The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

SALEM, Sept. 13, 1774.

Last Tuesday arrived here the Ship Julius Caesar, Charles Fea, Master, from London, having on board thirty Chests and three half Chests of Tea, the Property of one Montgomery of London, consigned to Messrs. Smith and Atkinson, Merchants in Boston, who were equally surprised and offended at the Consignment, it being entirely unknown to them before the Ship's Arrival; and they solemnly declare, that Mr. Montgomery, previous to this Consignment, never had any Intercourse or commercial Correspondence with either of them. As soon as the Committee of Correspondence here had made Discovery of the Tea, they sent an Express to Smith and Atkinson; and the next Morning Mr. Smith came to Town, and frankly declared that the Tea should not be landed, nor any Duty paid on it here, if he could possibly prevent its being done. On Tuesday and Wednesday Nights the Committee set Guards in the Ship. On Thursday Messrs. Smith and Atkinson procured a Vessel to take the Tea on board and carry it to Halifax. That Night also a Guard was set. And the next Morning, at Day-Light, the Tea was taken out, and put on board the Vessel procured to receive it, in Presence of the Guard; who having the Marks & Numbers of the Chests, found them to agree with the Bill of Lading and the Cocket. By 7 o'Clock the Vessel, with the TEA on board, got under Sail, and before 10 was out of the Harbour, with a fair Wind.

Messrs. Smith & Atkinson in the whole Affair conducted like Men of Honour, & entirely to the Satisfaction of the Committee, having used their utmost Endeavours to dispose of the Tea in a Manner the least exceptionable.