In 1772, Franklin aquired letters written by Gov. Thomas Hutchinson and Lieutenant Gov. Andrew Oliver, in which they both stated that colonial rights needed to be abridged. Franklin forwarded these letters to Cushing (Speaker of the House), which led to inflamed political tensions (especially when they were published in June 1773), a petition that Hutchinson be recalled, and ended up bringing about Franklin's resignation as colonial agent and the end of his efforts to create a peaceful solution between the U.S. and Britain.