Bacon had put
himself at the head of one hundred mounted men, mostly of estate,
and marched against the Indians, over whom he had gained a most signal

victory, The Assembly was in session at the time, with the Governor
presiding, and the report was received by this body with incredulity.
But a few hours afterwards it was confirmed by a special
messenger to the Governor, who was none other than the Cineca himself,
who with his life had barely escaped from the slaughter of his
warriors. The matter was instantly laid before the Assembly, which
was composed nearly equally of those who approved this course of
Bacon, and those who sided with the Governer in condemning it. The
latter faction, instead of appeasing Sir William's anger, devised means
to increase it, by framing specious pretences, which they grounded on
the audacity of Bacon's conduct, and the hold he had already got upon
the popular affection. Indeed, many of these gentlemen on their
own part, began to have Bacon's suddenly displayed merits in distrust,
and to look upon him as a rival that would endanger their own personal
consideration.

Though he was a very young man, they saw plainly that he was
master of those talents which win popular favor and confidence, to
which he united great wisdom and discretion. `By which embellshments,'
says a contemporary, `they thought if hee should bee suffered
to continue at the head of a growing army, they, instead of being
seniors, might become juniors, while their younger brother, (Col. Bacon,)
through the nimbleness of his witt, might steale away that blessing
which they accounted their own birthright; and also Sir William
thought this rash proceeding of Bacon, if it it did not undoe himselfe
by his failing in the enterprize, might chance to undoe him in the
affections of the people; which to prevent, he thought it conducible
to his intress and establishment, to proclaim him a rebell.”

Accordingly, before the Assembly adjourned for that day, Nathaniel
Bacon was proclaimed a rebel, and forces were raised to reduce
him to his duty. Scarcely had the proclamation been published, ere
intelligence reached Jamestown that Bacon's force had increased to
seven hundred men, that his army had constituted him General, that
a second victory over the Indians had brought them to terms of peace
for the time, and thus ended the war. This news was received with
demonstrations of joy by the people generally, but filled the Governer
and the enemies of Bacon with jealous alarm. Sir William Berkley
believed, or affected to believe, that his next step would be to march
against himself, and he immediately called upon his `Train Band,'
and all true men of the province, to arm in defence of their country
against so dangerous an insurgent. Such intentions, however,

as the Governor saw fit to attribute to the young leader, had never
entered Colonel Bacon's mind. His only object in taking up arms
was to free his country from a ruthless foe, which growing confident
in the supineness and inaction of the government, threatened to inundate
the whole land with blood.

`He was a man of quality and merit, brave and eloquent, and became
much endeared to the people, not so much for what he had done,
as for what they expected he would doe to deserve their devotion,' says
an old writer of that day; `while with no common zeale they sent
up their reiterated prayers, first to himselfe, and next to Heaven, that
he may become their guardian angele to protect them against the Indians,
now that the governer cared not whether they were slain or
noe.' Thus in a few days had this young man ingratiated himself
into the affections of the people, and become indeed, should he see fit
to use his power, a formidable rival to the jealous Governor.

Bacon having dispersed the Indians, returned to his own country
and dismissed his forces, with orders to be ready to obey his call at
any moment. He here learned with scornful indignation that the
Governor had proclaimed him both a rebel and traitor. The country
had recently chosen a burgess for the Assembly, who, from some accidental
circumstance, was detained from joining his colleagues up
to the time of General Bacon's return; and it was necessary that a
substitute should he appointed, and the young insurgent chief was
unanimously chosen to fill the station. He gladly accepted the nomination,
for he wished once more, now that he had done good service
against the common enemy, to see Sir William Berkley, and be commissioned
by him, as well as to have the proclamation that had outlawed
him, revoked. He therefore, immediately on being elected
burgess, embarked in a sloop with thirty of his friends and adherents,
and sailed down James river, (on the banks of which, near the head
waters, his plantation was situated,) towards the provincial capital.
It was night when he arrived and anchored off the town. The Assembly
were yet sitting, by the light of their lamps which shone through
the windows of the State house, pencilling long lines of light upon
the limpid stream. Trusting to the privileges of his official character
as an elected burgess, and without reflecting that as an outlaw his
election was illegal, the young chief determined to go on shore at
once and take his seat in the Assembly. He jumped into a boat, and
attended only by Major Larence and another friend, pulled to the land.
The night was clear and starry, and the town they were approaching,

seemed to sleep, all was so still. Lights burning here and there in a
chamber window, and the occasional howl of a dog from the dark mass
of houses, alone gave signs that they were near the congregrated
abodes of men. As they touched the shore where a few water oaks
bent over the stream, they heard the distant sound of the drum and
fife, and then followed the varied roll of the tatoo, rising and falling
on the wind, telling that them the town was garrisoned and alert.

`Berkley has taken care of himself,' said Major Larence, after listening
an instant to the martial sounds. `You had best follow his
example.'

`I fear nothing for myself. Return to the sloop, and let me go
alone to the council chamber. Nay, it is best that I should do so. If
I bring friends along with me, it will look like suspicion.'

After a few words of expostulation on the part of Major Larance,
he consented to remain where he was by the boat, that he might be
ready to succor his friend if his frank confidence should bring him
into peril.

When Col. Bacon reached the state house, he was surprised to see
a guard of soldiers drawn up around it. Without hesitation he advanced
to the entrance of the hall, and demanded admittance into the
Assembly.

`It were as much as my commission is worth, sir, to admit you,'
said the captain, recognizing him in evident alarm, `are you alone?'

`Alone!'

`Then pass—but I would rather, for your own safety, sir, you should
retire,' he said in a low tone.

`What have I to fear, captain?'

`The Governor's jealousy, and the rival enmity of your colleagues!'

`I will meet it. Let me pass in!'

The guard stood aside, and the bold young leader opened the door,
and strode into the hall of the Assembly. Without stopping, he walked
quite up to the forum, just in front of which was the chair for the
burgess of his county, and without a word, and in the face of the
whole body, quietly took his seat. The surprise his appearance and
conduct excited, having a little subsided, the Governer was the first to
speak.

`How is this, sir traitor! we are bearded in our very Assembly!
What doest thou here, arch rebel?'

`Represent my constituents,' answered Bacon firmly, and with a
smile of proud contempt on his fine dark face. He then rose and laid

upon the table his credentials, which the Governor examined with the closest
scrutiny.

`These are in form, sir, but they do not apply to a traitor. No banned
man is eligible to any office of dignity or trust. Gentlemen, this outlaw,
Nathaniel Bacon, hath had the audacity to permit himself to be chosen
burgess of his county, after proclamation of treason against him, and now
demands his seat with as honest a front, as if he were a true man. Will
you receive him among your number?'

`Ay, ay—no, no!' for several moments filled the hall from conflicting
voices, when the Governor, to put an end to it, cried out—

`Ho, sergeant! command Captain Wilfred to march in a file of men and
take his prisoner.'

`Ha, this treachery!' exclaimed Bacon, halt drawing his sword,

`Treachery!' repeated Sir William, with a smile of triumph, `Seize the
traitor!' he cried, the soldiers entered, and marched up the hall to the spot
where he stood.

`I will not resist your Excellency,' said Bacon, giving up his sword to
the captain of the guard, `lest it should look like guilt. I yield myself
your prisoner, and leave the adjudgment of my case to my country.'

The Assembly broke up in confusion, and Bacon was led to the prison,
where, before midnight, the Governor sent his thirty friends to join him,
putting them in irons, having by stratagem captured the sloop as it lay off
the town, on learning that it was the vessel that had brought Bacon down
the river.