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| A Slave's Recollection of the Tea
Party by Thira |
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October 27,1773
Dearest Friend,
Today is the last for me to work in the fields. For uncertain reasons I
would rather work inside the house than to go outside in the fields.
Anyhow, I have been working for my Master for three years. I spend a
lot of time thinking about how I came to this place.
After being captured from our country and brought here by the British I
was sold. When I got here it was hard. It was very difficult because I
did not understand the language they were speaking. This gave me an
unforgiving feeling for being treated like dirt, like I was an
insignificant being. My feelings were filled with despair. If I were
not to do as I were told, than I would get whipped. I fear that my life
is draining away before me, I have no control over myself.
When I met my new Master I was almost treated fairly, but not on some
occasions. Though I have a horrible life, I am well known to be
obedient and speak the truth. My Master is a nice person and is a
member of the Sons of Liberty.
When dusk came over the sky, I wished to go to sleep. As I was
about to go to sleep I heard horses prance through the night and
Patriots among them. Secretly, I got out of bed and went to listen to
what was going on. The window was slightly open, enough for me to hear
them speak. As I heard the conversation continue, they were talking
about the tax on tea.
I heard them mention that they hated the tax and that they should have
a say to whether they approve or not to have the tax, they didn’t have
a choice. Shouldn’t they have the part to talk on their own opinion?
They said that they have had enough of this tax on tea. Carelessly I
went back to sleep and awaited the day ahead.
Your Beloved Friend,
Sara
December 16, 1773
Beloved Friend,
I am sorry that I haven’t mailed you a letter for so long. Today, I
awoke from my sleep, ate breakfast, and cleaned the house. The winter
is pretty strong and there is no way of knowing whether it is going
snow or not. As I worked myself through the day the work was finally
done. The air was bitter cold and heavy snowflakes fell upon the ground.
It was dusk and I was ready to go to bed, but then my Master
called and I went to see why he was calling for me. As I got there I
saw my Master dressed as an Indian with smears on his face. Master knew
I had a question upon my face, but instead he told me to stay with his
family and to watch over them. In the mean time the mistress and her
children were off to bed. What the master ordered I did not do. I
followed him to learn more about what was happening.
There was a meeting at the Green Dragon Tavern, all the white men were
dressed as Indians. As I was following him, my heart was pounding
rapidly, wondering what was going to happen. I questioned myself, why
are they dressed as Indians? Plenty of Patriots were waiting for a
signal from Samuel Adams at the South Meeting House. After getting the
signal the Patriots headed for the tea ships in the harbor.
Samuel Adams was leading the people to the destruction of the tea.
Slowly but surely the fog was coming into port and the ships seemed to
vanish. When it faded into the fog I waited for a bit longer until it
finally came back into view, I was half a sleep. As I looked onto the
ship, all the tea was gone, but for some reason the ships were
unharmed. I believe they did not do anything to the ship because they
did not want to make more problems.
When I saw my master coming back I quickly ran to the house, afraid of
being caught. Slowly I made no movement when I got to the house.
Everyone was a sleep so no one noticed that I was gone.
From Your Friend,
Sara
December 18, 1773
Best Friend,
Two days have passed now since the destruction of the tea. Everyone is
surprised about what happened. The people of the Crown were furious.
Soon after the Fallen Tea, the Crown and the Patriots had a horrible
meeting. They were all the screaming and arguing.
The story of the destruction has spread. I really regret seeing
those actions. You might as well know I did not like to get
involved in this event. After hearing this news, I fled. I know that
this is a horrid path to follow. I ran and ran knowing that if I were
to be caught, then I would be whipped.
In the mean time there was a disease called small pox. It is a
disease that is spreading upon the land. The apothecarys are trying to
cure this illness, unfortunately when they tried a medicine on a few
victims, the townspeople died.
As I was running, the British caught me and I was sent back to the
Master’s House. I did not tell the soldiers why I ran away, I would not
lie. My Master found out why, I guess maybe because of the letter I
wrote for mother. He checked the letter when I was off to work.
My body aches and I can not move because my muscles are paralyzed. The
Crown is out of their mind in this messed up world. There was a
massacre just three years ago and the soldiers are rowdy. I have gotten
the whipping for trying to run away and now I am awaiting my other
punishment for disobeying Master. Though I do not know if I can live
through this, you will probably know if I don’t reply to you.
Your Dearest Friend,
Sara
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Historical References:
Jansen, Cassandra. “Boston Tea Party.” April 2006.
< http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/E/teaparty/bostonxx.htm>
“The Boston Tea Party,1773”. Ibis Communication, Inc. April 25,
2006<
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/teaparty.htm>
Swann-Wright, Dianne. “ Footsteps Colonial Slavery.” Cobblestone
Publishing CO: New Hampshire, 2002
Day, Nancy. “ Colonial America” Minnesota: Runestone Press, 2001.
Harper, Douglas. “Slavery in the North”.
<http://www.slavenorth.com> April 2006.
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Historical Terms
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Liberty
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Patriot |
East India Tea Company
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Tax |
South Meeting House
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Massacre |
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About the Historian
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Hi! Even though you might not know
her, she is a Manga (Japanese Comic) Freak. The sports that she like,
may like,
or don't like to play, but still like to see, are
Tennis, Soccer, Swimming (she doesn't know how to swim),
Basketball,
and Volley Ball. What she likes to do the most is to draw Manga. The
kinds of books she likes are lots of action, a little romance, and lots
and lots of violence. The Mangas are Naruto, Rurouni Kenshin, Fullmetal
Alchemist(best-friend LOVE IT!!!!!!), Ceres Celestiual Legend, Fruit
Basket, Record of Lodess War, Whistle, Prince of Tennis, Alice 19th,
Dream Saga,One Piece,Shaman King,Ranma 1/2, InuYasha, Marmalade
Boy, Fushigi Yugi, Angelic Layer, etc.. She also speaks Khmer.
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