The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-11-24
THE BOSTON TEA PARTY.

How BoD Eranklin Viewed the Action "a
tho Destructive Patriots.
EraEklin's moderation in the early
years OF the conflict Of this country
with England is vol known. he
with many other strong and patri.
otto minds hoped that the colonies
might secure redress without O re-
sort to arms. How he viewed the
Boston tea party is perhaps not 60
we'll known. he was in London Of
the time, and the following is q let.
ter that he wrote to several men
IN Boston, ardent patriots, among
them Samuel Adams and John Han.
cock. The original Of the letter is
in the New York Public library
among the Adams papers:
iokpos. Feb. 2, I77a
GEaTLHAER-I received .LLS honour Of your
Lststtor dated Deer. a, containing o distinct
Account OF tho Proceedings at Boston relative
20 the Tes imported thsre, and OF the Ctroum.
stances thas occaBioned Its Destruction. I com.
muntcated the aame 20 Lord Dartmouth, with
ocI1e other Advioes Of tho game import z e
yet unknown what Measures viii be taken
here ON the Occasion; but the Glamour against
the Proceeding 10 high and general. am truly
concern'd, as believe ell considerate Men are
with you, that there ehould seem 70 any O Ne
cesaity for carrying Matters to such Extremity,
as. in O Dispute about Publick Rights, to de-
stroy private Property; This notwithstanding
the Return Of the Teal IL ia impossible to juati
fy with People 80 prejudiced in favour OF the
Power OF Parliament to tax America. u.nat
are In this Country.-As tho India Company
however arc not our Adversaries, and tho Of
fensive Measure Of sending their Teas did not
take Its Rise with them, but was an Expedient
OF the Ministry TO sorve them and yet avoid O
Repeal OF the old Aot, cannot but wish q
hope that before any compulsive .--as;safcs sza
thought Of here, our General Court will have
shewn Disposition to repair this Damage and
mako Compensation to the Company. Thia all
our Friends hore wiah with me; and that Il
War is finally to be mnde upon us, which come
threaten, an Act OF violent Injuatice on ops
part. unrectifed, may not give colourabiu
Fretence for IT,. A speedy Reparation win Inn
n.ediately set Us right in the Opinion OF all
Europe. And tho the Mischief was tho Act OF
Persons unknown, yet as probably they cannot
be found or brought TO augwer for IL, therd
oeems to be sc-.o reasonable Claim ON the So
ciety at large In which 10 happened Making
voluntarily such Repasation can DO no DIS
honour TO us or Prejudice to our Clafm Of
Rightes since Parliament here has frequently
considered TN tho came Light EimilnF Cases;
and only few YeayD since, whom valuable
Gaw.mill. which had been erected at great
Expense was violently destroyed by Number
Ct Persons supposed to bo eawyers, but un
: known. Grant was made ont OF &ha Pubiinh
Treasury OF Two Thousand Pounds 60 tha
Ownor as Compensation.- hope Ia thua
freely tan6 perhaps too ScswardIyl expreas:ue
my 6antin, ants b Wiahea, ehall not give
Ofence 70 any. I am oEse mean well; being
ever with sincere Affection to my native Coun
try. and great Respect TO tho Assembly and
yourselves Gentlemen,
Your most obsdient md mcst humble serv.
ant b BFRANKLIH.
Honble Thomas Gushing, samT Adams, John
Hanoock, William Phillips. Eequires