TEA LEAVES: - Yesterday Image

John Hancock was the moderator of the last town meeting, in which public sentiment was
legally brought to bear upon the consignees. It was held on the 18th. The meeting was
quiet and orderly, and its business was speedily transacted.
A committee was appointed to wait on the consignees for a final answer to the request of
the town, that they resign their appointment. This was their reply:
"Boston, November 18, 1773.
Sir,—In answer to the message we have this day received from the town, we beg leave to
say that we have not yet received any order from the East India Company respecting the
expected teas, but we are now further acquainted that our friends in England have entered
into general engagements in our behalf, merely of a commercial nature, which puts it out
of our power to comply with the request of the town.
We are, sir, your most humble servants,
Richard Clarke & Sons,
Benj. Faneuil, Jr., for self and
Joshua Winslow, Esq.,
Elisha Hutchinson, for my
Brother and self."
Immediately on receiving this answer, the meeting, without vote or comment, dissolved.
"This sudden dissolution struck more terror into the consignees," says Hutchinson, "than
the most minatory resolves;" and but for his efforts, they would have followed the
example of those of Philadelphia, who had resigned six weeks before.
Next day (November 19), the consignees, in a petition to the governor and council, asked
leave to resign themselves, and the property committed to their care, to his Excellency
and their Honors, as guardians and protectors of the people, and that means might be
devised for the landing and securing[xxxvi] the teas, until the petitioners could safely
dispose of them, or could receive directions from their constituents. Their action was the
cause of much comment in the newspapers, and debate in the council. It was urged in
opposition to the scheme, that it was no part of the legitimate functions of this body to act
as trustees and storekeepers for certain factors of the East India Company.
In a letter to a friend, dated November 24, Hutchinson thus expresses his views of the
situation. He says:
"When I saw the inhabitants of the town of Boston, assembled under color of law, and
heard of the open declaration that we are now in a state of nature, and that we have a right
to take up arms; and when in a town meeting, as I am informed, a call to arms was
received with clapping and general applause; when a tumultuous assembly of people can,
from time to time, attack the persons and the property of the king's subjects; and when
assemblies are tolerated from night to night, in the public town hall; to counsel and