February 28, 1776

People in Philadelphia glimpsed the impact of the war within Great Britain through this petition, printed in the Pennsylvania Journal at the end of February. The 3rd Earl Stanhope, also known as Lord Mahon, and Sir Watkin Lewes, a Welsh merchant and political figure, presented an address to King George III signed by 500 men in the city of Worcester, northwest of London. The petitioners described fears that “the same delusive arts of misrepresentation should be practised here, with the same success, as in America, which has involved that country in a civil war.” The petitioners told the king, “we hold ourselves bound by every tie of duty to your Majesty, to ourselves, and to our country!” But they were concerned by the “melancholy decline” of trade caused, in part, by the war. Moreover, people in Worcester were worried that the war with the colonies might create an opportunity for “some powers in Europe, our natural enemies,” to attack Great Britain. 

The petitioners asked the king to stop “the further effusion of blood” and implement measures that would promote a reconciliation between Great Britain and the Colonies. They advocated for “peace, commerce and prosperity” throughout the British empire, which would increase both their safety and economic prospects in Worcester. 

The Pennsylvania Journal; and the Weekly Advertiser
Printed by William and Thomas Bradford

LONDON, November 11.
[...]
Yesterday Lord Viscount Mahon, and Sir Watkin Lewes, presented to his Majesty at St. James’s, the following petition, signed by 500 of the principal Gentlemen, Merchants, Freemen, and inhabitants of the City of Worcester.

To the KING’s Most Excellent MAJESTY,

The humble ADDRESS and PETITION of the Gentlemen, Merchants, Freemen, and Inhabitants of the City of WORCESTER.

May it please your Majesty,

“AT a time when a PART of your Majesty’s subjects, and a FEW of our fellow-citizens are approaching your royal presence, with addresses, which are SUPPOSED to convey to your Majesty the genuine sentiments of the people of Great-Britain: Will your Majesty permit your dutiful and loyal subjects of one, not the most inconsiderable cities, in your Majesty’s dominions, with unfeigned assurances of attachment to your royal person, and the illustrious House of Hanover, thus publicly to bear testimony against them, as we hold ourselves bound by every tie of duty to your Majesty, to ourselves, and to our country!

“We think ourselves more particularly called upon, lest the same delusive arts of misrepresentation should be practised here, with the same success, as in America, which has involved that country in a civil war; nor are we without apprehensions, that should the same unfortunate measures be pursued, when this kingdom is drained of its forces, some powers in Europe, our natural enemies, may avail themselves of the opportunity, and transfer the seat of war into this country.

“We desire likewise to represent to your Majesty, the melancholy decline of our trade and manufactures (owing in a great measure, as we apprehend, to the unhappy disputes with America) and the gloomy situation of our artificers and their families.

“We should be far from wishing to wound your royal ear with the lamentations of distress, but truth obliges us to approach your throne, and humbly to beseech your Majesty to adopt such measures as in your your royal wisdom shall seem most expedient, for putting a stop to the further effusion of blood, for reconciling Great-Britain and her colonies, for re-uniting the affections of your now divided people, and for establishing, on a permanent foundation, the peace, commerce and prosperity, of all your Majesty’s dominions.”