Great Epochs in American History, Volume 2: The Planting of the First Colonies: 1562—1733
History
Great Epochs in American History, Volume 2: The Planting of the First Colonies: 1562—1733
United States -- History
In fine, he continued (I cannot say properly in the Fields, but) in
the Woods with a considerable Army all last Summer, and maintain'd
several Brushes with the Governors Party: sometime routing them, and
burning all before him, to the great damage of many of his Majesties
loyal Subjects there resident; sometimes he and his Rebels were beaten
by the Governor, &c., and forc't to run for shelter amongst the Woods
and Swomps. In which lamentable condition that unhappy Continent has
remain'd for the space of almost a Twelve-month, every one therein
that were able being forc't to take up Arms for security of their own
lives, and no one reckoning their Goods, Wives, or Children to be
their own, since they were so dangerously expos'd to the doubtful
Accidents of an uncertain War.
But the indulgent Heavens, who are alone able to compute what measure
of punishments are adequate or fit for the sins of transgressions of a
Nation, has in its great mercy thought fit to put a stop, at least, if
not a total period and conclusion to these Virginian troubles, by the
death of this Nat. Bacon, the great Molestor of the quiet of that
miserable Nation; so that now we who are here in England, and have any
Relations or Correspondence with any of the Inhabitants of that
Continent, may by the arrival of the next Ships from that Coast expect
to hear that they are freed from all their dangers, quitted of all
their fears, and in great hopes and expectations to live quietly under
their own Vines, and enjoy the benefit of their commendable labours.
I know it is by some reported that this Mr. Bacon was a very hard
drinker, and that he dyed by inbibing, or taking in two much Brandy.
But I am informed by those who are Persons of undoubted Reputation,
and had the happiness to see the same Letter which gave his Majesty an
account of his death, that there was no such thing therein mentioned:
he was certainly a Person indued with great natural parts, which
notwithstanding his juvenile extravagances he had adorned with many
elaborate acquisitions, and by the help of learning and study knew how
to manage them to a Miracle, it being the general vogue of all that
knew him, that he usually spoke as much sense in as few words, and
delivered that sense as opportunely as any they ever kept company
withal: Wherefore as I am my self a Lover of Ingenuity, though an
abhorrer of disturbance or Rebellion, I think fit since Providence was
pleased to let him dye a Natural death in his Bed, not to asperse him
with saying he kill'd himself with drinking.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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