New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-06

people had determined not TO pay. nus
it happened that when on October IA,
r774, the brig Peggy Stewart arrived in
the port of Annapolis, after a two
months voyage from London. with an
assorted cargo, part of which although
described as India goods, was known to
be tea in disguise, trouble cnsued. The
cargo of seventeen packages, containing
twenty hundred twenty pounds of
tea, was consigned to James and Joseph
Williams, merchants of Annapolis, and
the vessel was owned by Anthony Stew
art and others of that port. There were
about thirty passengers of the class
designated as Redemptioners When 1t
became known among the people that
Stewart. owner of the vessel, in order to
clear the rest of the cargo for landing,
had himself paid the obnoxious tax on
1.-The detestable plant " the storm burst.
Although Stewart was not the owner
of the cargo. or concerned in its impOr-
tation, his action in paying the duties
was regarded as a submission to the
disputed claim of the British Parliament
to tax the Colonies, and was resented by
the people with strong indignation as an
act of treason.
A meeting was called in which the
citizens of the place assembled on an
open green, and after strong resolutions
of censure had been passed upon all
concerned a delegation was appointed
to prevent the landing of the tea.
general meeting at which delegates from
other counties were expected to attend
was called for October 10.
Apprehensive of the consequences like
" to result upon the assemblage OF
body of more violent patriots from the
surrounding country. Stewart called
meeting of citizens of Annapolis on Mon
day, October II. At this meeting it was
proposed that the tea be landed and
burned in public place.
This was not considered by the more
violent spirits in the assemblage suffi-
cient atonemcnt for an otfense which
they considered an open defiance of the
rights and liberties of the people. The
mob erected gibbct in front of Stew
arts house, declaring He has paid
the tax, and has got to hang for 1t!
At the assemblage of delegates on
Wednesday, October 10, Stewart and
Williams attended, accompanied by the
committee of citizens. There they pub
licly signed and read this humble recan-
tatiOn:
We, James Williams, Joseph Williams and
Anthony Stewart, do severally acknowledge
that we have committed most daring insult
and act of the most perniciOuS tendency to
the liberties of America; we, the said Williams,
in importing the tea, and SAID Stewart, in
paying the duty thereon; and thereby de
servedy incurred the displeasure OF the
people now convened, and all Others interested
IN the preservation of the constitutional rights
and liberties of North America; do ask pardon
for the same: and solemnly declare, for
the future, that we never will infringe any
resolution formed by the people for the sal
walton of their rights; nor will we do any
act that may be injurious to the liberties OF
the people; and to show desire of living
in amitv with the friends of America, we
request this meeting or as many as may
choose to attend, to be present at any place
where the people shall appoint and we will
there commit to the flames, or otherwise
destroy as the people may choose, the de
testabe article, which has been the cause OF
this our misconduct.
ANTHONY STEWART,