XIII.
THE MOHAWKS AND THEIR TEA-PARTY.
On the evening of October 29, 1773, the Sons of Liberty againassembled at the Green Dragon. A ship had dropped anchor during theday off Castle William, bringing the news that Parliament had passed alaw taxing tea. Ever watchful for the welfare of the people, they cametogether to hear what the London newspapers and their friends inEngland had to say about it, in letters which Samuel Adams hadreceived. The night being cool, the landlord lighted a fire to warmthe room, and enable those who might like a mug of flip to heat theloggerhead in the glowing coals. Upon the table, as usual, were thepunch-bowl, crackers, cheese, tobacco, and pipes. Mr. Adams seatedhimself by the table and opened a letter.
"It is from Mr. Benjamin Franklin," he said, "who writes thatParliament has passed a law levying three pence per pound on tea. Itis not to be collected here, as on other articles, but the merchantwho ships it is to pay the duty. It is a very adroit attempt tocollect revenue. The consignees in the Colonies, of course, will addthe amount in their sales, and so the revenue will be collectedwithout any agency on the part of the Custom Houses."
"I suppose," said Doctor Warren, "Lord North and the whole Britishnation think we are such simpletons, we shall not see the cat in themeal."
"It is an insidious act," Mr. Adams resumed, "intended to underminethe political virtue of the people. Two years ago our wives anddaughters exhibited their allegiance to lofty principles by signing anagreement not to drink tea until the obnoxious laws then existing wererepealed. Lord North laughed at the time, but he has discovered thatthe people of the Colonies can be loyal to a great principle. The EastIndia Company's receipts have fallen off at the rate of five hundredthousand pounds value per annum. The company has seventeen millionpounds of tea stored in London, intended for the Colonies, and forwhich there is no market. It owes the government a vast sum. Themerchants who have grown rich out of their profits in the past are notreceiving any dividends. The shares of the company, which a few monthsago were quoted at high rates, have become unsalable. Parliament hasrepealed the obnoxious laws for taxing the Colonies, and passed thisact, doubtless thinking that, so long as we do not pay it directlyinto the Custom House, we shall acquiesce and go to drinking teaagain. And there is where the danger lies. We have been so true to ourconvictions the revenue received from its sale last year in all theColonies was only fifteen hundred pounds. It is very humiliating tothe king and ministry to turn to the other side of the ledger and findthat it has cost several hundred thousand pounds to maintain thetroops sent to the Colonies to aid in enforcing the revenue laws upona reluctant people. This new act, by having all the customs machineryin England, will have a tendency to seduce the people from theirallegiance to a great principle. How to thwart the plans of theministry is the all-important question for us to consider. Mr.Franklin writes that several vessels are soon to leave London fordifferent colonial ports--three of them for Boston."
"There is an old song," said Doctor Warren, "about a crafty old spiderinviting a silly little fly into his parlor. I don't believe the flywill accept the invitation this time."
"The consignees," said Mr. Adams, "are Elisha and Thomas Hutchinson,the governor's two sons; Richard Clark and sons, Benjamin Faneuil,Junior, and Joshua Winslow,--all honorable merchants; but theirsympathies, as we know, are not with the people. If we allow the teato be landed, I fear the consequences. We must not permit the levyingof a tax, without our consent, in any form."
"I move," said John Rowe, "that we do not permit the landing of anytea."
The meeting voted to adopt the motion. The formal business ended, theyrefilled their pipes, helped themselves to crackers and cheese, punchand flip.
* * * * *
Berinthia Brandon, the following week, could not understand why Tomwanted Dinah to make him a pot of paste; nor why he was out so late atnight,--not getting home till three o'clock in the morning. None ofthe watchmen, going their rounds, saw anybody pasting handbills on thewalls of the houses, but everybody saw the bills in the morning.
TO THE FREEMEN OF THIS AND NEIGHBORING TOWNS.
GENTLEMEN,--You are desired to meet at Liberty Tree, this day at twelve o'clock noon, then and there to hear the persons to whom the tea shipped by the East India Company is consigned make a public resignation of their office on oath as consignees; and also swear that they will reship any tea that may be consigned to them by said company, by the first vessel sailing for London.
O. C. _Secretary._
BOSTON, NOV. 3, 1773.
_Show us the man that dare take this down!!!!!_
Early in the morning the town crier was jingling his bell and callingupon the people to be at the Liberty Tree at the appointed hour.Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Doctor Warren, and William Molineux werethere, and a great crowd. The consignees were assembled in RichardClark's store. The people voted to choose a committee to inform themthat, if they did not resign or pledge themselves not to land the tea,they would be regarded as the enemies of their country. WilliamMolineux, Doctor Warren, and six others were chosen.
A great crowd accompanied the committee. Governor Hutchinson, lookingout upon them from the window of the council chamber, saw that theywere the foremost men of Boston. The consignees were in RichardClark's store, and the door was locked.
"From whom are you a committee," asked Clark, opening a window.
"From the whole people."
"I shall have nothing to do with you."
"Then you will be regarded as an enemy of your country," repliedMolineux.
"Out with them!" cried somebody.
"Hold on. Don't let us make fools of ourselves," said Tom Brandon.
There was a murmuring in the crowd.
"In the king's name, I command you to disperse," said the sheriff,stepping forward.
It was not he, however, but Doctor Warren, who, by a wave of his hand,stilled the people, and persuaded them to depart.
On Sunday morning, November 29, Tom Brandon, looking with thetelescope, saw a ship at Nantasket, and knew by the signals that itwas the Dartmouth, Captain Hall. When meeting was over at noon, hecalled upon Doctor Warren and found him writing a circular to be sentto the surrounding towns, asking the people to assemble on Mondaymorning in Faneuil Hall. Tom took the writing to the printing officeof Edes & Gill in Queen Street, and a printer quickly put it in type.On Monday morning the people of Boston, Charlestown, Cambridge, andall surrounding towns were reading it.
FRIENDS! COUNTRYMEN! BROTHERS!
The worst of plagues, the detested tea, shipped for this port by the East India Company, has arrived. The hour of destruction or manly opposition to the machinations of tyranny stares you in the face. Every friend to his country, to himself, and posterity is now called upon to meet at Faneuil Hall at nine o'clock this day, at which time the bells will ring, to make a united resistance to this last, worst, and most destructive measure of administration!
BOSTON, NOV. 30, 1773.
The bells rang. The people surged into Faneuil Hall. There was a crowdin the square around the building,--so many people that they adjournedto the Old South Meetinghouse, where they voted that the tea must goback to England, and that twenty-five men should keep watch day andnight, to prevent its being landed. The meeting adjourned till Tuesdaymorning to hear what the consignees would do.
Through the night Abraham Duncan and the other watchmen patrolled thewharves. The Dartmouth had sailed up the harbor and was riding atanchor.
A great crowd filled the meetinghouse at nine o'clock Tuesday. Themoderator read a letter from Richard Clark and the other consignees,who said they could not send the tea back, but would put it in theirstores till they could hear from the East India Company.
"No! no! no!" shouted the people, who were more than ever determinedthat it should not be landed.
Tom saw the sheriff, with his sword by his s
ide, as the emblem ofauthority, enter the meetinghouse, with a paper in his hand.
"It is from his excellency, the governor," said the sheriff, bowing tothe moderator.
"We don't want to hear it," shouted the people.
"We are assembled in orderly town meeting. I think we had better hearwhat the governor has to communicate," said Samuel Adams, and thegreat audience became silent. Tom's blood began to boil as the sheriffread:--
"You are openly violating, defying, and setting at nought the good andwholesome laws of the Province under which you live. I warn you,exhort, and require each of you, thus unlawfully assembled, forthwithto disperse, and to surcease all further unlawful proceedings at yourutmost peril."
Tom, and all around him hissed.
"We won't disperse till we've done our business," shouted a man in thecentre of the house.
"We will attend to our affairs, and Tommy Hutchinson may mind his ownbusiness," cried another.
"Let us hear from Mr. Rotch," the shout.
Mr. Rotch, a young merchant, wearing a broad-brimmed hat, and whoowned the Dartmouth, rose.
"I am willing the tea should go back without being landed," he said.
The people clapped their hands.
"Hall! Hall! Let us hear from Captain Hall," they cried.
The captain of the Dartmouth, sunburned by exposure, said it made nodifference to him. He would just as soon carry the tea back asanything else. Once more the people decided the tea should not bebrought on shore. To prevent its being landed it was voted that thewatch should be maintained; that if the attempt was made by day, themeetinghouse bells would ring, if by night, they were to toll.
A few days later, the Beaver, commanded by Captain Coffin, and theElenor, commanded by Captain Bruce, arrived. Tom, once more lookingdown the harbor, saw the warship Kingfisher drop down below the Castleand anchor in the channel; also the Active. He understood the meaningof the movement--that the governor did not intend the ships shoulddepart with the tea on board. He knew things would soon come to ahead, for under the law, unless a vessel discharged its cargo withintwenty days after arriving in port, the ship and cargo would beconfiscated. Once more the people assembled, electing Thomas Savagemoderator, and passing a vote directing Mr. Rotch to ask the collectorto clear the Dartmouth for London.
Rain was falling, and the wind east, rolling the waves into theharbor, on the morning of December 16. Unmindful of the storm, peoplefrom Boston and all the surrounding towns were gathering in the OldSouth Meetinghouse. Little did the farthest sighted among themcomprehend that the fullness of time had come for the opening of amighty drama; that the bell up in the tower was heralding thebeginning of a new era in human government.
Tom and Abraham found seats in the gallery. After prayer, Samuel Adamssaid the committee appointed at a previous meeting had called upon thecollector, with Mr. Rotch, asking him to clear the Dartmouth, but therequest was not granted.
"We all know," he continued, "that the twenty days will expire attwelve o'clock to-night. After that hour the Dartmouth will be mooredunder the guns of Admiral Montague's warships, and will be takenpossession of by a party of marines. I therefore move that Mr. Rotchbe directed to enter his protest at the Custom House, and that he befurther directed by this meeting to apply to Governor Hutchinson for apermit that shall allow the Dartmouth to pass the Castle and sail forLondon."
"All in favor of that motion will say aye," said the moderator.
"Aye!" thundered the floor, galleries, aisles, and pulpit stairs.
"All opposed will say no."
The silence was so profound that Tom could hear his heart beat.
"This meeting stands adjourned to three o'clock," said the moderator,and the great crowd thereupon surged into the streets. Some went tothe Cromwell's Head; others to the Bunch of Grapes, White Lamb, Tunand Bacchus, drank mugs of flip, and warmed themselves by the brightwood-fires blazing on the hearths. The meeting had adjourned to giveMr. Rotch time to jump into his chaise and ride out to Milton to seeGovernor Hutchinson.
Tom and Abraham walked towards the Cromwell's Head. They weresurprised and delighted to meet Roger Stanley.
"I didn't hear of the meeting till last evening," said Roger, "and Ihave come in to see what is going on."
The rain had drenched his clothes.
"See here, Roger, you are wet to the skin; you must have some toddy.Come along, I'll stand treat," said Tom.
They entered the Cromwell's Head, and each took a glass of flip, thenmade their way to the Long Room in Queen Street. Climbing the stairs,Tom rapped on a door. A moment later a panel opened, and a nose,mouth, and eyes appeared. Tom gave another rap which the nose, mouth,and eyes seemed to understand, for the door opened, and they passed inand it closed behind them.
Several of the Sons of Liberty were already there. Some were smokingpipes, others sipping mugs of hot punch. Edward Preston was sitting ata table writing.
"The sachem has just finished his proclamation, and is going to readit," said Henry Purkett.
The room became still, and Preston read what he had written.
ABRANT KAN-AK-AR-A-TOPH-QUA, CHIEF SACHEM OF THE MOHAWKS, KING OF THE SIX NATIONS AND LORD OF ALL THEIR CASTLES, ETC., ETC., TO ALL LIEGE SUBJECTS. HEALTH.
WHEREAS, tea is an Indian Plant and of right belongs to the Indians of every land and tribe; and whereas, our good allies, the English, have in lieu of it given us that pernicious liquor, Rum, which they have poured down our throats to steal away our brains; and whereas, the English have learned the most expeditious way or method of drawing an infusion of said _Tea_, without the expense of wood or trouble of fire, to the benefit and emolument of the East India trade, and, as vastly greater quantities may be used by that method than by that heretofore practiced in this country, and therefore help to support the East India Company under the present melancholy circumstances:
THEREFORE, we of our certain knowledge, special grace, and mere motion will permit or allow any of our liege subjects to barter, buy, or procure of any of our English allies, _Teas_ of any kind: _provided_ always each man can purchase not less than ten nor more than one hundred and fourteen boxes at a time and those the property of the East India Company; and _provided_ also that they pour the same into the lakes, rivers, and ponds, that, while our subjects in their hunting, instead of slaking their thirst with cold water, they may do it with tea.
Of all which our subjects will take notice and govern themselves accordingly. By command,
TO-NE-TER-A-QUE.
"Attention, braves," said the sachem. "Each subject will providehimself with a tomahawk and be at the wigwam one hour aftercandle-lighting to-night, prepared to carry out the proclamation. Thetribe will remember that the Mohawks do not talk much, but do insilence what they have to do."
They heard the proclamation in silence, and one by one took theirdeparture. Roger said he would be in the Old South Meetinghouse atthree o'clock to hear the result of the visit of Mr. Rotch to GovernorHutchinson.
"I doubt if I shall be there; I may have an engagement early in theevening," said Tom.
Abraham Duncan said the same.
"I went down to the shipyard this morning and got two tomahawks. Theyare in my chamber, together with the feathers and war-paint and theother things. Come round early, Abe," said Tom as they parted.
Again at three o'clock a great crowd filled the meetinghouse. Theclouds had rolled away, and the setting sun was throwing its beamsupon the gilded weather-vane when Roger Stanley entered the building.It was so full that he could only stand in one of the aisles. Themoderator was reading letters from the selectmen of the surroundingtowns, saying that they would stand by Boston in whatever might bedone to prevent the landing of the tea.
"Their letters," said William Molineux, rising in one of the frontpews, "are all very well; they show the determined spirit of ourfellow-citizens; but we must have a co
mmittee whose duty it shall beto prevent the landing of the tea. I move the appointment of such acommittee."
The meeting voted that a committee should be appointed.
* * * * *
The evening shades were falling and the housewives lighting theircandles. In the Brandon house Tom and Abraham were putting on Indianuniforms which Mr. Brandon years before brought home from the tribesalong the shores of the St. Lawrence--buckskin breeches and coats, furcaps trimmed with eagle's feathers. Tom tripped upstairs to thegarret, and returned with a bunch of garget berries, with which theystained their faces and hands.
"You look just like Indians," said Berinthia.
"Say nothing to nobody as to what you have seen, 'Rinth," said Tom, ashe closed the door and walked with Abraham rapidly along the street.
In the Old South Meetinghouse Josiah Quincy was speaking. The sextonbrought in two tallow candles and placed them on the table before themoderator. There was a stir at the door--a commotion--a turning ofnecks in the pews, as the young merchant, Mr. Rotch, entered thebuilding. Many in the audience thought he had been lukewarm in hisdesire to have the tea sent back to London, and were ready to hiss athim.
"Let us be just," said Doctor Young. "Let no one utter a word againstour fellow-citizen. He is doing all it is possible for him to do tohave the detested tea sent back."
The murmuring ceased as Samuel Adams addressed him:--
"Will you, Mr. Rotch, send the Dartmouth back to London with the teaon board?"
"Were I to make the attempt in compliance with the request of thepeople it would be my ruin."
Roger and all around him saw what they had not seen before, that werehe to make the effort his ship would be seized and himself arrested,and in all probability sent to England to be tried for treason.
"Who knows how tea will mix with salt water?" shouted John Rowe.
"Let us treat the fishes to a cup of tea," shouted another, and thewindows rattled with their stamping.
"Whoop! Whoop! Whoop!"
It was a yell from the street.
"Let the meeting be in order. It is a trick of our enemies to distractus," shouted some one.
"Order, gentlemen!" cried the moderator.
"Whoop! Whoop! Whoop!"
Longer and louder the yell.
"The Mohawks! the Mohawks!" the cry at the door.
Those in the galleries left their seats and hastened down the stairs.People were rising in the pews and crowding the aisles.
"This meeting can do no more," said Mr. Adams, and he declared itadjourned.
The people saw forty or fifty Indians who had suddenly appeared uponthe street. Where they came from no one knew, but they were rapidlymaking their way to Griffin's Wharf where the ships were lying. RogerStanley and a great number of citizens followed them. The sentinelswith muskets on their shoulders, keeping watch over the ships, made noeffort to stop the Mohawks. Roger saw the ship Dartmouth alongside thewharf and the Elenor and Beaver a little distance from it. The chiefleaped on board the Dartmouth. The captain was on the quarter-deck;the crew huddled at the bow were astonished to see Indians withtomahawks climbing over the sides of the vessel.
"The Mohawks will unload your tea. Please direct your men to open thehatches and then order them below into the forecastle," said thechief, addressing the captain. "You will retire to your cabin. TheMohawks will not injure your ship or do you any harm."
It was spoken resolutely and in such good English that the captainunderstood every word. The sailors lifted the hatches, providedhoisting tackle, and disappeared down the forward hatchway, and thecaptain retired to his cabin. Roger saw an Indian run up the shroudsby the mainmast and hitch a tackle. He thought the savage had someresemblance to Tom Brandon. He also saw by the light of the moon, nearits first quarter, that while one party of savages were at work uponthe Dartmouth, others were warping the Elenor and the Beaver to thedock. It was nearly low tide, and the waves were swashing the timbersbeneath the wharf. Not far away lay the Romney with her cannon peepingfrom the portholes. Very quietly the Mohawks began their work,hoisting chests from the hold, cutting them with hatchets, pouring thecontents over the sides of the vessels. Roger felt a desire to takepart in the work. Running to a blacksmith's shop, he smeared his faceand hands with charcoal, took off his coat, turned it inside out, putit on, leaped on board the ship, seized a hatchet, smashed the chests,and tumbled them overboard. The Indians worked in silence. The clockwas striking ten when the last chest was thrown into the dock. Theirwork finished, the chief rapped upon the cabin door, and the captainopened it.
"We have discharged your tea, captain, but we have disturbed nothingelse. If we have we will cheerfully pay the damage."
The captain thanked him for being so considerate.
Tom, Abraham, and Roger, and the other Indians, walked up the streetpast the house of Nathaniel Coffin, his majesty's receiver-general.His eldest son, Isaac, one of Tom's schoolmates, had just sailed forEngland, Admiral Montague having obtained a commission for him in theking's navy, but John, the younger brother, was at home.
Admiral Montague was there standing by an open window.
"Well, boys, you have had a fine, pleasant evening for your Indiancaper; but don't forget, you will have to pay the fiddler by and by."
"Oh, never mind, admiral, we are ready to pay him now," Tom replied.
The other Indians laughed as the admiral closed the window and turnedaway.
Very quietly the Mohawks separated. Abraham went to his own house,Roger went with Tom. They were soon in their chamber washing thegarget stains and charcoal from their faces and hands.
"Rat-a-tat-tat!" went the knocker on the door.
They heard feet tripping over the stairs and then Berinthia's voice."Oh, Tom, the officers are at the door. Put out your light. Let mehave your Indian clothes. Get to bed, quick."
Tom raised the window, emptied the water from the bowl into the alleybehind the house, handed his Indian suit to Berinthia, put out thelight, and jumped into bed. Captain Brandon was not at home, havinggone to Maine to obtain timber for the building of a ship. Berinthiareturned to her room, lifted the sheets and blankets, tucked Tom'ssuit safely away between the feather bed and the straw mattressbeneath it.
"Rat-a-tat-tat! Rat-a-tat-tat!" went the knocker, louder than before.Tom heard Berinthia's window open.
"Who's there, and what is wanted?" It was Berinthia speaking.
"Is Captain Brandon at home?" asked one of the men at the door.
"He is not. He is in Maine."
"We want to search your house."
"Why do you wish to search it?"
"An outrage has been committed, and we believe that his son had a handin it!"
"My brother is in bed, and a friend is spending the night with him;but I will go and tell him."
Several minutes passed before Tom could strike a light with thetinder-box, put on his clothes, and get to the door. Before descendingthe stairs he looked in the glass to see that the stains had beenwholly removed from his face, and examined the floor to ascertain thatno tea-leaves had been dropped from their clothing. He then descendedthe stairs and opened the door.
"Good-evening. What is it you wish?" he said.
"You are Tom Brandon, are you not?" asked one of the officers.
"That is my name."
"It is believed, Mr. Brandon, that you were one of the party whopoured the tea into the harbor this evening, and we have come tosearch for evidence."
"Come right in, gentlemen."
The officers stepped into the hall.
"This is the parlor, here is the sitting-room, and beyond it is thepantry. I don't think you will find much tea, for we quit drinking itthree years ago, and haven't had any since," said Tom.
"Shall we see your chamber, Mr. Brandon?"
"Certainly; you will find my old schoolmate, Roger Stanley of Concord,in bed, but he won't mind."
They climbed the stairs, entered the chamber, asked Mr. Stanley
'spardon for intruding, took a look at the washbowl, opened aclothespress, got down on their knees and looked at the floor, to seeif they could find any tea.
"Here is another chamber, my sister's; she spoke to you from thewindow. You will hardly think of entering the room till she has hadtime to put on her dress."
"Oh, no; we would not be so rude as to enter her chamber. We do notsuppose she had anything to do with it," said the officers.
"Will you not take a look at the garret?" Tom asked.
"No. You have covered your tracks so well, I do not suppose we shouldfind anything."
"Thank you. If, as you say, I had a hand in it, I regard it quite acompliment that I have covered my tracks so well," Tom replied, as theofficers took their departure. He went upstairs and opened the door toBerinthia's chamber a little.
"'Rinth, you are the best girl that ever lived," he said.
"Oh, Tom, you did that splendidly," she replied.
There was merry laughter from her lips as he closed the door andreturned to his chamber.
Daughters of the Revolution and Their Times Page 16