d

none without some weapon. When the House had become so crowded that no more could well get in, one of them (whose name I think is called Fields) came forward and told me he had something to say before I proceeded to business... Upon my informing Fields that he might speak on he proceeded to let me know that he spoke for the whole Body of the People called Regulators. That they understood that I would not try their causes, and their determination was to have them tryed, for they had come down to see justice done and justice they wa have, and if I would proceed to try those causes it might prevent much mischief... Thus I found myself under a necessity of attempting to soften and turn away the fury of this mad people, in the best manner in my power, and as much as could well be, pacifie their rage and at the same time preserve the little remaining dignity of the Court. The consequence of which was that after spending upwards of half an hour in this disagreeable situation the mob cried out "Retire, retire, and let the Court go on." Upon which most of the regulators went out and seemed to be in consultation in a party by themselves.

The little hopes of peace derived from this piece of behaviour were very transient, for in a few minutes M' Williams an Attorney of that Court was coming in and had advanced near the door when they fell on him in a most furious manner with Clubs and sticks of enormous size and it was with great difficulty he saved his life by taking shelter in a neighbouring Store House. Mr Fanning was next the object of their fury, him they seized and took with a degree of violence not to be described from off the bench where he had retired for protection and assistance and with hideous shouts of barbarian cruelty dragged him by the heels out of doors, while others engaged in dealing out blows with such violence that I made no doubt his life would instantly become a sacrifice to their rage and madness. However Mr Fanning by a manly exertion miraculously broke holt and fortunately jumped into a door that saved him from immediate dissolution. During the uproar several of them told me with oaths of great bitterness that my turn should be next. I will not deny that in this frightful affair my thoughts were much engaged on my own protection, but it was not long before James Hunter and some other of their Chieftains came and told me not to be uneasy for that no man should hurt me on proviso I would set and hold Court to the end of the term.

I took advantage of this proposal and made no scruple at promising what was not in my intention to perform for the Terms they would admit me to hold Court on were that no Lawyer, the King's Attorney excepted, should be admitted into Court, and that they would stay and see justice impartially done.

It would be impertinent to trouble your Exc" with many circumstances that occurred in this barbarous riot, Messrs. Thomas Hart, Alexander Martin, Michael Holt, John Litterell (Clerk of the Crown) and many others were severely whipped. Col. Gray, Major Lloyd, Mr Francis Nash, John Cooke, Tyree Harris and sundry other persons timorously made their escape or would have shared the same fate. In about four or five hours their rage seemed to subside a little and they permitted me to adjourn Court and conducted me with great parade to my lodgings. Colo Fanning whom they had made a prisoner of was in the evening permitted to return to his own House on his word of honour to surrender himself next day. At about ten o'clock that evening, I took an opportunity of making my escape by a back way, and left poor Col. Fanning and the little Borough in a wretched situation.

Thus far may it please your Excellency with respect to what came within my own knowledge, since my departure many different & authentick accounts say that the mob not contented with the cruel abuse they had already given Mr Fanning in which one of his eyes was almost beaten out, did the next day actually determine to put him immediately to death, but some of them a little more humane than the rest interfered & saved his life... They soon after to consummate their wicked designs, broke and entered his Mansion House, destroyed every article of furniture and with axes & other instruments laid the Fabrick level with its foundation, broke and entered his Cellar and destroyed the contents, his Papers were carried into the streets by arm fulls and destroyed, his wearing apparel shared the same fate; I much fear his Office will be their next object...

This Express has been delayed two days in expectation of obtaining from M' Fanning a more particular account of the damage done him as well as the rest of the Inhabitants of that desolate Borough, but as the persons whom I sent for that purpose are not yet returned, think it my duty to forward this with the utmost expedition. Should my conduct through the transactions merit your approbation it will greatly add to the felicity of Sir,

Your Excellcys most obedient
and obliged humble servant
RICHARD HENDERSON.

To his Excellency Governor Tryon.

P. S. My Express has this instant arrived from Hillsborough with the following accounts, Colonel Fanning is alive and well as could be expected. The Insurgents left the Town on Wednesday night having

done very little mischief after spoiling M' Fanning's House except breaking the windows of most of the Houses in Town, among which Mr Edward's did not escape. The merchants and others are taking possession of their shattered Tenements. M' Fanning's House is not quite down, a few timbers support the lower story, but they are cut off at the sills and a small breeze of wind will throw down the little that remains. Everything else that we heard respecting Mr Fanning is true with this addition that he lost upwards of two hundred pounds in cash...

37. THE BOSTON TEA PARTY

Contemporary accounts of a famous event. The first extract is from a letter of John Andrews and published in the Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society, 1864–1865, pp. 325-326. The second is from the Diary of Thomas Newell, 1773, pp. 215–219. Boston, 1860.

December 18th. However precarious our situation may be, yet such is the present calm composure of the people that a stranger would hardly think that ten thousand pounds sterling of the East India Company's tea was destroy'd the night, or rather evening before last, yet its a serious truth; . . The affair was transacted with the greatest regularity and despatch. Mr. Rotch... absolutely declar'd his vessel should not carry it, [the tea], without a proper clearance could be procur'd or he to be indemnified for the value of her:- when a general muster was assembled, from this and all y neighbouring towns, to the number of five or six thousand, at 10 o'clock Thursday morning in the Old South Meeting house, where they pass'd a unanimous vote that the Tea should go out of the harbour that afternoon,.. when I found the moderator was just declaring the meeting to be dissolv'd, which caused another general shout, out doors and in, and three cheers. What with that, and the consequent noise of breaking up the meeting, you'd thought that the inhabitants of the infernal regions had broke loose. For my part, I went contentedly home and finish'd my tea, but was soon inform'd what was going forward: but still not crediting it without ocular demonstration, I went and was satisfied. They muster'd, I'm told, upon Fort Hill, to the number of about two hundred, and proceeded, two by two, to Griffin's wharf, where Hall, Bruce, and Coffin lay, each with 114 chests of the ill fated article on board; .. and before nine o'clock in y evening, every chest from on board the three ves

sels was knock'd to pieces and flung over y sides. They say the actors were Indians from Narragansett. Whether they were or not, to a transient observer they appear'd as such, being cloath'd in Blankets with the heads muffled, and copper color'd countenances, being each arm'd with a hatchet or axe, and pair pistols, nor was their dialect different from what I conceive these geniusses to speak, as their jargon was unintelligible to all but themselves. Not the least insult was offer'd to any person, save one Captain Conner... who had ript up the lining of his coat and waistcoat under the arms, and watching his opportunity had nearly fill'd 'em with tea, but being detected, was handled pretty roughly. They not only stripped him of his cloaths, but gave him a coat of mud, with a severe bruising into the bargain; and nothing but their utter aversion to make any disturbance prevented his being tar'd and feather'd.

From the Diary of Thomas Newell for 1773.

... Nov. 18.-Town-meeting. A Committee was appointed to acquaint the tea-commissioners it was the desire of the town that they would now give a final answer to their request; viz., whether they would resign their appointment. Upon which they sent into the town the following letter; viz., —

"SIR, - In answer to the message we have this day received from the town, we beg leave to say, that we have not yet received any orders from the East-India Company respecting the expected teas: but we are now further acquainted, that our friends in England have entered into penal engagements in our behalf, merely of a commercial nature; which puts it out of our power to comply with the request of the town. "We are, sir, your most humble servants,

"RICHARD CLARK AND SONS.
BENJ. FANEUIL, Jun., for self and
JOSHUA WINSLOW, Esq.

ELISHA HUTCHINSON, for my brother
and self.

"Hon. JOHN HANCOCK, Esq., Moderator of Town-meeting assembled at Faneuil Hall."

The answer was voted not satisfactory, and the meeting was immediately dissolved.

Nov. 28. Captain Hall, from London in eight weeks, brought 114 chests of the so much detested East-India Company's tea.

Nov. 29. This morning, the following notification was posted up in all parts of the town; viz.,

"FRIENDS, BRETHREN, COUNTRYMEN, That worst of plagues, the detested tea shipped for this port by the East-India Company, is now arrived in this harbor. The hour of destruction, or manly opposition to the machinations of tyranny, stares you in the face. Every friend to his country, to himself, and posterity, is now called upon to meet at Faneuil Hall, at nine o'clock this day (at which time the bells will ring), to make a united and successful resistance to this last, worst, and destructive measure of administration."

The people accordingly met at Faneuil Hall, and voted that the tea, now arrived in Captain Hall, shall be returned to the place from whence it came, at all events. The hall could not contain all the people, and they immediately adjourned to the Old South Meeting-house.

It was voted that a watch be appointed, to consist of twenty-five

men...

DEC. 2.- Captain Bruce, eight weeks from London, with 116 chests of that detestable tea.

DEC. 14. The following handbill was posted up, viz.,

"FRIENDS, BRETHREN, COUNTRYMEN, - The perfidious art of your restless enemies to render ineffectual the late resolutions of the body of the people demand your assembling at the Old South Meeting-house precisely at two o'clock, at which time the bells will ring."

The Sons of Freedom accordingly met at the Old South, and adjourned till Thursday, the 16th inst.

Dec. 16. The Sons of Freedom mustered according to adjournment. The people ordered Mr. Rotch, owner of Captain Hall's ship, to make a demand for a clearance, of Mr. Harrison, the Collector of the Customs (and there was refused a clearance for his ship). The body desired Mr. Rotch to protest against the Custom House, and apply to the Governor for his pass for the Castle. He applied accordingly, and the Governor refused to give him one. The people, finding all their efforts useless to preserve the East-India Company's tea, at night dissolved the meeting. But behold what followed! The same evening, a number of brave men (some say Indians), in less than three hours, emptied every chest of tea, on board the ships commanded by Captains Hall, Bruce, and Coffin, into the sea (amounting to 342 chests).