Editing American Revolutionary War (section)

===Political reactions===
{{Main|Olive Branch Petition}}
[[File:Declaration of Independence (1819), by John Trumbull.jpg|thumb|alt=The artist's recreation of the Declaration signing with portraits of the entire Second Congress, as though all members were present. The Committee of Five are standing centered together presenting a parchment on the table.|The [[Committee of Five]], who were charged with drafting the [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]], including (from left to right): [[John Adams]] (chair), [[Roger Sherman]], [[Robert R. Livingston (chancellor)|Robert Livingston]], [[Thomas Jefferson]] (the Declaration's principal author), and [[Benjamin Franklin]]]]

After the Patriot victory at Concord, moderates in Congress led by [[John Dickinson]] drafted the [[Olive Branch Petition]], offering to accept royal authority in return for George III mediating in the dispute.<ref name="nessy25">[[#nessy|O'Shaughnessy 2013]], p. 25</ref> However, since the petition was immediately followed by the [[Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms]], Colonial Secretary [[William Legge, 2nd Earl of Dartmouth|Lord Dartmouth]] viewed the offer as insincere and refused to present the petition to the king.<ref name="NXP0A">[[#brown41|Brown 1941]], pp. 29–31</ref> Although constitutionally correct, since the monarch could not oppose his own government, it disappointed those Americans who hoped he would mediate in the dispute, while the hostility of his language annoyed even Loyalist members of Congress.<ref name="nessy25" /> Combined with the [[Proclamation of Rebellion]], issued on August 23 in response to the [[Battle of Bunker Hill|Battle at Bunker Hill]], it ended hopes of a peaceful settlement.<ref name="ketchum211">[[#ketchum2014a|Ketchum 2014a]], p. 211</ref>

Backed by the Whigs, Parliament initially rejected the imposition of coercive measures by 170 votes, fearing an aggressive policy would drive the Americans towards independence.<ref name="maier25">[[#maier1998|Maier 1998]], p. 25</ref> However, by the end of 1774 the collapse of British authority meant both Lord North and George III were convinced war was inevitable.<ref name="fFVBS">[[#ferling2003|Ferling 2003]], pp. 123–124</ref> After Boston, Gage halted operations and awaited reinforcements; the [[Parliament of Ireland|Irish Parliament]] approved the recruitment of new regiments, while allowing Catholics to enlist for the first time.<ref name="lecky162-165">[[#lecky3|Lecky 1892]], vol. 3, pp. 162–165</ref> Britain also signed a series of treaties with German states to supply [[Hessian (soldier)|additional troops]].<ref name="davenport132-144">[[#davenport1917|Davenport 1917]], pp. 132–144</ref> Within a year, it had an army of over 32,000 men in America, the largest ever sent outside Europe at the time.<ref name="smith21-23">[[#smithD2012|Smith, D. 2012]], pp. 21–23</ref> The employment of German soldiers against people viewed as British citizens was opposed by many in Parliament and by the colonial assemblies; combined with the lack of activity by Gage, opposition to the use of foreign troops allowed the Patriots to take control of the legislatures.<ref name="miller410">[[#miller1959|Miller, J. 1959]], pp. 410–412</ref>