The Olive Branch Petition

The Second Continental Congress in May 1775, made the decision of sending the King a petition. In this petition they asked for reconciliation between the Colonies and Britain. They had the hope that the King was unaware of the suffering in the Colonies, and he would ally and defend them from the Parliament’s laws and abuses. They asked the King in this petition if he could abolish the Coercive Acts, taxation and send back to Britain the troops that were in Boston to avoid more wars. They wanted the King to consider peace with the Colonies and eventually, give them freedom and independence.  They had exposed their colonial problems and swore loyalty to the King. Continental Congress after 3 months of discussing the content in the petition they send it in July 1775. It’s named the Olive Branch Petition, because it is symbol of peace, and it was signed by 48 members of the Congress. It was given to Richard Penn from Pennsylvania, who delivered it to Arthur Lee, the agent in England for the Massachusetts Colony. A small fraction of the document said:

“Attached to your Majesty’s person, family, and Government, with all devotion that principle and affection can inspire; connected with Great Britain by the strongest ties that can unite societies, and deploring every event that tends in any degree to weaken them, we solemnly assure your Majesty, that we not only most ardently desire the former harmony between her and these Colonies may be restored, but that a concord may be established between them upon so firm a basis as to perpetuate its blessings, uninterrupted by any future dissensions, to succeeding generations in both countries, and to transmit your Majesty’s name to posterity, adorned with that signal and lasting glory that has attended the memory of those illustrious personages, whose virtues and abilities have extricated states from dangerous convulsions, and by securing the happiness to others, have erected the most noble and durable monuments to their own fame.”

                The letter was going to be given to Lord Darthmouth, the Secretary of State, but he didn’t receive it, neither the King. In August 23, the King rejected this petition and saw the colonists as rebellious. He send more troops to Boston: “to suppress such rebellion, and bring the traitors to justice.” The reaction of the King make a bigger desire for freedom in the Colonies.