etts and Virginia, was to obtain the redress of grievances, and
to restore harmony between Great Britain and America, which, it was
said, was desired by all good men. It was the conviction that this might
be done through a Bill of Rights, in which the limits of the powers of
the colonies and the mother country might be defined."[360]

Some three weeks after the assembling of Congress, before the end of
September, a petition to the King was reported, considered, and adopted.
This petition was addressed to the King, in behalf of the colonists,
beseeching the interposition of the Royal authority and influence to
procure them relief from their afflicting fears and jealousies, excited
by the measures pursued by his Ministers, and submitting to his
Majesty's consideration whether it may not be expedient for him to be
pleased to direct some mode by which the united applications of his
faithful colonists to the Throne may be improved into a happy and
permanent reconciliation; and that in the meantime measures be taken for
preventing the further destruction of the lives of his Majesty's
subjects,[361] and that such statutes as more immediately distress any
of his Majesty's colonies be repealed. "Attached to your Majesty's
person, family, and government," concludes this address of the Congress,
"with all the devotion that principle and affection can inspire,
connected with Great Britain by the strongest ties that can unite
societies, and deploring every event that tends in any degree to weaken
them, we solemnly assure your Majesty that we not only most ardently
desire that the former harmony between her and these colonies may be
restored, but that a concord may be established between them upon so
firm a basis as to perpetuate its blessings, uninterrupted by any future
dissensions, to succeeding generations in both countries." This petition
was read in Parliament the 7th of December, 1775, at the request of Mr.
Hartley, with several other petitions for pacification; but they were
all rejected by the House of Commons.[362] The answer of the King to
the respectful and loyal constitutional petition of Congress was to
proclaim the petitioners "rebels," and all that supported them "abettors
of treason."[363]

The first day of November brought to the Continental Congress this
proclamation, together with the intelligence that the British army and
navy were to be largely increased, and that German mercenary soldiers
from Hanover and Hess