On this day 250 years ago, Dixon and Hunter’s Virginia Gazette publishes the Botetourt Resolutions adopted by the freeholders of Botetourt County, Virginia. These Resolutions were addressed to Col. Andrew Lewis and Mr. John Bowyer, Botetourt County’s representatives to the Virginia Convention and pledged

the most dutiful affection for our Sovereign, of whose honest heart we cannot entertain any diffidence; but sorry we are to add, that in his councils we can no longer confide. A set of miscreants, unworthy to administer the laws of Britain’s empire, have been permitted impiously to sway. How unjustly, cruelly, and tyrannically, they have invaded our rights, we need not now put you in mind. We only say, and we assert it with pride, that the subjects of Britain are ONE; and when the honest man of Boston, who has broke no law, has his property wrested from him, the hunter on the Allegany must take the alarm, and, as a FREEMAN of America, he will fly to his Representatives and thus instruct them: Gentlemen, my gun, my tomahawk, my life, I desire you to tender to the honour of my King and country; but my LIBERTY, to range these woods on the same terms my father has done is not mine to give up; it was not purchased by me, and purchased it was; it is entailed on my son, and the tenure is sacred. Watch over it, Gentlemen, for to him it must descend unviolated, if my arm can defend it

Irish-born Andrew Lewis would go on to become a Brigadier General in command of the Virginia Militia that drove Royal Governor Dunmore and his British and Loyalist soldiers from Virginia. John Bowyer would serve in the Virginia legislature throughout the War.

Source: https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/672b0c83-5d0c-4bed-85f0-57599c7a60b1/content Appendix D