Free Republic

Col. Thomas Hansford was hanged “a loyal subject and a lover of my country” on this date in 1676 — America’s first executed political martyr, since that “country” was not England, but Virginia. Robert Beverly‘s 1705 History of Virginia recalls the genesis of that milestone dispute between settlers and mother England. The occasion of this rebellion is not easy to be discovered: but ’tis certain there were many things that concurred towards it. For it cannot be imagined, that upon the instigation of two or three traders only, who aimed at a monopoly of the Indian trade, as some pretend...

In Virginia in 1676 Nathaniel Bacon led a rebellion. This is the manifesto of that effort. It expresses many of the reform objectives that would later be further developed and bring about the American Revolution. Bacon's Declaration in the Name of the People July 30,1676 The Declaration of the People. For haveing upon specious pretences of publiqe works raised greate unjust taxes upon the Comonality for the advancement of private favorites and other sinister ends, but noe visible effects in any measure adequate, For not haveing dureing this long time of his Gouvernement in any measure advanced this hopefull Colony...