Olive Branch Petition | A rare broadside, with the King's speech acknowledging American independence

Olive Branch Petition

A True Copy of the Petition from the General Congress in America to His Majesty Which was delivered to Lord Dartmouth the 1st of September, 1775, and to which His Lordship said no Answer would be given. Arthur Lee, Richard Penn. London: for John Hardy, by Order of A. Sheffield, [1782]

Broadside (470 x 286 mm). Printed vinework border, text of the petition in two columns with the names of the congressional signatories; a portion of George III’s 5 December 1782 speech accepting the independence of the American colonies included at the end; some light toning along center fold crease, tiny hole at center not affecting text, short center fold separations along left and right margins. Modern quarter blue morocco folding-case, spine lettered gilt, interior lined with pale grey moiré. 

The Olive Branch Petition, printed here in a rare broadside format together with the King's speech acknowledging American independence. First printed in Philadelphia in 1775, the Petition was reprinted there several times that year and in London in pamphlet form. The present issue appears to be the only one in broadside format of which OCLC locates only one other copy at the New York Public Library.

The original Petition, crafted by John Dickinson, describes the "mild and just government" previously prevailing whereby Great Britain and the colonies were "the wonder and envy of other nations." All this was jeopardized by the statutes and regulations imposed on the colonies by his Majesty's ministers. Presented to Lord Dartmouth on 21 August, the response was that "as his Majesty did not receive it on the throne, no answer would be given." The King interpreted it privately as a species of dissimulation with which "by vague Expressions of Attachment to the Parent State … they were preparing for a General Revolt."

The pairing of the petition with part of George III's 5 December 1782 speech accepting American independence ("In thus admitting their separation from the Crown of these Kingdoms, I have sacrificed every consideration of my own to the wishes and opinion of my people"), brings the story of the Revolution full circle.

REFERENCE

Not in Adams, The American Controversy or in ESTC

PROVENANCE

The James S. Copley Library: Magnificent American Historical Documents (Sotheby's New York, 14 April 2010, lot 42)