Governor's Palace in the middle of the night and took up residence aboard the Fowey. The Burgesses had been deliberating the Conciliatory Resolution, a proposal that was an attempt by the North Ministry to divide the colonies. In the wake of Dunmore's flight, the Burgesses rejected the proposal. Dunmore continued to make vigorous attempts to regain control of the colony, but after a decisive defeat of British forces at Great Bridge in December, he was reduced to raiding operations and eventually abandoned the colony for good in August 1776. Virginia's government was first taken over by a Committee of Safety, chosen by the Third Virginia Convention in July 1775; Patrick Henry became the independent state's first governor in July 1776. See also Powder Alarm, a similar episode in Massachusetts American Revolutionary War §Early Engagements. The Gunpowder incident placed in sequence and strategic context. Notes References External links "Primary Documents Relating to the Seizure of Powder at Williamsburg, VA, April 21, 1775" Old Virginia Gazette article on the Gunpowder Incident Proclamation against Patrick Henry Colonial Williamsburg – Magazine (including the Gunpowder Incident) 1775 in the Thirteen Colonies Southern theater of the American Revolutionary War Virginia in the American Revolution Williamsburg, Virginia 1775 in Virginia Patrick Henry Gunpowder Controversies in the United States Gun politics in the United States