dy for heroic measures. Berkeley found himself ringed about by
a genuine popular revolt. He therefore lacked the time now to pursue
Nathaniel Bacon, but spurred back to Jamestown there to deal as best
he might with dangerous affairs. At Jamestown, willy-nilly, the old
Governor was forced to promise reforms. The Long Assembly should be
dissolved and a new Assembly, more conformable to the wishes of the
people, should come into being ready to consider all their troubles.
So writs went out; and there presently followed a hot and turbulent
election, in which that "restricted franchise" of the Long Assembly
was often defied and in part set aside. Men without property presented
themselves, gave their voices, and were counted. Bacon, who had by now
achieved an immense popularity, was chosen burgess for Henricus County.

In the June weather Bacon sailed down to Jamestown, with a number of
those who had backed him in that assumption of power to raise troops
and go against the Indians. When he came to Jamestown it was to find the
high sheriff waiting for him by the Governor's orders. He was put under
arrest. Hot discussion followed. But the people were for the moment
in the ascendent, and Bacon should not be sacrificed. A compromise
was reached. Bacon was technically guilty of "unlawful, mutinous and
rebellious practises." If, on his knees before Governor, Council, and
Burgesses, he would acknowledge as much and promise henceforth to be his
Majesty's obedient servant, he and those implicated with him should
be pardoned. He himself might be readmitted to the Council, and all in
Virginia should be as it had been. He should even have the commission he
had acted without to go and fight against the Indians.

Bacon thereupon made his submission upon his knees, promising that
henceforth he would "demean himself dutifully, faithfully, and
peaceably." Formally forgiven, he was restored to his place in the
Virginia Council. An eyewitness reports that presently he saw "Mr.
Bacon on his quondam seat with the Governor and Council, which seemed
a marvellous indulgence to one whom he had so lately proscribed as a
rebel." The Assembly of 1676 was of a different temper and opinion from
that of the Long Assembly. It was an insurgent body, composed to a large
degree of mere freemen and small planters, with a few of the richer,
more influential sort who nevertheless queried that old divine right of
rule. Berkeley thought that he had good reason to d