Lord Dunmore - British Virginia's Colonial Governor

Dunmore's Brinksmanship Fails, Virginia Colonist Spirit Unbroken, British Beaten in Colonist Fight for Self-Determination

Following the Stamp Act and Non-Importation Act, Lord Botetourt was assigned as governor to Virginia in 1768. He arrived amid a dispute over the return of American colonists for trial in England. Botetourt was sympathetic with the colonist position that any trial should take place in the colonies. He was replaced by the more mold-fitting Lord Dunmore.

As Virginia's governor in 1771, Dunmore was supposed to be loyal to the British King. Yet when the King secretly tried to create a new 20,000,000 acre colony known as Vandalia, Dunmore protested along with the colonists.

This was not for altruistic reasons, nor for the colonists benefit. Dunmore simply didn't like the King treading on Dunmore's domain. In the next few years Dunmore proved himself a loyal enemy of American independence, and by 1776 he was ousted as governor during the American Revolution.

In 1772-3, Virginia setup official anti-British organizations to spread information to all the colonies about their resistance and dealings with the British King. In 1774 Virginia learned of the Boston Port Bill, which closed Boston's ports in reponse to the Boston Tea Party. Virginia's colonial legislature drafted a resolution to spiritually support the MA colony in it's fight with the King.

Dunmore's response was to dissolve the legislature. Beginning a great American tradition, the now-illegitimate colonists met at a bar -- the Raleigh Tavern. They were incensed and began a long effort to boycott British goods and fight for independence. They agreed to an annual meeting to determine policies to help Virginians.

At the Second Virginia Convention (3-20-1775), Patrick Henry made his famous speech including the words, "Gentlemen may cry 'Peace! Peace!' but there is no peace. The war is actually begun ... Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God I know not what course others may take, but, as for me, give me liberty, or give me death! " The was resolution was adopted and the Virginians organized to manufacture weapons and other goods they previously obtained from England.

Dunmore was horrified by this organized resistance, and he removed Williamsburg's gunpowder supplies to his British ships offshore. The colonists saw this as theft and demanded restitution. Dunmore surrounded himself with troops and made threats to burn down Williamsburg were he harmed.

Dunmore also threatened to turn all the slaves free in Virginia. The British tried to get the slaves to take their side against Americans right through the Revolutionary War, with little sucess. Dunmore's threats were faced by Patrick Henry and his militia, who convinced Dunmore to pay 320 British pounds for the gunpowder. As soon as Henry left Dunmore's presence, Dunmore declared Henry to be a wanted criminal.

When the Third Virginia Convention made more steps towards military self-sufficiency and organization, Dunmore moved aside to Norfolk across the water from Williamsburg. After the Fourth Virginia Convention utterly condemned Dunmore, the Convention declared that Virginia's colonists were going to fight despotism openly. In November Dunmore freed all the Virginia slaves in response to the colonist revolt. Dunmore's troops were beaten on December 9, 1775, and Dunmore retreated offshore to his ships and bombarded Norfolk on New Year's Day in retaliation.