Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1897-12-16
THE BOSTON TEA PARTY.
How Ben Franklin Viewed til. Action OF
the Destructive Patriots.


Franklin's moderation in the early
years of the conflict Of this country
with England IL we'll known He
with many other strong and patri-
| otto minds hoped that the colonies
might secure redress without "A re-
sort to arms. How he viewed the
Boston tea party L. perhaps not SO
well known. He was in London at
the time, and the following is let
ter that lie wrote to several men
III Boston, ardent PATRIOTS, among
them Samuel Adams and John Han.
cock. The original of the letter is
i'll the New York Public library
among the Adams papers:
LONDON. Feb. =. l77i
GENTLEMES-i received the Honour of Your
Letter dated Deer. u, cuntninin: IA distinct
Account of ia" Proceedings at Boston relative
to tn" Tea imported there, and of the Circum
stances that UvCISIunvd its Destruction. | com.
munI"a'"L Ihv e,''." To Lord Dartmouth, with
some other AUvI,,S of the SAM, import. Ii is
yet unknown what Measures will hc taken
her" ON III" Occasion: I'm; the Clnmuur against
III" Proceeding |, high and general ! am truly
III
with You. thar there should seem To any IA Ne.
C"SNity for carr! ing Matters to such Extremity
rs, in II Dispute about ruhNck Rights, to de.
strUy private Property; This Notwithstanding
I'll" Blame Justly due to those who obstructcd
III" ls"tW "i the TV:ID II il impossible to justi
~ with People 80 prCiudIccd III favour Of the
Power of Parliament to tax America, nS most
ar" IN TINS tuuniry.--AS the India Company
however ar" not our AdvcrSarics, and the of
fcn~lvC Measure Of sending their Teas did not
take lil,t with lint
of th" Ministry To serve them and yet avoid a
Repeal of the old Act, cannot hut wish &
hop" that before any cOmrulSivc Measures are
Thought 81 here, our General Court will have
sh"wn Disposition to repair the Damage and
make Compensation 10 the Company. This all
our Friends her" wish with me; and that IL
War Is fnAily I" b" made upon us, which some
threaten, an Act of violent Injustice on our
part, Unr""i!ic't, may not give a colourable
Brei'ncC Tor II. \ speedy RCparatiOn will i'm
mCdlal"ly set ny right in the Opinion of all
Europe. And tho the Mischief Was the Act of
Persons unknown, yet n probably they cannot
Dc found or brought 10 answer for II, there
seems to hc some reasonable Claim on the So.
Cicty at large III which II happened Making
voluntarily such Re parutiun can he no Dis.
honour 10 us or Prejudice to our Claim Of
Rights, since Parliament here has frequently
considered IN the same Light similar Cases;
and only II few Years since, when "a valuable
Saw mill, which had been erected at u great
ENprns" was violently destroyed by n Number
OF Persons supposed To he Snwycrs. but un.
known, "a Grant was made ont of the Pubhck
Treasury of Two Thousand Pounds TO the
owner as tOmp"nSitlOn.--l hop" IN thus
freely lnnd perhaps too furwurdlyj cXprcssiny
my Sentiments n Wishes, ] shall not give
On"nr" 10 any. am sure mean well; being
ever with SINGER" Affection To my native Coun.
Try, and great Respect to The Assembly and
yourselves, Gentlemen,
l"nr most "hodl"nt and most humble Scrv
ans L Franklin
honll" Thomas Gushing, Saml Adams, John
Hancock, William iuitips, E-nrirc-