State

From Governor To the Noose Sir Williom Berkeley who oppomtcd Norlh Coro- lioo's lint go*o«i*or— end loler hongcd him. By MARTY II \MII/rO\ In these times of good interstate re¬ lations and governor conventions, it is hard to believe that a governor could order the hanging of another governor whom he had appointed himself. But in North Carolina, there were rocky beginnings, and such a thing happened when our State was being settled. Every Tar Heel knows how King Charles II, son of the beheaded king of England, Charles I. allotted a large tract of land to eight of his favorites shortly after his restoration in 1660. In this gift Charles meant to include all of the territory south of the Vir¬ ginian settlements, but Charles knew little of the geography of the new world, and his grant did not include a settlement called Albemarle, the northeastern part of present North Carolina. First Governor for Carolina These settlers were left to live as they pleased. In 1663 Sir William Berkeley, governor of Virginia and also one of the Proprietors, appointed Wil¬ liam Drummond as the first governor for North Carolina. He met the ap¬ proval of the Lords Proprietors. Drummond was a Scotchman by birth. It is believed he was brought up in a Presbyterian home, having learned to speak truth, fear nothing, and stand up for the right. His reign as governor and later life showed these traits. Drummond instituted a Carolina Assembly, and an easy tenure «if lands. He let the people, more or less, rule themselves. Salary Is Fur Trade Governor Drummond's form of legislature was simple. Six men were appointed as members of his Council to help him in his duties. Aided by a body of men chosen by the people, this Assembly along with Drummond, made the laws. There was no fixed capital. The governor stayed at his own house, and the Assembly met at the house of any planter who would invite it. The governor’s salary was paid by allowing him the sole trade in furs. In spite of his wise rule, Drummond was not reappointed in 1667 when his term ended, and he returned to James¬ town. selling up his law practice as he had done before. The people of Virginia were not satisfied with the rule of Sir Berkeley. Surrounding Indian tribes were har¬ assing them constantly and Berkeley refused to give them protection. So Virginia became ripe for a re¬ bellion. lacking only a leader for a movement. A young and wealthy planter and close friend of Drummond’s, Nathaniel Bacon, became that leader. In Bacon's Rebellion Bacon swore that if another white man were slain by the Indians, he would give himself a commission to lead a group of settlers into war against the redmen. Soon after the bold words were spoken, news came that one of Bacon's own men had been murdered. He led 500 armed men into the wilderness where they defeated the Indians. Real motives lay underneath the sur- Top. Copr. John Smith, .hotc tomc»to»n wos burned in Bocon’* rebellion. Belo-, ruin» of Jomcflown, from an old print. face. Virginians were tired of the aris¬ tocratic tyranny. During Berkeley’s rule, he had changed from a likeable leader to become cross, irritable and lustful. Bacon’s energy, eloquence, and drive inspired the people to their cause. Jamestown Burned Berkeley gathered his followers and was pursued by Bacon. On the way Bacon's army burned Jamestown, to prevent the Royalists from using the town. But good fortune deserted the rebels; Bacon died of a fever. The first of Bacon’s lieutenants to suffer was Thomas Hansford, who was captured and hanged the first 15 THE STATE. March 23. 1957