The Virginia Gazette

Pity and humanity in offering us an asylum in the bosom of your friendship, at a time when all the evils of a civil war are precipitately approaching, and knowing we must be involved, by our situation, in much greater difficulties than you, how can we longer restrain the spring of gratitude within the compass of our own breasts?

We observe, Gentlemen, in our papers, an address from you to the people in the lower part of the country, inviting them to make use of your plantations for the safety and refuge of their wives and little ones, with all things they think fit to carry with them for their support. Such an instance of tender and brotherly feeling must convey an idea of the noblest disposition and unequalled affection in you; and such an example, who would not, in every situation of life, anxiously endeavour to follow!

Permit us then, Gentlemen, in the sincerest of our gratitude, to inform you how much we are obliged to you; and that, if the unhappy differences between us and our parent state should so increase as to compel us to the necessity of accepting your offer, we shall, with the risk of our lives, endeavour to secure your region from the tyranny now threatened. So shall yours, and ours, enjoy the same blessing—one safety—till our gracious sovereign is again pleased to communicate to all his people the generous language of unity and peace!

That you may long enjoy every blessing this little life can give, and that the impending dangers Almighty God may yet vouchsafe to avert, is the ardent and daily prayer of, Gentlemen, your much obliged and most affectionate countrymen:

By order of the committee of Charles City county.

WILLIAM G. MUNFORD.
SAMUEL HARWOOD.
John Tyler.
June 23, 1775.