Today I’m reading Sir Thomas Grantham’s account of his role in Bacon’s Rebellion and how he got the rebels to surrender to Virginia Governor William Berkeley. The introduction described Berkeley as “uncompromising.”

Virginia groaned beneath the accumulated oppressions of Charles the Second and his insatiate minions. The profligate monarch found a fitting viceroy in the choleric and uncompromising Berkeley, who gives infamous testimony to his own character in his memorable reply to an inquiry of the English Council: “I thank God there are no free-schools, nor printing, and I hope we shall not have these three hundred years; for learning has brought disobedience into the world, and printing has divulged them and libels against the best government. God keep us from both!”

Governor Berkeley sounds a lot like some politicians today. Berkeley commissioned Sir Thomas Grantham to intercede in Bacon’s Rebellion on Virginia’s behalf. It was America’s first rebellion by colonists. Grantham took advantage of Nathaniel Bacon’s death to quickly convince rebel leaders they’d be treated with mercy, and they surrendered. Once in the custody of Governor Berkeley, the rebels were hung.

(AUTHOR NOTE: the following is a repost I wrote while working on a 13th District Virginia House of Delegates race in 2005 – read comments here)

You never know who you’re gonna meet when you knock on hundreds of doors throughout the 13th District. Sometimes you come across old friends. Sometimes you meet new ones. But today, I knocked on a very special door.

As I approached the house, one of the first things I noticed was a “Bob Marshall” bumper sticker on a truck in the drive way. It was the first time I had seen one, but I’ve seen my share of “W” bumper stickers in driveways and found their owners very pleasant and eager to learn more about Bruce. One thing about an eagerness for change in the 13th district is its bipartisan nature.

The closer I got to the door, the more I realized something about this particular house that I later confirmed online. This was the home of our opponent.

I had spoken on the phone a couple of times with Bob, but I had never been to Bob Marshall’s house. Bob lists his home as his Prince William County office. I’m not sure how comfortable I’d be paying my delegate a visit with a huge “No Trespassing” sign on the steps. I’ve never really seen a “No Trespassing” sign on property listed as the public office of a delegate before, but you learn something new everyday in a campaign.

As I rang the doorbell, I thought to myself, “What am I going to say?” It was as though I felt I needed to say something other than what I say at all the doors.

“Bruce is a 20 year retired firefighter here in Prince William County. He teaches at George Washington University. He’s served his country, and now wants to serve you in the House of Delegates.”

No answer. So, I left our calling card just to let them know we were sorry we missed them and look forward to representing ALL of the people of the 13th District in the Virginia House of Delegates.