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
Status | Container | Format | Access | Call Number | Item Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Available - Can be used on site. Please visit New York Public Library - Schwarzman Building to submit a request in person. | Olive Branch petition and supporting documents | Mixed material | Request in advance | MssCol 22996 Olive Branch petition and supporting documents | Schwarzman Building - Manuscripts & Archives Room 328 |
Details
- Additional Authors
- 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
- American loyalists > Massachusetts
- Penn, Richard, approximately 1736-1811
- United States > Politics and government > 1775-1783
- United States > History > Revolution, 1775-1783
- United States > Continental Congress
- Politicians
- Colonial agents > Great Britain
- Oliver, Andrew, 1706-1774
- Statesmen
- Dartmouth, William Legge, Earl of, 1731-1801
- Great Britain > Colonies > America > Administration
- Hutchinson, Thomas, 1711-1780
- Hancock, John, 1737-1793
- 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