Olive Branch Petition
Channel: David Pope
Date: 2012-01-23

The War Veteran Reads Historical Documents Series: The Olive Branch Petition.  The Second Continental Congress, July 8th, 1775.  This letter, drafted mainly by John Dickinson of Pennsylvania, represented the opinions of the opponents of American independence, who wanted to end the Revolutionary War and make peace with King George III.  The petition was completely ignored, and followed by King George's declaration of the colonies in rebellion.  This gave the impedus of the congress, mostly led by John Adams, to draft the Declaration of Independence.