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Sir
We have taken possession of Norfolk in a manner more peaceable than we expected, I believe I speak the sense of whole army which did much more so than we wish'd. Had I not was pass'd thro' Princess Anne & Norfolk counties I would not have believed, that a colony so truly Respectable as this is in every other Part, could have belonging to it, so contemptible a lot of wretches. We were receivd with a servility disgraceful to Humanity, and worthy only of those who lost to every sense of Publick virtue or private Honour, and meanly submit to be enslav'd by a hanful
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of men, and then become willing Instruments in the hands of government to anihilate the liberty of their country. Colo Woodford has promis'd to be very particular in his letter, I take the liberty therefore to Refer you to him, as I am really a good deal indispos'd. A copy of our letter to the Inhabitants of Norfolk, and also of a letter wrote to Colo Woodford by Mr Alexander Gordon the Colo. tells me he sends you, you will I pursuade myself think Gordon an object who ought to be secur'd, I am happy in adding that while I was mentioning of him, a party we sent for him, brought him into the Room, he avows his taking a commission under Lord Dunmore with intention to support the measures of Government and in this Declares he was serving this colony, we shall I believe refer him to you, for his reasoning Upon this occasion is above our comprehension we arriv'd so late it was not in our power to give
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you any exact account of matters here, but that we have disposed of men in such a manner as appears to us best calculated to prevent surprise I write in great hurry and in a crowd, let me beg your excuse for the improprieties of this letter, I am sir with the greatest Respect
Your most obedient hum'l servant
Robert Howe Norfolk 14th Dec. 1775
