Perspectives on the Gunpowder Incident
LESSON MATERIALS
Group 1
Read the information below and discuss the following questions in your group. Be prepared to
explain the actions that Dunmore took and why he took them.
Lord Dunmore, Governor of Virginia
You are the Governor of Virginia, appointed by the King of England to rule the Virginia
colony. You have heard reports that the colonists are becoming restless; in fact, the King has
ordered you to stop importing gunpowder into your colony. You decide to act by removing the
gunpowder from the town Magazine. You tell the people of Williamsburg that you removed the
gunpowder to protect them from the possibility of a slave uprising. Indeed, you have heard that
slaves in Virginia as well as slaves in other colonies have been planning revolts against their
masters. Six of these revolts have been reported within the last year. However, removing the
gunpowder has an added benefit: it stops the colonists from using it to rise up against you and the
British crown. Patrick Henry has just given his “give me liberty or give me death” speech, and
you are worried there may be a revolution.
When the town reacts in anger to the Gunpowder Incident, you threaten that if any British
official is harmed, you will “declare freedom to the slaves and reduce the city to ashes.”
However, fearing for your life, you flee Williamsburg, and seven months later, you issue a
proclamation that frees “…all indented servants, Negroes, or others…” if they agree to take up
arms for Britain against the colonists.
Discussion Questions
1. What was your reason for removing gunpowder from the Magazine in Williamsburg?
2. Why did you emancipate (free) the slaves? Which slaves did you free?
3. How do you think people’s opinions of you have changed because of this incident? Who
do you think will agree with your actions? Who do you think will disagree with you?
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Perspectives on the Gunpowder Incident
Group 2
Read the information below and discuss the following questions in your group. Be prepared to
explain the actions that Peyton Randolph took and why he took them.
Peyton Randolph, Speaker of the Virginia House of Burgesses
You are a wealthy member of Williamsburg society, a gentleman who serves in your
colony’s elected assembly. You own one of the largest homes in the city, and 27 slaves work for
you there. You also own a nearby plantation where many more slaves work. Although there have
been no slave revolts on your properties, you have heard that slaves in Virginia as well as slaves
in other colonies have been planning rebellions against their masters. Six of these revolts have
been reported within the last year. When the townspeople of Williamsburg become angry over
the gunpowder incident, you convince them to use reason and diplomacy with the Governor
instead of violence. In fact, you write a letter to Lord Dunmore asking for an explanation as to
why he removed the gunpowder, and you accept his response. You also write letters to Patrick
Henry, who is planning on marching to Williamsburg with an armed militia. Your letters urge
him to stop his march. You are quoted as saying, “violent measures may produce effects, which
God only knows the consequences of.” Later, Lord Dunmore states that if any British official is
harmed, he will “declare freedom to the slaves and reduce the city to ashes.”
Discussion Questions
1. What is your reaction to the Gunpowder incident?
2. Why did you discourage the people of Virginia from using violence against the British?
3. What is your opinion of Dunmore’s threat to “declare freedom to the slaves and reduce
the city to ashes”?
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Perspectives on the Gunpowder Incident
Group 3
Read the information below and discuss the following questions in your group. Be prepared to
explain the actions that Patrick Henry took and why he took them.
Patrick Henry, patriot leader
You are a very vocal opponent of the king. You feel that Britain is abusing its power over the
colonies through high taxes and unfair laws. In March 1775, you urge your fellow Virginians to
arm in self-defense. This speech is where you speak your most well-known words: "I know not
what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death."
When you hear that Governor Dunmore is removing the gunpowder from Williamsburg, you are
sure that he is robbing the people of their right to arm themselves—even though Dunmore says
he is removing the gunpowder because he is afraid of a slave uprising. You gather together as
many militiamen as you can and march them toward Williamsburg to take back the gunpowder
by force. When Dunmore hears this news, he threatens that “if a large Body of People came”
within thirty miles of Williamsburg, he will emancipate the slaves. Peyton Randolph writes a
letter on behalf of the city, urging you and the militia to stay away. The colony’s receiver general
offers to pay back the townspeople for the gunpowder, and you accept the money and disperse
the militia.
Discussion Questions
1. What is your reaction to the Gunpowder incident?
2. Why did you lead a militia to Williamsburg?
3. Why do you accept the money instead of starting a fight?
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Perspectives on the Gunpowder Incident
Group 4
Read the information below and discuss the following questions in your group. Be prepared to
explain the actions that Joseph might take and why.
Joseph, slave
For most of your life, you have been working as a butler in the home of a wealthy
gentleman in Williamsburg. You overheard your master talking about how the Governor
removed gunpowder from the town Magazine, and that the townspeople are angry. Your master
is afraid that there will soon be violence in the city. You know that Dunmore said he took the
gunpowder so that your fellow slaves would not use it against their masters. At the same time,
you have also overheard that Lord Dunmore is planning to grant freedom to all able-bodied male
slaves who will join his army and fight for the British. Your master has been good to you, and
your wife works in the kitchen of the same house, but this is the only chance for freedom you
may ever have. You are thinking about joining Dunmore to fight against the colonists.
Discussion Questions
1. What must you do to receive Lord Dunmore’s offer of freedom?
2. What are the pros and cons of joining up with Dunmore’s army? What may happen to
you if the colonists defeat the British?
3. How is Lord Dunmore using you for his benefit in this situation?
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Perspectives on the Gunpowder Incident
Group 5
Read the information below and discuss the following questions in your group. Be prepared to
explain the actions that Robert Mackey took and why.
Robert Mackey of Williamsburg
While serving your second consecutive night guarding the Magazine, you decide that you
will return to your bed before the next guard comes on duty. After all, there has been no sighting
of any redcoats. Perhaps the rumor of gunpowder being confiscated by the British is without
merit. You return home only to be awakened early Friday morning by news that last night twenty
sailors stole up to the Magazine and were seen removing barrels of gunpowder from the
Magazine. The gunpowder was seized under orders by Lord Dunmore. Your first instinct is to
grab your musket and powder horn with the remaining grains of gun powder and join the milling
crowd that is gathering in number outside the empty Magazine. As you face the crowd your only
thoughts are to lead these armed men to the Governor’s Palace and demand Lord Dunmore
return the gunpowder. Lord Dunmore claims that he took the gun powder so that slaves would
not have access to it in case of an uprising. Considering how many of your fellow townspeople
have been unhappy about British rule lately, you think maybe Dunmore moved the gunpowder
because he is afraid the colonists will use the powder against him.
Dunmore threatens to “declare freedom to the slaves and reduce the City of Williamsburg
to ashes,” if any British official is hurt. Peyton Randolph urges everyone to stay calm. Although
you are afraid of a slave uprising and wary of Dunmore’s real motives, for now, you are
convinced not to use violence.
Discussion Questions
1. What threat does Dunmore make against the City of Williamsburg?
2. What convinces you not to take immediate action against Lord Dunmore?
3. You hear that Patrick Henry is marching his militia into Williamsburg. Will you join?
Why or why not?
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Perspectives on the Gunpowder Incident
Gunpowder Incident Note-Taking Handout
Directions: As each group presents the information about their character, briefly write down
their main points.
Lord Dunmore, Governor of Virginia
Peyton Randolph, Speaker of the Virginia
House of Burgesses
Joseph, a slave
Robert Mackey of Williamsburg
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Perspectives on the Gunpowder Incident
Patrick Henry, Patriot leader
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Additional Thoughts
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Perspectives on the Gunpowder Incident
Williamsburg Magazine
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Perspectives on the Gunpowder Incident
Architectural Drawing of Williamsburg Magazine
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