The Arkansas advocate., 1831-04-06


 thirty. Ofmy associates, ] only rcmem-
 Der the names Of Buckingham, Mead,
 Martin and Grant. We were met to- I gether oi,e evening, talking over the $. tyranny of the British government, such as the heavy duties, shutting UP the
 port of Boston, the murdering of Mir. Grays family, sending people to Eng l land for trial, and sundry other acts of oppression. Our indignation was in-
 creased by having heard of the arrival
 ofthe tea-ships at this time. Ne agreed,
 that if the tea was landed, the people
 could not stand the temptation, and
 would certainly buyit. We came to d sudden determination to make sure work of if, by throwing it slli overheard.
 We first talked of firing the ships, but
 VIC feared the fire would communicate to tile town. We then proposed sink ing them, but we dropped this project, through fear that we should alarm the town before we could get through with lit. We had observed, that very few persons remained on board the three ships, and we finally concluded, that we could take possession of them, and dis charge the tea into the harbor, without danger or opposition. The greatest ob- |lection to our plan was, that it would take such great length Of time to car " it through. and render us liable to detection. We agreed, one and all, that we would go on, at the risk of our lives.
 We proceeded 10 contrive the mode of accomplishing our business. One of the ships laid at Hancock's wharf and the others few paces out in the stream, with their warps made fast to the same wharf. 4 brigade of British soldiers was encamped on the common less than a mile from the wharf. We agreed, in order. as much as we might, to prevent ourselves from being discovered. to wear ragged clothes. and disligure ourselves as much as possible. We concluded 10
 meet at an old building at the head of the wharf, and to fall in one after another as if by accident. so as not to- excite suspicion. After having pledged our honor. that we would not reveal our secret, we separated.
 At the appointed time we all met ac- eordin2 to agreement. We were dressed to resemble Indians, as much as possible.
 We had smeared our faces with grease, soot and lampblack. We should moi
 have known each other, except by our voices, and we surely resembled devils from the bottomless pit, rather than men. We placed one sentry at the head of the wharf, one in the middle, and one on the bow of each ship. as we took possession. We then proceeded rapidly to business. We boarded the ship which was moorcd by the warf, and the ieaderof our com pany, in a very stern and resolute man. ner, ordered the captian and crew 10 open the hatch-ways, and hand us the hoisting tackle and ropes. The captain asked US what VIC intended to do? The i leader told him we were going to unload the ships of the tea, and ordered him and 1 the crew below, assuring him, that if they obeyed, no harm wasintended them. They instantly obeyed, without mur- | murs or threats. Some of our number jumped into the hold, and passed the chests to the tackle. As they were hoist ed on deck, others knocked them open with axes, and others raised them 10 the railing, and discharged their contents overheard. All that were not needed 1 fer discharging the tea from this ship, went on board the others, and warped them to the warf, where the same cere- monies were repeated, as at the first ship.
 While we were unloading, the people l collected in great numbers about the warf, to see what was going on. They l crowded about IS, So as tt be much ii1 i our way. We paid ne attention 10 them, nor did they say any thing 10 us. They l evidently wished us success: for none of them gave any information against us.-- Our sentries were not armed. and could 1 not stop any who insisted on passing.- if we had been able it would not have been good policy, for in that case they ] might have complained of us to the civ Il authorities. believe our object in stationing the scntries, was to communi- cate information in case we were likely to be detected by the civil or military power. They were particularly charged l to give Us notice, in case any known to- ry came down to the warf. But our