Bacon got his commission and
an Act of Indemnity for all chance political offenses. General and
Commander-in-chief against the Indians -- so was he styled. Moreover, the
Burgesses, with an alarmed thought toward England, drew up an explanatory
memorial for Charles II's perusal. This paper journeyed forth upon the
first ship to sail, but it had for traveling companion a letter secretly
sent from the Governor to the King. The two communications were painted in
opposite colors. "I have," says Berkeley, "for above thirty years governed
the most flourishing country the sun ever shone over, but am now
encompassed with rebellion like waters."
CHAPTER XIII. REBELLION AND CHANGE
Bacon with an increased army now rode out once more against the Indians. He
made a rendezvous on the upper York -- the old Pamunkey -- and to this center
he gathered horsemen until there may have been with him not far from a
thousand mounted men. From here he sent detachments against the red men's
villages in all the upper troubled country, and afar into the sunset woods
where the pioneer's cabin had not yet been builded. He acted with vigor.
The Indians could not stand against his horsemen and concerted measures,
and back they fell before the white men, westward again; or, if they stayed
in the ever dwindling villages, they gave hostages and oaths of peace.
Quiet seemed to descend once more upon the border.
But, if the frontier seemed peaceful, Virginia behind the border was a
bubbling cauldron.
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