Maumee express. [volume] (Maumee City, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-04-15
REVOLUTIONARY "REMINISCENCES.


REVOLUTIONARY REMINISCENCE. I
ON THROWING THE TEA OVERHEARD
IN BosToN HARBoR.-JoHN WYEPH, one
of the individuals concerned in the trans
action, gives the following account OF it.
labored, as journeyman blacksmith
with Western & Gridley, blacksmiths
by trade, and Baptists by profession
Western, at the time, was neutral, but
afterwards became Tory. Our num-
bers were between 20 and 80. Of my
associates, only remember the names
of rockingham, Mead, Martin, and
Grant. We were met together one
evening, talking over the tyranny OF the
British government, such as the heavy
duties, shutting up the port of Boston
the numbering of Mr.. Gray's family,
sending people to England for trial, and
sundry other acts Of oppression. Our
indignation was increased by having
heard Of the arrival of tea-ships at the
time. We agreed, that if the tea was
landed, the people could not stand the
temptation, and would certainly buy it.
We came to sudden determination, to
make sure work of it, 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 dropped
Z this project, through fear that we should
alarm the town, before we could ge'
through with it. We had observed
that very few persons remained or
board the ships, and we finally concluded
that we could take possession of them
and discharge the tea into the harbor
without danger or opposition. The
greatest objection to our plan was, tha
i would take such length of time tc
carry it through and render us more LA
Bile 10 detection. We agreed one ane
all, that we would go on, at the risk O.
our lives. We proceeded to contrive
the mode of accomplishing our business
One of the ships laid at Hancock's wharf
and the others few PAGES out in the
stream, with their warps made fast to the
same wharf. A brigade Of British sol
diers was encamped on the common, les.
than mile from the wharf. We agreed
in order as much as we might. 10 weal
ragged clothes, and dlsfgure ourselves
as much as possible. !.
We concluded to meet at an old bull
ding at the head Of the wharf and t
fall in one after another, as if by acci
dent. so as not to excite suspicion. AT
ter having pledged our honor, that w
would not reveal our secret, we separa
ted.
At the appointed time, we all met ac
cording to agreement. We were dress
ed to resemble Indians, as much as pos
sible. We had smeared our faces wit
grease, and SCOT or lamp-black. W.
should not have known each other ex
cept by our voices, and we surely re
sembled devils from the bottomless pit
rather than men. We placed one sent
nv at the head of the wharf, one in tn
middle, and one on the bow of each shiT
as we took possession. We then pre-
ceeded rapidly to business. We boarde
the ship which was moored by the whar
and the leader of our company in ster
and resolute manner ordered the captai
and crew to open the hatchways, an
hand us the hosting tackle and ropes
The captain asked us what we intende
to do? The leader told him that W
were going to unload the ships OF tn
tea. and ordered him and the crew bt
low, assuring him, that if they obeye'
no harm was intended them. They ii
stantly obeyed, without murmurs
threats. Some of our number jumpe
into the hold. and passed the chests
ihe tackle. AS they were hoisted 9
deck, others knocked them open vii
axes, and others raised them to the raj
ing, and discharged their contents owe
board. All that were not needed ft
discharging the tea from this ship, wei
on board the others, and warped the
into the wharf, where the same cerem'
nles We're repeated, as at the first shi
While we were unloading, the peop
collected in great numbers about q
wharf, to see what was going on. Inc
crowded about us, SO as to be much
our way. We paid no attention cher
nor did they say any thing TO Us. lhe