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Letters Found: Eye Witness Account
of Boston Tea Party
By Camden |
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December 12,
1773
Dear Family,
I am well and I dare say I am one of the more respected sailors. During
our long journey to Boston a man fell over the side of the ship. I did
the only thing I could think of. I tied a rope to the rail and jumped
over.
A few days ago we pulled our ship the Albatross, Into Boston. 'Twas was
a fine day. We started work on the ship. I went into town on a cart
with a few others, as well. We had to deliver items for a few peoples
jobs . We had to deliver to John wells, Samuel Adams, and William
Preston.
We were leaving, when I heard the words Green Dragon Tavern, But
I decided to let it go. Good bye for now.
sincerely,
William Tavernly
1773 December, 16
Dear Family,
I have something of great importance to tell you. But first I would
like to let you know that I am well. But there was an angry mob that
came to the boat asking if we had tea in the cargo hold. Our captain
replied “no! we do not”. You see our captain is a patriot he believes
in this cause for freedom. But the English king pays well for
timber. I dare say that I sort of fancy myself a captain just
like him. I am not sure that I like the crown but we’ll see what
happens.
The city is in a royal upheaval. There are many mobs. And
to top it off there was the biggest event last night, a group of
supposed Patriots dressed like Mohawk Indians and raided a boat full of
tea. Let me tell you about it. I could not sleep, so I decided to go
for a walk. I headed along King Street past what the
Bostonians call the South Meeting House. So I went over and stood just
close enough to hear what was happening. I could not hear much, but I
did hear “This meeting can do nothing more to save our country”.
Then I watched as a group of men leave the building and headed to
the docks. I was curious so I followed them. I stayed a respectful
distance away,not wanting to be caught. When they got to the docks I
crept down an alley. Then a group of Mohawk Indians came out. Then I
watched what happened from safety of the shops. The men rowed the
Indians out in their boats boarded the Dartmouth. Which the captain,
Francis Rotch, is a friend of mine. And then they took the crates and
through them into the bay.
sincerely,
William
1773, December 21
Dear Family,
The king is very cantankerous. He is very disappointed in what has
happened. He has blocked the harbor. There is not much more to do. I
guess I will join the Americans cause. And if it means war then
so be it. I do not mean to alarm you but I dare say it will come to
war. We leave for home today. I will be back in about a week. One of
the ships masts was cracked so we had to stay another day and repair it.
The British troops have come back. They are guarding the city. It is a
good thing that we left before we could not. The road that the British
are guarding can be guarded by three men. We will be home in about six
days. I can not wait to be back in Virginia.
I have brought many treasures from our travels to the Massachusetts
colony. I am excited to see my family again. I can not wait, I
hope you are all right. I guess that this will be my last letter before
I arrive home.
sincerely,
William Tavernly
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Historical References:
Hakim, Joy Making Thirteen Colonies. New York:Oxford
University press. 1993
”The Electric Ben Franklin” a quick biography of Benjamin
Franklin.
march 3, 1996. www.ushistory.;org/franklin/info/index.htm
The Encyclopedia Americana International Edition.1999P
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