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The Boston Tea Party (or, it's our fault Terry is dying)
Eyewitness to History ^ | 1773 | George Hewes

Posted on 03/25/2005 9:02:45 AM PST by dware

The Recollections of George Hewes

December 1773

The tea destroyed was contained in three ships, lying near each other at what was called at the time Griffin's wharf, and were surrounded by armed ships of war, the commanders of which publicly declared that if the rebels, as they were pleased to style the Bostonians, should not withdraw their opposition to the landing of the tea before a certain day, the 17th day of December, 1773, they should on that day force it on shore, under the cover of their cannon's mouth. On the day preceding the seventeenth, there was a meeting of the citizens of Suffolk, convened at one of the churches in Boston, for the purpose of consulting on what measures might be considered expedient to prevent the landing of the tea, or secure the people from the collection of the duty. At that meeting a committee was appointed to wait on Governor Hutchinson, and request him to inform them whether he would take any measures to satisfy the people on the object on the meeting. To the first application of this committee, the Governor told them he would give them a definite answer by five o'clock in the afternoon. At the hour appointed, the committee again repaired to the Governor's house, and on inquiry found he had gone to his country seat at Milton, a distance of about six miles. When the committee returned and informed the meeting of the absence of the Governor, there was a confused murmur among the members, and the meeting was immediately dissolved, many of them crying out, "Let every man do his duty, and be true to his country"; and there was a general huzza for Griffin's wharf. It was now evening, and I immediately dressed myself in the costume of an Indian, equipped with a small hatchet, which I and my associates denominated the tomahawk, with which, and a club, after having painted my face and hands with coal dust from the shop of a blacksmith, [Editors note: Ten to one it was Paul Revere's shop] I repaired to Griffin's wharf, where the ships lay that contained the tea. When I first approached in the street after being thus disguised, I fell in with many who were dressed, equipped and painted as I was, and who fell in with me and marched in order to the place of our destination.

When we arrived at the wharf, there were three of our number who assumed an authority to direct our operations, to which we readily submitted. They divided us into three parties, for the purpose of boarding the three ships which contained the tea at the same time. The name of him who commanded the division to which I was assigned was Leonard Pitt. The names of the other commanders I never knew. We were immediately ordered by our respective commanders to board all the ships at the same time, which we promptly obeyed. The commander of the division to which I belonged, as soon as we were on board the ship, appointed me boatswain, and ordered me to the captain and demand of him the keys to the hatches and a dozen candles. I made the demand accordingly, and the captain promptly replied and delivered the articles; but requested me at the same time to do no damage to the ship or rigging. We then were ordered by our commander to open the hatches and take out all the chests of tea and throw them overboard, and we immediately proceeded to execute his orders, first cutting and splitting the chests with our tomahawks, so as thoroughly to expose them to the effects of the water.

In about three hours from the time we went on board, we had thus broken and thrown overboard every tea chest to be found in the ship, while those in the other ships were disposing of the tea in the same way, at the same time. We were surrounded by the British armed ships, but no attempt was made to resist us.

We then quietly retired to our several places of residence, without having any conversation with each other, or taking any measures to discover who were our associates; nor do I recollect of our having the knowledge of the name of a single individual concerned in that affair, except that of Leonard Pitt, the commander of my division, whom I have mentioned. There appeared to be an understanding that each individual should volunteer his services, keep his own secret, and risk the consequences for himself. No disorder took place during the transaction, and it was observed at that time that the stillest night ensued that Boston had enjoyed for many months.

During the time we were throwing the tea overboard, there were several attempts made by some of the citizens of Boston and its vicinity to carry off small quantities of it for their family use. To effect that object, they would watch their opportunity to snatch up a handful from the deck, where it became plentifully scattered, and put it into their pockets. One Captain O'Connor, whom I well knew, came on board for that purpose, and when he supposed he was not noticed, filled his pockets, and also the lining of his coat. But I detected him and gave information to the captain of what he was doing. We were ordered to take him into custody, and just as he was stepping from the vessel, I seized him by the skirt of his coat, and in attempting to pull him back, I tore it off; but, springing forward, by a rapid effort he made his escape. He had, however, to run a gauntlet through the crowd upon the wharf, each one, as he passed, giving him a kick or a stroke.

Another attempt was made to save a little tea from the ruins of the cargo by a tall, aged man who wore a large cocked hat and white wig, which was fashionable at the time. He had slightly slipped a little into his pocket, but being detected, they seized him and, taking his has and wig from his head, threw them, together with the tea, of which they had emptied his pockets, into the water. In consideration of his advanced age, he was permitted to escape, with now and then a slight kick.

The next morning, after we had cleared the ships of the tea, it was discovered that very considerable quantities of it were floating upon the surface of the water; and to prevent the possibility of any of its being saved for use, a number of small boats were manned by sailors and citizens, who rowed them into those parts of the harbor wherever the tea was visible, and by beating it with oars and paddles so thoroughly drenched it as to render its entire destruction inevitable.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Editorial; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
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Can you imagine a group of several hundred freedom loving Americans turning up at Terry Schiavo's hospital with ice chips and water? I can't either, because apparently the words courage, bravery and freedom are no longer in the average American's lexicon.

Instead, we are content sitting in front of our computers, gnawing away at the semantics of the legal system, whining about the inappropriate and illegal abuses committed by certain judges, and wait for Terry's coming death. In plain words, when the next injustice is committed, be it by a state or federal judge, or by ignorant and incompetent political 'leaders' (Republican and Democrat alike), we will simply allow it to happen, just like we have for the last 150 years.

When firearms regulation began back in the early 1900's, we allowed it to happen. When injustices were committed at Ruby Ridge and Waco, we allowed them to happen. When jackbooted thugs invaded the relative peace and calm of a Florida home and kidnapped a child at gunpoint, we allowed it to happen. Today, state judges are completely disregarding any type of legal or moral high ground, and continue to defy Congress and the will of the people to allow the murder of an innocent woman, and we are once again allowing it to happen.

It doesn't matter what side you choose to take in the issue. The fact of the matter is that the government, in the form of corrupt judges, is overstepping its boundaries. But that doesn't truly matter to us (if it did, we would be there in force with ice chips and water, and would get them to Terry regardless of the consequences). As long as our ability to make money, pay bills, watch TV and drink beer is not impaired, we don't really care what happens in Florida, or in Washington, or right in our own home towns. As long as we can go on living without threat of unlawful intrusion into our lives, we just don't care. Sure, some may throw some money at an issue every now and then, but what good is it doing? Is it stopping the continued assault on our freedoms and liberties by the ruling elite? In Terry's case, many have donated to legal funds and more, yet the injustices continue to occur.

So I close with this. Go on with life. Pay your bills, get up every morning and go to work. Come home in the afternoon to drink your beer and watch your TV. Just remember, the next time an injustice occurs, it could be right at your own doorstep. If you are lucky enough to leave this world without having had suffered an injustice at the hands of a corrupt government, keep in mind that ultimately, your actions (or in this case, inactions) will be judged.

1 posted on 03/25/2005 9:02:46 AM PST by dware
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To: dware

Good idea...but there are already a few hundred protestors outside her Hospital


2 posted on 03/25/2005 9:06:43 AM PST by El_Doctor ( Éireann go Brách)
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To: dware

All I know is that this would NOT happen in Oklahoma. Just would not be allowed. That husband would have been laughed out of court the minute he fathered a child by another woman. Since I live in Oklahoma, I can't really come to Florida. But know, that here, we would not allow this. Please know that I am not blaming the good people of Florida, I know many of them are doing all they can.


3 posted on 03/25/2005 9:08:20 AM PST by yellowdoghunter (Children need two-parent homes, hopefully the ones who actually made them.)
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To: El_Doctor

What are they waiting for? When will they realive that several hundred people with water & ice chips have the upper hand? Or are they too afraid of being arrested? I have heard of only two or three incidents where true patriots have shut their mouths and actually done something. Of course, they were promptly arrested and carted off. If several hundred people swarmed the hospital, there is no way they could arrest EVERYONE.


4 posted on 03/25/2005 9:09:30 AM PST by dware (Go then. There are other worlds than these.)
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub

Thought you might be interested.


5 posted on 03/25/2005 9:11:43 AM PST by dware (Go then. There are other worlds than these.)
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To: Brad's Gramma

FYI


6 posted on 03/25/2005 9:12:19 AM PST by dware (Go then. There are other worlds than these.)
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To: dware
I think we saw George Hewes headstone in a Boston cemetary this summer.

It was surprising to read some of the exchanges on the Schiavo story. Quite a few Freepers are very much like the Tories of 1770s Boston--trust in procedure, hope for the best, and accept the worst routinely. When all else fails--no matter how many laws are broken--scream "we are a nation of laws, not men!" Also, it's helpful to compare a Constitutional Jeb Bush intervention to an unconstitutional Janet Reno intervention. No matter how little sense that comparison makes, make it a lot. A few Freeper lawyers here have been trained like good little boys to trust a judge first and representative government second.
7 posted on 03/25/2005 9:14:14 AM PST by farmer18th ("The fool says in his heart there is no God.")
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To: dware

Why does Jeb Bush follow man's law instead of God Law?

"Thou shall not kill"

Jeb Bush has the advantage of having 2 Presidents

in his family that he can seek advice from.

His father AND his brother.

But instead he listens to judges?

He should at least order lethal injection rather

than have this poor woman denied food and water.

Judges would demand that a criminal not be denies food and water.

Poor Terri does not even have the same protection criminals do.

PC Gone Insane!

God have mercy on this once great nation.


8 posted on 03/25/2005 9:16:41 AM PST by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (1st it's Terri Then it's ..... Then it's those "complain" on the internet. Then it's YOU!)
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To: dware

And I don't remember the Constitution appointing judges (Mullahs) King of the United States. Sad that to many bow down to them.


9 posted on 03/25/2005 9:17:56 AM PST by 1_Of_We
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To: farmer18th

Furthermore, why has the blatant defiance of Congressional subpoenas been tolerated by Congress?

Do judges have the power to overrule Congress?
If Congress lets them.
And Congress is apparently going to let them.


10 posted on 03/25/2005 9:19:24 AM PST by Vicomte13 (Aure entuluva.)
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To: Vicomte13
Furthermore, why has the blatant defiance of Congressional subpoenas been tolerated by Congress?

It's obvious to me that the Congressional subpeonas were all symbolism, and no substance.

11 posted on 03/25/2005 9:21:24 AM PST by dware (Go then. There are other worlds than these.)
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To: dware
I "Amen" those words that strike my spiritual soul and "O Me" the ones that step on my fleshly toes.

I'm tortured with the thoughts and feelings that you have so succuncly articulated.
Without the Tea Party scenerio, you would be another provocoteur (sp?), but I'm afraid you are all too correct.

O Me.

What can we do now, at this late date and who would lead us?

12 posted on 03/25/2005 9:22:17 AM PST by knarf (A place where anyone can learn anything ... especially that which promotes clear thinking.)
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To: farmer18th
Quite a few Freepers are very much like the Tories of 1770s Boston--trust in procedure, hope for the best, and accept the worst routinely. When all else fails--no matter how many laws are broken--scream "we are a nation of laws, not men!"

Thank you for posting this.

13 posted on 03/25/2005 9:24:28 AM PST by MarMema ("America may have won the battles, but the Nazis won the war." Virginia Delegate Bob Marshall)
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To: dware; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub

Well, she was being given food and water through a tube directly into her stomach, because she lacked the ability to close her airway to eat. If you tried to feed her water out of a bottle or something, you would probably just drown her.

And Tonkin, I find it sadly ironic that our current obligation to live laws forbid a doctor from administering a lethal injection, except in the case of death sentenced prisoners.


14 posted on 03/25/2005 9:25:15 AM PST by cultureofdeath
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To: dware

Thomas Jefferson, Letter to James Madison, from Paris, Jan. 30, 1787

"I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical.

Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much.

It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of the government."

(Regarding Shay's Rebellion)

15 posted on 03/25/2005 9:26:40 AM PST by MamaTexan (The foundation of a Republic --- Man owes obedience to his Creator, NOT his creation.)
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To: cultureofdeath

Are you saying that you're in favor of euthenasia? I'm not!


16 posted on 03/25/2005 9:27:48 AM PST by 1_Of_We
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To: knarf
Without the Tea Party scenerio, you would be another provocoteur (sp?), but I'm afraid you are all too correct.

LOL - all because I advocate taking water & ice chips to Terry. I could very well be labeled a 'dangerous individual', perhaps even 'domestic terrorist'.

I thought it important to use the Tea Party scenario, as it illustrated the once brave & courageous mentality the people of America once had. Unfortunately, that is gone now. I almost fear the wrath of the forefathers awaiting us on judgement day, more than the wrath of God. If our forefathers were alive today, they would be extremely disgusted at what we have done with the freedoms they fought so hard for.

17 posted on 03/25/2005 9:28:37 AM PST by dware (Go then. There are other worlds than these.)
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To: dware
Just to clarify, Congress's Schiavo law does not actually order the reinsertion of the feeding tube. Here's the law, so you can see for yourself. We've been duped!
18 posted on 03/25/2005 9:29:50 AM PST by cultureofdeath
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To: MamaTexan

"Caesar had his Brutus, Charles I his Cromwell, George the III..." --Patrick Henry.


19 posted on 03/25/2005 9:31:06 AM PST by farmer18th ("The fool says in his heart there is no God.")
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To: dware

The Tea Party spirit is alive in many of us. Apparently there weren't enough of us in Florida at this time.


20 posted on 03/25/2005 9:31:07 AM PST by 1_Of_We
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