TEA LEAVES: - Yesterday Image

No. 5.
Mr. Palmer's Compliments to Mr. Wheler, encloses the Outlines of a Plan upon which the
Exportation of Tea on behalf of the Company to America take place. Mr. P. will attend
the Committee whenever he is desired.
PLAN.
Admitting that an exportation of tea to America by licence takes place immediately, in
order to prevent the[206] colonists from becoming purchasers at the sales of foreign
companies, usually made from September to November, and consequently at least
discourage those companies from encreasing their China trade, and also to obtain some
information, though imperfect, before the investments for the China ships of the ensuing
season are ordered. It is proposed that chests of Bohea tea, chests of each specie of Singlo
tea, together with a smaller assortment of Hyson, Souchong, & Congou tea be consigned
to such a number of merchants conjointly as may be thought sufficient, (for whom their
correspondents in England shall give satisfactory security,) together with such persons as
shall be thought proper for that purpose to be sent from thence. That upon the arrival of
such tea in Boston public notice shall be given thereof through the Continent, and also
that it is the intention of the East India Company, if the sales of this cargo should be
found to answer, to repeat such consignments, in order to supply that Continent with teas
at least equal in price to what they must pay for the same if obtained in a way of illicit
trade. That in order to conduct these sales in the most advantageous manner, the parties to
whom the cargoes shall be entrusted shall act as one body; that the concurrence of the
majority shall be necessary for any act therein; that each party shall be answerable for
himself only, but that no credit shall be given to bills received for paying without the
assent of at least three of the persons so appointed; that it shall be the object of the person
who may be appointed to go with the cargo to obtain all possible information respecting
the actual consumption, mode of sale, species of tea that may be introduced, &
opportunity of remittances at Boston, where it is proposed the first consignment[207]
shall be made, as it is the only considerable mart, where tea from England is at present
received without opposition, and having so done he shall visit such other places on the
Continent as may be thought proper, but particularly New York and Philadelphia, in
order to obtain the same information at those several places, and learn, from being on the
spot, how far the New Yorkers, &c., will hold their solemn engagements, when they find
the advantages they will probably reap by receiving tea from England. They having
obtained all such necessary information, he shall return to England & report the same,
from which time it is presumed there will be full employ for such agent without any
additional expence to the Company in preparing such assortments of tea as may from
time to time be required for this market, and can be best spared from the necessary
demand of Great Britain & Ireland, and also in negotiating the remittances that may from
time to time be received on account of this concern.
That such an appointment is absolutely necessary must appear to every one at all
acquainted with the nature of the tea trade, not only properly to regulate these
investments, but also from time to time to preserve proper assortments of tea for the