OF THE BOSTON TEA PARTY 193 
He reminded them of the probable consequences of 
what might be done that day — nothing less than war 
against the whole power of Great Britain —and 
begged them to act with such consequences fully in 
view. After this touching word of caution from 
Josiah Quincy, a final vote was taken. Suppose the 
governor should refuse, might the tea on any account 
whatever be suffered to land? One cannot step into 
the venerable church to-day without hearing its rafters 
ring with that sturdy unanimous “No!” How the 
vote was to be carried into effect few people knew, but 
Samuel Adams knew, and so did Dr. Joseph Warren 
and others who had counselled together in a back 
room in Edes and Gill’s printing-office on the corner 
of Court and Brattle streets. There was a Boston 
merchant who evidently knew what was intended. It 
had grown dark and the great church was dimly 
lighted with candles when this gentleman got up and 
asked, “ Mr. Moderator, did any one ever think how 
tea would mix with salt water?” and there was a 
shout of applause. At length the governor's refusal 
came, and never did such silence settle down over an 
assembly as when Adams arose and exclaimed, “ This 
meeting can do nothing more to save the country!” 
The response to this solemn watchword was the war- 
whoop from outside, and those strange Indian figures 
passing by in the moonlight. Was there ever such a 
riot as that which followed, when those thronging 
thousands upon the wharves stood with bated breath, 
while the busy click of hatchets came from the ships 
and from moment to moment a broken chest was 
hoisted upon the bulwark and its fragrant contents 
emptied into the icy waters? Things happened there, 
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