Nathaniel Bacon and Aphra Behn

Bacon’s Manifesto But let us trace these men in Authority and Favour to whose hands the dispensation of the Countries wealth has been commited; let us observe the sudden Rise of their Estates compared with the Quality in which they first entered the Country, or the Reputation they have held here amongst wise and discerning men. And lett us see wither their extractions and Education have not bin vile, and by what pretence of learning and vertue they could soe soon into Imployments of so great Trust and consequence. Let us consider their sudden advancement and let us also consider wither any Publick work for our safety and defence or for the Advancement and propogation of Trade, liberall Arts or sciences is here Extant in any way adequate to our vast chardg. Now let us compare these things together and see what spounges have suckt up the Publique Treasure, and wither it hath not bin privately contrived away by unwrothy Favourites and juggling Parasites whose tottering Fortunes have bin repaired and supported at the Pubick chardg.

Bacon’s complaints Council more concerned with “the protected and Darling Indians” than with the frontier inhabitants Council more concerned with “the protected and Darling Indians” than with the frontier inhabitants More concerned with monopolizing fur trade and commerce with the Indians than establishing security on the frontier More concerned with monopolizing fur trade and commerce with the Indians than establishing security on the frontier Appeals to the King to rein in the local council Appeals to the King to rein in the local council

Robert Beverly and the Council’s Views Low price of Tobacco hurts middling farmers Low price of Tobacco hurts middling farmers Royal intervention in apportionment of property and Taxation Royal intervention in apportionment of property and Taxation Parliament’s trade policy which restricts intra- colonial commerce Parliament’s trade policy which restricts intra- colonial commerce Indians Indians

The Widow Ranter

On the Council Friendly: “This Country wants nothing but to be Peopl’d with a well-born Race to make it one of the best Collonies in the World. But for want of a Governour we are Ruled by a Counil, some of which have been perhaps transported Ciminals, who having Acquired great Estates are now become your Honour, and Right Worshipfull, and Possess all Places of Authority” (238) Friendly: “This Country wants nothing but to be Peopl’d with a well-born Race to make it one of the best Collonies in the World. But for want of a Governour we are Ruled by a Counil, some of which have been perhaps transported Ciminals, who having Acquired great Estates are now become your Honour, and Right Worshipfull, and Possess all Places of Authority” (238)

Bacon’s Views Shou’d I stand by and see my Country ruin’d, my King dishonour’d, and his Subjects Murder’d hear the the sad Crys of widdows and of Orphans? You heard it Lowd, but gave no pitying care to’t. And till the war and Massacre was brought to my own door, my Flocks and Heards surpriz’d, I bore it all with Patience. Is it unlawfull to defend my self against a Thief that breaks into my doors? Shou’d I stand by and see my Country ruin’d, my King dishonour’d, and his Subjects Murder’d hear the the sad Crys of widdows and of Orphans? You heard it Lowd, but gave no pitying care to’t. And till the war and Massacre was brought to my own door, my Flocks and Heards surpriz’d, I bore it all with Patience. Is it unlawfull to defend my self against a Thief that breaks into my doors? I call it doing of my self that right, which upon Just demand the Councill did refuse me. If my Ambition as you’re pleas’d to call it, made me demand too Much, I left my self to you…I am a Gentleman, And yet me thoughts were humble—I wou’d have found under the meanest of your Parasites– (259) I call it doing of my self that right, which upon Just demand the Councill did refuse me. If my Ambition as you’re pleas’d to call it, made me demand too Much, I left my self to you…I am a Gentleman, And yet me thoughts were humble—I wou’d have found under the meanest of your Parasites– (259)

Queen Semernia / Widow Ranter Bacon: How charming is the Queen! (248) Bacon: How charming is the Queen! (248) Queen: “Ev’n his threats have charms that please the heart…Is it impossible there might be wrought an understanding betwixt my Lord (the Indian King) and you? ‘Twas to that end I first desired this truce, My self proposing to be Mediator... I know you’re Noble: And I have heard you say our Sex could never plead in vain. (249) Queen: “Ev’n his threats have charms that please the heart…Is it impossible there might be wrought an understanding betwixt my Lord (the Indian King) and you? ‘Twas to that end I first desired this truce, My self proposing to be Mediator... I know you’re Noble: And I have heard you say our Sex could never plead in vain. (249)

Widow Ranter “I love to ride in Fresco.” (245) “I love to ride in Fresco.” (245) “I must Smoke and Drink in a Morning, or I am Mawkish all day.” “I must Smoke and Drink in a Morning, or I am Mawkish all day.” Surelove: You have reason to praise an old man, who dy’d and left you worth fifty thousand Pound. Surelove: You have reason to praise an old man, who dy’d and left you worth fifty thousand Pound. Ranter: Ay Gad—and what’s better Sweet-heart, dy’d in good time too, and left me young enough to spend this fifty thousand pound in better Company Crisante: You think they all love you for that (your fortune)? Ranter: For that, Ay what else? if it were not for that, I might sit still and sigh, and cry out, a Miracle! a Miracle! At sight of a Man within my doors. (246)