OF THE BOSTON TEA PARTY IgI 
we have lately received from our mother country.” 
The Boston committee replied, “We join with the 
town of Petersham in preferring a life among savages 
to the most splendid condition of slavery; but Heaven 
will bless the united efforts of a brave people.” 
From every town in Massachusetts came instruc- 
tions that on no account whatever must the tea be 
allowed to come ashore. Similar advice came in from 
the other colonies. The action of the Boston con- 
signees in refusing to resign had fixed the eyes of the 
whole country upon that town. It was rightly felt 
that the weal or woe of America depended upon the 
action of the people there. If through any weakness 
of Boston a single ounce of tea should be landed, 
there was a widespread feeling that the chief bond of 
union between the colonies would be snapped. Hence 
the cordial letter from Philadelphia said: “ Our only 
fear is that you may shrink. May God give you vir- 
tue enough to save the liberties of your country.” 
The advice that thus came from all quarters was abso- 
lutely unanimous. When the tea-ships arrived late in 
November in Boston harbour, they were taken in charge 
by the committees of Boston, Cambridge, Charles- 
town, Roxbury, and Dorchester, and a military guard 
was placed over them. From that time forth until the 
end not a step was taken save under the direction of 
these five committees, to whose action a consistent 
unity was given by the prudent leadership of Samuel 
Adams, while in all that they did they felt that in the 
sight of the whole country they were discharging a 
sacred duty. Truly for an instance of mob law this 
Tea Party was somewhat conscientiously and prayer- 
fully prepared ! 
