- Creator
- Penn, Richard, approximately 1736-1811
- Call number
- MssCol 22996
- Physical description
- .21 linear feet (1 volume)
- Preferred Citation
- Richard Penn and Arthur Lee letters regarding the Olive Branch Petition, Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library
- Repository
- Manuscripts and Archives Division
- Location
- MssCol 22996
- Access to materials
- Request an in-person research appointment.
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
Administrative information
Related Material
Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library
Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library
Bibliography
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
Key terms
Names
- Dartmouth, William Legge, Earl of, 1731-1801
- Hancock, John, 1737-1793 (recipient)
- Hancock, John, 1737-1793
- Hutchinson, Thomas, 1711-1780
- Lee, Arthur, 1740-1792
- Oliver, Andrew, 1706-1774
- Penn, Richard, approximately 1736-1811
- United States. Continental Congress
Subjects
Places
- Great Britain -- Colonies -- America -- Administration
- United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783
- United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783
Occupations
Using the collection
Location
Manuscripts and Archives DivisionStephen A. Schwarzman Building
Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street, New York, NY 10018-2788
Brooke Russell Astor Reading Room, Third Floor, Room 328