ginians; but this was not all. The king, to whom they had been ever loyal, showed himself so utterly indifferent to their rights, that a large part of the population felt insecure in the possession of their homes. Charles II., while wandering in exile, soon after the execution of his father, had granted to a number of distressed Cavaliers the stretch of country between the Rappahannock and the Potomac rivers, known as the Northern Neck, by which act he gave to his favorites much land that had been long in cultivation. But now he committed an act that surpassed all others in prodigality. In 1673 he gave to Lords Culpeper and Arlington "all that entire tract, territory, and dominion of land and water called Virginia, together with the territory of Accomack," for the term of thirtyone years. All rents and escheats were to belong to them, as was the power to convey all vacant lands and, indeed, to manage matters in general as they wished. Ready for Revolt. When this act of the king became known, loud was the outcry raised against it. The whole population rose in protest. They had been loyal to the king in the past; but now they were only kept from breaking out in open rebellion by the efforts of influential men, who restrained them. The House of Burgesses in alarm dispatched envoys to England to bring about a change in the terms of the grant or else to buy it up for the benefit of the colony.

QUESTIONS

I. How was the news of the restoration of Charles II. received in Virginia?

2. From what incident is Virginia supposed to have obtained the name of Old Dominion?

3. What tradition is given in connection with the coronation of Charles II.?

4. By what authority did Berkeley again assume charge of the gov

ernment?

5. Why was Virginia so attached to royalty?

6. Did she receive considerate treatment from the king?

7. What were the Navigation Laws?

8. How did the English merchants take advantage of these laws?

9. What action did the colony take, and with what result?

10. Under the Commonwealth, what advancement of the masses took

place?

II. What change occurred after the Restoration?

12. Give an account of the oppressive colonial legislation.

13. Why did Governor Berkeley persistently refuse to dissolve the House of Burgesses?

14. What was the result of his obstinacy?

15. Why did the people feel insecure?

16. While in exile, what part of Virginia had Charles II. given away?

17. What was his crowning act of prodigality?

18. When this became known, what did the people do?

19. How did the House of Burgesses quiet them?

CHAPTER XI

BACON'S REBELLION

Justice too long Delayed. The king informed the envoys "that he was graciously inclined to favor his said subjects of Virginia," and promised a new charter for "the settlement and confirmation of all things," which he even ordered to be drafted; but notwithstanding the most persistent efforts made by the colony's representatives, it was so much delayed that before it was issued, a new cause of alarm furnished the people with what they desired - a pretext for appearing in arms in an effort to resist oppression by revolution.

Indian Troubles. - The Indians furnished the occasion for a popular uprising. In 1675, they began committing depredations and murders in some of the frontier settlements, and there were rumors that all the friendly tribes were about to break the peace that had existed for thirty years. There appeared, too, to be sufficient cause for such apprehension; for all along the border plantations prowling savages in blind fury murdered men, till the people became frenzied at the horrors of insecurity that hung over their homes. An appeal for protection was made to the governor; but he showed so little disposition to take prompt action that a suspicion was aroused that he secretly favored the Indians; and it was even hinted in explanation of his tardiness that he feared a war would injure the beaver trade with the savages, of

which he had secured a monopoly for himself and his friends. Early in 1676, he did order out a force, under the command of Sir Henry Chicheley, to pursue the Susquehanna Indians who had slain thirty-six persons in the upper settlements of the Rappahannock and Potomac rivers; but as the troops were about to set out, he suddenly changed his mind and had them disbanded. At last the people began to organize for their own defense; and soon after in the territory around the heads of the James and the York rivers, the citizens, including most if not all of the civil and military officers, tumultuously assembled and selected Nathaniel Bacon, Jr., as their leader.

The People's Leader. Bacon was a native of Suffolk County, England, and was of good descent, his family apparently belonging to the gentry. He was a cousin of Lord Culpeper, and his wife a daughter of Sir Edward Duke. He was educated at St. Catherine's College, Cambridge, where he entered in 1660, and took his M. A. degree in 1667. Reared during the stormy period of the Puritan contest against royalty, he had been influenced by the spirit of his times, and was animated by an ardent love of freedom rather than by an attachment to monarchy. He possessed natural talents of a high order, was eloquent as a speaker, engaging in manner, violent when excited, and recklessly brave. He had settled about the year 1672 on the upper James River, his plantation being one upon which murders had been committed by the savages. The high esteem in which he was held is attested by the fact that, though he had been in the colony only about three years, he had been appointed to a place in the Council, an unusual honor for one so young, for he was but twenty-nine. Such was Nathaniel Bacon, whom his

countrymen enthusiastically chose as their commander, and well was he qualified for the office.

Other prominent leaders on the popular side were Richard Lawrence, a brilliant Oxford man, and Drummond, a Scotchman, who had been governor of North Carolina.

Declared to be Rebels. Bacon's men collected their arms, and asked to be led against the Indians. But their

have the sanc

commander, before complying with their request, applied to the governor for a commission, so that his acts might tion of law. Berkeley did not send the commission; and so Bacon, in May, 1676, set out on his expedition without. it, deriving his authority directly from the will of the people. But as he was on his way news reached him that he and his men had been declared to be rebels by the governor, and ordered to disperse. Some men of estates