Parliament Hears Colonial Protest
Lord Chatham Argues for Petition From The First Continental Congress
On January 20, 1775, Lord Chatham (formerly known as William Pitt) invited Ben Franklin to come to work with him. This was important because Lord Chatham belonged to the British House of Lords. He had asked Franklin to come to hear the debate over the American Congress's petition.
The House of Lords
Several members argued for conciliatory measures in order to keep the Colonies from the brink of rebellion. Lord Chatham actually proposed an immediate withdrawal of the troops and entered this impassioned plea.
“If the ministers thus persevere in misadvising and misleading the King, I will not say that they can alienate the affections of his subjects from his crown but I will affirm that they will make his crown not worth wearing. I will not say that the King is betrayed but I will announce that the Kingdom is undone.”
The House of Lords voted 68-18 to reject the petition.
The House of Commons
This legislative house which was supposed to be the voice of the people gave no consideration at all to the petition. In fact, it resolved on February 2, 1774 that the Colony of Massachusetts was in a state of rebellion. Then on March 9, 1774, upon hearing that all of the colonies had approved their Congress’s actions voted to extend the Intolerable Acts to not only apply to Boston but to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and South Carolina. There was a now a clear majority, notwithstanding a very load minority, in both houses of Parliament that were falling in line with their sovereign’s opinion that “blows must decide”.
Ben Franklin Intercedes
Behind the scenes in these first few moths of 1775, Benjamin Franklin had been working with several Members of Parliament and their representatives, including Admiral Viscount Lord Richard Howe, to come up with a peace plan. While Franklin did not hold out hope, he did try to give what he called “hints for a conversation” about how to avert a full scale break between the parties. He outlined 17 points which basically repealed all laws that were not approved by American representation. The one concession he suggested was that the Boston Tea be paid for. Earlier he had even offered to pay for it out of his own funds.
“You and I Were Long Friends”
In the end, it was fruitless and when Franklin got news that his wife had passed away he returned to America in time to serve in the 2nd Continental Congress. It was a unique comment on the times when he wrote this letter to his friend, William Strahan who resided in London.
Mr. Strahan,
You are a member of Parliament and one of that Majority which has doomed my Country to Destruction. You have begun to burn our Towns and murder our People. Look upon your Hands! They are stained with the Blood of your Relations. You and I were long Friends. You are now my Enemy and I am
Yours,
B. Franklin
Source
The Long Fuse, How England Lost the American Colonies by Don Cook, 1995, Atlantic Monthly Press
