taken up the Polly, Cap^t Ayres, for Philadelphia, to carry the
Company's tea to that port, which vessel lays at Princes Stairs,
Rotherhith, and was built at Ipswich, in the year 1765. She is now ready
to take in.
We are, sirs,
Your most h'ble serv^ts.
PIGOU & BOOTH,
For selves & GEORGE BROWNE,
SAMUEL WHARTON & GILBERT BARKLEY.
Mark Lane, 31st Aug^t 1773.
Mr. Wm. Settle.
* * * * *
Sir:
Your remarks to the bond offered you, relative to the 600 chests of tea,
which are to be exported to New York, have been laid before the
Committee of Warehouses, and they are of opinion that the said bond is
according to the agreement made with the several gentlemen for the
different Colonies, and the merchants who are concerned for the tea to
Boston, have executed their bonds agreeable thereto, and Messrs.
Wharton, Pigou & Barkley have agreed also to execute on Thursday
morning. Therefore, I am to desire you to inform me whether you will
please likewise to execute the said bond.
I am, sir,
Your most h'ble serv^t
WM. SETTLE.
East India House, 31^st Aug^t 1773.
To John Blackburn, Esq^r.
William Kelly, Esq^r.
* * * * *
Sir:
As the several gentlemen mentioned in your polite note of this day have
executed the bond, I shall with pleasure follow their example, and on
Thursday next I propose waiting on you for that purpose. I am sir,
Your most h'ble serv^t
JOHN BLACKBURN.
Scot's Yard, 31st Aug^t 1773.
Mr. Wm. Settle.
* * * * *
Sir:
Last evening I had the pleasure to receive your favor of yesterday,
relative to the bond which I am to sign for New York, and the objections
made to its draught by Mr. Blackburn, Pigou and myself, which at the
time appeared resonable to us, but as others have signed in the form
shewn to me, I don't mean to be particular, and therefore shall conform,
relying on the honor of the Com^tee in all future matters.
Tomorrow I am indispensably obliged to go out of town shall return on
Saturday next, wait on you, & execute the bond. I am, sir,
Your most obedi^t & most hum. serv^t
WM. KELLY.
Crescent, Sep. 1^st 1773.
Mr. Wm. Settle.
* * * * *
_Freight of 568 whole, & 130 half chests of Tea, shipped on the Polly,
Cap^t Sam^l Ayres, for Philadelphia:_
feet.
568 chests con^g for freight, 8748.6
130 quarter d^o. d^o 656.9
------
9405.3
------
9405.3 at 1s. 6d. pr foot, Philadelphia currency, is £705 7 10-1/2
tons.
Primage on 235-1/3 at 2s. sterl^g pr ton, is £23 10 3
_Freight of Tea on the London, to South Carolina:_
feet.
182 chests measure 2644.3 at 1s. pr foot £132 4 3
75 d^o. d^o. 345.9 d^o. 17 5 9
---- --------
257 149 10 0
Primage, 5 pr cent 7 10 0
--------
£157 0 0
_Freight of Tea shipped on the William, for Boston:_
feet.
58 chests measure 585.11, at 1s. 4d. pr foot, £39 1 3 L.M.
Primage, 1 9 6 sterl^g.
_Freight of 698 chests Tea on the Nancy, for New York:_
feet.
698 chests measure 9264.8, at 2s. 3d. pr foot, is
Currency, £1042 5 4
Sterling, £30 8 2 Primage, 5 pr ct. 52 2 3
--------
£1094 7 7
--------
_Freight of 114 chests Tea on the Eleanor, for Boston:_
feet.
114 chests measure 1383.4, at 1s. 4d. £92 4 5 L.M.
Primage, £3 9 0
_Freight of 112 chests Tea on the Beaver, for Boston:_
feet.
112 chests measure 1375, at 1s. 4d., is £91 13 10 L.M.
34-1/2 tons at 2s. pr ton primage, £3 17 0
Whitehall, Dec^r 17^th 1773.
Lord Dartmouth presents his compliments to Mr. Wheler, and requests the
favor to see him at his office, at Whitehall, on Monday morning next, at
eleven o'clock, on the subject of some advices Lord Dartmouth has lately
received from America, respecting the importation of tea from England.
* * * * *
LETTER TO SUNDRY AMERICAN MERCHANTS.
Sir:
The Com^tee of Warehouses of the E.I. Com^y desire you would please to
inform them whether you have receiv^d any advices from _Boston_ relative
to the said Com^ys exportation of tea to that colony, and if you have,
to communicate the purport thereof to the Committee. I am, sir,
Your most obe. ser^t
WM. SETTLE.
East India House, 20^th Dec^r 1773.
To Mr. Wm. Palmer,}
Brook Watson, } _Boston._
Wm. Greenwood, }
J^o. Nutt, } _South Carolina._
Jn^o. Blackburn, }
Wm. Kelly, } _New York._
Fred^k Pigou, Jun^r. _New York & Philadelphia._
Geo. Browne, }
Sam^l Wharton, } _Philadelphia._
LETTER TO SUNDRY AMERICAN MERCHANTS.[39]
Sir:
The Comm^tee of Warehouses desire the favor of an answer under your hand
to my letter of yesterday, relative to the exportation of tea to
_Boston_. I am, sir,
Your most obd^t servant,
WM. SETTLE.
East India House, 21^st Dec^r 1773.
Brook Watson, Esq^r. _Boston._
Wm. Greenwood, Esq^r. }
John Nutt, Esq^r. } _South Carolina._
John Blackburn, Esq^r. _New York._
Geo. Browne, Esq^r. _Philadelphia._
* * * * *
LETTERS FROM SUNDRY AMERICAN MERCHANTS,
WITH ENCLOSURES OF ADVICES FROM THE SEVERAL COLONIES.
_BOSTON._
_From Mr. Palmer._
Mr. Palmer has received no material advices from Boston since the
consignment has taken place, but has letters of as late a date from
thence as the 3^d of Novem^r, one of which mentions there was no tea
then to be bought.
East India House, 21st Dec^r 1773
Garlick Hill, 22d Decem^r 1773.
_To the Hon'ble the Committee of Warehouses, East India House._
Gent^m:
In compliance with your request, we send you enclosed extracts from the
letters which we have lately received from Boston relative to the Com^ys
teas sent there.
We are, gent^m
Your most hum. serv^ts
WATSON & RASHLEIGH.
_Extract of a Letter dated Boston, 18^th Octo^r., 1773:_
"But what difficulties may arise from the disaffection of the merchants
and importers of tea to this measure of the India Company, I am not yet
able to say. It seems at present to be a matter of much speculation, and
if one is to credit the prints, no small opposition will be made
thereto. However, I am in hopes it will be otherwise, and taking it for
granted that the tea should arrive, and no obstacle happen to prevent
its being landed and disposed of, agreeably to the instructions of the
Company, then I am to add that you may be assured I shall strictly
conform to the instructions which I may jointly receive respecting it,
paying all due regard to the contents of your letter.
"I know not how to write more fully hereon until the tea arrives, and
what may possibly be the consequences attending it. My friends seem to
think it will subside; others are of a contrary opinion."
_Extract of a Letter dated Boston, 30 Oct^r., 1773:_
"I omitted a letter to you in particular when I wrote to your house the
10^th inst., because I thought it was probable, both from the contents
of your letter then received, as well as from the public reports, that
the tea you mention as coming from the India Com^y might every day be
expected to arrive, as you say 4 Aug^t they intended shipping 300 chests
immediately, but by my letter, this day received by a vessel from
London, it is not to be sent.
"I perceive by the prints, that the clamour is still continued against
this measure of the India Company, and seems to be pursued with rather
more warmth in some of the Southern Colonies than in this. For my own
part I am not sufficiently skilled in politicks to see the pernicious
consequences which 'tis said must arise therefrom. If they would prevent
the Tea Act being enforced, or the payment of the revenue arising
therefrom to Government, methinks they should either not import any tea,
or rather not consume any, and then the end would be answered at once.
But while there is such a vast quantity exported every year by so
considerable a number of persons, who all pay the duty thereof on its
arrival, I do not see why every importer, nay, every consumer thereof,
do not as much contribute to inforce the Tea Act as the India Comp^y
themselves, or the persons to whom they may think proper to consign
their tea for sale. Nor can I but be of opinion that the uneasiness is
fomented, if not originated, principally by those persons concerned in
the Holland trade, and thereby introduce large quantities of tea, which,
paying no duty, by that means they can afford to undersell those who do
pay it, and this trade, I am informed, is much more practiced in the
Southern Governments than this way.
"To what lengths the opposition to this tea's being brought or landed,
or disposed of, may be carried, must be left to time to determine."
_Extract of a Letter dated Boston, 4 Nov^r., 1773:_
"Thus far I had wrote you with intentions to forward by first
conveyance, when I found there was to be a muster of the people, to
demand that the persons who are to be employed as agents for disposing
of the tea which may come from the India Company, would resign their
commissions & swear (under Liberty Tree) to return the tea by the same
or first vessels for London, &c. You will be fully acquainted of their
unreasonable proceedings. After the time had elapsed which was fixed
upon for the gentlemen to appear and resign, on their not complying with
the order, they marched down in a body to Mr. Clarke's store, where we
were, and not receiving such an answer as they demanded, they began an
attack upon the store and those within, breaking down doors, flinging
about mud, &c., for about an hour, when they began to disperse, and a
number of gentl^n, friends of those agents coming to their assistance,
they left the store and went upon change, but met with no further
insult, tho' there is much threatening. As the tea is not arrived, and
it is uncertain when it may, I purpose to write you again speedily.
"In the interim, I am, &c."
SOUTH CAROLINA.
_Letter from Mr. Greenwood._
Sir:
In answer to your letter of the 20^th inst., I beg you would be pleased
to inform the Com^tee of Warehouses that I have yet received no advices
from South Carolina, relative to the Comp^y's exportation of tea. When I
do, they may depend I will take the earliest opportunity to communicate
the same to them.
I am, sir,
Your most obe^t serv^t
WM. GREENWOOD
Queen Street, 22^d Dec^r., 1773.
Mr. Settle.
* * * * *
_From Mr. Nutt._
Gentlemen:
In compliance with your desire, intimated to me by Mr. Settle,
respecting any information received from South Carolina, concerning the
teas exported by the East I. Com^y to that Colony, I have the honor to
acquaint you that the vessel in which they were shipped did not sail
from England before the 18^th October, and the latest dates from thence
are only the 1^st Nov^r., so that we cannot expect for some time to
hear of her arrival. I have the honor to be, gent^n.,
Your most obed^t hum. serv^t.,
JOHN NUTT.
Broad Street, 22^nd Decem^r, 1773.
To the Com^tee of Warehouses, &c., &c., &c.
* * * * *
_NEW YORK._
_Letter from Mr. Blackburn._
Sir:
I am honored with your two letters of the 20^th & 21st curr^t, desiring
me to inform the Com^tee of Warehouses if I have received any advices
from New York relative to the Com'^s exportation of tea to that Colony.
The vessel wherein the tea was shipped was not arrived when the last
letters were dispatched from thence, consequently no precise judgment
can be formed whether or not it would be permitted to be landed; but I
flatter myself from the disposition of the principal gentle^n of New
York, who are men of moderation, candour and prudence, and as firmly
attached to the Government and laws of this Kingdom as any of his
Majesty's subjects; that they will, by their example and influence, be
able to suppress every riot and disturbance occasioned by the opposers
of this measure.
I expect a ship from New York, which was to depart about the 26^th
Novem^r, by which I shall receive some fresh intelligence relative to
this business, and if I should be furnished with any advices that regard
the interest of the Company, I shall not fail to wait on the Directors
immediately. I have the honor to be, sir,
Your most obed^t & hum. ser^t
JOHN BLACKBURN.
Scots Yard, 22^nd Dec^r, 1773.
Mr. Wm. Settle.
_Extract of a Letter from a merchant in New York, to Wm. Kelly, of
London, dated 5^th Nov^r, 1773:_
"The introduction of the East India Company's tea is violently opposed
here, by a set of men who shamefully live by monopolizing tea in the
smuggling way."
_Extract of a Letter from Abraham Lott, Esq^r., of New York, to Wm.
Kelly,[40] of London, dated New York, 5^th Nov^r., 1773, & received with
the above mentioned Extract of Mr. Kelly, 22^d Dec^r., 1773:_
"Herewith you will receive several papers relating to the importation of
the India Com^y's tea. If it comes out free of a _duty here_ on
importation, things I believe may go quiet enough, tho' you will
observe much is said against it even on that supposition. But if it
should be subject to a duty here, I am much in doubt whether it will be
safe, as almost every body in that case speaks against the admission of
it, so that, altho' I am well assured that the Governor will not suffer
the laws to be trampled on, yet there will be no such thing as selling
it, as the people would rather buy so much poison, than the tea with the
duty thereon, calculated (they say) to enslave them and their posterity,
and therefore are determined not to take what they call the nauseous
draft. A little time will determine how matters will terminate, that is,
if the tea comes out. If it does, I hope it may come free of duty, as by
that means much trouble and anxiety will be saved by the agents. I do
assure you they have all been very uneasy, tho' at the same time
determined to do their duty, but in the most prudent & quiet manner. It
is now two o'clock, P.M., when I received the paper signed Cassius, in
which you will find Mr. L---- R----de handsomely complimented, and
yourself severely handled, on a supposition that you should have spoken
words to the import, as asserted in the paper. Mr. R----e's name is not
mentioned, but there is no doubt but he is the person alluded to, as
upon the arrival of the London ships, who refused to bring the tea. It
was currently reported that he had wrote his partner nearly in the same
words as mentioned in the paper. You are the best judge of the truth of
the assertion, but whether true or not, his conduct is ungenerous and
mean. If the paper speaks truth, that he was offered part of the
consignment of tea, he must be a man of great influence to have so great
an offer made him, when so many other people of weight were applying for
it and could not obtain it."
* * * * *
_From Mr. Fred^k Pigou, Jun^r._
Sir:
Please to acquaint the Com^tee of Warehouses of the Hon'ble the East
India Company, that from the advices I have received from
_Philadelphia_, I should be of opinion the tea sent to that place will,
if landed, meet with much difficulty in being disposed of.
At New York, I am of opinion it will meet with less opposition, and may
possibly be sold in that city. It would have been fortunate if the New
York vessel could have arrived as soon or before the Philadelphia ship.
I am, sir, your most hum. serv^t
FRED'K PIGOU, Jun^r.
Mark Lane, 21st Dec^r., 1773.
To Mr. Settle.
_PHILADELPHIA._
_Letter from Mr. Geo. Browne._
Sir:
The advice I have from my brother at Philadelphia, relative to the
Com^y's consignment of tea, is, that it was very doubtful how it would
be received there, the measure being looked upon in an unfavorable view
in general. He had only just received an account (from another hand) of
his being nominated one of the agents, and refers me to the public
prints for an account of the resolutions entered into by the people in
opposition to it. I am, sir,
Your most obedi^t ser^t
GEO. BROWNE.
Mr. Settle.
* * * * *
_From Mr. Sam^l Wharton._
Sir:
I understand that Mr. Walpole, of Lincolns Inn Fields, had received some
advices from my brother, respecting the teas sent to Philadelphia. I
applied to him for them, and he requested that I would send them to you,
with what intelligence I had myself received. I am, sir,
Your very hum. serv^t
SAMUEL WHARTON.
Argyle Street, Decem^r 23, 1773.
Mr. Settle.
_Extract of a Letter from Thomas Wharton,[41] Esq^r. of Philadelphia,
dated Oct. 5, 1773, to Sam^l Wharton, in London:_
"I have closely attended to the course of your arguments, and think they
are of great weight, but you know it is impossible always to form a true
judgment from what real motives an opposition springs, as the smugglers
and London importers may both declare that this duty is stamping the
Americans with the badge of slavery, and notwithstanding the Directors
of the East India Company have a just right to send their teas where
they think proper, yet the Americans allege they may and ought to refuse
to purchase and use it.
"A little time after the ship's arrival we shall know what is to be
done, and I expect we shall before that time have a conference with the
agents from New York, _which I proposed_, that our conduct might be
uniform, and as much as possible answer the end of _our appointment_."
_Extracts of two Letters from Tho^s. Warton, Esq^r., of Philadelphia,
dated Oct. 5 and Oct. 30, 1773, to the Hon'ble Tho^s. Walpole, of
London:_
"About a week before the arrival of the September mail, a letter reached
this city, informing us that particular persons (tho' not all of them
the proper ones) were nominated agents for the East India Directors.
This gave the inhabitants a knowledge of the intention of the Directors,
and some persons immediately declared, that as the duty was still
retained, that, tho' small, yet it as implicitly fixed the power and
established the badge of slavery, as if it had been greater. The same
sentiments, I am told, are expressed in letters from New York. At
present, therefore, it is impossible to say what measures the people
will take on this occasion, but I should expect they will not hinder the
tea being landed, if they insist on its not being sold, till the duty is
taken off by Act of Parliament, or the East India Directors satisfy the
Commissioners of the Customs in London. For, notwithstanding, it may
justly be urged that the Directors of the East India Comp^y have a right
to export their teas to North America, yet, as it is said, the
inhabitants have also a right of judgment respecting the purchase and
consumption. I should expect, that if the opposition takes place, it
will rest with _their_ adherence to an engagement of this kind.
"I can have no doubt that the India Com^y would find their sales
lucrative, and that an extension of trade would certainly take place, by
comprehending the articles of pepper, spices, and silks in their
exports; great quantities of the two first articles have certainly been
introduced in the Continent from Holland and thro' the West Indies, and
therefore it is that I apprehend the London merchants are mistaken when
they say they already ship as much as the Continent can consume, for
through them are imported only such quantities of spices, &c., as the
merchant here can vend, after the run goods are sold, they being
imported cheaper than those from England, are naturally first sold. But
if the East India Company should think proper to extend their trade, I
cannot doubt it would in a great measure put a stop to the importation
from Holland and the Dutch Islands, and large sums would annually pass
from America to London for those commodities. But perhaps little more
should be said until it is known in what manner our fellow countrymen
shall view this scheme of trade."
"Philadelphia, Oct. 30, 1773.
"I shall endeavor to communicate a more full state of the sentiments of
my fellow citizens than I could in my last letter. I could then only
conjecture what might be the result of their judgments respecting the
Hon'ble the Directors of the East I. Com^y sending their teas to this
Continent. A communication of sentiments, taking place between the New
Yorkers & the Philadelphians, soon produced a number of pieces in the
public prints and otherwise, most absolutely asserting the rights of the
Americans, and denying the power of Parliament respecting the internal
taxation of the Colonies, which led into many comparisons, endeavoring
to shew that the agency of the tea was equally odious & dangerous as
the execution of the Stamp Act would have been. I may say with great
truth, that I do not believe one man in a hundred was to be met with who
approved of the sending the tea, while the duty was to be paid here. Yet
a great number of people acknowledged the right of the East India
Directors to export their teas to America, and declared that nothing
less than a confirmed belief that the admitting this mode of taxation
would render the assemblies of the people mere cyphers, could have
induced them to proceed in the manner they have done; for when it was
mentioned to them that by refusing to admit the tea to be landed, they
did as much deprive the India Company of the natural rights of English
merchants, as the subjecting us to the payment of duty possibly could
affect us, they replyed that the Act of Parliament hindered the tea from
being landed _until_ the duty was first paid or secured, and
consequently as the Directors knew this, and the opposition heretofore
given by the Americans, they must take what followed.
"You will perceive by the resolution formed and entered into on the
18^th, into what a situation the agents were driven, there being no
possibility of persuading the people to wait till we knew the real state
of facts. The meeting at the State House consisted, (it is said) of 6 or
700, and be assured, they were as respectable a body of inhabitants as
has been together on any occasion; many of the _first_ rank. The whole
of their proceedings were conducted with the greatest decency and
firmness, and without one dissenting voice. After the resolution had
passed, they appointed a Com^tee of 12 persons, who, on the 18^th inst.,
about 12 o'clock, called on James and Drinker, and then came down to my
house, where they conducted themselves with great decency, read the
resolution, and informed me they were appointed by their fellow citizens
to demand of Tho^s. & Isaac Wharton, whether we would execute the trust
_if_ the duty was to be paid here? We told them it involved us in a
difficulty which we could not solve, _because we had not received the
least intimation from the Directors_, and therefore it was impossible to
know the exact state the tea was to be shipped in, but that we would, on
being acquainted with the situation under which it came, openly
communicate the same, and that we would do nothing to injure the
property of the India Com^y or enslave America. This answer they
received with great satisfaction, and in the evening they reported to a
unanimous body of citizens the answers they had received, who gave
Tho^s. and Isaac Wharton very evident marks of their approbation for the
candid answer they gave.
"Should the tea be sent subject to the payment of the duty, I am
satisfied it will not be suffered to be landed, and that it must return
to London, (unless the India Directors have in such case directed the
captain where to proceed with it,) which intimation may be in time to
secure the property by insurance should they incline."
* * * * *
Copies of the above advices were, by order of the Com^tee of Warehouses,
sent to Lord Dartmouth in the manner directed by their minute of the
----
_BOSTON._
LETTER FROM MR. JONATHAN CLARKE TO EDWARD WHELER, ESQ^R.
Boston, New England, 17^th Nov^r., 1773.
Sir:
After a long detention in the English channel, and a pretty long
passage, I arrived here this morning from England, and there being a
vessel to sail for London within a few hours, gives me an opportunity of
writing you a few lines on the subject of the consignment of tea, made
to our house by the Hon'ble East India Company, in which I had your
friendly assistance, and of which I shall always retain a grateful
sense.
I find that this measure is an unpopular one, and before my arrival some
measures have been taken to oblige my friends to make a resignation of
the trust, which they have not thought fit to comply with. They have
wrote to our friend, Mr. Abraham Dupuis, very particularly, respecting
the measures that have been adopted, and to that account I must beg
leave to refer you, as I have not time to repeat it by this opportunity,
but I shall keep the Company fully advised in future.
I fully see that we shall meet with difficulty in executing this trust,
but our utmost endeavors shall be exerted to fulfill the orders we may
receive from the Company.
I am, very respectfully sir, your most obliged h'ble serv^t
JON^A CLARKE.
Edward Wheler, Esq^r.
Received from the Deputy Chairman, 5^th Jan^ry, 1774.
LETTER TO MR. ABRAHAM DUPUIS.
Sir,