The Virginia Gazette

To Mr. PURDIE.
SIR,
Let no man be dismayed at being proclaimed a Rebel; let every such person know, that lord Dunmore has no right to declare any man so who has not been legally convicted, and that he himself may be sued and indicted for such proceedings. Whoever considers well the meaning of the word Rebel will discover that the author of the proclamation is now himself in actual rebellion, having armed our slaves against us, and having excited them to an insurrection; for which, by the laws of the land, they forfeit their lives. And let it be remembered, that there is a treason against the state, for which such men as lord Dunmore, and even kings, have lost their heads. Let it be remembered, that the king and his governors are bound by the laws, as much as his subjects; and that no man can be condemned or punished who is not found guilty by a jury of his country, nor legally prosecuted for disobeying the arbitrary mandates of a tyrant. We have taken up arms, it is true; but this we have an undoubted right to do, in defence of the British constitution, of that very constitution which the present royal family was brought in to support, and on the principles of the glorious revolution, those very principles which alone could give our king a right to the throne of England. We are therefore contending not only for our privileges as freemen, but for the support of the British constitution; and if we are supporting that, we are supporting our king, and on the only sure ground on which he can be supported. The present ministry are rebels and traitors to their prince; they are endeavouring to make him forfeit his crown. The earl of Dunmore, late governor, may be called a genuine rebel. His father was in two rebellions, strictly and properly so called; and he is now himself engaged in one of a more artful and dangerous nature, and he has the effrontery to shift the odious charge on us. If there are loyal subjects in the world, they are in America; they are in Virginia. But enough of this. My countrymen, we may urge, that we have a right to take up arms in self-defence, since we have been threatened with an invasion of savages, and an insurrection of slaves, and have had our negroes and stocks piratically taken from us. The laws of God and nature, and the principles of the constitution, justify it; and, at present, all the feelings of humanity, every suggestion of policy, and the cries of our insulted and imprisoned countrymen, loudly call you TO ARM.