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The tea destroyed was contained in three ships, lying near
each other at what was called at that time Griffin's wharf, and were surrounded
by armed ships of war, the commanders of which had 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 the county 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 of 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 in the shop of a blacksmith, I
repaired to Griffin's wharf, where the ships lay that contained the tea. When I
first appeared 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 the 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 go 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 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
had 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 consequence for
himself. No disorder took place during that 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 had 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 nine 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 that time. He had sleightly slipped a little into
his pocket, but being detected, they seized him and, taking his hat 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.
- George Hewes
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