Fowey [York River] May 4, 1775
Sir
I have this morning received certain information that his Excellency the Lord Dunmore, Governor of Virginia, is threatened with an attack at day break this morning, at his palace in Williamsburg, And have thought proper to send a detachment from his Majesty's ship under my command, to support his Excellency, therefore strongly pray you to make use of every endeavour to prevent the party from being molested and attacked, as in that case I must be under a necessity to fire upon this town.
From
GEORGE MONTAGUE
1. Dixon and Hunter's Virginia Gazette, May 6, 1775. Nelson's place of residence was Yorktown.