LESSON MATERIALS Group 1 explain the actions that Dunmore took and why he took them. Lord Dunmore, Governor of Virginia You are the Governor of Virginia, appointed by the King of England to rule the Virginia colony. You have heard reports that the colonists are becoming restless; in fact, the King has ordered you to stop importing gunpowder into your colony. You decide to act by removing the gunpowder from the town Magazine. You tell the people of Williamsburg that you removed the gunpowder to protect them from the possibility of a slave uprising. Indeed, you have heard that slaves in Virginia as well as slaves in other colonies have been planning revolts against their masters. Six of these revolts have been reported within the last year. However, removing the gunpowder has an added benefit: it stops the colonists from using it to rise up against you and the British crown. Patrick Henry has just given his give me liberty or give me death speech, and you are worried there may be a revolution. When the town reacts in anger to the Gunpowder Incident, you threaten that if any British official is harmed, you will declare freedom to the slaves and reduce the city to ashes. However, fearing for your life, you flee Williamsburg, and seven months later, you issue a proclamation that frees all indented servants, Negroes, or others if they agree to take up arms for Britain against the colonists. 1. What was your reason for removing gunpowder from the Magazine in Williamsburg? 2. Why did you emancipate (free) the slaves? Which slaves did you free? 3. How do you think people s opinions of you have changed because of this incident? Who do you think will agree with your actions? Who do you think will disagree with you? 2011 The Colonial  Foundation 1
Group 2 explain the actions that Peyton Randolph took and why he took them. Peyton Randolph, Speaker of the Virginia House of Burgesses You are a wealthy member of Williamsburg society, a gentleman who serves in your colony s elected assembly. You own one of the largest homes in the city, and 27 slaves work for you there. You also own a nearby plantation where many more slaves work. Although there have been no slave revolts on your properties, you have heard that slaves in Virginia as well as slaves in other colonies have been planning rebellions against their masters. Six of these revolts have been reported within the last year. When the townspeople of Williamsburg become angry over the gunpowder incident, you convince them to use reason and diplomacy with the Governor instead of violence. In fact, you write a letter to Lord Dunmore asking for an explanation as to why he removed the gunpowder, and you accept his response. You also write letters to Patrick Henry, who is planning on marching to Williamsburg with an armed militia. Your letters urge him to stop his march. You are quoted as saying, violent measures may produce effects, which God only knows the consequences of. Later, Lord Dunmore states that if any British official is harmed, he will declare freedom to the slaves and reduce the city to ashes. 1. What is your reaction to the Gunpowder incident? 2. Why did you discourage the people of Virginia from using violence against the British? 3. What is your opinion of Dunmore s threat to declare freedom to the slaves and reduce the city to ashes? 2011 The Colonial  Foundation 2
Group 3 explain the actions that Patrick Henry took and why he took them. Patrick Henry, patriot leader You are a very vocal opponent of the king. You feel that Britain is abusing its power over the colonies through high taxes and unfair laws. In March 1775, you urge your fellow Virginians to arm in self-defense. This speech is where you speak your most well-known words: "I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death." When you hear that Governor Dunmore is removing the gunpowder from Williamsburg, you are sure that he is robbing the people of their right to arm themselves even though Dunmore says he is removing the gunpowder because he is afraid of a slave uprising. You gather together as many militiamen as you can and march them toward Williamsburg to take back the gunpowder by force. When Dunmore hears this news, he threatens that if a large Body of People came within thirty miles of Williamsburg, he will emancipate the slaves. Peyton Randolph writes a letter on behalf of the city, urging you and the militia to stay away. The colony s receiver general offers to pay back the townspeople for the gunpowder, and you accept the money and disperse the militia. 1. What is your reaction to the Gunpowder incident? 2. Why did you lead a militia to Williamsburg? 3. Why do you accept the money instead of starting a fight? 2011 The Colonial  Foundation 3
Group 4 explain the actions that Joseph might take and why. Joseph, slave For most of your life, you have been working as a butler in the home of a wealthy gentleman in Williamsburg. You overheard your master talking about how the Governor removed gunpowder from the town Magazine, and that the townspeople are angry. Your master is afraid that there will soon be violence in the city. You know that Dunmore said he took the gunpowder so that your fellow slaves would not use it against their masters. At the same time, you have also overheard that Lord Dunmore is planning to grant freedom to all able-bodied male slaves who will join his army and fight for the British. Your master has been good to you, and your wife works in the kitchen of the same house, but this is the only chance for freedom you may ever have. You are thinking about joining Dunmore to fight against the colonists. 1. What must you do to receive Lord Dunmore s offer of freedom? 2. What are the pros and cons of joining up with Dunmore s army? What may happen to you if the colonists defeat the British? 3. How is Lord Dunmore using you for his benefit in this situation? 2011 The Colonial  Foundation 4
Group 5 explain the actions that Robert Mackey took and why. Robert Mackey of Williamsburg While serving your second consecutive night guarding the Magazine, you decide that you will return to your bed before the next guard comes on duty. After all, there has been no sighting of any redcoats. Perhaps the rumor of gunpowder being confiscated by the British is without merit. You return home only to be awakened early Friday morning by news that last night twenty sailors stole up to the Magazine and were seen removing barrels of gunpowder from the Magazine. The gunpowder was seized under orders by Lord Dunmore. Your first instinct is to grab your musket and powder horn with the remaining grains of gun powder and join the milling crowd that is gathering in number outside the empty Magazine. As you face the crowd your only thoughts are to lead these armed men to the Governor s Palace and demand Lord Dunmore return the gunpowder. Lord Dunmore claims that he took the gun powder so that slaves would not have access to it in case of an uprising. Considering how many of your fellow townspeople have been unhappy about British rule lately, you think maybe Dunmore moved the gunpowder because he is afraid the colonists will use the powder against him. Dunmore threatens to declare freedom to the slaves and reduce the City of Williamsburg to ashes, if any British official is hurt. Peyton Randolph urges everyone to stay calm. Although you are afraid of a slave uprising and wary of Dunmore s real motives, for now, you are convinced not to use violence. 1. What threat does Dunmore make against the City of Williamsburg? 2. What convinces you not to take immediate action against Lord Dunmore? 3. You hear that Patrick Henry is marching his militia into Williamsburg. Will you join? Why or why not? 2011 The Colonial  Foundation 5
Gunpowder Incident Note-Taking Handout Directions: As each group presents the information about their character, briefly write down their main points. Lord Dunmore, Governor of Virginia Peyton Randolph, Speaker of the Virginia House of Burgesses Joseph, a slave Robert Mackey of Williamsburg 2011 The Colonial  Foundation 6
Patrick Henry, Patriot leader Additional Thoughts 2011 The Colonial  Foundation 7
Williamsburg Magazine 2011 The Colonial  Foundation 8
Architectural Drawing of Williamsburg Magazine 2011 The Colonial  Foundation 9