Bacon's Rebellion

138         NARRATIVES OF THE INSURRECTIONS         [1676

absolute authoity than formerly, Plundering and imprisoning
many and condemning some by power of martial law.¹

      But among all made onely one exemplary (to witt) one
James Wilkenson that had fled from his Collours, who (with
one Mr. Clough² Minister of James Towne) was condemned
to dye, but the first onely was executed; which (as a soldier)
wee, look on to be more an act of his Policy than cruelty, to
prevent and awe others from disserting him, wee not observing
him to have bin Bloodely inclincd in the whole progresse of
this Rebellion.

      Intercession being made for Mr. Clough Captain Hawkins³
and Major West⁴ Bacon purposed to accept of Bland, Carver
and Farloe⁵ in exchange for them, neverthelesse none of the
first three were put to death by Bacon.

      Now Bacon finding that his Soldiers Insolences growing soe
great and intolerable to the People (of whom they made noe
due distinction) and finding their actings to reflect on himself,
he did not onely betake himself to a strict Discipline over his
men but also to more moderate courses himself, Releasing some
Prisoners, Pardoning others that were condemned, and calling
those to account against whom any complaints came for sei-
sures or Plundering their Estates without his order or knowl-
edge.

      This Prosperous Rebell, concluding now the day his owne,
marcheth with his army into Gloster County, intending to
visit all the northern part of Virginia to understand the state
of them and to settle affairs after his own measures, in which
(wee are informed) he proposed this method.

      l.   One committee for settling the south side of James River
and inquiring into the spoiles that had been comitted there.

      ¹Nearly all those executed for participation in the rebellion were condemned
by courts martial, though in a few cases trials seem to have been held before a
court of oyer and terminer.

      ²The Rev. John Clough, minister of Jamestown and afterward of South-
wick parish, Surry, was an active supporter of Berkeley. He died January 15,
1684, and his tombstone is still in the churchyard.

   ³ Thomas Hawkins, jr., of Rappahannock.

     ⁴Captain John West of New Kent.

     ⁵ George Farlow, “one of Cromwell’s soldiers, very active in this rebellion,
and taken with forty men coming to surprise me at Accomack.” (Berkeley’s
report.)