"Sam": or The history of mystery./ By C. W. Webber.

" SAM:" OR, THE HISTORY OF MYSTERY.
Since the 19th of MIay last I have not received a single
line from any one in administration, though I have written
volumes to them, in each of which I have prayed to be
instructed, but to no purpose. I am therefore determined to
go on, doing the best of my power for his Majesty's service.
I have accordingly ordered a regiment, called the Queen's
own royal regiment, of five hundred men, to be raised immediately, consisting of a lieutenant colonel, commandant, a major,
and ten companies, each of which is to consist of one captain,
two lieutenants, one ensign, and fifty privates, with noncommissioned officers in proportion. You may observe by
my proclamation, that Ioffer freedom to the blacks of all rebels,
that join me, in consequence of which there are between two
and three hundred already come in, and those I form into
a corps, as fast as they come in, giving them white officers
and non-commissioners in proportion-and from these two
plans, I make no doubt of getting men enough to reduce this
colony to a proper sense of their duty. My next distress will
be the want of arms, accoutrements and money, all of which
you may be able to relieve me fiom. The latter I am sure
you can, as there are many merchants here who are ready to
supply me, on my giving them bills on you, which you will
have to withdraw, and give your own in their room. I hope
this mode will be agreeable to you; it is the same that
General Gage proposed.
Having drawn together a considerable force, Dunmore
ascended Elizabeth river to the Great Bridge, the only pass
by which Norfolk can be approached from the land side; dispersed some North Carolina militia collected there; made
several prisoners; and then, descending the river, took possession of Norfolk. The rise of that town had been very
rapid. Within a short time past it had become the principal
shipping port of Virginia. Its population amounted to several
thousands, among whom were many Scotch traders, not well
disposed to the American cause.
Fugitive slaves and others began now to flock to Dunmore's standard. A movement was now made in his favor
on the east shore of Maryland, which it required a thousand
militia to suppress. The Convention of Virginia, not a little
alarmed, voted four additional regiments, afterward increased
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