December 19, 1770

Lord Dunmore Appointed Governor of Virginia

The Privy Council issues a commission to John Murray, Earl of Dunmore, to be governor of Virginia. Currently governor of New York, Dunmore will fight the appointment, begging "Lord Hillsborough to Entreat his Majesty to permit me to continue where I am," and consequently not arrive in the Chesapeake for another ten months. Rumors of Dunmore’s lack of character reach the Chesapeake, which lead a number of Virginians to also hope he remains in New York.