The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1821-11-28
From The Ncwburyport Herald

ioni he NcWoufypor Herald
Some antiquarian IS. amusing the pull
lick. by publishing, in the Boston Dahl,
.dd0ertasey, a variety of anecdotes Of
: olden time," particularly relative to
the town of Boston, under the head Of
"Reminiscences. Speaking of the de-
struciion Of the TEA at Boston, in l773,
he says -
$ The number of the ships laden
with. tea, was three, which lay at Crit
fms wharf-342 chests were DESTROYED
There was body meeting on the 10Th
of December, 1913. This matter of
the tea was the occasion of the meeting.
which began at Fanueil-Hall. but that
place not being large enough. il was
adjourned to the Old South, and even
that place could not contain all that
came. Jonathan Williams was modera-.
tor. Among the spectators was John
Rowe, who remarked, among other
things, who knows how lea win
mlngle with salt water''-and this sug-
gestion was received with great APP
Piause. Governour Hutchinson was nj
this time at his house on Milton Hill.
now the residence of Barney Smith.
Esq. A committee was sent from the
meeting TO request him to order the
ships to depart. While they were gone.
speeches were made for the purpose of
keeping the people together. The
committee returned about sunset with
HIS answer that be could not interfere
1T this moment the Indian veil was
heard from the street. Mr.. Samuel
Adams cEied out, that it was trick of
their enemies TO disturb their meeting.
and requested the people TO keep their
places-but the people rushed out, and
accompanied the Indians to the ships
The number of people disguised as IN
dams, is variously stated-noRe put il
lower than GO, none higher than 3d.
1t IS said by persons who were present,
that nothing was destroyed bat tca-and
this was net done with noise and tumuIt.
little or nothing either by the agents or
the multitude, who looked on. The
impression was that of solennity. rath-
er than Of riot and confusion. Fhe de-
struction was effected by the disguised
persons, and some young men who VOL
unteered : one of the latter collected
the tea which fell into the shoes of him.
self and companions, and put it into a
Phia4 and sealed ID up which phiaI is
now in his possession, containing the
same tea The eontrivers of this meas
ure, and those who carried II into effect,
will be known. Some few persons
have been mentioned as being among
the disguised-bu there are many and
obvious reasons why secresy then, and
concealment since, were necessary
None OF those persons who were conf
IDENTIFY said to have been Of the pary
Except some who were then minors. or
very young men, have ever admitted
That they were so. The person who
appeared to know more than any one {
ever spoke with, refused to mention
names. Mr.. Samuel Adams is thought
to have been in the counselling Of this
exploit, and many other men who were
leaders in the political affairs of the
times; and the Hail of Council is. said 10
have been the back room of Edes s.
GllPs printing office, in the alley leading
from Court-street to Brattle-strcet.--
There are very few alive now who
helped TO empty the chests of tea, and
these few will probably be as prudent
as those who have gone before them.
anaAn siss - l.sssss. xrv,.r,....