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Domestic News
July 15, 1774
The Massachusetts Spy, Or, Thomas's Boston Journal
Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
What is this article about?
In Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on June 27, 1774, townspeople peacefully managed the arrival of 27 chests of taxed India tea by holding meetings, appointing committees, and ensuring its reshipment out of port on the sloop Molly to avoid duty and maintain order, amid colonial resistance to British tea tax.
Merged-components note: These two components form a continuous report on the Portsmouth tea incident and town meetings, split across pages 2 and 3, with sequential reading order.
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PORTSMOUTH. July 8.
TWENTY-SEVEN Chests of India Tea arrived
in this town on board the mast ship, commanded by
Capt. Thomas Brown, and consigned to Mr. Parry, agent
for the mast contract, the same was landed before it
was in fact generally known that any tea had arrived in the
Ship; and such was the peaceable and prudent conduct of
the inhabitants, that the same was stored in the cellar of the
collector of the port at noon-day, but the people determin-
ing to proceed in the conduct of this matter with the ut-
most moderation; but at the same time with firmness and
resolution, proceeded immediately to petition the select-men
and who in consequence thereof forthwith called a legal
meeting of the inhabitants, where their coolness, prudence
and resolution at the same time would have done honor to
any man in any age.
Province of New-Hampshire, Rockingham.
"At a town-meeting, held at the North meeting-house
in Portsmouth, the 27th, day of June 1774.
"VOTED, Mr. THOMAS HART, moderator.
At the same meeting a committee of eleven respectable
inhabitants, were elected to treat with the consignee, and
to deliberate what would be most expedient to be done in a
cause of so much difficulty and intricacy, and to report at
the adjournment the result of their proceedings.
"VOTED, That a watch of twenty-five men be ap-
pointed to take place at 8 o'clock P. M. at the expence of the
town, to take care and secure the tea, being 27 chests,
in the custody of George Meserve, Esq; and to prevent any
insult that may arise to any individual until the adjourn-
ment of this meeting.
"VOTED UNANIMOUSLY, That the proceedings of
this meeting hitherto are satisfactory to the town, and the
watch are desired to give the earliest notice to the inhabitants,
should any disturbance arise, by ringing the bells or any other
method, and that the inhabitants be and hereby are desired
to use every method in their power to prevent such disorder,
and to keep up the good order and peace of the town.
"VOTED, That this meeting be adjourned to Tuesday
the 28th, inst. three o'clock in the afternoon.
Met according to adjournment.
"VOTED, That three gentlemen be and hereby are a
committee to wait upon Edward Parry, Esq; and desire his
attendance at this meeting-
At which time the committee reported as follows.
We the committee appointed by the town to consult what
is expedient and necessary to be done, with twenty-seven
chests of tea, lately imported and landed here, consigned to
Edward Parry, Esq; having taken into our calm and serious
consideration, the general uneasiness and anxiety which pre-
vail among the inhabitants of this and neighbouring towns
on account of said tea being sent and landed here at this cri-
tical juncture of public affairs, while the same is subject to
a duty imposed by the parliament of Great-Britain, for the
purpose of raising a revenue in the British colonies without
their consent, and after this, and all the other governments
upon this continent have repeatedly and publicly, signified
their disapprobation of the importation and sale of teas so
subject to duty upon being landed in the colonies, the
Knowing our situation with respect to our sister colonies, previous to the exportation and consignment of said tea to his friend here, likewise the dependence of this town and province upon our sister colonies, even for necessary supplies, which would undoubtedly and justly be denied the inhabitants of this town and government, in case they should tamely suffer the sale and consumption of said tea among them; and being tenderly concerned for the support and preservation of the peace and welfare of this town and province, for the security of the property of the consignor, the interest of the consignee, and in order to prevent said tea from being destroyed by the hands of violence, which we greatly fear would be the consequence if the same should not be immediately reshipped and sent out of this port. We therefore recommend to the consignee as the result of our deliberation, that the same tea should be reshipped and sent out of this port by twelve o'clock, Wednesday next, and that he would please to give his answer in writing to this request by twelve o'clock this day. Portsmouth, 28th of June, 1774.
To which the consignee gave the following answer.
To the committee appointed by the town of Portsmouth, for consulting what is expedient and necessary to be done with the 27 chests of Bohea tea consigned to Edward Parry.
GENTLEMEN,
Portsmouth, June 28th, 1774.
I have received this morning your proposals and recommendation of such measures as you think proper for me to pursue to preserve the tea consigned to my address as a private commercial commodity. I am unwilling to irritate the minds of the people, and should be glad of acting consistent with my duty to my employer who consigned the same to me, without my advice or knowledge; I am confident he would not have shipped it unless he thought it would have been agreeable to this country, by the unhappy commotions in these colonies having subsided. As you have expressed your opinions for the town that you are under great apprehensions of violence and danger to the tea, I am willing for its preservation, as also for the peace and quietness of the town, and the fatigue and trouble of such a great number of persons to watch it, that if you choose to take the protection of it, that it may be safely preserved and put on board the first proper vessel that I can procure to ship it out of this port to some other place for greater security, and that the vessel and tea may be sufficiently protected out of this port by you or such proper persons as you appoint.
I shall wait your answer.
Signed by the consignee.
The committee having reported to the town their proposals to Edward Parry, Esq; and his answer to the same,
Voted, That this town will lend their kind assistance to protect the tea, safely on board any vessel, that may be provided by said Parry, for carrying the same tea out of this port as soon as may be; and that they will further assist to protect it while in port, upon said Parry's agreeing he will not import the same again into this province until tea is allowed to be freely imported and sold here; which was agreed to by the consignee.
Voted, That the same committee be appointed to assist Edward Parry Esq; in getting said tea safely on board immediately, and to see the foregoing vote carried into execution as soon as may be.
Voted, That the same watch or major part thereof be appointed to protect said tea until the same is carried out of this port in manner aforesaid.
Voted, That it is agreeable to this town that Captain Benjamin Partridge carry the said tea out of this port at the request of said Parry.
Voted, That this meeting be and hereby is adjourned to Wednesday 29th, instant at three o'clock in the afternoon.
Met according to adjournment, June 29, 1774.
Voted, That there shall be a new committee appointed to take care that the said tea be sent safely out of this port as soon as may be.
Voted, A committee of seven persons further to treat with Mr. Parry the consignee and inform him that the town expect the sloop Molly owned by Mr. Benjamin Partridge having now on board said tea proceed out of this port on her intended voyage within four hours from 7 o'clock in the afternoon of this day, and to take every prudent measure to prevent any injury being done to said tea, and that said committee be desired to inform the consignee that the town will hold themselves under no obligations to give him any further assistance after that time is expired.
Voted, That this meeting be and hereby is adjourned to Thursday morning 30th, instant at ten o'clock.
Met according to adjournment.
Voted, That the committee be and hereby are empowered to enquire the reason why the said sloop does not proceed on her voyage, and report the reasons at this meeting at the adjournment.
Voted, That this meeting be adjourned to four o'clock this afternoon to be held at the Rev. Dr. Haven's meeting house.
Met according to adjournment.
When the committee reported that the sloop was detained some time to get water, since which she had left the port, and proceeded on her voyage.
Voted, Unanimously, that the thanks of the town be given to the present committee for their good services.
Voted, Unanimously, That the thanks of the town be also given to those other gentlemen that have given their kind assistance to the town.
Voted, That a committee of eleven persons, they or any seven of them be and hereby are a committee of inspection to examine and find out if any tea is imported here, and upon discovery of any being brought into this port or town, to give the earliest notice thereof to the town.
Voted, That three persons be appointed a committee to make report to the town at the adjournment of this meeting of a draught against the importation, use, consumption or sale of all teas, in this town while the same are subject to a duty.
Voted, That this meeting be adjourned to Friday the 1st day of July next ensuing, at three o'clock in the afternoon to the north meeting house, and is accordingly adjourned.
(To be continued.)
TWENTY-SEVEN Chests of India Tea arrived
in this town on board the mast ship, commanded by
Capt. Thomas Brown, and consigned to Mr. Parry, agent
for the mast contract, the same was landed before it
was in fact generally known that any tea had arrived in the
Ship; and such was the peaceable and prudent conduct of
the inhabitants, that the same was stored in the cellar of the
collector of the port at noon-day, but the people determin-
ing to proceed in the conduct of this matter with the ut-
most moderation; but at the same time with firmness and
resolution, proceeded immediately to petition the select-men
and who in consequence thereof forthwith called a legal
meeting of the inhabitants, where their coolness, prudence
and resolution at the same time would have done honor to
any man in any age.
Province of New-Hampshire, Rockingham.
"At a town-meeting, held at the North meeting-house
in Portsmouth, the 27th, day of June 1774.
"VOTED, Mr. THOMAS HART, moderator.
At the same meeting a committee of eleven respectable
inhabitants, were elected to treat with the consignee, and
to deliberate what would be most expedient to be done in a
cause of so much difficulty and intricacy, and to report at
the adjournment the result of their proceedings.
"VOTED, That a watch of twenty-five men be ap-
pointed to take place at 8 o'clock P. M. at the expence of the
town, to take care and secure the tea, being 27 chests,
in the custody of George Meserve, Esq; and to prevent any
insult that may arise to any individual until the adjourn-
ment of this meeting.
"VOTED UNANIMOUSLY, That the proceedings of
this meeting hitherto are satisfactory to the town, and the
watch are desired to give the earliest notice to the inhabitants,
should any disturbance arise, by ringing the bells or any other
method, and that the inhabitants be and hereby are desired
to use every method in their power to prevent such disorder,
and to keep up the good order and peace of the town.
"VOTED, That this meeting be adjourned to Tuesday
the 28th, inst. three o'clock in the afternoon.
Met according to adjournment.
"VOTED, That three gentlemen be and hereby are a
committee to wait upon Edward Parry, Esq; and desire his
attendance at this meeting-
At which time the committee reported as follows.
We the committee appointed by the town to consult what
is expedient and necessary to be done, with twenty-seven
chests of tea, lately imported and landed here, consigned to
Edward Parry, Esq; having taken into our calm and serious
consideration, the general uneasiness and anxiety which pre-
vail among the inhabitants of this and neighbouring towns
on account of said tea being sent and landed here at this cri-
tical juncture of public affairs, while the same is subject to
a duty imposed by the parliament of Great-Britain, for the
purpose of raising a revenue in the British colonies without
their consent, and after this, and all the other governments
upon this continent have repeatedly and publicly, signified
their disapprobation of the importation and sale of teas so
subject to duty upon being landed in the colonies, the
Knowing our situation with respect to our sister colonies, previous to the exportation and consignment of said tea to his friend here, likewise the dependence of this town and province upon our sister colonies, even for necessary supplies, which would undoubtedly and justly be denied the inhabitants of this town and government, in case they should tamely suffer the sale and consumption of said tea among them; and being tenderly concerned for the support and preservation of the peace and welfare of this town and province, for the security of the property of the consignor, the interest of the consignee, and in order to prevent said tea from being destroyed by the hands of violence, which we greatly fear would be the consequence if the same should not be immediately reshipped and sent out of this port. We therefore recommend to the consignee as the result of our deliberation, that the same tea should be reshipped and sent out of this port by twelve o'clock, Wednesday next, and that he would please to give his answer in writing to this request by twelve o'clock this day. Portsmouth, 28th of June, 1774.
To which the consignee gave the following answer.
To the committee appointed by the town of Portsmouth, for consulting what is expedient and necessary to be done with the 27 chests of Bohea tea consigned to Edward Parry.
GENTLEMEN,
Portsmouth, June 28th, 1774.
I have received this morning your proposals and recommendation of such measures as you think proper for me to pursue to preserve the tea consigned to my address as a private commercial commodity. I am unwilling to irritate the minds of the people, and should be glad of acting consistent with my duty to my employer who consigned the same to me, without my advice or knowledge; I am confident he would not have shipped it unless he thought it would have been agreeable to this country, by the unhappy commotions in these colonies having subsided. As you have expressed your opinions for the town that you are under great apprehensions of violence and danger to the tea, I am willing for its preservation, as also for the peace and quietness of the town, and the fatigue and trouble of such a great number of persons to watch it, that if you choose to take the protection of it, that it may be safely preserved and put on board the first proper vessel that I can procure to ship it out of this port to some other place for greater security, and that the vessel and tea may be sufficiently protected out of this port by you or such proper persons as you appoint.
I shall wait your answer.
Signed by the consignee.
The committee having reported to the town their proposals to Edward Parry, Esq; and his answer to the same,
Voted, That this town will lend their kind assistance to protect the tea, safely on board any vessel, that may be provided by said Parry, for carrying the same tea out of this port as soon as may be; and that they will further assist to protect it while in port, upon said Parry's agreeing he will not import the same again into this province until tea is allowed to be freely imported and sold here; which was agreed to by the consignee.
Voted, That the same committee be appointed to assist Edward Parry Esq; in getting said tea safely on board immediately, and to see the foregoing vote carried into execution as soon as may be.
Voted, That the same watch or major part thereof be appointed to protect said tea until the same is carried out of this port in manner aforesaid.
Voted, That it is agreeable to this town that Captain Benjamin Partridge carry the said tea out of this port at the request of said Parry.
Voted, That this meeting be and hereby is adjourned to Wednesday 29th, instant at three o'clock in the afternoon.
Met according to adjournment, June 29, 1774.
Voted, That there shall be a new committee appointed to take care that the said tea be sent safely out of this port as soon as may be.
Voted, A committee of seven persons further to treat with Mr. Parry the consignee and inform him that the town expect the sloop Molly owned by Mr. Benjamin Partridge having now on board said tea proceed out of this port on her intended voyage within four hours from 7 o'clock in the afternoon of this day, and to take every prudent measure to prevent any injury being done to said tea, and that said committee be desired to inform the consignee that the town will hold themselves under no obligations to give him any further assistance after that time is expired.
Voted, That this meeting be and hereby is adjourned to Thursday morning 30th, instant at ten o'clock.
Met according to adjournment.
Voted, That the committee be and hereby are empowered to enquire the reason why the said sloop does not proceed on her voyage, and report the reasons at this meeting at the adjournment.
Voted, That this meeting be adjourned to four o'clock this afternoon to be held at the Rev. Dr. Haven's meeting house.
Met according to adjournment.
When the committee reported that the sloop was detained some time to get water, since which she had left the port, and proceeded on her voyage.
Voted, Unanimously, that the thanks of the town be given to the present committee for their good services.
Voted, Unanimously, That the thanks of the town be also given to those other gentlemen that have given their kind assistance to the town.
Voted, That a committee of eleven persons, they or any seven of them be and hereby are a committee of inspection to examine and find out if any tea is imported here, and upon discovery of any being brought into this port or town, to give the earliest notice thereof to the town.
Voted, That three persons be appointed a committee to make report to the town at the adjournment of this meeting of a draught against the importation, use, consumption or sale of all teas, in this town while the same are subject to a duty.
Voted, That this meeting be adjourned to Friday the 1st day of July next ensuing, at three o'clock in the afternoon to the north meeting house, and is accordingly adjourned.
(To be continued.)
What sub-type of article is it?
Politics
Economic
Shipping
What keywords are associated?
Portsmouth Tea
Town Meeting
Tea Boycott
Edward Parry
Reshipment
Colonial Resistance
1774
What entities or persons were involved?
Capt. Thomas Brown
Edward Parry
George Meserve
Thomas Hart
Benjamin Partridge
Rev. Dr. Haven
Where did it happen?
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Event Date
June 27 To July 1, 1774
Key Persons
Capt. Thomas Brown
Edward Parry
George Meserve
Thomas Hart
Benjamin Partridge
Rev. Dr. Haven
Outcome
the 27 chests of tea were reshipped on the sloop molly and sent out of port without violence or destruction, maintaining peace; town appointed inspection committee against future imports.
Event Details
Twenty-seven chests of India tea arrived in Portsmouth on a mast ship commanded by Capt. Thomas Brown, consigned to Edward Parry. Inhabitants held town meetings starting June 27, 1774, at the North meeting-house, electing committees to negotiate with the consignee, appointing a watch to secure the tea in the custody of George Meserve, and unanimously resolving to prevent disorder. Committees recommended and secured agreement for reshipment by June 29; the sloop Molly, owned by Benjamin Partridge, departed after minor delay. Town voted thanks to committees and established ongoing inspection against taxed tea imports.