BACON'S REBELLION, a popular up rising of the Virginian colonists, headed by Nathaniel Bacon, in protest against certain government abuses, which pre vailed under the administration of Sir William Berkeley. Parliament had passed an act requiring that all goods, destined for Virginia, no matter what their source, should first be sent to the mother-country for transfer into British ships. The inter-colonial duties were also objectionable, and when, in 1673, the entire revenues of the colony were turned over to Lords Culpeper and Arlington, indignation was rife. But the most pressing cause of complaint was the lack of official protection against Indian ravages. Bacon was a prominent member of the Council, and the colonists, determined to take Indian matters into their own hands, chose him leader. Berkeley proclaimed him a rebel. He attacked and captured the red-men's fort. Made a prisoner he was quickly released. He attacked Jamestown, forc
ing the Governor to repeal the most obnoxious statutes, exacting a major general's commission for himself, and acquittal of all blame for the rebellion. Troops were sent for post-haste, but they refused to take up arms against Bacon. The rebel, on repairing to Jamestown, found the Governor fled. The Indians recommenced their aggres sions. He knew that if he turned his attention to the latter, Berkeley would take Jamestown; nevertheless, he decided to dispose of the savages first. This he did effectively at Bloody Run. He then marched rapidly to Jamestown, besieged it, forced the Governor to take refuge on a warship, and burned all the public buildings. After partially revising the laws with great benefit to the people, he died, and the rebellion, left leaderless, came to an end.