John Harvey was appointed by Charles in 1629, but he became so unpopular as to be sent to England, in 1636, loaded with charges. A trial resulted in his triumphant acquittal. He was then reinstated, and after continuing the administration for two years, was succeeded by Sir Francis Wyatt. After another period of two years, the government devolved (February, 1642) on Sir William Berkeley. His accession gave universal satisfaction; and, although bigotted with regard to religion and education, he seems to have been the most popular of any of the Virginian governors.

Ever since the dreadful massacre of 1622, a vindictive warfare had been waged against the Indians, chiefly by predatory incursions into their territory; and in the year 1643, the Assembly voted that no terms of peace with them should be entertained. That unfortunate people, driven to despair, again entered into a general confederacy, hoping, by a sudden attack, to cut off the hated race who had seized their lands. This step could not now be reproached with treachery, nor could suspicion be lulled by professions of friendship; yet through their habits of deep dissimulation, they, in some degree, effected a surprise. About three hundred colonists were killed; but as soon as the main body were aroused, the savage assailants were completely defeated, pursued into their own country, and Opecancanough, their king, taken prisoner. Though well treated, he felt indignant at the multitudes who were allowed to come into his prison, and satisfy their curiosity by viewing his person; assuring Berkeley, that, had fortune reversed their situation, he would not have meanly exhibited his captive as a show. A brutal soldier put

an end to his life by shooting him in the back; and the Indians were now so far overawed, that the governor, in 1646, could impose a treaty, including an extensive cession of territory.

This unpropitious affair was succeeded by a period of unusual tranquillity, during which the colony increased greatly. A writer, in 1649, estimates the population at about fifteen thousand, and states that there were twenty thousand head of cattle, three thousand sheep, five thousand goats, hogs and poultry innumerable, with about two hundred horses and mares of an excellent breed. Wheat was raised for subsistence in considerable quantities, but tobacco was the staple for sale. The plantations reached about a hundred miles along the river, having upon it fronts of varying extent, but each stretching backward about two thousand yards.

In the contest between Charles and the Republicans, Virginia took part with the crown; and on the death of the monarch, boldly

BACON'S REBELLION.

229 declared for his exiled son. Disputes with the Long Parliament followed, but were interrupted by the dissolution of that body. Finally, however, the Virginians obtained a complete amnesty; and the Protector even extended to them several important privileges. The republic was, however, always unpopular; and, after the expulsion of Richard, Cromwell's son, the Virginians gladly returned to their old allegiance.

As the colonists had been among the most strenuous supporters of the crown, it was natural to suppose that they would receive from it a full recognition of their loyalty, and confirmation of all former rights. In this they were disappointed. The Church of England was exclusively established, the right of suffrage abridged, general education discouraged, commerce limited to the mother country, and several odious monopolies established.

An internal cause still more cruelly interrupted the success of the colony. The Indians, once so hostile, had for a long time been overawed or conciliated; but the Susquehannas, a singularly fierce tribe, having been driven from the north by the Five Nations, began to commit depredations upon the frontiers. The colonists on the border, possessing, doubtless, much of the lawless character of backsettlers, violently retaliated. Six chiefs, sent by the Indians to treat for peace, were seized and put to death; and the just indignation expressed by Berkeley at this outrage gave great offence. After war had raged some time, that people again made pacific overtures, but without success. The governor, however, endeavoured to second their object, and to mitigate the ferocious spirit which now animated the colonists. These humane efforts were adverse to their present disposition, and lost to him that popularity which he had so long enjoyed, while his views and even his errors were in unison with theirs. The consequences soon proved disastrous.

Nathaniel Bacon, of a respectable family in Suffolk, carried out the unusual fortune of £1800, and, possessing an uncommon share of address, eloquence, and intelligence, acquired great influence and a seat in the council. Having formed a border plantation on the upper part of James River, he found the war raging with the Indians, who carried it on with their usual cruelties. Ill-informed perhaps of the wrongs by which they had been impelled, he sympathized with the sufferings of his countrymen, and entertained an eager desire for revenge. A farm of his own being attacked, and the servant killed, he took up arms without the knowledge of

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Berkeley, and rallying around him all inspired by similar sentiments, was soon at the head of five hundred men. The governor announced this armament as rebellious, and issued a mandate to disperse, which was partly obeyed. His attention was distracted, however, by a rising of the popular party in the lower province, to resist the aristocratic ascendant. The two interests became united; and the government, unable to resist, were obliged to agree that the Assembly, having now sat an exorbitant time, should be dissolved, and a new one elected. The result was favourable to the popular side; universal suffrage was restored; all arbitrary taxation was abolished; and various abuses suppressed, though without any vindictive proceedings against their authors. Bacon had at first been made prisoner; but on so strong a manifestation of the Assembly's will, he was set at liberty, and even promised a commission; but this was ultimately refused. He then secretly withdrew, and assembled five or six hundred men, with whom he became complete master of the seat of government. Sir William strenuously resisted; and, with the boldness of an old cavalier, bared his breast to his adversary, saying, "A fair mark-shoot!" Bacon declared they did not wish to hurt a hair of his head, but only desired a commission to save their lives from the Indians. The authority was granted to him, and he marched to the frontier.

As soon, however, as the immediate pressure was removed, the governor, rashly as it would seem, published a proclamation, reversing all the proceedings of the Assembly, and again declaring Bacon a traitor. This step immediately kindled a civil war. That daring chief marched back towards Jamestown, and was joined by numerous adherents of the popular class. The property of the royalists was confiscated, their wives seized, and carried along with the troops as hostages; and these violences being retaliated, wide devastation was spread over the country. Berkeley, meantime, had assembled in the capital his friends, with some seamen landed from vessels in the harbour. Here, however, they were soon besieged, and, being repulsed in a sally, found themselves no match for the hardy borderers. It was necessary to evacuate the town during the night, and withdraw his entire force to the eastern shore, leaving the whole west in possession of the insurgents.

ACON now acted entirely as ruler of Virginia, and declaring the governor to have abdicated, summoned an assembly in his own name. It was determined to resist any attempts from the mother-country to restore Berkeley to power, and, indeed, the resolution was almost fixed to throw off its yoke altogether. As Jamestown might afford a position for establishing an English force, the violent measure was adopted of devoting it to the flames. This was executed with such ruthless determination, that the fires being kindled in the night, there remained in the morning scarcely a vestige of that original capital, which has never again reared its head. Nothing now appeared to remain but to cross the river and drive before them the discouraged remnant of Berkeley's forces. Suddenly, however, the leader sickened, and, after a short llness, died; a catastrophe that put an end to the insurrection, which, after all, had not any deep root among the nation. Its temporary success seems to have been owing to the union of the border settlers with the popular faction; but the latter, forming still a decided minority, could not permanently support it. Several of the leaders attempted to make a stand, but were successively reduced and taken by Beverley, an active royalist chief. The governor,

whose feelings seem throughout the whole transaction to have been greatly excited, acted now with excessive rigour. Twenty persons were hanged, and it is supposed a greater number would have endured the same punishment, had not the Assembly presented an