The native American. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1840, 1837-12-16
REVOLUTIONARY "REMINISCENCES.

neutral. but afterwards became Tory. Our
rsmber between twenty and sthirty;,s OF my
associates, l only remember the names Of Froth-
inqham, Mead, Martin, and Grant We met to-
gether one evening, talking over the tyranny Of
the British Government, such as the heavy du-
ties, shutting up the port of Boston; the murder
ing Of Mr.. Gray's family, sending people to
England for trial, and sundry other acts OF impo-
sition. Our indignation was increased by having
heard of the arrival Of tea ships at the same time
Weagreed thatifthe tea waslanded the people could
not stand the temptation, and would certainly
buy II. We came to a sudden determination TO
make sure work Of il, by throwing It all overheard.
We first talked Of firing the ships, but we feared
the FIRE would communicate to the town. We
then proposed sinking them, but we should alarm
the town, before we could get through with 1t.
Wehad observed that very few persons renamed
on board the ships, and we finally concluded that
we could take possession of them, and discharge
the tea into the harbor without danger or OPPOSE
ton. ssfs ..i
The great objection to our plan was that it would
require such length of time to carry it through
and render us more liable to detection. We
agreed, one and all, that we would 60 out at the
risk Of our lives. We proceeded to contrive the
mode Of accomplishing the business. One OF the
ships laid at Hancock wharf. and the other a few
PAGES out in the stream with their wharps made
fast to the same wharf. A brigade OF British
soldiers was encamped on the common, less than
a mile from the wharf. We agreed, in order 70
disguise ourselves as much as we might, TO wear
ragged clothes, and dis6gured ourselves as much
as possible.
We calculated to meet at an old building at the
head of the wharf and fall in, one after another,
as il BY accident, SO as not TO excite suspicion.
After having pledged our honor, we would not re-
veal our secret, we separated
AT the appointed time, we all met according
10 agreement. Wettwere dressed to resemble
Indians as much as possible. We smeared our
faces with grease, and SCOT or lamp black. 5s We
should not have known each other except by our
vo;ces. and we surely resembled devils from the
bottomless nit. rather than men. We placed one
sentry Al the head Of the wharf, one in the mid
die and one on the bow of each ship, as we took
possession. We then proceeded rapidly to busi-l
ness. We boarded the ship which was moored
by the wharf, and the leader of our company, IN
4 stern and resolute manner, ordered the captain
and crew to open the hatchways and hand US the
hosting tackle and rope. ,5s ii,
.Irhe cantan asked MS what we intended to do!
I.be leader told him that we were agoing to I'M
load the ships Of the tea, and ordered him and
the crew below, assuring them that fthey obeyed,
No harm was intended. They instantly obeyed,
without murmurs or threats. Some OF our num-
Der jumped into the hole, and passed the chests
TO the tackle. AS they were hoisted on the deck,
others knocked them open with axes, and others
raised them to the railing and discharged their
contents overheard. All that were not needed for
d;scharpinq the tea from the ship, went on board
the others, and warped them into the wharf,
where the same ceremony was repeated, as at
the first ship.
We stirred briskly in our business, from the
moment we left our dressing room. We were
in undertone, at an idea Of making SO large cup
o tea for the fishes but were as still as the cause
would admit. No more words were used than
were absolutely necessary. i$
Our most intimate acquaintance among the
spectators had not the least knowledge Of US.
never labored harder in my lie; and we were SO
expeditions that though it was late in the even
mo when we began, we had discharged the
,ySo,e three cargoes before morning dawned.
while we were unloading, the people col
lected n great numbers about the wharf, to see
what was going on. They crowded about u.s.
so as 10 be much in our way. we PAID no
attention to them, nor did they say any thing
to us. They evidently wished us success, Tor
none Of them gave any information against us.
Our sentries were not armed, and could not stop
any who insisted ON passing. If we had been
able, it would not have been good policy, Tor IN
that case they might Of complained Of us TO the
civil authorities. believe our object IN sta
tioninp the sentries, was to communicate infor-
NATION in case we were liable to detection by
the civil or military power. They were particu-
larly charged to give US notice, in case any
known Tory came down to the wharf. but ouI
main dependence was on the general good VIII o.
the people. ~.
II may be supposed that there was much talk
about the business the next morning. The to-
RES. civil, military, and spies, made great fuss
and called the business divers hard names. Fro
CARNATIONS and rewards, 70 procure ue.eclon !,
were all to no purpose. we pe'enoeu =
be = jealous 70 find out the perpetrators as the
rest. We often talked with tories about y; W.
were 50 close and loyal, that the whole ahalr =
NAMED in Egyptian darkness we usee; so ONE
time afterwards, to meet and talk tne anal' uso,
never falling to end by drinking, the hearty boys
OF America forever"