The Olive Branch Petition

Aaron Belew

University

U . S . History 156

Professor

Date

The Olive Branch Petition : A Critical Analysis

The Olive Branch petition was drafted by John Dickenson and was adopted by the Second Continental Congress for the purpose of asserting the rights of the colonists before King George . The attempt to assert the rights of the colonists include the pledge to maintain loyalty to the British Crown ( The Olive Branch ' 1 . The first part of the petition mentioned the authority of the faithful subjects of the colony before the gracious

attention of the King involving New Hampshire Massachusetts , Rhode Island , Connecticut , New York , New Jersey Pennsylvania , Delaware , Maryland , Virginia , North Carolina and South Carolina before the gracious attention of the King ( The Olive Branch 1 . Then , the petition mentioned the benefits of having been under the colony of Great Britain invoking the assurance of its permanence and increase in a given time . The recognition that Great Britain has risen to become the most powerful country with sovereign powers at that time is also stated . However , it is clear that the petition is giving information of the existence of civil dissentions which might prevent the connection between the colonists and Great Britain

In addition , the colonists invoked the right to share in the blessings of peace and emoluments of victory and conquest ( The Olive Branch 1 . The reason behind the request to share recognition is the apparent unfair and unacceptable new system organized by the colonies which is disadvantageous to the colonists . The...