| Citation |
CC-H.775.075
30 Oct 1775:22 (565)
Williamsburgh, (Virginia.) October 7th, 1775. On Saturday
between two and three o'clock in the afternoon, an officer
with 12 or 13 soldiers, and a few sailors, landed at the
county wharf in Norfolk, under cover of the men of war, (who
made every appearance of firing upon the town, should the
party be molested) and marched up to the main street to Mr.
Holt's printing office, from whence, without the smallest
opposition or resistance (although there were some hundred
spectators) they deliberately carried off the types, and
sundry other printing implements, with two of the workmen,
and after getting to the water side with their booty, gave
three huzzas, in which they were joined by a crowd of
negroes. A few spirited men, justly incensed at so flagrant
a breach of good order and the constitution, and highly
resenting the conduct of Lord Dunmore and the Navy Gentry
(who have now commenced downright pirates and banditti)
ordered the drum to beat to arms, but were joined by few or
none; so that it appears Norfolk is at present a very
insecure place for the life or property of any individual,
and is consequently deserted daily, by numbers of the
inhabitants, with their effects. . . [28 lines]
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