Everything about The Olive Branch Petition totally explained
The
Olive Branch Petition, drafted on
July 5,
1775, was a letter to
King George III, from members of the
Second Continental Congress, which, for the final time, appealed to their king to redress colonial grievances in order to avoid bloodshed. The Olive Branch Petition has been called different names over the years, the most popular of which include
The Second Petition to the King and
The Humble Petition. It was shipped by boat on
July 8,
1775, and received by
King George III six weeks later.
When the
Second Continental Congress convened in May 1775, the delegates were deeply divided over how to deal with the ongoing crisis with
Great Britain. Most delegates followed
John Dickinson in his quest to reconcile with the King. However, a smaller group of delegates led by
John Adams believed that war was inevitable. During the course of the Second Continental Congress, Adams and his group of radicals decided the wisest course of action was to remain quiet and wait for the opportune time to rally the people. This decision allowed John Dickinson and his followers to pursue whatever means of reconciliation they wanted. It was during this time that the idea of the Olive Branch Petition was approved.
The Olive Branch Petition was first drafted by
Thomas Jefferson, but John Dickinson found Jefferson’s language too offensive. Dickinson rewrote most of the document although some of the conclusion remained Jefferson’s. Dickinson claimed that the colonies didn't want independence but that they merely wanted to negotiate trade and tax regulations with Great Britain. Dickinson suggested the King draw up a final plan or agreement to settle trade disputes. To help the King with his plan, Dickinson suggested that either the colonists be given free trade and taxes equal to those levied on the people in Great Britain, or no taxes and strict trade regulations. The letter was signed and sent to London on
July 8 1775.
Dickinson had hoped that word of the bloodshed at
Lexington and Concord combined with the “Humble Petition” would inspire the King to at least negotiate with the colonists.
However, his petition was undermined due to a confiscated letter of John Adams. Adams wrote a letter to a friend expressing his discontent with the Olive Branch Petition. He wrote war was inevitable and he thought the Colonies should have already raised a navy and captured British officials. This confiscated letter arrived in Great Britain at about the same time as the Olive Branch petition. The British used Adams' letter to claim that the Olive Branch Petition was insincere.
Although the King discarded the petition, it still served a very important purpose in American Independence. The King’s rejection gave Adams and his radicals the opportunity they needed to push for independence. The rejection of the “olive branch” polarized the issue in the minds of colonists. It showed them that they could either submit unconditionally, or gain complete independence.
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