This proclamation issued by the Governor of Virginia, the Earl of
Dunmore, brought many enslaved African-Americans to the British side
in the American War of Independence. In it, he institutes martial
law, orders men of military age to fight for the British, and declares
'all indented servants, Negroes, or others' free on 'joining his Majesty's
Troops'.
CO 5/1353, no. 335 (7 Nov 1775) |