Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/170

 146 J^KETCHES OF THE

selves an Independent Company, have marched out of their county, encamped, and put themsehes in a pos- ture of war; and have written and despatched letters to divers parts of the country, exciting the people to join in these outrageous and rebellious practices, to the great terror of all his majesty's faithful subjects, and in open defiance of law and government; and have committed other acts of violence, particularly in extorting from his majesty's receiver general, the sum of three hundred and thirty pounds, under pretence of replacing the pow- der, I thought proper to order from the magazine; whence it undeniably appears, that there is no longer the least security for the life or property of any man; wherefore I have thought proper, with the advice of his majesty's council, and in his majesty^s name, to issue this my proclamation, strictly charging all persons upon their allegiance, not to aid, abet, or give countenance to the said Patrick Henry, or any other persons concerned in such unwarrantable combinations; but, on the contrary, to oppose them and their designs by every means; which designs must othenvise, inevitably involve the whole country in the most direful calamity, as they will call for the vengeance of offended majesty, and the insulted laws, to be exerted here to vindicate the constitutional authority of govern- ment.

" Given under my hand and the seal of the colony, at Williamsburg, this 6th day of May, 1775, and in the 15th year of his majesty's reign.

DUNMORE.

"God save the King."

But lord Dunmore's threats and denunciations, had no other elfect than to render more conspicuous and

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