Vol. I Chapter 10
Relations with the Indians
Indian land was owned collectively by the tribe and was inalienable. But the tribe often claimed large tracts of land that were unused.
Massacres and theft started on both sides between whites and Indians. There was also "savage treachery" on both sides. For example, whites poisoned Indian peace negotiators.
Governor Argall outlawed various relations with Indians. Trading was only allowed at forts. This gave monopoly power to those running the forts.
Governor Berkeley used individual incidents of Indians harming whites to justify collective punishment, i.e. slaughter of Indians. Indians had no standing in Virginia courts to collect debts or get justice. They resorted to taking payments for debts and finding their own recourse to problems with whites. One example was the taking of hogs in repayment for a debt. This was followed by more treachery by whites. Even Indians from other tribes who were not involved in hostilities were killed.
John Washington was charged in leading a war of aggression against the Indians. Berkeley ended up with a defensive war. He built a chain of expensive forts, garrisoned soldiers, and refused peace with the Indians. This prolonged the war, caused militarization of society, and created a heavy tax burden.
The settlers were still suffering Indian raids but not getting any protection. Planters started raising their own militias. The effectiveness of the militias led Nathaniel Bacon, Jr. to start a mutiny against the Virginia government.
Indian land was owned collectively by the tribe and was inalienable. But the tribe often claimed large tracts of land that were unused.
Massacres and theft started on both sides between whites and Indians. There was also "savage treachery" on both sides. For example, whites poisoned Indian peace negotiators.
Governor Argall outlawed various relations with Indians. Trading was only allowed at forts. This gave monopoly power to those running the forts.
Governor Berkeley used individual incidents of Indians harming whites to justify collective punishment, i.e. slaughter of Indians. Indians had no standing in Virginia courts to collect debts or get justice. They resorted to taking payments for debts and finding their own recourse to problems with whites. One example was the taking of hogs in repayment for a debt. This was followed by more treachery by whites. Even Indians from other tribes who were not involved in hostilities were killed.
John Washington was charged in leading a war of aggression against the Indians. Berkeley ended up with a defensive war. He built a chain of expensive forts, garrisoned soldiers, and refused peace with the Indians. This prolonged the war, caused militarization of society, and created a heavy tax burden.
The settlers were still suffering Indian raids but not getting any protection. Planters started raising their own militias. The effectiveness of the militias led Nathaniel Bacon, Jr. to start a mutiny against the Virginia government.
posted by Jason Livermore at 7:09 PM
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