the rebellion between both Mr. Berkley and Mr. Bacon.
ey proceeded with destruction. I also try to put my feet in the soldier’s shoes and try to feel what they felt at that moment. The soldier who was struck by the club felt as if he was disrespected due to his rank in the army, but I do think he acted in a cowardly way, killing those who were defenseless. I still do not think justice was served even for the soldiers who were convicted of the murder because I do not think they were truly sorry. This day will go down in history, and people will remember it as a turning point in the minds of the people.
2. Starting a few years ago with the Townshend Act of taxing all of our goods such as glass, oil, paint, and paper. (The Boston Tea Party Ship n.d.) We colonists, myself included, felt the noose tightening from a far. I myself did not agree with the increased taxes placed on all of us from a ruler so far away in England, yet I felt a reprieve from taxation with the repeal of the Townshend Act in 1770. Short lived was this repeal as I was astonished with yet another unrepresented tax on our tea, which in all actuality is an attempt to bail out the British East India Company miss managed as it is, at our expense. The Tea Act legally allows the B.E.I.C. to sell all 17 million pounds of tea to our American colonies with our pockets paying the tax. (Hume 2011) Some of us may have had doubts as to whether or not it would actually happen, but on Sunday the 28th of November 1773 the Dartmouth dropped anchor off of Griffin’s wharf and weeks later on the 15th of December she was joined by the Eleanor and the Beaver which when combined all in all carried 342 chests of tea. (Massachusetts Historical Society n.d.)
Some, here in Boston have succumbed to lowering their heads to the crown by paying the taxes for their embellished tea, but those people of wealth and power do not share the same ground as you or I. They share the ground with people such as our Governor Hutchinson who on the evening of the 16th of December failed to uphold his word to us citizens. The Governor gave us his word that by five o’clock he would inform us of how he was going to remedy the situation down on Griffin’s wharf. (Hewes n.d.) The Governor wanting the tea and tax for the Crown and we brave colonists standing proud and strong for, “no taxation without representation”. (Hume 2011) On the evening of the 16th of December from the direction of the Green Dragon Inn marched a hoard of Mohawk Indians. (Hume 2011) With tomahawks in hand they proceeded to Griffins wharf and boarded small skiffs towards the anchored tea laden ships. Without notice from the surrounding British ships of war, the Mohawks dumped all 342 chests of tea overboard.
Now some will say this is a tragedy, but those who condemn this action are still blind to the misrepresentation Governor Hutchinson and the Crown give the people. This action has been culminating for many years, and yet has fell on deaf ears. Without action, inaction sets the precedence.
3. Bacon’s Rebellion – A Justified Action or Personal Power Grab?
Nathaniel Bacon’s Rebellion was not just a Rebellion, it was a Man’s Personal Journey to right those that were wronged by a Power Hungry Politician, that would do anything necessary to ensure the stability of himself and his friends continued personal and financial growth, as well as, monetary supremacy over those that he was elected or selected for as Governor of the Great State of Virginia.
To understand this a bit more clearly, let’s go back to the very beginning of who Mr. Nathaniel Bacon was. Mr. Bacon was actually the cousin of Mr. Berkley by marriage, and because of some youthful indiscretions while he was younger, decided to take leave from his family to move to Virginia. Upon this move Mr. Berkley, who was thought to be a well respected, deserving First Term Governor of Virginia, and favorite of the King of England, had forgotten about the people of Virginia as his financial and personal status continued to grow, along with that of his close friends and associates. Mr. Bacon was an intelligent and vivacious young man who was very eloquent in demeanor and was always inviting to those around him. Mr. Bacon worked for what was his and had a substantial land grant and a seat on the council in 1675.
There were a number of economic issues going on at the time in Virginia when this “Rebellion” occurred, to include declining prices in Tobacco, restricted English Market, growing commercial competition from the other colony states, and increased market prices on English goods. There were also issues with the Local Indian Tribes that assisted with the negativities of the relationship between Mr. Berkley and Mr. Bacon.
Because of an accidental attack on the wrong Indian Tribe, there continued to be attacks on the English Colonists, which resulted in more distrust between Mr. Bacon and Mr. Berkley, as Mr. Berkley and his close associates had financial gains working with the Indians that had business relationships. Because of strained relationships with the Indian Tribes and the Business Associates with Mr. Berkley, chose to Reprimand Mr. Bacon, further straining their relationship, until finally Mr. Bacon had no choice, but to take up arms and to defend the local inhabitants against the Indian’s and Mr. Berkley’s Associates.
The “Long Assembly” against the Indians was completed in 1676 and because Mr. Berkley had close business relationships with those Indian’s, this was seen as a corrupt business dealings because no trading of goods could be completed, except for Mr. Berkley and his close associates. At this point Mr. Bacon was denied a commission in the Local Militia, and was elected the “General” by the Local Indian Fighters Group whom he’d been working with.
Mr. Berkley attempted to have Mr. Bacon turn himself in as he was declared a “Rebel” because of his fighting for the beliefs of all citizen’s and not just the chosen few as Mr. Berkley had done. At this point, Mr. Bacon was elected to the House of Burgesses by local Farmers and supporters and attended the Landmark Assembly of 1676, which upon his arrival, he was captured and brought before the House and made to apologize and was pardoned by Mr. Berkley and because of his enormous popularity left the House during a Debate over the Indian’s and did what he was elected to do, but surrounding the House of Burgesses and ordered the House to Commission Him and while feeling threatened decided to give into him and give Mr. Bacon his Commission.
Mr. Berkley was forced to flee to the other side of the river and leave his belongings behind, unfortunately because of illness Mr. Bacon passed away from health issues and Mr. Berkley upon returning to Jamestown, ordered the murdering of 23 of Mr. Bacon’s associates, thus ending the rebellion between both Mr. Berkley and Mr. Bacon.
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