Thesis: The Indians (Natives) were the true victims of Bacon's Rebellion. (2)

I.The English colonists were disrespectful and closed-minded towards the Natives way of life; trying to force their own way upon them.
     A. “The Indians were sent to assigned towns, placed under the supervision of militia officers or selectmen, and ordered to 'lodge constantly' in the prescribed locations 'on paine of death'.” (“Whether They Be Friends or Foes:” The Roles and Reactions of Tributary Native Groups Caught in Colonial Conflicts by Michael J. Puglisi) They tried to control Indians by forcing them into a strict regime.
     B. “In 1672, the Virginia legislature authorized all white colonists to use any necessary force to suppress rebellious slaves, Indians, and servants.” “Lawmakers also encouraged Indians to help apprehend runaways, providing a reward for any fugitives turned over to white authorities.” (The American Promise by James Roark, Michael Johnson, Patricia Cohen, Sarah Stage, Alan Lawson, and Susan Hartmann) “And it is further enacted that the neighbouring Indians doe and hereby are required and enjoyned to seize and apprehend all runaways whatsoever that shall happen to come amongst them, and to bring them before some justice of the peace who...shall pay unto the said Indians...a recompence.” (Document 5, Law Authorizes Force to Suppress Rebellious Slaves, Indians, and Servants, 1672, quoted in The American Promise) A law was actually passed by the Virginia legislature that allowed the white colonists to control the Indians, even using any “necessary force”. Another law actually required Indians to capture runaway slaves and servants and to return them to the authorities, where they would receive a reward.
     C. “An English botanist expressed the common prejudice against corn as a food 'of the barbarous Indians which know no better...a more convenient food for swine than for man.'” (The American Promise) The English often called the Indians by derogatory terms, just because their society wasn't a civilized English colony. This quote is one example where a man harshly insults their food (although he should had nothing to complain about, considering that they would've starved to death if Powhatan hadn't offered to trade corn with them).
II.The colonists were cruel to the Natives, because they did not treat them as equal human beings. This is especially true about Bacon and his followers.
     A. “...the Indians sent out 5 greate men to Treate of Peace...but being kept Prisoners Some tyme were at last murdered by the English.” (A True Narrative of the Late Rebellion in Virginia by The Royal Commissioners) So, the Indians were humble enough to send five of their best men to make peace with the English. So what did the English do? They took them as prisoners and eventually murdered them.
     B. “So the common cry and vogue of the Vulgar was...we will have war with all Indians...we will spare none.” (A True Narrative of the Late Rebellion in Virginia) This speaks of the cruelty towards the Indians by “the vulgar” of Virginia society (meaning the followers of Bacon, which were the lower classes).
     C. “...he marched to pursue the Pamunkey Indians...although it was well known to the whole country that the Queen of Pamunkey and her People had never at any time betrayed or injured the English. But among the Vulgar it matters not whether they be Friends or Foes, So [long as] they be Indians.” (A True Narrative of the Late Rebellion in Virginia) Bacon was the leader in the cruelties against the Indians.
III. The Natives only fought to defend themselves, not to terrorize the colonists.
     A. This quote will demonstrate the innocence and helplessness of the poor Indians: “[Bacon's party] falls upon the Pamunky Indians...As the onset was given they did not at all oppose, but fled, being followed by Bacon and his Force killing and taking them Prisoners, and looking for Plunder...” (A True Narrative of the Late Rebellion in Virginia)
     B. This quote shows one time when the Indians did defend themselves: “...a Party of those abused Susquahanocks in Revenge of the Maryland businesse came suddainly down upon the weak Plantations at the head of Rappahanock and Potomaque and killed at one time 36 persons and then immediately (as their Custome is) ran off into the woods.” (A True Narrative of the Late Rebellion in Virginia)At least the Indians were doing this in revenge against the colonists when the colonists had already wronged them, versus how white settlers had many times wronged them although the Indians had done nothing against them.