TEA LEAVES: - Yesterday Image

much as possible, smearing our faces with grease and lamp black or soot, and should not
have known each other except by our voices. Our most intimate friends among the
spectators had not the least knowledge of us. We surely resembled devils from the
bottomless pit rather than men. At the appointed time we met in an old building at the
head of the wharf, and fell in one after another, as if by accident, so as not to excite
suspicion. We placed a sentry at the head of the wharf, another in the middle, and one on
the bow of each ship as we took possession. We boarded the ship moored by the wharf,
and our leader, in a very stern and resolute manner, ordered the captain and crew to open
the hatchways, and hand us the hoisting tackle and ropes, assuring them that no harm was
intended them. The captain asked what we intended to do. Our leader told him that we
were going to unload the tea, and ordered him and the crew below. They instantly
obeyed. Some of our number then jumped into the hold, and passed the chests to the
tackle. As they were hauled on deck others knocked them open with axes, and others
raised them to the railing and discharged their contents overboard. All who were not
needed[lxxii] for discharging this ship went on board the others, warped them to the
wharf, when the same ceremonies were repeated. We were merry, in an undertone, at the
idea of making so large a cup of tea for the fishes, but were as still as the nature of the
case would admit, using no more words than were absolutely necessary. We stirred
briskly in the business from the moment we left our dressing-room. I never worked
harder in my life. While we were unloading, the people collected in great numbers about
the wharf to see what was going on. They crowded around us so as to be much in our
way. Our sentries were not armed, and could not stop any who insisted on passing. They
were particularly charged to give us notice in case any known Tory came down to the
wharf. There was much talk about this business next morning. We pretended to be as
zealous to find out the perpetrators as the rest, and were all so close and loyal, that the
whole affair remained in Egyptian darkness."
In 1835, a small volume appeared, entitled "Traits of the Tea Party," with a memoir of
G.R.T. Hewes. From it we glean the following incidents.
Mr. Hewes thinks that among the speakers at the meeting on the afternoon of December
16, was John Hancock, who said that "the matter must be settled before twelve o'clock
that night." Hewes positively affirms that he recognized Hancock, who worked by his
side in the destruction of the tea, not only by his ruffles, which were accidentally
exposed, and by his figure and gait, but by his voice and features, notwithstanding his
paint, and the loosened club of hair behind. In this he was undoubtedly mistaken. Neither
Hancock, Adams nor Warren were among the disguised Indians. There were enough who
were competent for the business without them.
Just before the meeting dissolved, some one in the galleries (Mr. Pierce thinks it was
Adam Collson) cried out with a loud voice, "Boston harbor a tea-pot to-night! Hurrah for
Griffin's wharf!" This is probably the disorder checked by the chairman, and which was
in response to the[lxxiii] war-whoops outside. Three cheers were given by the meeting as
it broke up.