Oliverbranch PT2

We shall decline the ungrateful Task of describing the irksome Variety of artifices practic’d by many of your Majestys Ministers; the delusive pretences, fruitless Terrors, unavailing severities which have, from time, to time, been dealt out by them in their attempt to execute this impolitic Plan, or of tracing thro’ a series of years past, the progress of the unhappy differences between Great Britain & these Colonies which have flow’d from this fatal Source. Your Majesty’s Ministers persevering in their Measures, & proceeding to open Hostilities for enforcing them, have compell’d us to arm in our own defence, & have engag’d us in a Controversy so peculiarly abhorrent to the affections of your still faithful Colonists, that when we consider whom we must oppose in this Contest, & if it continues what may be the Consequence; our own particular Misfortunes are accounted by us only as parts of our Distress. Knowing to what violent Resentments & incurable (an)imosities civil discords are apt to exasperate & inflame the contending Parties, we think ourselves requir’d by indispensible Obligations to Almighty God, to your Majesty, to our fellow (subjects, and to) ourselves, immediately (to use all the) means in our Power, not (incompa)tible with our safety for stopping the further effusion of blood, & for averting the impending Calamities that threaten the British Empire. Thus call’d upon to address your Majesty of affairs of such moment to America & probably to all your dominions, we are earnestly desirous of performing this Office with the utmost deference for your Majesty & we therefore pray that your royal Magnanimity & Benevolence may make the most favourable Constructions of our expressions on so uncommon an Occasion. Could we represent in their full force the Sentiments wch agitate the minds of us your dutiful Subjects we are persuaded your Majesty wou’d ascribe any seeming deviation from reverence, in our Language, & even in our conduct not to any reprehensible Intention, but, to the Impossibility of reconciling the usual appearances of Respect with a just attention to our preservation against those artful & cruel enemies who abuse your royal Confidence & authority for the Purpose of effecting our Destruction. Attach’d to your Majestys Person, family & government with all the devotion that Principle & affection can inspire, connected with Great Britain by the strongest ties that can unite Societies, & deploring every Event that tends in any degree to weaken them we solemnly assure your Majesty that we not only most ardently desire the former Harmony between her & these Colonies may be restor’d, but that a Concord may be establish’d between them upon so firm a Basis as to perpetuate its blessings uninterrupted by any future dissentions to succeeding generations in both Countries; & to transmit your Majesty’s Name to Posterity adorn’d with that signal & lasting glory that has attended the Memory of those illustrious Personages whose Virtues and abilities have extricated State from dangerous Convulsions & by securing Happiness to others have erected the most noble & durable Monuments to their own Fame. We beg leave farther to assure your Majesty, that notwithstanding the Suff’rings of your loyal Colonists during the Course of the pre(sent c)ontroversy, our Breasts retain too tender a Regard for the Kingdom from wch (we derive) our origin to request such a Reconciliation as might in any manner b(e inconsistent w)ith her dignity or h(er) Welfare. Thus related as we are to her, Honor (and duty, as well as) Inclination (induce us) to support & advance; & the apprehensions that no(w oppress our hearts with unspeakable) grief bei(ng once removed, your Majesty will find your faithful subjects on this continent ready and willing at all times…)