This piece is widely known as the Olive Branch Petition (an olive branch is a symbol of peace), but we like to call it the "Sorry, Mommy, Please Don't Be Mad" Letter.

Written by John Dickinson of Pennsylvania and signed by delegates of the Second Continental Congress, including Patrick Henry, who, please recall, was all for taking up arms when he gave the "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!" speech almost four months earlier, the Olive Branch Petition is addressed directly to George III.

It takes a more gentle, respectful tone than the "Necessity of Taking Up Arms" resolution did just two days earlier. Basically, it goes straight to the top, flattering George III and telling him they know it's not his fault. It's that nasty old Parliament and those nasty old ministers who have been really mean, and if George III could just step in and stop them from being mean, everything could go back to normal.

Coming so soon after the "Necessity of Taking Up Arms," the Olive Branch Petition demonstrates how very conflicted most of the delegates, including Patrick Henry, were. It's a big deal to fight against your own country (most people still felt very much a part of Great Britain) and they really didn't want to do it…even though they'd kind of already been doing it for three months.

So, please, King George, step in and make things right.