Research Catalog

Richard Penn and Arthur Lee letters regarding the Olive Branch Petition

Title
Richard Penn and Arthur Lee letters regarding the Olive Branch Petition, 1775.
Author
Penn, Richard, approximately 1736-1811.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Filter by

1 Item

StatusContainerFormatAccessCall NumberItem Location
Olive Branch petition and supporting documentsMixed materialRequest in advance MssCol 22996 Olive Branch petition and supporting documentsSchwarzman Building - Manuscripts & Archives Room 328

Details

Additional Authors
  • Hancock, John, 1737-1793
  • Lee, Arthur, 1740-1792.
Description
.21 linear foot (1 volume)
Summary
Collection of three letters signed collectively or individually by Richard Penn (approximately 1736-1811) and Arthur Lee (1740-1792) while representing American interests in England. In July 1775, Richard Penn was entrusted by the Second Continental Congress with the delivery of the "Olive Branch Petition" to King George III after contacting colonial agents there, including Arthur Lee. Two letters are addressed to "Hon[ora]ble Sir" (presumably John Hancock, President of Congress) and concern the delivery of the petition to the British government. An autograph letter (4 p.) signed by Arthur Lee at Middle Temple, London, 1775 August 28, describes the delay due to the absence from town of Lord Dartmouth (Secretary of State for the Colonies). Lee shares his views on foreign reaction to American affairs and condemns the character of Thomas Hutchinson and Andrew Oliver, Massachusetts loyalists. A letter (1 p.) signed by Penn and Lee dated London, 1775 September 2, reports on the delivery of the original petition to Lord Dartmouth the previous day. Dartmouth promised to deliver it to the King, but told them "as his Majesty did not receive it on the throne, no answer would be given." Also present is an undated autograph letter (1 p. with integral address leaf) signed by Richard Penn at London to a Mr. Chambers, in which he states "I had rather convince one Honest Man of the Justice of the American Cause than ten Thousand Macaronies," for which purpose he encloses a pamphlet.
Subjects
Access (note)
  • Apply to Manuscripts and Archives Division for access at http://www.nypl.org/mssref.
Source (note)
  • Donated by Gilbert H. Montague, 1952
Location of Other Archival Materials (note)
  • Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library.
  • Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library.
Publications (note)
  • Reproduced in: The Olive branch petition of the American Congress to George III, 1775, and letters of the American envoys, August-September 1775 [with essays by] Cornelius W. Wickersham [and] Gilbert H. Montague. New York: New York Public Library, 1954
Call Number
MssCol 22996
OCLC
883862009
Author
Penn, Richard, approximately 1736-1811.
Title
Richard Penn and Arthur Lee letters regarding the Olive Branch Petition, 1775.
Restricted Access
Apply to Manuscripts and Archives Division for access at http://www.nypl.org/mssref.
Publications
Reproduced in: The Olive branch petition of the American Congress to George III, 1775, and letters of the American envoys, August-September 1775 [with essays by] Cornelius W. Wickersham [and] Gilbert H. Montague. New York: New York Public Library, 1954
Location of Other Archival Materials
Petition to George III, King of Great Britain; Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library.
Reply to the Olive Branch Petition; Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library.
Source
Donated by Gilbert H. Montague, 1952
Occupation
Politicians.
Statesmen.
Added Author
Hancock, John, 1737-1793, recipient.
Lee, Arthur, 1740-1792.
Research Call Number
MssCol 22996
View in Legacy Catalog