AMERICAN Colonial Tracts MONTHLY Number Ten February 1898 A NARRATIVE OF THE INDIAN AND CIVIL WARS IN VIRGINIA IN THE YEARS 1675 AND 1676. PUBLISHED FROM THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT, IN THE FIRST VOLUME (SECOND SERIES) OF THE COLLECTION OF THE MASS- ACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY. BOSTON : PRINTED BY JOHN ELIOT, NO. 5 COURT STREET, 1814. Price 2^ Cents ^3.00 A Year Published by GEORGE P HUMPHREY ROCHESTER Foreign Agents GAY & BIRD London England '02. COLONIAL TRACTS, issued monthly, is designed to offer in convenient form and at a reasonable price some of the more valuable pamphlets relating to the early history of America which have hitherto been inaccessible to the general public, although of so much importance to the historical student. Single numbers at 25 cents each, or $3.00 by the year, in advance, may be ordered through any bookseller, from the publisher, George P. Humphrey, 25 Exchange Street, Rochester, N. Y., or Gay & Bird, 22 Bedford Street, Strand, London, W. C., England, agents for Europe and the Colonies. The number for March will contain : "New England's Plantation; or a short and true description of the commodities and discommodities of that country. Written by a reverend Divine now there resident. London : printed by T. C. and R. C. for Michael Sparke, dwelling at the sign of the Blue Bible in Green Arbor, in the Little Old Bailey, 1630." Just Published : THE LIFE OF CHARLES CARROLL OF CARROLL- TON. 1737-1832. With his Correspondence and Public Papers. By Kate Mason Rowland, author of "The Life of George Mason," etc. Fully illustrated. Two volumes, 8vo. New York, 1898. Per set, ^6.00 net. The biography of Charles Carroll of CarroUton, the last of the Signers, has never before been fully written. It is believed that the publication of his letters and papers, with a detailed account of his public services, will be acceptable to all students of American history, and will enhance and substantiate the already high reputation of this pure and noble-minded statesman, the peer in character and intellect of any of the great Revolution- ary leaders. Charles Carroll's life may be roughly divided into three periods ; thirty years, mostly spent abroad, in preparation for the patriotic duties which awaited him ; thirty years in the service of his state and country ; thirty years in scholarly retirement, where, as a close and interested observer of public events, he remained in touch with the outside world even to the last months almost of his earthly career. Entered at the Rochester Post-Ofiice as Second Class Matter. A NARRATIVE OF THE INDIAN AND CIVIL WARS IN VIRGINIA, IN THE YEARS 167^ AND 1676. PUBLISHED FROM THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT, IN THE FIRST VOLUME (SECOND SERIES) OF THE COLLECTIONS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY. BOSTON : PRINTED BY JOHN ELIOT, No. 5 COURT STREET, 1814. NO 10 FEBRUARY i8<;8 Colonial tracts Published by GEORGE P HUMPHREY ROCHESTER N Y LETTER FROM THE HON. WILLIAM A. BURWELL, MEMBER OF CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF VIRGINIA, TO THE HON. JOSIAH QUINCY, MEMBER OF CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS. Washington, December 20, 1812. Dear Sir — The manuscript copy of Bacon and Ingram's Rebellion was found among the papers of the late Captain Nathaniel Burwell of King William county. 1 have not been able to obtain many particulars from his family relative to it. At the close of the war he heard of its existence in an old and respectable family of the northern neck of Virginia, and procured it for his amusement ; he entertained no doubt of its antiquity, and valued it on that account. From the appearance of the work, the minute and circum- stantial detail of facts, the orthography, and the style, I am perfectly satisfied his opinion was correct. I hope it will be found worthy of a place in the valuable collections of the society to which you belong. Permit me to offer my best wishes for the success of your labors. Yours, respectfully, WILLIAM A. BURWELL, of Virginia. vo- COLONIAL TRACTS f^o- THE INDIAN PROCEEDINGS.* for their own security. They found that their store was too short to endure a long siege, without making empty bellies, and that empty bellies make weak hearts, which always makes an unfit serving man to wait upon the god of war. Therefore they were resolved, before their spirits were down, to do what they could to keep their stores up, as opportunity should befriend them ; and although they were by the law of arms (as the case now stood) prohibited the hunting of wild deer, they resolved to see what good might be done by hunting tame horses, which trade became their sport so long that those who came on horse- back to the siege began to fear they should be compelled to trot home on foot, and glad if they escaped so, too, for these beleaguered blades made so many sallies, and the besiegers kept such negligent guard, that there were very few days passed without some remarkable mischief. But what can hold out always ? Even stone walls yield to the not-to-be gainsaid summons of time. And although it is said that the Indians do the least mind their bellies (as being content with a little) of any people in the world, yet now their bellies began to mind them, and their stomachs, too, which began to be more inclin- able to peace than war, which was the cause (no more horse-flesh being to be had) that they sent out six of their Woerowances (chief men) to commence a treaty. What the articles were that they brought along with them to treat of I do not know, but certainly they were so unacceptable to the English that they caused the commissioners' brains to be knocked out for dictating so badly to their tongues, which yet, it is possible, expressed more reason than the English had to prove the lawfulness of this action, being diametrical to the law of arms. * We regret that the beginning of this manuscript is missing, and that several parts were so much torn that it became necessary to leave vacant spaces. Where the expression is uncertain, but the page not wholly disfigured, we have used italic letter.s.—KD. This strange action put those in the fort to their trumps, having thus lost some of their prime court cards without a fair dealing. They could not tell what interpretation to put upon it (nay, indeed, nobody else), and very fain they would under- stand why those whom they sent out with a view to supplicate a peace should be worse dealt with than those who were sent out with a sword to denounce a war ; but wo one could be got to make inquiry into the reason of this, . . which put them upon a resolution to forsake their station, and not to expostulate the cause any further. Having made this resolution, and destroyed all things in the fort that might be serviceable to the English, they boldly, undiscovered, slip through the league (leaving the English to prosecute the siege as Schogin's wife brooded the eggs that the fox had sucked), in the passing of which they knocked ten men on the head who lay carelessly asleep in their way. Now, although it might be said that the Indians went their ways empty-handed, in regard they had left all their plunder and wealth behind them in the fort, yet it cannot be thought that they went away empty-hearted, for though that was pretty well drained from its former courage through those inconvenien- ces that they had been subjected to by the siege, yet in the room thereof, rather than the venticles should lie void, they had stowed up so much malice, intermixed with a resolution of revenge for the affront that the English had put upon them in killing their messengers of peace, that they resolved to commence a most barbarous and most bloody war. The besiegers having spent a great deal of ill-employed time in pecking at the husk, and now finding the shell open, and missing the expected prey, did not a little wonder what was become of the lately impounded hidians, who, though at present they could not be seen, yet it was not long before they were heard of, and felt, too, for in a very short time they had, in a most inhuman manner, murdered no less than sixty innocent people, noways guilty of any actual injury done to these ill- discerning, brutish heathen. By the blood of these poor souls, they thought that the wandering ghosts of those their commis- sioners, before mentioned, might be atoned and laid down to take their repose in the dismal shades of death, and they, at present, not obliged for to prosecute any further revenge. Therefore, to prove whether the English were as ready for a peace as themselves, they send their remonstrance in the name of their chief, taken by an English interpreter, unto the gover- nor of Virginia, with whom he expostulates in this sort : What was it that moved him to take up arms against him, his professed friend, in the behalf of the Marylanders, his professed enemies, contrary to that league made between him and himself ? declares as well his own as subjects' grief to find the Virginians, of friends, without any cause given to become his foes, and to be so eager in their groundless quarrel as to pursue the chase into another's dominions ; complains that his messengers of peace were not only murdered by the English, but the fact counte- nanced by the governor's connivance, for which, seeing no other way to be satisfied, he had revenged himself by killing ten for one of the Virginians, such being the disproportion between his great men murdered and those by his command slain ; that now, this being done, if that his honor would allow him a valuable satisfaction for the damage he had sustained by the war, and no more concern himself in the Marylanders' quarrel, he was content to renew and confirm the ancient league of amity, otherways himself and those whom he had engaged to his interests, and their own, were resolved to fight it out to the last man. These proposals not being assented to by the English, as being derogatory and point blank both to honor and interest, these Indians draw in others, formerly in subjection to the Virginians, to their 'aid, which, being conjoined, in separate and united parties, they daily committed abundance of unguarded and unrevenged murders upon the t^g^fn^flng"^ English, which they perpetrated in a most barbarous and horrid manner. By which means abundance of the frontier plantations became either depopulated by the Indian settlers or deserted by the planters' fears, who were compelled to forsake their abodes to find security for their lives, which they were not to part with in the hands of the Indians but under the worst of torments. For these brutish and inhuman brutes, lest their cruelties might not be thought cruel enough, devised a hundred ways to torture and torment those poor souls with, whose wretched fate it was to fall into their unmerciful hands. For some, before they would deprive them of their lives, they would take a great deal of time to deprive them first of their skins, and if their life had not, through the anguish of their pain, forsaken their tormented bodies, they ivith their clubs knocked out their teeth (or some instrument), tear off the nails of their hands and their toes, which put the poor sufferer to a woeful conditioft. One was prepared for the flames at Jamestown, who endured much, but found means to escape .... for lest their deaths should be attributed to some more merciful hands than theirs, to put all out of question, they would leave some of those brutish marks upon their defenceless bodies, that they might testify it could be none but they who had committed the fact. And now it was that the poor, distressed, and doubly afflicted planters began to curse and execrate that ill-managed business at the fort. Their cries were reiterated again and again, both to God and to man for relief. But no appearance of long- wished-for safety arising in the horizon of their hopes, they were ready, could they have told which way, to leave all and forsake the colony rather than to stay and be exposed to the cruelties of the barbarous heathen. At last it was concluded as a good expedient for to put the country in a good degree of safety, to plant forts upon the frontiers, thinking thereby to put a stop to the bulit*^ *°''^ Indians' excursions, which, after the expense of a great deal of time and charge, being finished, came short of the designed ends. For the Indians quickly found out where the mouse-traps were set, and for what purpose, and so resolved to keep out of the way of their danger, which they might easy enough do without any detriment to their designs. For though hereby they were compelled to go, it is possible, a little about, yet they never thought much of their Not valued by labor SO loug as they were not debarred from doing the Indians. & y & mischief, which was not in the power of these forts to prevent. For if that the English did at any time know that there were more ways into the wood than one to kill deer, the Indians found more, a thousand out of the wood, to kill men, and not come near the danger of the forts either. The small good that was by most expected, and now by them experienced, from those useless fabrics (or castles, if so we say), excited a marvelous discontent among the people. Some thought the charge would he great, and the benefit little. . . . . It rent the hearts of many that they should be com- pelled to work all day, nay, all the year for to reward those mole-catchers at the fort, nobody knew for what, and at night could not find a place of safety to lie down in forest their weary bones, for fear they should be shattered all to pieces by the Indians; upon which consideration they thought it best to petition the downfall of these useless, and like to be, chargeable fabrics, from whose continuance they could neither expect profit nor safety. But for the effecting this business they found themselves under a very great disadvantage, for though it may be more easy to cast down than erect well-cemented The forts dis- structures, yet the rule doth not hold good in all cases. English.^ For it is to be understood that these forts were con- trived either by the sole command of the governor, or otherwise by the advice of those whose judgments, in these affairs, he approved of, either of which was now, they being done, his own immediate act, as they were done in his name, which to have undone at the simple request of the people had been in effect to have undone the repute he always held in the people's judgment for a wise man ; and better that they should suffer some small inconveniences than that he should be accounted less discerning than those who till now were counted more than half blind. Besides, how should he satisfy his honor of the undertakers of the work. If the people's petition be granted, they must be disappointed, which would be little less than an undoing to them also in their expectation of profit to be raised from the work. Hereby the people quickly found themselves in an error, when that they apprehended what a strong foundation the forts were erected upon, honor and profit, against which all their sapping and mining had no power to overturn. They having no other ingredients to make up their fireworks with but prayers and misspent tears and entreaties, which having vented to no purpose, and finding their condition every whit as bad, if not worse, as before the forts were made, they resolved to ....... . T 10 BACON'S PROCEEDINGS. HE people chose Col. Bacon their general, which post he accepted. He was a man of quality and merit, brave and eloquent, became much endeared, not so much for what he had Baconappears yet doue as the cause of their affections, as for against the In- . dians. what they expected he would do to deserve their devotion ; while with no common zeal they sent up their reiterated prayers, first to himself and next to Heaven, that he may become their guardian angel, to protect them from the cruelties of the hidians, against whom this gentleman had a perfect antipathy. It seems that at the first rise of the war this gentleman had made some overtures unto the governor for a commission to go and put a stop to the Indians' proceedings. But the governor at present, either not willing to commence the quarrel (on his part) till more suitable reasons presented for to urge his more severe prosecution of the same, against the heathen, or that he doubted Bacon's temper, as he appeared popularly inclined ; a constitution not being consistent with the times or the people's dispositions, being generally discontented for want of timely provisions against the Indians, or for annual impositions laid upon them, too great, as they said, for them to bear, and against which they had some considerable time complained Bacon advan- without the least redress ; for these, or some other ceth against . , i • i r-« » the Indians, reasous, the governor refused to comply with Bacon s proposals. Which he, looking upon as undervaluing as well to his parts as a disparagement to his pretensions, he, in some elated and passionate expressions, sware, commission or no commission, the next man or woman he heard of that should be killed by the Indians, he would go out against them, though but twenty men would adventure the service with him. Now it so unhappily fell out that the next person that the Indians did kill was one of his own family. Whereupon, having got together about seventy or ninety persons, most good housekeepers, well armed, and seeing that he could not legally procure a commission (after some strugglings with the governor), some of his best friends who condemned his enter- prises, he applies himself. ....... 11 The governor could not bear this insolent deportment of Bacon, and spake freely against him and condemned his proceed- ings. Which . . instead of seeking means to appease his anger, they devised means to increase it, by framing specious pretences which they grounded upon the boldness of Bacon's actions and the people's affections. They began, some of them, to have Bacon's merits in mistrust, as a luminary that threatened an eclipse to their rising glories ; for though he was but a young man, yet they found that he was master and owner of those induements which constitute a complete man, as to intrinsical wisdom to apprehend and discretion to choose. By which embellishments, if he should continue in the governor's favor, of seniors they might become juniors, while their younger brother, through the nimbleness of his wit, might steal away that blessing which they accounted their own by birthright. This rash proceeding of Bacon, if it did not undo himself by his fail- ing in the enterprise, might chance to undo them in the affections of the people ; which to prevent, they thought it conduceable to their interest and establishment for to get the governor in the mind to proclaim him a rebel, as knowing that once being done, since it could not be done but in and by the governor's name, it must needs breed bad blood between Bacon and Sir William, not easily to be purged. For though Sir William might forgive what Bacon as yet had acted, yet it might be questionable whether Bacon might forget what Sir William had done. How- ever, according to their desires. Bacon and all his adherents was proclaimed a rebel May the 29th, and f^j^'^e^luZ/'ea- forces raised to reduce him to his duty ; with which ^on. the governor advanced from the middle plantation * to fmd him out and if need was to fight him, if the hidians had not knocked him and those that were with him in the head, as some were in hope they had done, and which by some was earnestly desired. After some days the governor retracts his march, a journey of some thirty or forty miles, to meet the assembly now ready to set down at our metropolis, while Bacon in the meanwhile meets with the hidians, upon whom he Bacon meets ^ with the In- falls with abundance of resolution and gallantry (as dians. his own party relates it) in their fastness, killing a ♦Williamsburg. See Beverly's History of Virftinia. 12 great many and blowing up their magazine of arms and powder to a considerable quantity, if tve may judge from himself, no less than four thousand weight. This being done, and all his pro- visions spent, he returns home, and while here submits himself to be chosen burgess of the county in which he did live, contrary to his qualifications take him as he was formerly one of the council of state or, as he was now a proclaimed rebel. How- ever, he applies himself to the performance of that trust reposed in him by the people, if he might be admitted into the house. But this not faring according to his desire, though according to his expectation, and he remaining in his sloop, then at anchor before the town, in which was about thirty gentle- Bacon taken men besides himself, he was there surprised and prisoner. ' ^ made prisoner with the rest, some being put into irons, in which condition they remained some time, till all things were fitted for the trial. Which being brought Brought upon to a day of hearing, before the governor and council, acquitted. Bacon was uot Only acquitted and pardoned all misdemeanors, but restored to the council table as before ; and not only this, but promised to have a commission signed the Monday following (this was Saturday), June lo prom- as general for the Indian war, to the universal satis- mission, faction of the people, who passionately desired the same, witnessed by the general acclamations of all then in town. And here who can do less than wonder at the mutable and impermanent deportments of that blind goddess, Fortune, \\\\o in the morning leads man with disgraces, and ere night crowns him with honors ; sometimes depressing, and again elevating, as her fickle humor is to smile or frown, of which this gentle- man's fate was a kind of epitome in the several vicissitudes and changes he was subjected to in a very few days. For in the morning, before his trial, he was in his enemy's hopes and friends' fears judged for to receive the guerdon due to a rebel (and such he was proclaimed to be), and ere night crowned the darling of the people's hopes and desires, as the only man fit in Virginia to put a stop to the bloody resolution of the heathen. And yet again, as a fuller manifestation of fortune's inconstancy, within two or three days the people's 13 hones and his desires were both frustrated by the '^^/ governor ' -^ refuses to sign governor's refusing to sign the promised commission, ^[on^"'^^^' At which being disgusted, though he dissembled the same as well as he could, he begs leave of the gjlted" '^'^" governor to dispense with his services at the council table, to visit his wife, who, as she had infonned him, was indis- posed, which request the governor (after some contest with his own thoughts) granted, contrary to the advice of some about him, who suspected Bacon's designs, and that it was not so much his lady's sickness as the troubles of a distempered mind which caused him to withdraw to his own house, and that this was the truth, which in a few days was manifested, when that he returned to town with five hundred men in arms. The governor did not want intelligence of Bacon's designs, and therefore sent out his summons for York train-bands to reinforce his guards then at town. But the time was so short, not above twelve hours' warning, and those that appeared at the rendezvous made such a slender Ba™n returns ' to town at the number, that under four ensigns there was not ^^^'^ °^ five ^ hundred men, mustered above one hundred soldiers, and not one- ^"'' ^o^ceth a commission. half of them sure neither, and all so sluggish in their march, that before they could reach town, by a great deal, Bacon had entered the same and by force obtained a commis- sion, calculated to the height of his own desires. With which commission being invested, such as it was, he makes ready his provisions, fills up his companies to the designed number (five hundred in all), and so applies himself to those services the country expected from him. And, first, for the securing the saine against the excursions of the Indians in his absence, and such might be expected, he commissioned several persons such as he could confide in, in every respective county, with select companies of well-armed men, to ravage the forests, thickets, swamps, and all such suspected places where Indians might ha\'e any shelter for the doing of mischief. Which proceed- ings of his put so much courage into the planters that they begun to apply themselves to their accustomed employifients in their plantations, which till now they durst not do, for fear of being knocked in the head, as God knows too many were before these orders were observed. 14 While the general (for so was Bacon now denominated by virtue of his commission) was sedulous in these affairs, and fitting his provisions, about the head of York river, in order to his advance against the Indians, the governor was steering quite different courses. He was once more persuaded (but for what reasons not visible) to proclaim Bacon a rebel again, and now, since his absence afforded an advantage to raise the country upon him, so soon as he should return tired and exhausted by his toil and labor in the Indian war. For the putting this council in execution, the governor steps over in Gloster county (a place the best replenished for men, arms, and affection of any county in Virginia), all which the governor summons to give him a meeting at a place and day assigned ; where being met, according to summons, the governor's pro- posals was so much disrelished by the whole convention, that they all disbanded to their own abodes, after their promise passed to stand by and assist the governor against all those who should go about to wrong his person or debase his authority ; unto which promise they annexed or subjoined several reasons why they thought it not convenient at present to declare them- selves against Bacon, as he was now advancing against the common enemy, who had in a most barbarous manner murdered some hundreds of their dear brethren and countrymen, and would, if not prevented by God and the endeavors of good men, do their utmost for to cut off the whole colony. Therefore did they think that it would be a thing TheGioster incousistent with right reason if that they, in this mens pro es ^ggpgj-^^g conjuncture of time, should go and engage themselves one against another ; from the result of which proceedings, nothing could be expected but ruin and destruction unto both, to the one and other party, since it might reasonably be conceived that while they should be exposing their breasts against one another's weapons, the barbarous and common enemy, who would make his advantages by our disad- vantages, should be upon their backs to knock out their brains. But if it should so happen as they did hope would never happen, that the general, after the Indian war was finished, should attempt anything against his honor's person or government, that they would rise up in arms, with a joint consent, for the preservation of both. 15 Since the governor could obtain no more, he was at present to rest himself contented with this, while those who had advised him to these undertakings were not a little dissatisfied to find the event not answer their expectations. But he at present, seeing there was no more to be done, since he wanted a power to have that done which was esteemed the main of the affairs now in hand to be done, namely, the gaining of the Gloster men, to do what he would have done, he thought it best to do what he had a power to do, and that was once more to proclaim Bacon a traitor, which was performed in Bacon pro- all public places of meetings in these parts. The tratton^ noise of which proclamation, after that it had passed the admiration of all that were not acquainted with the reasons that moved his honor to do what he had now done, soon reached the general's ears, not yet stopped up from listening to apparent dangers. This strange and unexpected news put him, and some with him, shrewdly to their trumps, believing that a few such deals or shuffles (call them what you please) might quickly wring the cards and game, too, out his hand. He perceived that he was fallen like the corn between the stones, so that if he did not look the better about him he might chance be ground to powder. He knew that to have a certain enemy in his front, and more than uncertain friends in his rear, portended no great security from a violent death, and that there could be no great difference between his being wounded to death in his breast with bows and arrows or in the back with guns and musket bullets. He did see that there was an absolute necessity of destroying the Indians for the preservation of the English, and that there was some care to be taken for his own and soldiers' safety, other- wise that work must be ill done where the laborers are made cripples and compelled, instead of a sword, to betake themselves to a crutch. It vexed him to the heart (as he was heard to say) for to think that while he was hunting wolves, tigers, and foxes which daily destroyed our harmless sheep and lambs, that he, and those with him, should be pursued, with a full cry, as a more savage or a no less ravenous beast. But to put all out of doubt, and himself in some degree of safety, since he could not tell but that some whom he left behind might not more 16 desire his death than to hear that by him the hidians were destroyed, he forthwith (after a short consultation held with some of his soldiers) countermarches his army, and in a trice came up with them at the middle plantation, * a place situated in the very heart of the country. The first thing that Bacon fell upon (after that he had settled himself at the middle plantation), wasprcpare his remonstrance, and that as well against a certain anonymous paper of the twenty-ninth of May, as in answer to the governor's proclama- tion. Putting both papers upon these declarations, he asks whether persons wholly devoted to their king and country, haters of all sinister and by-respects, aiming only at their country's good, and endeavoring to the ///;wos/ o///z^/r power, to the hazard of their lives and fortunes, that they inight destroy those that are in arms against their king and country, men who never plotted, contrived, nor endeavored atiy indiscretion, detriment, or wrong of any of his majesty's subjects, in their lives, names, fortunes, or estates, can deserve the appellation of rebels and traitors. He cites the whole country to testify his and his soldiers' peaceable behavior ; upbraids some in authority with the mean- ness of their parts ; others, now wealthy, with the meanness of their estates when they first came into the country ; and questions by what just v/ays or means they have obtained the same, and whether they have not been the sponges Bacon's dec- w^xi have sucked up and devoured the common laration. "^ treasury ? Questions what arts, sciences, schools of learning, or manufactures have been promoted by any now in authority ? Justifies his aversion, in general, against the hidians, upbraids the governor for maintaining their quarrel (though never so unjust) against the Christian rights and interests ; his refusing to admit an Englishman's oath against an hidian, when that hidian's word would be sufficient proof against an Englishman. Saith something against the governor about the beaver trade as being a monopoly. . . , . . Arraigns one Colonel Cole's assertion for saying that the English are bound to protect the hidians at the hazard of their blood ; and so concludes with an appeal to king and parliament, * Williamsburg. 17 where he has no doubt that his and the people's cause will be impartially heard. /ifter this manner the game begins. This declaration of Bacon was the prelude to the following chapter. His next work was to invite all that had any regard to themselves or love to their country, their wives, children, and other relations, to give him a meeting at his quarters, at a day named, then and there to consider how to put the country into some degree of safety, and to endeavor to stop those imminent dangers now threatening the destruction of the whole colony, through the bloody proceedings of the Indians ; and, as he said, by Sir William's doting and irregular actings. Desiring of them not to sit still in this common time of calamity, with their hands in their bosoms, or as unconcerned spectators stand gazing upon their approaching ruin and not lend a hand to squelch those flames now likely to consume them and theirs to ashes. Accord- ing to the summons, most of the prime gentlemen of these parts, whereof some were of the council of state, gave Bacon a meeting at his quarters at the assigned time. Where being met (after a long harangue by him made, much of the nature of and to explain the summons), he desired them to take the same so far into their consideration that there might, by their wisdom, some expedient be found out, as well for the country's security against Sir William's irregular proceedings as that he and the army might unmolestedly prosecute the Indian war. Adding, that neither himself nor those under his command thought it a thing consistent with reason or common sense to advance against the common enemy and in the meantime want assurance, when they had done the work abroad, not to have their throats cut when they should return home by those who had set them to work. Being confident that Sir William and some others with him, through a sense of their unwarrantable actions, would do what was possible to be done, not only to destroy himself, but others privy to their knavery, now engaged in the Indian service with him. After that Bacon had urged what he thought meet for the better carrying on of those affairs now hammering in his head, it was concluded by the whole convention that for the estab- lishing of the general and army in a consistency of safety, and that as well upon his march against the Indians as when he 18 should return from the service, and also for the keeping of the country in peace in his absence, that there should be a test or recognition drawn and subscribed to by the whole country, which should oblige them, and every of them, not to be aiding or assisting Sir William Berkeley (for now he would not afford him the title of governor) in any sort to the molestation, hind- rance, or detriment of the general and army. This being assented to, the clerk of the assembly was ordered to put the same into form. Which, while he was doing, the general would needs have another branch added to the former, viz., that the people should not only be obliged not to be aiding Sir W. B. against the general, but the force of this j^cte*d!"' *"° recognition should be obliged to rise in arms against him if he with armed forces should offer to resist the general or disturb the country's peace in his absence, and not only so (but to make the engagement a-la-mode rebellion), he would have it added, that if any forces should be sent out of England at the request of Sir William, or otherwise to his aid, that they were likewise to be opposed till such time as the country's cause should be sent home and reported to his most sacred majesty. These two last branches of this bugbear did marvelously startle the people, especially the very last of all ; yet to give the general satisfaction how willing they were to give him all the security that lay in their power, they seemed willing to subscribe the two first as they stood single, but not to any if the last must be joined with them. But the general used or urged a great many reasons for signing the whole engagement, as it was presented in the three conjoined branches, otherwise no security could be expected, neither to the country, army, nor himself. Therefore he was resolved, if that they would not do what he did judge so reasonable and necessary to be done, in and about the premises, that he would surrender up his commission to the assembly and let the country find some other servants to go abroad and do their work. For, says he, it is to be considered that Sir Wil- fons°for^'^the '^^"^ ^'^^^ already proclaimed me a rebel, and it is ofth.'"^ *^^ not unknown to himself that I both can and shall charge him with no less than treason. And it is not only myself that must be and is concerned in what shall be 19 charged against him, but several gentlemen in the country besides, who now are and ever will be against his interest ; and of those that shall adhere to his illegal proceedings, of which he being more than ordinarily sensible, it cannot in common reason be otherwise conceived but that he, being assisted by those forces now employed, that they shall not be wholly employed to the destruction of all those capable to frame an accusation against him to his sacred majesty. Neither can it be reasonably apprehended that he will ever condescend to any friendly accommodation with those that shall subscribe to all or any part of this engagement, unless such or such persons shall be surrendered up to his mercy to be proceeded against as he shall see fit ; and then how many or few those may be, whom he shall make choice of to be sent into the other world that he may be rid of his fears in this, may be left to consideration. Many things were, by many of those who were of this meet- ing, urged pro and con concerning the taking or not taking of the engagement. But such was the resolute temper of the general against all reasoning to the contrary, that the whole must be swallowed or else no good would be done. In the urging of which he used such subtile and specious pretences ; sometimes for the pressing and not to be dispensed with neces- sity, in regard of those fears the whole colony was subjected to through the daily murders perpetrated by the Indians, and then again opening the harmlessness of the oath, as he would have it to be, and which he managed solely against a great many of those counted the wisest men in the country, with so much art and sophistical dexterity that at length there was little said by any against the same. Especially when the gunner of York fort arrived, imploring aid to secure the same against the Indians, adding that there were a great number of poor people fled into it for protection, which could not be unless there was some speedy course taken to reinforce the said fort with munition and arms, otherwise it and those fled to it would go near hand to fall into the power of the heathen. The general was somewhat startled at this news, and accordingly expostulated the same, how it could possibly be that the most considerable fortress in the country should be in danger to be surprised by the Indians. But being told that 20 the governor, the day before, had caused all the arms and ammunition to be conveyed out of the fort into his own vessel, with which he was sailed forth of the country, as it was thought, it is strange to think what impression this story made upon the people's apprehensions. In earnest, this action did stagger a great many, otherwise well inclined to Sir William, who could not tell what constructions to put upon it. How- ever, this was no great disadvantage to Bacon's designs ; he knew well enough how to make his advantages out of this, as well as he did out of the Gloster business, before mentioned, by framing and stumping out to the people's apprehensions what commentaries or interpretations he pleased, upon the least oversight by the governor committed ; which he managed with so much cunning and subtilty that the people's minds became quickly flexible and apt to receive any impression or similitude that his arguments should represent to their ill-dis- cerning judgments ; insomuch that the oath became now more smooth and glib to be swallowed, even by those The oath vvho had the greatest repugnance against it ; so that there were no more discourses used either for restrictions or enlargements. Only this salvo was granted unto those who would claim the benefit of it (and some did so), yet not expressed in the written copy, viz., that if there was any- thing in the same of such dangerous consequence that it might taint the subscribers' allegience, that then they should stand absolved from all and every part of the said oath ; unto which the general gave his consent (and certainly he had too much cunning to deny or gainsay it) saying, " God forbid that it should be otherwise meant or intended;" adding that himself (and army, by his command) had, some few days before, taken the oath of allegience, therefore it could not rationally be imagined that either himself or they would go about to act or do anything contrary to the meaning of the same. Bad ware requires a dark store, while sleek and pounce inveigles the chapman's judgment. Though the first sub- scribers were indulged the liberty of entering their exceptions against the strict letter of the oath, yet others who were to take the same before the respective justices of peace in their several jurisdictions were not to have the same latitude. For the power of affording cautions and exceptions was solely in 21 the imposer, not in those who should hereafter administer the oath, whereby the aftertakers were obHged to swallow the same, though it might hazard their chokening, as it stood in the very letter thereof. Neither can I apprehend what benefit could possibly accrue more unto those who were indulged the aforesaid privilege than to those who were debarred the same, since both subscribed the engagement as it stood in the letter, not as it was in the meaning of the subscriber. It is true, before God and their own consciences it might be pleadable, but not at the bar of human proceedings, without a favorable interpretation put upon it by those who were to be the judges. While Bacon was contriving and imposing this illegal oath, for to secure himself against the governor, the governor was no less solicitous to find out means to secure himself against Bacon. Therefore, as the only place of security within the colony to keep out of Bacon's reach, he SirWiinam sails over to Accomack. This place is sequestered mack, from the main part of Virginia through the inter- position of the great Bay of Chesapeake, being itself an isthmus and commonly called the eastern shore. It is bounded on the east with the main ocean, and on the southwest with the afore- said bay, which runs up into the country navigable for the biggest ships more than two hundred and forty miles, and so, consequently, not approachable from the other parts of Virginia but by water, without surrounding the head of the said bay, — a labor of toil, time, and danger, in regard of the way and habitations of the hidians. It was not long before Bacon was informed where the governor had taken sanctuary, neither was he ignorant what it was that moved him to do what he had done. He did also apprehend that as he had found the way out, he could, when he saw his own time, find the way in again ; and though he went forth with an empty hand, he might return with a full fist. For the preventing of which, as he Biand and thought, he despatched away one Esquire Bland, a to Accomack, gentleman of an active and stirring disposition, and no great admirer of Sir William's goodness ; and with him in commission one Captain Carver, a person acquainted with navigation, and one, as they say, indebted to Sir William before he died for his life upon a double account, with forces 22 in two ships, either to block Sir William up in Accomack, or otherwise to inveigle the inhabitants, thinking that all the country, like the friar in the bush, must needs be so mad as to dance to their pipe to surrender him up into their hands. Bacon having sent Bland and the rest to do this Bacon advan- service, once more re-enters upon his Indian march ; cesag;ainst the Indians, after that he had taken order for the convenmg an assembly, to sit down on the fourth of September, the summons being authenticated, as they would have it, under the hands of four of the council of state ; and the reason of the convention to manage the affairs of the country in his absence, lest, as he said, while he went abroad to destroy the wolves, the foxes in the meantime should come and devour the sheep. He had not marched many miles from his headquarters but that news came post haste that Bland and the rest with him were snapped at Accomack, betrayed, as some of their own party related, by Captain Carver ; but those who are best able to render an account of this affair do aver, that there was no other treason made use of but their want of discretion, assisted by the juice of the grape. Had it been otherwise the governor would never have rewarded the service with the gift of a halter, which he honored andTaWed.^" ^^''^^^* ^^^'^ Suddenly after his surprisal. Bland was put in irons and ill-intreated, as it was said ; most of the soldiers owned the governor's cause by entering themselves into his service ; those that refused were made prisoners and promised a releasement at the price of Carver's fate. The governor being blessed with this good service, and the better service, in that it was effected without bloodshed, and being informed that Bacon was entered upon his Indian march, ships himself for the western shore, being Sir w. ships assisted with five ships and ten sloops, in which, as himself for the . . ^ ^ ' ' western shore, it IS Said, wcre about a thousand soldiers. The news whereof outstripping his canvas wings, soon reached the ears of those left by Bacon to see the king's peace kept by resisting the king's vicegerent. For before that the governor could get over the water, two fugitives were got to land, sent, as may be supposed, from some in Accomack, spirited for the general's quarrel, to inform those here, of the 23 same principles, of the governor's strength, and upon what terms his soldiers were to fight. And first, they were to be rewarded with those men's estates who {^p°^ The*Ac- had taken Bacon's oath, catch that catch could, ^^"■^e^^^'^^^t. Secondly, that they and their heirs for twenty-one years should be discharged from all imposition, excepting church dues, and lastly, twelve pence per day during the whole time of service. And that it was further decreed that all servants whose masters were under the general's colors, or that had subscribed the engagement, should be set free and enjoy the forementioned benefits, if that they would, in arms, own the governor's cause. And that this was the whole truth and nothing but the truth, the two men before mentioned deposed before Capt. Thorp, one of the justices of the peace for York county, after that one Colonel Searsbrooke had more prudently declined the admitting these two scoundrels to the test. Whether these fellows were in the right or in the wrong, as to what they had narrated, 1 know not, but this is certain : whether the same was true or false, it produced the effects of truth in people's minds ; who hereby became so much distracted in their resolutions, that they The people's perplexed con- could not tell at present which way to turn them- dition. selves ; while their tongues expressed no other language but what sounded forth fears, wishes, and execra- tions, as their apprehensions or affections dictated ; all looking upon themselves as a people utterly undone, being equally exposed to the governor's displeasure, and the Indians' bloody cruelties ; some cursing the cause of their approaching destruc- tion, looking upon the oath to be no small ingredient helping to fill up the measure of their miseries ; others wishing the general's presence as the only rock of safety, while others looked upon him as only the quicksands ordained to swallow up and sink the ship that should set them on shore, or keep them from drowning in the whirlpool of confusion. In the midst of these fears and perturbations, the Governor arrives with his fleet of five ships and ten sir w. arrives at town, Sep- sloops, all well manned, or appeared to be so, before tember?. the town ; into which the governor sends his sum- mons (it being possessed by seven or eight hundred Baconians) for a rendition, with a free and ample pardon to all that would 24 decline Bacon's interest and own his, excepting one Mr. Drum- mond, and one Mr. Larance, a colonel, and both active pro- moters of Bacon's designs. Which is a most apparent argument that what those two men, before mentioned, had sworn to, was a mere pack of untruths. This his honor's proclamation was acceptable to most in town ; while others again would not trust to it, fearing to meet with some after-claps of revenge. Which diversity of opinions put them all into a resolution of deserting the place, as not tenable (but indeed had it been fortified, yet they had no commission to fight), while they had the liberty of so doing, before it should be wholly invested ; which that night, in the dark, they put in execution, every one shifting for himself with no ordinary fear, in the greatest haste possible, for fear of being sent after. And that some of them were possessed with no ordinary fear, may be manifested in Colonel Larence, whose spirits were so much distracted at his apprehensions of being one excepted in the governor's act of grace, that he forsook his own house, with all his wealth and a fair cupboard of plate entire standing, which fell into the governor's hands the next morning. The town being thus forsaken by the Baconians, The Bacon- his honor enters the same the next day, about noon, ians forsake the town. where, after he had rendered thanks unto God for his safe arrival (which he forgot not to perform upon his knees at his first footing the shore), he applies himself not only to secure what he had got possession of, but to increase and enlarge the same, to his best advantage. And knowing that the people of old usually painted the god of war with a belly to be fed, as well as with hands to fight, he began to cast about for the bringing in of provisions for to feed his soldiers ; and in the next place for soldiers, as well to rein- force his strength within as to enlarge his quarters abroad. But, as the saying is, man may propose, but God will dispose ; when that his honor thought himself so much at liberty, that he might have the liberty to go when and where he pleased, his expectations became very speedily and in a moment frus- trated. For Bacon, having done his business against the' Indians, or at least so much as he was able to do, having marched his men with a great deal of toil and hazard some hundreds of 25 miles, one way and another, killing some and taking others prisoners, and having spent his provisions, draws in his forces within the verge of the English plantations, from whence he dis- misseth the greatest part of his army to gather strength against the next designed march, which was no sooner done but he encounters the news of the governor's being arrived at town. Of which being informed, he with a marvelous celerity (out- stripping the swift wing of fame) marcheth those few men now with him, which he had only reserved as Bacon wocus 1 • .'111 J 1 *^* Governor a guard to his person, and m a trice blocks up the up in town, governor in town, to the general astonishment of the whole country, especially when that Bacon's numbers were known, which at this time did not exceed above a hundred and fifty, and these not above two-thirds at work neither, an action of so strange an aspect, that whoever took notice of it could not choose but think but that the Accomackians either intended to receive their promised pay, without desert, or otherwise to establish such signal testimonies of their cowardice or disaffections, or both, that posterity might stand and gaze at their wretched stupidity. Bacon soon perceived what easy work he was likely to have in this service, and so began to set as small an esteem upon these men's courages, as they did upon their own credits. He saw by the prologue what sport might be expected in the play, and so began to dispose of his affairs accordingly. Yet not knowing but that the paucity of his numbers being once known to those in town, it might raise their hearts to a degree of courage having so much the odds, and that many times numbers prevail against resolution, he thought it not amiss, since the lion's strength was too weak, to strengthen the same with the fox's brains ; and how this was to be effected you shall hear. For immediately he dispatcheth two or three parties of horse, and about so many in each party, for Bacon sends , , , . . , , for several more he could not spare, to bring into the camp some gentlewomen . into the camp, of the prime gentlewomen, whose husbands were in and for what. town ; where, when arrived, he sends one of them to inform her own and the others' husbands for what purposes he had brought them into the camp, namely, to be placed in 26 the forefront of his men at such time as those in town should sally forth upon him. The poor gentlewomen were mightily astonished at this project ; neither were their husbands void of amazement at this subtile invention. If Mr. Fuller thought it strange that the devil's blackguard should be enrolled God's soldiers, they made it no less wonderful that their innocent and harmless wives should thus be entered a white guard to the devil. This action was a method in war that they were not well acquainted with (no, not those the best informed in military affairs), that before they could come to pierce their enemies' sides, they must be obliged to dart their weapons through their wives' breasts ; by which means though they, in their own persons, might escape without wounds, yet it might be the lamentable fate of their better half to drop by gunshot, or otherwise be wounded to death. Whether it was these considerations or some others, 1 do not know, that kept their swords in their scabbards ; but this is manifest, that Bacon knit more knots by his own head in one day than all the hands in town were able to untie in a whole week, while these ladies' white aprons became of greater force to keep the besieged from falling out than his works, a pitiful trench, had strength to repel the weakest shot that should have been sent into his league, had he not made use of this invention. For it is to be noted that right in his front, where he was to lodge his men, the governor had planted three great guns for to play point blank upon his men, as they were at work, at about one hundred or one hundred and fifty paces distance ; and then again, on his right hand, almost close aboard the shore, lay the ships, with their broadsides, to thunder upon him if he should offer to make an onslaught, this being the only place, by land, for him to make his entry into the town. But for your better satisfaction, or rather those whom you may show this narrative to, who have never been upon the place, take this short description. The place on which the town is built is a per- Thedescrip- fect peuinsula, or tract of land almost wholly tion of James- , . , , . i • i town. encompassed with water, having on the south side the river (formerly Powheten, now called James 27 river), three miles broad, encompassed on the north, from the east point, with a deep creek, ranging in a semicircle to the west, within ten paces of the river ; and there, by a small isthmus, tacked to the continent. This island (for so it is denominated) hath for longitude, east and west, near upon two miles, and for latitude about half so much, bearing in the whole compass about five miles, little more or less. It is low ground, full of marshes and swamps, which make the air, especially in the summer, insalubrious and unhealthy. It is not at all replenished with springs of fresh water, and that which they have in their wells is brackish, ill-scented, penurious, and not grateful to the stomach ; which render the place improper to endure the commencement of a siege. The town is built much about the middle of the south line, close upon the river, extending east and west, about three quarters of a mile ; in which is comprehended some sixteen or eighteen houses, most, as is the church, built of brick, fair and large ; and in them about a dozen families, for all the houses are not inhabited, getting their livings by keeping of ordinaries, at extraordinary rates. The governor, understanding that the gentlewomen at the league were, by order, drawn out of danger, resolved if possible to beat Bacon out of his trench ; which he thought might easily be performed, now that his guardian angels had for- saken his camp. For the effecting of which he sent Asaiiymade ' C3 upon bacon. forth seven hundred or, as they say, eight hundred of his Accomackians, who (like scholars going to school) went out with heavy hearts, but returned home with light heels ; thinking it better to turn their backs upon that storm, that their breasts could not endure to struggle against, for fear of being galled in their sides, or other parts of their bodies, through the sharpness of the weather ; which, after a terrible noise of thunder and lightning out of the east, began to blow with a powder and some lead, too, as big as musket bullets, full in their faces, and that with so great a violence that some of them were not able to stand upon their legs, which made the rest betake themselves to their heels, as the only expedient to save their lives ; which some amongst them had rather to have lost, than to have owned their safety at the price of such dis- honorable rates. 28 The governor was extremely disgusted at the ill manage- ment of this action, which he expressed in some passionate terms, against those who merited the same. But in earnest, who could expect the event to be otherwise than it was, when at the first notice given for the designed sally to be put in execution, some of the officers made such crabbed faces at the report of the same, that the gunner of York fort did proffer to purchase, for any that would buy, a colonel's or a captain's commisssion for a chunk of a pipe. The next day Bacon orders three great guns to be brought into the camp, two whereof he plants upon his trench. The one he sets to work (playing, some call it, who take delight to see stately structures beaten down, and men blown up into the air like shuttle-cocks) against the ships, the other against the entrance into the town, for to open a passage to his intended storm, which now was resolved upon, as he said, and which was prevented by the governor's forsaking the Sves town"°' P'^^^ ^^^ Shipping himself once more to Accomack, taking along with him all the townpeople and their goods, leaving all the great guns nailed up and the houses empty for Bacon to enter at his pleasure, and which he did the next morning before day ; where, contrary to his hopes, he met with nothing that might satisfy either himself or soldiers' desires, except a few horses, two or three cellars of wine, and some small quantity of Indian corn, with a great many tanned hides. The governor did not presently leave James river, but rested at an anchor some twenty miles below the town, which made Bacon entertain some thoughts that either he might have a desire to reenter his late-left quarters, or return and block him up as he had Sir William. And that there was some probability Sir William might steer such a course was news from Potomack, a province within the north verge of Vir- ginia, that Colonel Brent was marching at the head of one thousand soldiers toward town in vindication of the governor's quarrel. The better to prevent Sir William's designs, if he had a desire to return, and to hinder his conjunction with Brent, after he had consulted with his cabinet tot'^n onHre.^* council, he, in the most barbarous manner, converts the whole town into flames, cinders, and ashes, not 29 so much as sparing the church, the first that ever was in Virginia. Having performed this flagitious and sacriligious action (which put the worst of spirits into a horrid consternation at so inhuman a fact), he marches his men to the Green Spring (the governor's house, so named), where having stayed, feasting his army at the governor's cost, two or three days, until he was informed of Sir William's motion, he wafts his soldiers over the river at Tindell's Point Cpes over into Oloster. into Gloster county, taking up his headquarters at Colonel Warner's ; from whence he sends out his mandates through the whole county to give him a meeting at the court- house, there to take the engagement that was first promoted at the middle plantation ; for as yet, in this county, it was not admitted. While he was sedulously contriving this affair, one Captain Potter arrived in post haste from Rappahannock with news that Colonel Brent was advancing fast upon him, with a resolution to fight him, at the head of one thousand men, what horse what foot, if he durst stay the commencement. He had no sooner read the letter, when he commands the drums to beat for the gathering of his soldiers under Bacon resolves ° ° to fight Brent. their colors, which being done, he acquaints them with Brent's numbers and resolutions to fight, and then demands theirs; which was cheerfully answered in the affirma- tive with shouts and acclamations, while the drums thundered a march to meet the promised conflict, the soldiers with abundance of cheerfulness disburdening themselves of all impediments to expedition, order, and good disciplining, excepting their oaths and wenches. Bacon had not marched above two or three days' journey (and those but short ones, too, as being loth to tire his laborers before they came to their work), when he meets news in post haste that Brent's men, not soldiers, Brent's men ^ ' forsake him. had all run away and left him to shift for himself. For they, having heard that Bacon had beaten the governor out of the town, began to be afraid, if they should come within his reach, that he might beat them out of their lives, and so resolved not to come near him. Colonel Brent was mightily astonished at the departure of his followers, saying that they had forsaken the stoutest man and ruined the fairest 30 estate in Virginia, which was by their cowardice or disaffec- tions exposed to the mercy of the Baconians. But they being, as they thought, more obliged to look after their own concerns and lives than to take notice either of his valor or estate, or of their own credits, were not to be wrought upon by anything that he could do or say contrary to their own fancies. This business of Brent's having (like the hogs the devil sheared) produced more noise than wool. Bacon, according to summons, meets the Gloster men at the court house, where appeared some six or seven hundred horse and foot, with their arms. After that Bacon, in a long harangue, had The oath ten- tendered them the engagement (which as yet they Gloster men. had not taken, and now was the only cause of this convention), one Mr. Cole offered the sense of all the Gloster men there present, which was summed up in their desires not to have the oath imposed upon them, but to be indulged the benefit of neutrality. But this he would not grant, telling of them that in this, their request, they appeared like the worst of sinners, who had a desire to be saved with the righteous, and yet would do nothing whereby they might obtain their salvation, and so offered to go away, when one Colonel Gouge, of his party, calls to him and told him that he had only spoken to the horse, meaning the troopers, and not to the foot. Bacon, in some passion, replied, he had spoken to the men and not to the horses, having left that service for him to do, because one beast would best understand the meaning of another. And because a minister, one Mr. Wading, did not only refuse to take the engagement, but encouraged Mr. Wading, a others to make him their example. Bacon committed prisoned. him to the guard, telling of him that it was his place to preach in the church, not in the camp. In the first he might say what he pleased, but in the last he was to say no more than what should please him, unless he could fight to better purpose than he could preach. The Gloster men, having taken the engagement (which they did not until another meeting, and in another place), and all the work done on this side the western shore. Bacon thought it not amiss, but worth his labor, to go and see how the Accomackians did. It must be fonfessed that he was a gentleman of a liberal education, and so, consequently, must 31 be replenished with good manners, which enables and obligeth all civil persons both to remember and repay received courtesies, which made him not to forget those kindnesses the Acco- mackians bestowed, in his absence, on his friends and their neighbors, the Virginians. And so now Bacon designs ^ ^ to go to Acco- he resolved, smce he had nothmg else to do, for to mack, go and repay their kind-hearted visit. But first he thought good to send them word of his good meaning, that they might not plead want of time, for want of knowledge, to provide a reception answerable to his quality and attendance. This was pretty fair play, but really the Accomackians did not half like it. They would rather his honor would have had the patience to have staid until he had been invited, and then he should have been much more welcome. But this must not hinder his journey; if nothing else intervened they must be troubled with a troublesome guest, as their neighbors had been, for a great while together, to their extraordinary charge and utter undoing. But their kind and very merciful fate, to whom they and their posterity must ever remain indebted, observing their cares and fears, by an admirable and ever to be celebrated providence, removed the causes. For Bacon, having for some time been besieged by sickness, and now not able to hold out any longer, all his strength and provisions being spent, surrendered up that fort he was no longer ^3