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

How Ben Franklin Viewed the Action o1
the Destructive Patriots.
Franklin g moderation in the early
years of the conflict of this country
with England is well known. He
with many other strong and patri-
otic minds hoped that the colonies
might secure redress without a re-
sort to arms. How he viewed the
Boston tea party is perhaps not so
well known. He was in London at
the time, and the following is 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:
LONDON, Feb. 2, 177a.
GENTLEMEN-I received the Honour Of your
Letter dated Deer. 81, containing a distinct
Account Of the Proceedings at Boston relative
to the Tea imported there. and of the Cirou1n-
stances that oocasioned its Destruction. com.
municated the same to Lord Dartmouth, with
some other Advices Of the same import 1t 10
yet unknown what Measures will be taken
here on the Occasion; but the Glamour against
the Proceeding is high and general. am truly
concern'd, as I believe all considerate Men arc
with you, that there should seem to any Ne
cessity for carrying Matters to such Extremity,
as, in q Dispute about Publick Rights, to de-
stroy private Property; This Notwithstanding
the Blame Justly due to those who obstruoted
the Return Of the Teal it is impossible to justi.
fy with People 80 prejudiced in favour Of tho
Power Of Parliament to tax America, as most
are in this Country.-As the India Company
however are not our Adyersaries, and the Of.
fensive Measure Of sending their Teas did not
take its Else with them, but was an Expedient
Of the Ministry to serve them and yet avoid
Repeal OF the old Act, cannot but wish g
hope that before any compulsive Measures are
thought Of here, our General Court will have
shewn Disposition to repair the Damage and
make Compensation to the Company. This oil
our Friends here wish with me; and that II
War Is finally to be made upon us, which come
threaten, an Act Of violent Injustice on our
part, unrectiaed, may not give a oJ>lourablo
Pretence for 1t. A speedy Reparation will Inn
mediately set us right in the Opinion OF all
Europe. And tho the Mischief was the Act oi
Persons unknown, yet as probably they cannot
be found or brought to answer for 1t, therd
seems to be some reasonable Claim on the 30.
ciety at large In which 1t happened Making
voluntarily such Reparation can be no Dis.
honour to us or Prejudice to our Claim Of
Rights, since Parliament here has frequently
considered in the same Light similar Cases
and only few Years since, when valuable
Saw.mill which had been erected at d great
Expense was violently destroyed by Number
of Persons supposed to be sawyers but un'
known, Grant was made out Of the Publick
Treasury of Two Thousand Pounds to, the
Owner az q Compensatton.-Iho hope in thus
freely (and perhaps too forwardly) expressing
my Continents & Wishes, shall not gtvd
Offence to any. am sure mean we'll; being
ever with sincere Affection to my native Coun.
try, and great Respect to the Assembly and
yourselves, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient md most humble serv'
ant FRANKLIE.
Honble Thomas Cushing, Samr Adams, John
Hancock, William Phillips, EsquireB.