The Massachusetts spy, or, Thomas's Boston journal. [volume] (Boston [Mass.]) 1772-1775, 1774-12-29
WILLIAMSBURG, (in Virginia. Nov. a.

~ inndDltdIlS OF AUIh OSCH Ah-
\ | formed that the Virginia commanded by
Howard ERen, had on board two half chefs of
tea hipped by John Norton, Efq; and fons.
merchants in London, by order of Mef. Prem
It's and company, merchants in Williamsburg,
aHcmbled at 10 o'clock, this morning, and
went on board the faid ihip, where they
waited fome time for the determination OF
the meeting of ieveral members OF the houte OF
burgeaes in Williamsburg, who had taken this
matter under confederation. A meGenger was
then lenr on fhore to enquire for letter from
meeting but returning without one they I'M
fK1Rtiatcly hoiRed the tea cut OF the hold and
4<hEw il into the river, and then returned TO the
| A$G without doing damage to the lhiP or any
ffofher part of her cargo. On the Wednesday fol-
lowing the county committee met to coniider OF
this matter; and after mature deliberaion, came
to the following reiolutlons:
Refolved, that we do highly approve ofthe
conduit of the inhabitants of York, in defroy-
ing the tea on beard the Virginia.
Reiolyed, that Meh. Prentis and company
have incurred the difplcafure oftheir country
men, by not oountermanding their orders for
the tea having had frequent opportunities TO
have done 10 /; and that they ought to make pro-
Der concefions for fuch miiconduGf, or be made
70 feel the relentment of the public.
Reiolyed, that John Morton, Eiq; OF London
muA have known the determination OF this CO.
lony with refpeetto tea, as ihe ihip Virginia
Ibid not fail from tlince till after the late aem-
| kly was diigolyed, aud the members of that AZ
iembly in behalf Of the colony, Immediately up
on their diflolution, entered into ioiemn ne
gociation againa that article.
Relolyed therefore, TO convince our enemies
that we never will iubmit to any meaiure thar
NAV in the Leaf endanger our liberties, watch
we are determined TO defend at the rik OF our
lives, that the ihip Virginia ought to clear ont
from hence in ballaa, in eighteen days from
II this time.
Re(olved. that Howard Rfcn, commander OF
the ihip Virginia, acted imPrudently in not re-
monaratinp in aronger terms againa the tea be-
inc put on board the ihip, as he well knew Il
would be diiagrceablc to the inhabitants OF TINS
colony.
We fnbmit to our countrymen whether every
min circumaanced as the Virginia was, ought
moi to hare the fame fate.
Signed by order Of the committee.
WILLIAM Russell, Clerk.
CLoucrsTEs county, Novsmbr 2. From GER
tain information that the Virginia, captain
Howard EacH, was arrived in York river with a
auantity of tea on board, twenty-thrce members
Of the committee of Gloucefer county, with
number of the inhabitants aiiembled at Gloucei-
TER town. TO determine how the iaid tea mould
be diipofed OF.
Hearing that the members of the houie Of
burOeaes in Williamsburg, about eight O'Clock
this morning, had taken the matter under 1he, ,
confederation, we determined to wait the reiuii
of their deliberations. We accordingly wa'leu
ill after twelve; but the determinations rom
Williamsburg, having not then come down, We
repaired 10 the hip, in order to meet tne COM
msttce of York, which we fupPofed TO be m the
GREAT number of thofe we difcerned on board
| On our arrival, we found that the tea had met
with i,s deferved fate, for it had been committed
to the waves. We then returned, and alter ma
tme dcliberatioR came to the following reioiusi-
ons :
| Relolyed. that John Morton, merchant IN
London, ty tending over tea in has mp ma
LEM his mi, aid to the minifry for enilavIne
America. and been guilty Of daring iniuit up
on Ihe people Of this colony, to whom ne owes
his ALL. IL
Reiolyed, thar the fhip Virginia. in which
| the derraabIe tea came, ought and ihall return
| in twenty days from the date hereof.
RetoIyed. that no tobacco mall be ihiPPeo
from this county on board the iaid hiP, e'thei
70 the owners or any other Pericn whanoever
ard we do mott earneitly recommend It TO our
couotrvmen TO enter into the fame Teioiufien' In
their REFLECTIVE counties. c-e.a
ReIoIved, that the faid Morton has forfeited
Il, r;rlr 20 the confidence of this couRty, ana
'Sas we We viii not in fu:ure conhgn rObzseo. OF