ABRAHAM LOTT & CO.
PIGOU & BOOTH.
To Cap^t. Benj^n Lockyer, of the ship Nancy.
* * * * *
LETTER FROM CAP^T. LOCKYER TO THE AGENTS, TENDERING THE CARGO.
_With their Reply, referred to in their Letter of the 22^d.
April, 1774._
New York, April 20^th, 1774.
Gentlemen:
Having considered the circumstances mentioned in your
letters, which I received on my arrival, I have left the
ship and cargo at Sandy Hook, for their safety. Have now
waited on you with a tender of the cargo of tea shipped by
the Hon'ble East India Company, and consigned to you. I am
therefore ready to deliver the said cargo according to the
bill of lading.
I am, &c.,
BENJAMIN LOCKYER.
Messrs. White, Lott & Booth.
* * * * *
New York, April 20, 1774.
Sir:
We have received your letter of this date, tendering to us
the cargo of tea shipped on board the Nancy, under your
command, by the Hon'ble East India Company, to our address,
in reply to which we have only to observe that we some time
ago acquainted the Hon'ble Court of Directors how violently
opposed the inhabitants in general were to the landing or
vending the tea in this Colony, while subject to the
American duty, and that any attempts in us, either to effect
one or the other would not only be fruitless, but expose so
considerable a property to inevitable destruction. Under
these circumstances it would be highly imprudent in us to
take any steps to receive your cargo, and therefore we
cannot take charge of the same, or any part thereof, under
our case. We are, sir,
Your most obed^t serv^ts,
HENRY WHITE.
ABR^M LOTT & CO.
PIGOU & BOOTH.
Cap^t. Benj^n Lockyer.
_PHILADELPHIA._
AN ACCOUNT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE INHABITANTS OF PHILADELPHIA,
_On the Measure of the Company's Exporting Tea to that Place._
[Taken from a Philadelphia news paper.]
Monday Dec^r 27, 1773.
Upon the first advice of this measure a general dissatisfaction was
expressed, that at a time when we were struggling with this oppressive
Act, and an agreement subsisting not to import tea while subject to the
duty, our fellow subjects in England should form a measure so directly
tending to enforce the Act, and again embroil us with our parent state.
When it was also considered that the proposed mode of disposing of the
tea tended to a monopoly, ever odious in a free country, a universal
disapprobation shewed itself through the city. A public meeting of the
inhabitants was held at the State House, on the 18^th October, at which
great numbers attended, and the sense of the following resolves (which
are entered in page 296, the people of Boston having formed the same
resolutions).
In consequence of these resolutions, a committee waited upon the
gentlemen in this city who had been appointed consignees of the expected
cargo. They represented to them the detestation and abhorrence in which
this measure was held by their fellow citizens, the danger and
difficulties which must attend the execution of so odious a task, and
expressed the united desire of the city that they would renounce the
commission, and engage not to intermeddle with the ship or cargo in any
shape whatever. Some of the commissioners resigned in a manner that gave
general satisfaction, others in such equivocal terms as desired further
explanation. However, in a few days the resignation was complete. In
this situation things remained for a few days.
In the mean time the general spirit and indignation rose to such a
height that it was thought proper to call another general meeting of the
principal citizens to consider and resolve upon such further steps as
might give weight and secure success to the unanimous opposition now
formed. Accordingly a meeting was held for the above purpose, at which a
great number of respectable inhabitants attended, and it appeared to be
the unanimous opinion that the entry of the ship at the custom house, or
the landing any part of her cargo would be attended with great danger
and difficulty, and would directly tend to destroy that peace and good
order which ought to be preserved. An addition of twelve other gentlemen
was then made to the former committee, and the general meeting adjourned
'till the arrival of the tea-ship. Information being given of that, the
price of tea was soon advanced, though this was owing to a general
scarcity of that article, yet all the possessors of tea, in order to
give strength to the opposition, readily agreed to reduce the price and
sell what remained in their hands at a reasonable rate.
Nothing now remained but to keep up a proper correspondence and
connection with the other Colonies, and to take all prudent and proper
precautions on the arrival of the tea-ship.
It is not easy to describe the anxiety and suspense of the city in this
interval; sundry reports of her arrival were received, which were
premature, but on Saturday evening last an express came up from Chester
to inform the town that the tea-ship, commanded by Cap^t. Ayres, with
her detested cargo, was arrived there, having followed another ship up
the river so far. The committee met early the next morning, and being
apprized of the arrival of Mr. Gilbert Barkley, the other consignee, who
came passenger in the ship, they immediately went in a body to request
his renunciation of the commission. Mr. Barkley politely attended the
committee at the first request, and being made acquainted with the
sentiments of the city, and the danger to which the public liberties of
America were exposed by this measure, he, after expressing the
particular hardship of his situation, also resigned the commission in a
manner that affected every one present.
The committee then appointed three of their members to go to Chester,
and two others to Gloucester Point, in order to have the earliest
opportunity of meeting Cap^t. Ayres, and representing to him the sense
of the public respecting his voyage and cargo. The gentlemen who had set
out for Chester receiving intelligence that the vessel had weighed
anchor about 12 o'clock, and proceeded to town, returned. About 2
o'clock she appeared in sight of Gloucester Point, where a number of the
inhabitants from the town had assembled, with the gentlemen from the
committee, and as she passed along she was hailed, and the captain
requested not to proceed further, but to come on shore. This the captain
complied with, and was handed thro' a lane made by the people to the
gentlemen appointed to confer with him. They represented to him the
general sentiment, together with the danger and difficulties that would
attend his refusal to comply with the wishes of the inhabitants, and
finally desired him to proceed with them to town, where he would be more
fully informed of the temper and resolution of the people. He was
accordingly accompanied to town by a number of persons, where he was
soon convinced of the truth and propriety of the representations that
had been made to him, and agreed that, upon the desire of the
inhabitants being publicly expressed, he would conduct himself
accordingly. Some small rudeness being offered to the cap^t. afterwards
in the street by some boys, several gentlemen interposed and suppressed
it, before he received the least injury. Upon an hour's notice this
morning, a public meeting was called, and the State House not being
sufficient to hold the numbers assembled, they adjourned into the
square. This meeting is allowed by all to be the most respectable, both
in number and rank of those who attended, it that has been known in this
city. After a short introduction, the following resolutions were not
only agreed to, but the public approbation testified in the warmest
manner:
Resolved 1^st. That the tea on board the ship Polly, Cap^t. Ayres, shall
not be landed.
2^d. That Cap^t. Ayres shall neither enter nor report his vessel at the
Custom House.
3^d. That Cap^t. Ayres shall carry back the tea immediately.
4^th. That Cap^t. Ayres shall immediately send a pilot on board his
vessel, with orders to take charge of her, and proceed with her to Reedy
Island, next high water.
5^th. That he shall be allowed to stay in town 'till to-morrow, to
provide necessaries for his voyage.
6^th. That he shall then be obliged to leave the town and proceed to his
vessel, and make the best of his way out of our river and bay.
7^th. That Cap^t. Heysham, Cap^t. R. White, Mr. Benjamin Loxley and Mr.
A. Donaldson be a committee to see these resolutions carried into
execution.
The captain was then asked if he would conform himself to these
resolutions. He answered that he would.
The assembly were then informed of the spirit and resolution of New
York, Charles Town, South Carolina, and the conduct of the people in
Boston, whereupon it was unanimously resolved:
8^th. That this assembly highly approve of the conduct and spirit of the
people of New York, Charles Town and Boston, and return their hearty
thanks to the people at Boston for their resolution in destroying the
tea rather than suffer it to be landed.
The whole business was conducted with a decorum and order worthy the
importance of the cause. Cap^t. Ayres being present at this meeting,
solemnly and publicly engaged that he would literally comply with the
sense of the city, as expressed in the above resolutions.
A proper supply of necessaries and fresh provisions being then procured
in about 2 hours, the tea-ship weighed anchor from Gloucester Point,
where she lay within sight of the town, and proceeded with her whole
cargo on her return to the East India Com^y.
The public think the conduct of those gentlemen whose goods are returned
on board the tea-ship, ought not to pass unnoticed, as they have upon
this occasion generously sacrificed their private interest to the public
good.
Thus this important affair, in which there has been so glorious an
exertion of public virtue and spirit, has been brought to a public
issue, by which the force of law, so obstinately persisted in, to the
prejudice of the national commerce, for the sake of the principle on
which it is founded, (a right of taxing the Americans without their
consent,) has been effectually broken, and the foundation of American
liberty more deeply laid than ever.
N.B.--It was computed by two different persons, unknown to each other,
that there were 8000 persons assembled, besides many hundreds who were
on their way, but did not reach the meeting in time, owing to the
shortness of the notice. Cap^t. Ayres and Mr. Barkley, late one of the
consignees, left Arch wharf on board a pilot boat (having been 46 hours
in town,) to follow the ship to Reedy Island. They were attended to the
wharf by a concourse of people, who wished them a good voyage.
FINIS.
ADDITIONS.
JOHN SPURR (_see p. 164_).
John Spurr was, after the Revolution, a prominent citizen of Charlton,
Mass., and often represented the town in the State Legislature. He
married the daughter of Rev. Elijah Dunbar, and left two sons; Elijah
Dunbar Spurr, and Samuel Danforth Spurr. The widow of the latter, who is
now living, is the mother of the first wife of Senator George F. Hoar.
THOMAS MELVILL.
_Melvill's Tea Relic, as seen on page 131._
The publisher, in collecting illustrations for Tea Leaves, found one or
more New England Societies claiming possession of some of this tea.
Therefore it was necessary to look up the original Melvill stock of
Bohea.
We show an illustration of it (full size), copied from a photograph
(made by special request,) from a relative living in Illinois (since
deceased), from whom we learn it has been handed down to the present
generation, and has never been owned out of the family, and is now in
possession of Mrs. Thomas Melvill's son, Galena, Illinois, to whom we
are indebted for its use on this occasion.
A.O.C.
INDEX.
Page
Samuel Adams, 21
Annapolis Tea-Ship Burned, 85
Biographical Notices of the Tea Party, and List of its Members, 92-171
Biographical Sketches;
Ancrum, Wm. 208
Appleton, Nathaniel 30
Blowers, S.S. 352
Brattle, Wm. 311
Bruce, Capt. 356
Bull, Wm. 339
Cheever, Ezekiel 46
Church, Dr. Benjamin 26
Clarke, R. 210
Coffin, Capt. 358
Cooper, Sir Grey 212
Cooper, William 43
Copley, John S. 329
Crafts, Thomas 25
Curtis, Obadiah 49
Danforth, Samuel 315
Edes, Benjamin 25
Erving, John 226
Faneuil, Benj. 294
Hall, Capt. James 245
Hatch, Nathaniel 285
Hewes, Daniel 49
Hodgdon, Alex. 79
Hutchinson, Thos. & Elisha 324
Johonnot, Gabriel 27
Kelly, Wm. 269
Knox, Thomas, Jr., 49
Lloyd, Henry 227
Lott, Abraham 226
Lovering, Joseph 49
Morris, John 342
Pownall, John 339
Quincy, Josiah 61
Rotch, Francis 41
Rowe, John 63
Royal, Isaac 311
Savage, Samuel Phillips 57
Scollay, John 37
Tileston, Thomas 50
Wallace, Hugh and Alex 233
Walpole, Thomas 204
Watson, Brook 203
Wendell, Oliver 43
Wharton, Thomas 273
White, Henry 306
Williams, Jonathan 43
Williams, Thomas 230
Winslow, Joshua 223
Ballads of the Tea Party, 172-176
Boston, Opposition to the Tea Act, 19-23, 260-66, 278, 303
Tea-Party, 64-82, 89-94, 95-171
Destruction of the Tea, 58-94, 336-357
Proceedings of the Town, 279-303, 320-36
Proceedings of the Council, 309-20
Clarke R. & Sons, Attack on Warehouse of 28, 266, 284
Residence mobbed, 34
Letter to chairman East India Company, 279-91
East India Company, 11, 189
Franklin, Benjamin 185
Green Dragon Tavern, 66
Hutchinson, Thomas 20
Lamb, John 19
Letters and Documents, 189, 370
Letter from Mr. Wm. Palmer, enclosing Extracts of several Letters from
Boston, &c., to show the state of the Tea Trade in America, and
estimates of the advantages that will attend the Company's carrying on
that trade to that place, 189
Memorial of Mr. Gilbert Barkley, recommending a Plan for carrying on
the Tea Trade to America, and offering himself, and Mr. John Inglis,
Merchant, of Philadelphia, as agents, 199
Letter from Mr. Brook Watson, to Daniel Wier, Esq., recommending Mr.
John Butler, of Nova Scotia, and Messrs. Faneuil and Winslow, of
Boston, as agents, 202
A Proposal of the Hon. Mr. Walpole's, for sending Tea to Philadelphia,
203
Plan of Mr. Palmer, for Exportation of Tea to America, 205
Letter from Messrs. Greenwood & Higginson, recommending Messrs. Andrew
Lord, and William and George Ancrum, of South Carolina, as Agents, and
offering their ship, the "London," Capt. Curling, to carry Tea to that
place, 208
Letter from Mr. Fred'k Pigou, Jun., Esq., recommending Pigou & Booth,
of New York, and James & Drinker, of Philadelphia, as Agents, and
offering vessels for those places, 208
Letter from Mr. Jonathan Clarke, offering Richard Clarke & Sons, of
Boston, as Agents, 209
Letter from Grey Cooper, Esq., recommending Mr. Barkley as an Agent,
211
Letter from Messrs. Roberts & Co., recommending Messrs. Willing,
Morris & Co., of Philadelphia, as Agents, 212
Letter from Mr. Benjamin Harrison, offering himself as an Agent for
Virginia, 213
Letter from Mr. George Browne, recommending Mr. Jonathan Brown, of
Philadelphia, as an Agent, 214
Letter from Mr. Wm. Palmer, offering to advance the amount of 200
chests of Tea, on terms therein mentioned, 215
Letter to several American Merchants to meet the Committee, 215
Letter from Mr. Gilbert Barkley, offering some further thoughts upon
the Exportation, 216
Letter from Samuel Wharton, Esq., offering an Apology for not
attending the Committee, 217
Some Thoughts upon the Company's sending out Teas to America, 218
Letter from Messrs. Watson & Rashleigh, reciting terms on which the
Tea Agency may be conducted, and offering Security for their
recommendation, 222
Letter from Mr. Jonathan Clarke, on the same, 224
Letter from Mr. Kelly, on the same, and recommending several persons
of the different Colonies, as Agents, 225
Letter from Mr. Harrison, that Mr. Kelly will give his Proposals, 227
Letter from Mr. John Blackburn, with an offer of Terms, 228
Letter to Samuel Wharton, Esq., to meet the Committee, 229
Request of Mr. Walter Mansell, for the Agency to South Carolina, 229
Letter from Messrs. Roberts & Co., offering Terms and Security for
Willing, Morris & Co., 231
Letter from Messrs. Pigou & Booth, offering Terms and Security for
Messrs. James & Drinker, 231
Letter from Mr. John Nutt, recommending Mr. Roger Smith, of South
Carolina, as an Agent, 233
Letter from Messrs. Bourdieu & Chollet, recommending several persons
as Agents, 233
Letter from Messrs. Gale, Fearon & Co., recommending Mr. Daniel
Stephenson, of Maryland, as an Agent, 234
Letter from Messrs. Davidson & Newman, declining any propositions on
the present state of the Tea affair, 235
Letter to several American Merchants to meet the Committee, 235
Letter from Mr. Palmer, upon the Rate of Exchange from Boston, 236
Letter from Messrs. Bourdieu & Chollet, declining to offer any further
proposals, 236
Letter to sundry American Merchants to meet the Committee, 237
Letter to sundry American Merchants, advising the quantities of Tea
ordered to be shipped for the several Colonies, and requesting the
firm of the houses they have recommended, 238
Letter from Messrs. Watson & Rashleigh, advising the firm of their
recommendation, 238
Securities offered for Mr. Barkley and Mr. Mansell, 239
Letter from Mr. Pigou, with the firm of his recommendation, 239
Letters from Mr. Wharton, Mr. Browne, and Mr. Kelly, 240
Mr. Palmer's Opinion in what mode to ship Tea to America, 241
Letter from Mr. Clarke, with the firm of his house, and offering the
"William" for freight, 243
Letters to Geo. Hayley, Esq., Thos. Lane, Esq., and Alexander
Champion, Esq., to know if they have any constant traders to Boston or
South Carolina, ready to sail, 244
Letter to Mr. Palmer, to point out what sorts of Tea are proper to be
sent to Boston and South Carolina, 244
Mr. Palmer's Assortment of Teas for America, 245
Weight of Tea Exported to America, 245
Letters from several Persons concerning Vessels for Carrying the Tea
to America, 245
Petition to the Lords of the Treasury, for Licence to Export Teas to
America, 246
Licence from the Lords of the Treasury to Export Teas to America, 247
Letters from Sundry Gentlemen relating to Vessels to carry Tea to
America, 251
Letter from Mr. Settle to Mr. Blackburn and Mr. Kelly, to come and
Execute the Bond, 255
Letters from Mr. Blackburn and Mr. Kelly, in reply, 255
Sundry Freight Bills, for Tea Shipped, 256
_So far concerns the outset of the Tea._
Note from Lord Dartmouth to the Chairman, to attend at Whitehall, on
the subject of some Advices from America, respecting the Teas, 258
Letters to American Merchants to communicate what Advices they may
have received, 258
Letters from American Merchants, in reply, 259
Letter from Mr. Jonathan Clarke to Mr. Wheler, advising his arrival at
Boston, 260
Letter to Abram Dupuis, to communicate advice, referred in Mr.
Clarke's Letter, 279
Messrs. Clarke & Son's Letter to Mr. Dupuis, 279
Mr. Faneuil's Letter to Mr. Watson, mentioned in Messrs. Clarke's, 292
Proceedings of the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston, on the 5th and
6th November, referred to in Messrs. Clarke's and Faneuil's Letters,
295
Note from the Secretary to Mr. Brook Watson, advising the Tea is
ordered to Halifax, and desiring the names of the Consignees, 304
Security offered for Messrs. Butler & Cochran, consignees at Halifax,
305
The Agents at New York's Petition to the Governor, referred to in
their letter 1st December, 305
Petition of the Agents at Boston, and the Proceedings of the Governor
and Council thereon, 309
Proceedings of the Town of Boston on the 29th and 30th November, 320
Letter signed "Anglo Americanus," addressed to Geo. Dudley, Esq.,
enclosing newspapers, 331
Letter signed "Anglo Americanus," addressed to Geo. Dudley, Esq.,
advising the Tea's being destroyed, 332
Note from Mr. Pownall, to communicate Advices, and enclosing Letter
from Lieut.-Gov. Bull, of Charles Town; also, Lieut.-Gov. Bull's
Letter, 339
Letter from Mr. Jo. Morris, to Corbyn Morris, Esq., advising of the
Tea's being seized at South Carolina, 342
Letter from Capt. Ellis, advising of the Tea's being seized at South
Carolina, 343
Questions proposed to the Boston Consignees, respecting landing the
Teas, 344
Protest of Capt. Bruce against said Consignees, for refusing to
receive the Teas, 346
Letter from Mr. Rotch, to said Consignees, with an account of Charges
and a Protest, 350
Protests of the several Captains against the Destroyers of the Tea,
353
Letters from the Agents at New York, &c., to Capt. Lockyer, and one
from him to them, 359
Proceedings of the Inhabitants of Philadelphia, on the measure of
Exporting Tea to that place, 361
Liberty Tree, 24
Long Room (Whig) Club, 66
New York. Opposition to the Tea Act, 16-19, 269-271
Arrival of Tea, 84-5
Petition of the Consignees to the Governor, 305
Letter from the Agents to Capt. Lockyer, 358-60
North-End Caucus, 23, 67
Philadelphia lends Opposition to Tea Act, 17
Tea sent back, 84
Proposed Tea Depot in America, 203
Opposition to the Tea Act, 272-277
Resolves and Proceedings of October 18, 361-65
St. Andrew's Masonic Lodge of Boston, 66
Sons of Liberty, 18, 24, 26
South Carolina, Proceedings at 84-65, 339-43
Spurr, John, 164
Tea Act, 12
Introduced into New England, 14
Consignees, 23, 36, 51-53
Guard on Boston tea-ship, 45-50
State of Tea Trade in America, 191-98
Shipments to America, 256-7
Warren, Gen. Joseph, 178
Additions, 367
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Tea Leaves, on cover,
Destruction of the Tea in Boston Harbor, Frontispiece.
Diagram Showing the Route from the Old South Church to Griffin's
Wharf, 75
Melvill's Tea Relic, 131
Edward Proctor's Proclamation, 148
Lord North Forcing the Tea down the Throat of America, 155
Location of Tea Wharf, 173
Plan of Boston, 1775, and the Burning of Charlestown, 264
PORTRAITS.
Adams, Samuel 299
Bradlee, Nathaniel 97
Franklin, Benjamin 185
Gage, Gov. Thomas 313
Hancock, John 288
Hutchinson, Gov. Thomas 308
Hewes, George Robert Twelves 117
Kennison, David 122
Lovering, Thomas 182
Melvill, Thomas 133
Melvill, Thomas, Hat on 180
North, Lord 249
Pitts, Lendall 142
Purkitt, Henry 151
Revere, Paul 157
Rotch, Francis 40
Rowe, John 62
Savage, Samuel Phillips 338
Sprague, Samuel 164
Warren, Joseph 48
AUTOGRAPHS.
Adams, Samuel 299
Bradlee, Nathaniel 97
Bradlee, David 97
Bass, Henry 96
Church, Benjamin 26
Cheever, Ezekiel 46
Chase, Thomas 102
Clarke, Benjamin 103
Crane, John 108
Franklin, Benjamin 185
Faneuil, Benjamin, Jr., 294
Frothingham, Nathaniel 111
Green, Nathaniel 114
Grant, Moses 113
Gore, Samuel 113
Hodgdon, Alexander 79
Hancock, John 288
Hutchinson, Thomas 308
Inches, Henderson 27
Kennison, David 122
Lovering, Joseph 182
Lincoln, Amos 125
Lee, Joseph 124
Molineux, William 137
Melvill, Thomas 135
Newell, Eliphelet 138
Purkitt, Henry 150
Prentice, Henry 146
Pitts, Lendall 145
Peck, Samuel 140
Palmer, Joseph P. 139
Proctor, Edward 149
Russell, John 159
Revere, Paul 154
Rowe, John 63
Rotch, Francis 41
Swan, James 168
Sprague, Samuel 164
Sloper, Samuel 162
Shed, Joseph 161
Sessions, Robert 160
Savage, Samuel Phillips 57
Urann, Thomas 169
Winslow, Joshua 223
Williams, Jonathan 43
Warren, Joseph 30
Wyeth, Joseph 171
[Illustration: _Plan of the Town of Boston with the Attack on
BUNKERS-HILL in the Peninsula of CHARLESTOWN_, the 17^th of June 1776.]
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Dr. Holmes, the annalist, says, that tea began to be used in New
England in 1720. Small quantities, must, however, have been made many
years before, as small copper tea-kettles were in use in Plymouth, in
1702. The first cast-iron tea-kettles were made in Plympton, (now
Carver,) Mass., between 1760 and 1765. When ladies went to visiting
parties, each one carried her tea-cup, saucer, and spoon. The cups were
of the best china, very small, containing about as much as a common
wine-glass.
[2] Hist. of Mass., iii. 422.