Copy of a letter from the Earl of Dunmore to the Honble Richard Corbin Esqr dated on board the Ship Dunmore in Virginia 27th January 1776. ー
Sir Notwithstanding the many crule and false invectives thrown out against me, as an Enemy to this Colony; Conscious to myself however of my firm attachment to this Country in General, and this Colony in particular; I am well convinced, tho' the present Rulers may have thought it requisite, in support of their late adopted Measures, to represent me in the very opposite light, to what they were pleased to do, but a few months before, yet there is not one amongst them, that ever viewed my conduct with an impartial Eye, but is sensible that every transaction of my Administration, proceeded from a heart that never yet entertained a thought which was not meant for the real happiness, and well being of this Colony; this ever having been my first object, the very moment I received my dispatches last year, I called the Assembly to lay before them the Resolves of the House of Parliament, not doubting then, but they would have been received by every well wisher to His Country with Transports of Joy; now having received His Majesty's most Gracious Speech, I catch at with the greatest pleasure, the last sentence it contains, wherein He says, "It may be also proper to Authorize persons so Commissioned to restore such Province, or Colony, so returning to it's Allegiance to the free exercise of it's Trade and Commerce and to the same protection and Security as if such Province or Colony had never revolted.["] I say I catch with the greatest avidity at this generous, this humane, this truly Noble Sentiment, again to offer every exertion of my poor Abilities, to procure by any means that shall be thought most advisable, an Honourable Permanent, Speedy and happy Reconciliation, between this Colony, and it's Parent State; I wish to God they may reflect er'e they draw upon them the wrath of that powerfull, tho' Mercifull People, and by that means involve this once most happy Land, in all the horrors of a most distructive Civil War, wherein, were they as Successfull as the most sanguine amongst them could wish, could only end in their inevitable distruction; What then have they to hope for, and what have they not to fear, by a persiverance in this most ruinous, and Unnatural contest. ー Should the Rulers of the People prove as well disposed to return to their duty, as I know the bulk of the Colony are, they will embrace the favourable opportunity that now offers; but should they be so infatuated as to mean totally to throw off all Allegiance to the best of Sovereigns, and connection with the State that has fostered them with the utmost Paternal care, their Memories will be handed down to the latest Posterity, as most undutifull, and ungratefull.
Sir, a thorough Conviction of your warm attachment to this your Native land, and your Admiration of that truely excellent Constitution, and Government, under which you have so long and happily lived, as well as your love for our most Benign Sovereign, induces me to trouble you with the above tender of my Services to this Colony, and I beg you will assure, whomsoever you shall think proper to lay this before, of my willingness to undergo any fatigue, or difficulty for the accomplishment of it's happiness; I have now only to entreat that my sincere endeavours to Effect a reconciliation between this and the Parent State may be enforced by every exertion of your best Advice, and Assistance, and that both may succeed is the ardent wish of Sir [&c.]
