23. Fighting For Freedom Against The Land of Liberty
When Virginia’s British governor issued a proclamation in November, 1775, offering freedom to slaves in exchange for service to the Crown, the response was overwhelming. Within weeks, hundreds of slaves escaped their American owners and joined his troops in Norfolk. Hundreds more arrived each week, and as the number of runaways steadily grew, so did the fear and ire of American slave owners.
Lord Dunmore’s proclamation did not win him or the British many hearts and minds amongst colonial whites. However, it won the hearts and minds of many black colonials. It also helped alleviate a severe manpower shortage that had confronted the British in Virginia, by increasing their manpower, while simultaneously reducing the manpower available to rebellious colonists.