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15. The purpose of the petition sent to King George III by the First Continental Congress was to?

A. request a place in Parliament for colonial delegates. B. declare the right to bear arms in pursuit of liberty. C. request that the king consider granting independence to the established colonies. D. declare their right to approve laws passed by Parliament on behalf of the colonies.

Public Comments

1. C, and D
2. B and C
3. The only correct answer is D (though I'm not sure this is the best way to characterize the document). The document, called the "Declarations and Resolves", passed on October 14, 1774, may be found here: http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/resolves.htm The key resolution (of 10) for this question is the following -- Resolved, 4. That the foundation of English liberty, and of all free government, is a right in the people to participate in their legislative council: and as the English colonists are not represented, and from their local and other circumstances, cannot properly be represented in the British parliament, they are entitled to a free and exclusive power of legislation in their several provincial legislatures, where their right of representation can alone be preserved, in all cases of taxation and internal polity, subject only to the negative of their sovereign, in such manner as has been heretofore used and accustomed: But, from the necessity of the case, and a regard to the mutual interest of both countries, we cheerfully consent to the operation of such acts of the British parliament, as are bonfide, restrained to the regulation of our external commerce, for the purpose of securing the commercial advantages of the whole empire to the mother country, and the commercial benefits of its respective members; excluding every idea of taxation internal or external, for raising a revenue on the subjects, in America, without their consent. - The answer is found at the end, though sort of in the negative, that is, by declaring that Parliament may not tax... "without their [='the subjects in America'] consent" - Note that the first part of this resolution very specifically RULES OUT a 'place in Parliament' for colonial delegates (that is, answer A) - Also, this very resolution, and many other parts of the document, by repeatedly declaring their fealty to the KING, clearly do NOT ask for "independence" (ruling out C). (Actually, what they are arguing for is something more like "commonwealth status") - As for B, if you read the WHOLE document you will find no mention of the "right to bear arms"