After the patriots forced the royal governor, John Murray, Earl of Dunmore, to flee, the Fifth Virginia Convention met on May 6�June 29, 1776.
On May 15, 1776 they declared the colony's independence. They then instructed the Virginia delegates to the Continental Congress to propose general colonial independence. Richard Henry Lee brought the resolution before Congress on June 7, 1776 with the words "...That these united Colonies are, and ought to be, fee and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance from the British crown, and that all political connection between America and State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved..." The resolotuion was adopted on July 2. Two days later on July 4th Congress ratified the Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson.
In the days following Virginia's declaration of independence, the Fifth Virginia Convention adopted a Declaration of Rights and the first Constitution of a free American state, both drawn up by George Mason. Patrick Henry was elected the first governor and would serve three (3) one (1) year terms before being succeeded by Thomas Jefferson.
Colonial Williamsburg has often recreated the event of Virginial declaring her independency. The dramatic hightight of this event is when the British flag is lowered from over the Capitol and flag of the United Colonies is raised. |
