On July 5, 1775, the Continental Congress adopted the Olive Branch Petition in an attempt to avoid all-out war with Great Britain. The petition affirmed American loyalty to Great Britain and entreated King George III to prevent further conflict.

When the Second Continental Congress convened in May 1775, most delegates followed politician John Dickinson in his quest to reconcile with King George III of Great Britain. With thoughts of reconciliation in mind, the Continental Congress approved the drafting of the Olive Branch Petition. It was first drafted by Thomas Jefferson, but John Dickinson found Jefferson’s language too offensive.

Dickinson rewrote most of the document, claiming that the colonies did not want independence but that they merely wanted to negotiate trade and tax regulations with Great Britain. Dickinson suggested the King draw up a final plan or agreement to settle trade disputes. The Olive Branch Petition was approved by the Continental Congress on July 5, 1775, and then signed and sent to London.

Unfortunately for Dickinson and the Continental Congress, the petition was undermined due to a confiscated letter of John Adams. John Adams wrote a letter to a friend expressing his discontent with the Olive Branch Petition, claiming that war was inevitable and he thought the Colonies should have already raised a navy and captured British officials. The letter arrived in Great Britain at about the same time as the Olive Branch petition. The British used Adams’ letter to claim that the Olive Branch Petition was insincere.

King George III discarded the petition, declaring the colonies to be in rebellion. The King’s rejection gave Adams and others who favored revolution the opportunity they needed to push for independence, and thus began the Revolutionary War.