Revolution250.blog

250 years ago this month, one of the most powerful men in the history of the world signed a short document, consisting of just three paragraphs, that said essentially this:

1. Many of his subjects in North America have been misled by dangerous men, have forgotten their allegiance to their mother country, have committed disorderly acts in disturbance of the peace, obstructed commerce, proceeded to open rebellion, and traitorously levied war.
2. As all subjects of the Realm and its Dominions are subject to the law, all officers are obliged to suppress rebellion and bring traitors to justice, and all citizens are obliged to assist in such actions.
3. Anyone with information or correspondence of traitorous conspiracies must turn it in, and anyone found to be aiding or abetting such acts shall be punished as a traitor against the realm.

This document is officially titled, “A Proclamation for Suppressing Rebellion and Sedition,” and it was signed by King George III on August 23, 1775.

This was the King’s response to a previous document that was sent to him from America, signed on July 8. It is a much longer document of fourteen paragraphs, including four fat ones dedicated almost entirely to sucking up to his majesty, with such highlights as:

“With the utmost deference for your Majesty… we solemnly assure your Majesty, that we not only most ardently desire the former harmony between her and these colonies may be restored…to transmit your Majesty’s name to posterity adorned with that signal and lasting glory that has attended the memory of those illustrious personages… our breasts retain too tender a regard for the kingdom from which we derive our origin…with all humility submitting to your Majesty’s wise consideration…by such arrangements as your Majesty’s wisdom can form for collecting the united sense of your American people…your Majesty may enjoy a long and prosperous reign, and that your descendants may govern your dominions with honor to themselves and happiness to their subjects is our sincere and fervent prayer.”

This last-ditch effort at reconciliation was called the “Olive Branch Petition,” and it was signed by the members of the Second Continental Congress. If you look at it in the National Archives today, it bears a striking resemblance to another document that will be written a year later, with a similar set of signatures featuring an oversized one of John Hancock.

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And so, as the summer of ‘75 draws to a close, the Americans have made their final plea, and the King has responded.

The answer is war.