Essay 1

Emily Furgason
Bacon Rebellion Essay

------Of the new government of Pennsylvania, William Penn wrote in 1682 that “When the great wise God had made the world, of all his creatures , it pleased him to chuse man his Deputy to rule it: and to fit him for so great a charge and trust he did not only quoalify him with skill and power, but with integrity to use them justly. This native goodness was equally his honour and his happiness, and whilst he stood here, all went well; there was no need of coercive or compulsive means; the precept of divine love and truth, in his bossom , was the guide and keeper of his innocency. But lust prevailing against duty, made a lamentable breach upon it [.]” Little did Penn know when he wrote his fundamentals to the new government of Pennsylvania that, not only was he reciting the past, but prophesying an undeniable future. It is human nature that greed will seep through and corrupt even the most “divine” of intentions.
------With the discovery of the New World came new opportunities for power. The saying that “power corrupts and ultimate power corrupts ultimately” has literally been a theme since the earliest times of history. People will often give in to the chance of power. This theme is easily traced to and laced throughout the historical event of Bacon's Rebellion. In which, through the hope of the people to do good, power corruption within the form of Nathaniel Bacon corrupted any and all good intentions and turned it into a bloody battle due to his selfish greed. Some say that this Virginian rebellion occurred because of the government’s greed, or maybe even the Indians or Colonist, but without Bacon to connect it all, those fragments are just pieces of a broken puzzle. Nathaniel bacon used the people, and government of the Virginian colony for his own personal and selfish reasons, and in doing so, he began, led and continued Bacon’s Rebellion
------For years, Virginia had been having trouble between people and government. The people were growing sick and tired of the lack of support shown by their government against the people’s enemy, the government pay check, the Indians. Mathews writes "These [ people] at heads of James and York Rivers.... grew impatient at the many slaughters of their neighbors and rose for their Defense choosing Mr. Bacon for their Leader (2nd paragraph, document 20: The Beginning,Progress and conclusion of Bacon’s Rebellion in Virginia in the Years 1675 and 1676) . Nathaniel Bacon had many underlying characteristics that put him in the perfect position for the leader of Bacon's Rebellion. Soon after, Mathews calls Bacon's approach to the current situations of Virginia as “humble” he readily contradicts Bacon’s perceived and sited “calm” characteristics and he admits "Other than effects of his passion, and new occasion of Avarice, to both of which he was by the common Vogue or opinion more then a little Addicted..." In making this comment Mathews argues there was more to Bacon than a calm do-gooder of the people. Bacon was known as "blackhair'd and of an ominous, pensive melancholy Aspect ... not much given to talk, ... of a most imperious and dangerous Pride of heart, despising the wiser of his neighbours for their Ignorance, and very ambitious and arrogant."(http://www.bookrags.com/biography/nathaniel-bacon/) The mind has a tendency to hear and not listen, to look and not see, usually according to preference. His Motives for the rebellion and leading of the people were clear to those who would see it, but many were easily blinded by the hope of change and chance of their voice being heard, from whom this chance came from was over looked. This blinding veil placed over the people eyes gave him great opportunity to slip in with his uneasy faults and lead them without being questioned. I would compare this portrayal of Bacon to a machine made to question and go against authority. Pride a key factor in discomfort of stature, of, wanting to be bigger and better, being the oil that runs through the veins of this power hungry machine of a man, one especially willing to lead a rebellion for power and other selfish reasons. And then as I continued my research, this was only proven to be truer.
------ Finding that the very reason Bacon had left his home due to complications and disagreements with family and government in his previous home of Suffolk England, was no surprise and helped me better understand the machine that I was examining . Bacon had moved to Jamestown Virginia for a new start. And with help of the Governor , Sir William Berkley, the main power within the town, Bacon was able to settle peacefully in two homes along the James River. Sadly, but to no surprise, as I said early he was a “power hungry machine of a man” and the peace did not and of course could not last for long.
-----Common sense seems to dictate that your actions of now depict who you will be later. Your life and its events mold you into who you are. A common over looked factor of Bacon's Rebellion, is Bacon’s life before Virginia. The similarities between his home of Stiffkey and Virginia leave no surprise that the common and familiar discomforts of his old life, would rise again in Virginia. From his past in his home of Stiffkey Bacon had already spent time developing a bitterness and questionable attitude for authority, “ Bacon was constantly on the lookout for signs of corruption and mismanagement in Church and State, and in this volume his papers are full of evidence patiently collected for some further campaign against the forces of darkness ( usually personified in another equally crotchety Norfolk magnate, Sir Arthur Heveningham, and his ally the Lord Lieutenant, Lord Hundson)” the “papers” being referred to in this quote are Nathaniel Bacon’s personal documents and writings. This excerpt is an overview of the writing themselves done by Diarmaid MacCulloch. The quote continues talking about changes Bacon yearned for in his home town of Stiffkey, of course most changes going against the powers that be.
------Even early in this writing, Bacon’s emotional issues build a sturdy foundation for our man of the rebellion. These issues are brought up in the topic of marrying off his daughter, it is said it was“ [N]ot without trouble and complication, much of is cause by his own ineptitude in emotional matter: a characteristic most obvious in the more personal correspondence.” What many don’t realize, is that his reaction to the issues of Virginia was more of repetition of routine. Bacon had never been able to control himself, as shown in the previous quotes, “in emotional matters” and any one familiar with Bacon's Rebellion can agree that for Bacon and the colonist, and even the Indians, the process was an emotional matter. Bacon had spent a life of rebellion; it had become his outlet of bitterness towards the things he felt were “the force of darkness” which Bacon usually associated as authority figures. Virginia was once again a chance to get back at authority for the people? No, for Bacon's own bitterness and greed of power that had consumed him sense very early stages of his life.
-------Conclusions, which Mathews and MacCulloch put forward, add weight to the argument that Bacon’s actions were in no way in support of the colonists, but more of a natural, very Bacon like, reaction. Bacon's actions were not to help the people. All his life he had been more of a “keep to his self type of guy” and according to Diarmaid MacCulloch piece “ The English Historical Review” “seems an unhappy figure virtually the only humour in his correspondence occurs in letters from his sister…. Dr. Smith draws attention to his remarkable lack of contact with his gentry neighbours except on business; the account books show that they never came to dinner at Stiffkey, and they rarely wrote to him except about administrative matter. Small wonder that this lonely, energetic man turned to religion and politics to fill his day” There would be no reason to abandon this habit in The New World, he had left home on sore terms, and I doubt was ready to make nice with the world after a life of fighting it.
------ Bacon now had control of the people, gotten support for his life long battle against authority. He stirred their anger, their bitterness of authority, a routine he had been repeating for very long. And in doing so, the beginning of the rebellion began. Now he just had to use and abuse his new found power, and he directed it at an excellent opportunity, a chance for another success in the power department. “This morning all men were ordered to lay by their Arms... Mr. Bacon with at least 400 on foot ... 120 on horse entered the sandy bay" and further into the quote its reads" his soldiers mounting their Guns ready to fire; Immediately ( for in this minute if not all night have been in a flame) the Burgesses make it their request to the Governor to Issue forth such a commission.... Saturday 24th the forced commission was delivered." (Document 29 from William sherwood) Bacon had given his new found followers an outlet, like a good leader should of course! What started as the people’s true intentions of changing the community for the better led to threats and force. There had been multiple times previous, where Bacon had asked the government for commission, and every time previous the proposition had been denied. But with this new power, Bacon led the people to threaten and overthrow the government, he let their support lead him further into power and progressed the rebellion in result. But there were still other possibilities and factors of the community even yet to be exploited for Bacon's benefit.
----- Sense the beginning of Bacon's stay in Virginia the governor, Sir William Berkley, had treated him with more than the utmost courtesy. He gave him homes along the river and even placed him on the council ,but it did not stop there in the least. Not only did he have power over the government by the number of people which followed him , but he held a soft spot in Berkley’s heart. More, in a way, a seed he had planted in Berkley to sway in his favor. Showing that not only did he lead this rebellion by the luck and stupidity of the people , but truly by his sheer talent for trickery. 'Mr. Bacon have you forgot to be a Gentleman?' "No, may it please your Honour," Answered Mr.Bacon; "Then," replied the Governour. " I'll take your parole," and gave him his liberty."( DOCUMENT #25) This showed that Bacon no longer was under the control of the government, the basic rules began to not apply . This event happened in late May of 1676 and in the following June , in an assembly based on Bacon's arrest , not only was he released from his sentence but after “ Mr. bacon upon one knew at the Bar, deliver a Sheet of paper Confessing his Crimes, and begging Pardon of God the King and the Governour[.]” subsequently, “[T]he Governour, Starting up from his Chair a Third time said , “Mr. Bacon! If you will live Civilly but till the next [session of the] Quarter Court, I’ll promise to restore you again to your place [on the Governor’s Council].”(document 25) Bacon went from being a convict on trial to once again on the Council, he was able to use his power over the government, thanks to his persuasive qualities, to get out of trial, once again for selfish gain. The hopes of the people in Bacon led to his personal prideful power, which helped lead to his power over government leading to selfish gain of having ultimate control of his surroundings. All in all Bacon had once again created a key factor, thanks to him, to move the rebellion forward even more.
-----My discussion of Nathaniel Bacon and his Rebellion addresses a larger matter of our history and present events in general. This theme of Bacon's Rebellion was not only one of yesterday, but a reoccurring event that started too far back to trace and most definitely did not end in the 1700’s. This essay shows that the past of people’s results in who they are, and thus their actions. This point relates easily to our government and events in recent times such as the presidential election.
------The colonists looked at Bacon for what he portrayed in that moment, which was a mistake. They did not consider his past as a factor of who he really was or how he would act when given opportunity of power. Due to this mistake, the colonist hope of change and less bloodshed turned out in a brutal rebellion full of blood shed.
-----Similarly to how the colonist lightly considered Bacon’s background, today we view the candidates past as small, almost insignificant details. It’s very important to not just realize what their saying now, but what they’ve said and done in the past. It is vital we consider their past when judging the quality of a candidate.
-----The people did not judge the quality of Bacon. They trusted Bacon from the get go and he got to play them like his very own instrument. My point is not that we should deny people a second chance, but we need to be wary of the side affects of their past. I do agree that people deserve a second chance, but a point that needs emphasizing is that old habits die hard, very hard. When looking at a candidate, knowing their background is incredibly important when sizing them up for the presidency.
-----It’s important not to make the same mistake the colonists did, do our research and make the connections between past and present. It is important to look at the past, whether at historical events like Bacon’s Rebellion or just at people lives like our future leaders. By reflecting on the past we are able to understand where we are today, and where we’re headed. Knowing this, we must research when were choosing something as huge as a president who has the ability to impact every aspect of our everyday lives. Bacon’s followers didn’t have the extensive resources that we have today that allow us to learn more of our leaders past and present lives. Due to the people’s lack of knowledge on Bacon’s background, they trusted Bacon's justifications for rebelling. As a result Bacon, a greedy and selfishness man, driven by the intent to retaliate against authority, began, led and continued a rebellion of unjust reason.

Bibliography:
1) The Avalon project at Yale law school: Frame of Government of Pennyslvania May 5,1682
2) Document 20: The Beginning, Progress and conclusion of Bacon’s Rebellion in Virginia in the Years 1675 and 1676
3) http://www.bookrags.com/biography/nathaniel-bacon/
4) JSTOR - Diarmaid MacCulloch piece:The English Historical Review http://www.jstor.org/stable/574072?seq=2&Search=yes&term=Nathaniel&term=Jamestown&term=New&term=virginia&term=Bacons&term=Bacon&term=world&term=move&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoAdvancedSearch%3Fq0%3DNathaniel%2BBacon%26f0%3Dall%26c0%3DOR%26q1%3DNathaniel%2BBacons%2Bmove%2Bto%2Bthe%2BNew%2Bworld%26f1%3Dall%26c1%3DOR%26q2%3DNathaniel%2BBacons%2Bmove%2Bto%2BJamestown%2Bvirginia%26f2%3Dall%26c2%3DAND%26q3%3D%26f3%3Dall%26wc%3Don%26Search%3DSearch%26sd%3D%26ed%3D%26la%3D%26jo%3D&item=3&ttl=1719&returnArticle
5) Document 29 By William SherwoodDocument 25 by Thomas Mathews