Sons of Liberty Toss Tea Into Sea

For "Retired Founder, Rising Stars Program"  assignment, "Invalid Item" --Write a newspaper article about the Boston Tea Party. Note: I did not use my real last name on the byline. Information gathered from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Tea_Party

Boston Evening Post

Boston, Massachusetts

December 17, 1773

Sons of Liberty Toss Tea Into Sea

By Jody Lynn

After the destruction of 342 chests of tea, have the Sons of Liberty set the United Colonies on a path to war with Great Britain?

Last night, protesters, lead by Whigs, also know as Sons of Liberty, destroyed three ships worth of tea. The total lost was 40,823 kg* totaling £9000*. Protesting the British monopoly on tea through the Tea Act of 1773 and No Taxation Without Representation, protesters have been turning back new tea. This happened in the harbors of New York City, New York, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Charleston, South Carolina by getting the tea consignees to resign.

However, Royal Governor Thomas Hutchinson refused to allow the tea in the Boston Harbor to be returned to Great Britain. He was unable to be reached for comment. It should be noted, however, that two of the tea consignees are his sons. While the tea tax currently allows the cost of tea to be less expensive than what it has been, there are other concerns. Fear grows regarding England's monopoly and that the king may extend this to other goods.

Whig leader, Sam Adams, attempted to get the first ship, the Dartmouth, to return to Great Britain without paying duties. However, Governor Hutchinson refused to allow the ship to leave port. One source within his office, wishing to remain anonymous, said of the Governor, "He's as stubborn as my uncle's ox. He also forgets for whom he works. He feels he's more a loyal British subject than a leader of Massachusetts. His constituents mean nothing to him."*

Adams called a meeting last night, December 16. Over 7000 people assembled at Boston's Old South Meeting House. Toward the end of the volatile meeting, Adams said, "This meeting can do nothing further to save the country." After dark, several protesters, some of whom were dressed as Mohawk Indians, crept onto the ships. One anonymous protester stated they dressed this way to show they identified more with their new home than with Great Britain.

The Dartmouth, the Eleanor, and the Beaver were docked at Griffin's Wharf. Once aboard, the protesters threw the 342 chests of tea into the sea over the course of three hours. One source rumored some of the protesters included Dutch tea smugglers. While another agreed, he stated legitimate businessmen left out of the deal with East India Tea Company were also involved in the raid against the ships. These rumors have not been verified. The number of participating protesters is believed to be between thirty and 130.

Local law enforcement stated, "Anyone found to be guilty of this will be striped, tarred, and feathered." They also stated that one person has already been found and "dealt with."*

Law enforcement also warns citizens not to attempt to eat fish caught in the area, nor drink the tea sea water.*

In a written statement regarding the Boston Harbor protests, John Adams writes, "This Destruction of the Tea is so bold, so daring, so firm, intrepid and inflexible, and it must have so important Consequences, and so lasting, that I can't but consider it as an Epocha in History." This may well be true. Only time will tell. But one thing is sure, this act will not go unanswered by Great Britain.

For more on law enforcement's efforts to control pickpockets during large crowd gatherings, see Pickpocket Paradise on page 2.
For more on the expected effects of the tea on sea life, see Fish Don't Drink Tea on page 3.

* 40,823 kg equals 90,000 lbs
* £9000 equals over £1.1 million or over $1.4 million in 2017 currency
* The quote about governor Hutchinson is not real
* While being "striped, tarred, and feathered" is not a direct quote, it was done to the only protester positively identified
* To my knowledge, nothing attributed to law enforcement in this article was actually stated