A major blow in the relationship between the british and colonists occurred when lord dunmore proclaimed

Escaped slaves who took up arms for the king would be freed

Explanation:

Dunmore signed the proclamation issued by John Murray on November 7, 1775. Lord Murray was the governor of the colony of Virginia, he was fourth Earl of Dunmore and was known as Lord Dunmore.

This proclamation declared the martial law and promised that the slaves would be freed if they ran away from their owners and joined the royal forces. It was proclaimed on November 15.

More than 80,000 slaves enlisted themselves with Dunmore. It caused fear among the slave owners of Virginia as they were afraid of slave rebellion. Although the proclamation couldn't fulfil Dunmore's objectives and he had to flee from the colony in 1776.