The Proclamation of 1763 was issued by the British government to stabilize relations with Native Americans by limiting colonial expansion westward beyond the Appalachian Mountains. Among the American colonies, Virginia had the most negative reaction to this proclamation.
Colonists in Virginia, particularly land speculators and those who had already set their sights on westward land, were frustrated by the restrictions the proclamation placed on their ability to settle new territories. Many Virginians, including prominent figures like George Washington, were keenly interested in western land for settlement and economic opportunity. The restriction was perceived as a barrier to their ambitions and a direct interference in their autonomy.
The negative reaction in Virginia reflected a broader sentiment among many colonists who resented the British government's attempts to control their expansion and the economic aspirations tied to land acquisition. This discontent would contribute to growing tensions between the colonies and the British government, setting the stage for subsequent events leading to the American Revolution.