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The "Gunpowder Incident"... "Join or Die"...
The "Gunpowder Incident"... "Join or Die"...
Item # 553021
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July 22, 1775
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, July 22, 1775
* The Gunpowder Incident
* Revolutionary war original from the enemy
* Join or Die
Page 2 has a nice reference to the "gunpowder incident" (see the web for much detail) in Williamsburg with: "...We have been here in a state of confusion for some time owing to the Governor's removing the powder out of the magazine in the night on board of a sloop of war & the flame of the people again kindled by his Lordship's fixing guns in the windows & doors of the magazine, loaded with spring locks to fire on the hoisting of a window..." with more (see).
Another page has a brief item datelined "Williamsburgh" noting: "....that 1300 barrels of gunpowder...are safely landed at Baltimore in Maryland & that there is no doubt but America will be well supplied therewith."
The same page has a lengthy letter from "Cambridge, in New England" concerning an exchange of prisoners, involving Dr. Warren and General Putnam among others (see), followed by other reports on the Revolutionary War including reference to the Battle of Lexington and Concord (see photos) with mention that: "...the word with The Sons of Liberty (as the rebels stile themselves) is, join or die. The prisoners have been all exchanged...Nothing of consequence has happened at Boston since the 19th of April except a skirmish or two between the enemy & some parties of troops...The rebels still continue the blockade..." with more (see).
The back page has an item concerning the war as well (see). Complete in 8 pages, 8 1/2 by 11 in., very nice condition.
wikipedia notes: On the night of April 20, royal marines loaded fifteen half barrels of powder into the governor's wagon and transported it to the eastern end of the Quarterpath Road to be loaded aboard an armed British ship in the James River.
The act was discovered by townsfolk while underway, and they sounded an alarm. Local militia rallied to the scene, and riders spread word of the incident across the colony.
Dunmore, who had only recently gained some popularity from victory in Dunmore's War against Shawnee Indians in the Ohio Country, feared for his personal safety. He warned the colony that if he were attacked he would “declare Freedom to the Slaves, and reduce the City of Williamsburg to Ashes.” He also told an alderman that he had “once fought for the Virginians” but “By God, I would let them see that I could fight against them.”
As word of the incident spread, militia from Hanover, Albemarle, Orange, and, under the advice of George Washington, Fredericksburg, began to move on Williamsburg. These militias learned of the events in Lexington and Concord at about the same time they began to march. The Hanover militia, led by Patrick Henry, reached Williamsburg first, arrving outside of the city on May 3. That day Dunmore's family escaped to Porto Bello, Lord Dunmore's hunting lodge on the York River,[3] and from there to the H.M.S. Fowey, lying at anchor in the York River. The governor sent a request for reinforcements to Boston.
The powder magazine in Williamsburg today
For several days, a standoff ensued. Henry waited outside Williamsburg with between 150 and 500 militia while Dunmore, remaining in Williamsburg, threatened to destroy the town and have the Navy fire on Yorktown if there was an attack.
Category: Revolutionary War
No Longer Available
