nov 7, 1775 - Lord Dunmore's Proclamation

Description:

A decree signed by John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore, royal governor of the British Colony of Virginia. It promised emancipation to any American slaves willing to run away and join the British Army. 80,000 to 100,000 slaves ran away from their masters (including both Patriots and Loyalists), including 17 of Washington's own over the length of the war. American reactions were mixed; Virginia declared on December 14 that runaway slaves would be immediatelly executed, while General Washington issued a counter to the proclamation, promising freedom to any slaves that enslisted in the Contineental Army or state militias. These slaves would serve in racially integrated units, which would not be seen again in America for over 150 years. Rhode Island, with the highest propoortion of slaves in its population in New Englad, formed a black regiment giving the promise of freedom. The South, minus South Carolina and Georiga, followed suit, giving freedom to many blacks after the war (though not all).