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Even though John Dickinson lived in the colonies, he supported the King and England. He became the Penman of the Revolution, but mostly in favor of the king. He tried to suppress the war, but he wasnt successful. Born in 1732 in Maryland by an affluent farmer, he later moved in 1740 to Dover, Delaware, where he was educated at a young age. In 1750 he started to study law in Philadelphia. In 1753 he went to England to continue to study law at the London's Middle Temple.
He returned to Philadelphia in 1757 and became an important lawyer. Since Dickinson was so well educated, he was asked to be in politics. In 1760 he served as spokesperson at the Three Lower Counties in Delaware. In 1762 he won a seat In the Pennsylvania Assembly and did again in 1764. Unfortunately for him, he lost the seat that year for going against Benjamin Franklin. During the Stamp Act, Dickinson was an important player.
He wrote The Late Regulations Respecting the British Colonies, a pamphlet that that advised Americans to look to revoke the Stamp Act by pressuring British merchants. In 1767 - 68 he wrote Letters From a Farmer which was anonymous letters to the Pennsylvania Chronicles which stated, The parliament unquestionably possesses a legal authority to regulate the trade of Great Britain and all her colonies. Such an authority is essential to the relation between a moth country and her colonies; and necessary for the common good of all. He, who considers these provinces as states distinct from the British Empire, has very slender notions of justice, or of their interests. We are but parts of a whole; and therefore there must exist a power somewhere to preside, and preserve the connection in due order. This power is lodged in the Parliament and we are as much dependant on Great Britain as a perfectly free people can be on one another.
This quote makes Dickinson seem as though he is against England, but in the Oliver Branch Petition, from July 5, 1775, his views were a little different. the apprehensions which now oppress out hearts with unspeakable grieved, being once removed, your majesty will find your faithful subjects on this continent ready and willing at all times assert and maintain the rights and interests of your majesty and of our mother country. It is possible that in the 8 year period between the Letters from a Farmer and the Oliver Branch Petition Dickinson's views have changed on the colonies. Also in the Oliver Branch Petition, he said, We beg leave further to assure your majesty that notwithstanding the sufferings of your loyal colonists retain too tender a regard for the kingdom from which we derive our origin to request such a reconciliation as might any manner be inconsistent with her dignity or welfare.
A day after the Oliver Branch Petition was written; Dickinson had to revise Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of the Cause of Necessities of Taking up Arms. Jefferson's version was considered too harsh by congress, so they gave it to Dickinson to write a second draft. We are reduced to the alternative of choosing an unconditional submission to the tyranny of irritated ministers, or resistance by force. The latter is our choice. We have counted the cost of this contest and find nothing so dreadful as voluntary slavery. Honor, justice, and humanity, forbid us tamely to surrender that freedom which we received from our gallant ancestors, and which our innocent posterity have a right to receive us.
The question of this document is, was this really Dickinson's words? Or did he just change Jefferson's around to sound nicer? Our cause is just, our union is perfect. Our internal resources are great and if necessary, foreign assistance is undoubtedly attainable. This sounds like something Dickinson would not say. Why would he say to the king that he can find foreign assistance if he is so against the war?
John Dickinson was, I feel, not quite sure what he wanted. He didnt want war for sure, but was he for the colonies or against them? His Letters From a Farmer made it seem like he was for the colonies and against England but the Oliver Branch Petition told the total opposite. More times though, he was against the Revolution in America.
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Research essay sample on Stamp Act Great Britain
