"[3][1] On 1 March 1771, Martin received his appointment from The Crown as Governor of the Province of North Carolina, succeeding James Hasell.

Handicapped by illness, he remained in New York and was unable to present himself in the governor's palace at New Bern until Monday, 12 August 1771.

When the Mecklenburg Resolves were published in May 1775, Martin transmitted a copy to England,[4] which he described as "setting up a system of rule and regulation subversive of his majesty's government."

Martin remained off the coast of North Carolina, directing the rising of the Loyalists, whom he supplied with weapons brought from England.

[5] After two attempts during the Carolina campaign to re-establish his administration were turned back, Martin, who was then in ill health due to fatigue, left for Long Island and then England.