The Ravalli Republican., 1898-02-16
THE BOSTON TEA PARTY.
How Ben Franklin Viewed the Action of
the Destructive Patriots.

How Ben Franklin Viewed the Action Of
the Destructive Patriots.
franklin s moderation in the early
years Of the conflict of this country
with England is well 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 is perhaps not SO
we'll known. He was III London at
the time, and the following is let
ter that he wrote to several men
n 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, 1774.
GENTLEM EN- received the Honour Of your
Letter dated Deer. II, containing a distinct
Account of the Proceedings at Boston relative
to the Tea imported there, and Of the Circum-
stances that occasloned its Destruction. com.
lnunicated The same to Lord Dartmouth, with
some other Advices OF the same import 1t is
yet unknown what Measures will be tascn
here on the Occasion; but The Glamour against
tho Proceeding is high and general. am truly
concern q, as believe all consldcrate Men arc
with you, that there should seem to any Ne
cessity for carrying Matters to such Extremity.
as, i'll Dispute about Pubicx Rights, to de-
stroy private Property; This Notwithstanding
the Blame justly due to those who obstructed
the Return OF the Tca) it is impossible to justi
fy with People SO prejudiced in favour Of the
Power or Parliament ~
are in this Country. AS the India Company
however are not our Adversaries, and the Of
fensive Measure OF sending their Teas did not
take its Rise with them, but was an Expedient
OF the Ministry to serve them and yet avoid a
Repeal Of the old Act, l cannot but wish s.
hope that before any compulsive Measures are
thought Of here, our General Court will have
sheWn Disposition to repair the Damage and
mako Compensation to the Company. This all
our Friends here wish with me; and that if
War is finally to be made upon us, which some
threaten, an Act of violent Injustice on our
part unrectifed, may not give colourable
Pretence for it. speedy Reparation will i'm.
mediately set us right in the Opinion of all
Europe. And tho the Mischief was the Act Of
Persons unknown, yet as probably they cannot
be found or brought to answer for it, there
seems to be some reasonable Claim on the So
ciety at large in which it happened. Making
voluntarily such Reparation can be no Dis
honour to us or Prejudice to our Claim or
Rights since Parliament here has frequently
considered in the same Light similar Cases;
and only few Years since, when a valuable
Saw mill, which had been erected alta great
Expense was violently destroyed by a Number
Of Persons supposed to be Sawyers, but un.
known, Grant was made out Of the Publicls
Treasury of Two Thousand Pounds to the
Owner u Compensation hope in thus
freely (and perhaps too forwardy) expressing
my Sentiments & Wishes, ! shall not give
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 and most humble Serv.
ant B FRANKLIN
Honble Thomas Gushing, Sa1n'l Adams John
Hancock, William Phillips, Esquires.