African Americans in The American Revolution - Lord Dunmore's Proclamation

Lord Dunmore's Proclamation

Lord Dunmore, the royal governor of Virginia was determined to maintain British rule in the southern colonies. On November 7, 1775, he issued a proclamation that he would free black and white bondsmen who came to fight with the British. By December 1775 the British army had 300 slaves wearing a military uniform. Sewn on the breast of the uniform was the inscription "Liberty to Slaves". These slaves were designated as "Lord Dunmore's Ethiopian Regiment."

Read more about this topic:  African Americans In The American Revolution

Famous quotes containing the words lord and/or proclamation:

    I have been thinking this half hour how to begin my letter and cannot for my soul make it out. I wish to the Lord one could write a letter without any beginning for I am sure it allways puzzles me more than all the rest of it.
    Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826)

    The President’s proclamation took the breath out of me this morning. He is in the hands of the Phillistines [sic] ...
    Elizabeth Blair Lee (1818–?)