The arrival of the tea escalated an already existing debate over the new tea tax. And the sons of liberty led an effort to protest the kings new measure. After the debate, colonists marched to griffins wharf and dumped the tea in the boston harbor. Last year on the anniversary of this debate, reenactors and observers recreated the scene. This 45 minute event was hosted by Old South Meeting House and the Boston Tea Party museum. And now, ladies and gentlemen, the 242nd anniversary celebration of the Boston Tea Party. Good evening. My name is george shoes. Perhaps you have heard of me. I have been a shoemaker most of my life, a tradesman of the humble class, but now as an old man, i parade around in my colonial clothing as the last remaining participant in the Boston Tea Party. How strange it is to think what i have seen here in boston, how i witnessed a nation born of protest. I was no student of history or politics myself. My entire education consisted of only a modest understanding of reading and writing. I belonged to no associations, participated in no government, but in the years before our war of independence, i became a staunch liberty boy. I was continually reflecting on the unwarrantable sufferings inflicted on the people of boston by the tyranny of great britain, and my mind was excited by an inextinguishable desire to aid in chastising the king. Here, here i sat in this very hall after the bloody massacre in king street in march in 1770, and again with the meetings of the body of the people in 1773, when we decided the fate of that tea. Haza i came into this building a shoemaker. I left a true citizen. Haza tonight, friends, i ask you to indulge my memory and join me in a voyage back in time to 1773. You and i will participate in one of the most important events in American History, as i did once before. We will debate the issues of the tea tax and the three ships of tea floating in the harbor. And then, my friends, we will take a stroll to the harbor, perhaps. Well said. Thank you. [laughter] i would like you to imagine what it was like here on december 16, 1773. You have all gathered in Old South Meeting House. It is the largest building in the town, and with more than 5000 fellow colonists, it is the largest political meeting ever held in the town of boston. We have gathered here for over two weeks to try to decide what to do about the three shiploads of tea that lie anchored in boston harbor. If that tea is landed, then we must pay a tax upon it. [pandemonium] our previous meetings have determined that the tea must not be landed, or we will not pay that tax haza haza the royal authorities, of course, a firm that the tax must be paid and the tea must be landed by midnight tonight. We are at a crisis. All of our efforts to return the tea to england without unloading it have failed tonight, we will find a legal way to refuse this tea now, tonight, we meet as the body of the people, which means even the lower ranks, journeyman and tradesman like me, may participate in the debate. Even you all may lend your voice. In your programs, yes, you have a card. Take it out. If that card is blue, you will be arguing tonight as a loyalist. Haza a friend of parliament if, however, the card is yellow, you will be arguing tonight as a patriot a friend to his country if you wish to speak at the meeting, you may do so by getting in line behind one of these speaking tubes, here, here, and two in the balcony. Please wait to be recognized by the meeting moderator. Now if you do not get a chance to speak, you may still show and lend your support for your fellow loyalists or patriot, but i ask you to do so as i and my fellow colonists once did. To show your support for the haer, you should shout za well done. Now lets warm it up. On my count, 1, 2, 3 haza now i am an old man, so these dont work quite as well. I think you could do better than that. Remember, king george is listening. Lets try it one more time, shall we . On my mark, 1, 2, 3 haza ah, much better. You can also show your disapproval and disdain for the eaker by shouting why try that. 1, 2, 3 why well done. Just between you and me, i hear that the sons of liberty are in the hall tonight, and they may have a secret plan that they will put into action if it is needed. [laughs] you are asked to follow the instructions of your meeting moderator. He will alert you when the meeting is adjourned, and when our procession may begin. So, let us go back in time. There i am. Laughs] [laughs] yes a younger man. , oh, my. One marked by the qualities of economy, temperance, integrity, and industry. And i see that my meeting moderator has arrived. I turn over the pulpit to mr. Samuel savage. Thank you. We think the clerk for his fine notes of the last session. Good evening, sir. Mr. Hancock, we thank the clerk for his kind notes of our last session. I call the meeting to order. We have met here at the Old South Meeting House since at those meetings, this body resolved firstly that the duty imposed by parliament upon the tea landed in america is a tax on the americans without their consent. Haza secondly, that a virtuous and steady opposition to the ministerial plan of governing america is absolutely necessary to preserve even the shadow of liberty, and it is a duty in which every free man in america owes to his country, himself and his posterity. Here, here thirdly, the east India Company of america is a violent attack upon the liberties of america. And fourthly, it is the duty of every american to oppose this attempt. We have made every effort to. Peaceably prevent the landing of the tea and the paying of the duty. Francis good evening, sir. Good evening. You are asked earlier to get clearance to leave bostons harbor without unloading its cargo of tea. 10 men, including samuel adams, accompanied you as witnesses. Sir, can you tell the assembly what has taken place . Yes, mr. Savage. The commissioner of customs, mr. Richard harrison, he confirmed to his superior whose opinion it was that mr. Harrison could not do so until the duties have been paid upon all the articles on board. Here, here. Then gentlemen, with our applied. E, mr. Roche roach he too said his hands were tied until mr. Roach gave him clearance. I recognize mr. Paul revere. I move that mr. Roach protest against the Customs House and prepare a path for the governor that he on this day set sail with his vessel to london no, no it is impractical, impossible it is indeed out of the question. Sir, you promised to take your ship dartmouth out of the harbor within 20 days of its arrival. Tomorrow is the 20th day. Will you, sir, give the order for your ship to set sail this day . No, i cannot. Order we have order on the floor. All in favor and the motion to send mr. Roach, one more time, hutchinson to get this ship out of the harbor, please say aye aye motion carried. Mr. Roach, this body requests that you carry your protest to governor hutchinson and to ask your pass to safely take guns to the castle. I will make one final attempt. I leave for milton immediately. Oh, no. A sham. Our last this may be hope to peacefully return the tea to england. We will await captain roachs safe return to the meeting house. The chair recognizes mr. John hancock. Sir. We have adopted the resolutions set forth in philadelphia regarding this oppressive act. Every town in the province must appoint a committee of inspection, so this tea is never landed. Here, here the chair recognizes mr. Clark. Sir. I my uncle winslow and encourage the merchants to stand firm and pursue their right to sell this tea. This tax encourages commerce. Is that worth the bloodshed the socalled sons of liberty seek to call upon us . [pandemonium] order mr. Clark has the floor. My cousin and i import good english tea in a legal manner, unlike the smuggler of beacon hill, who brings his dutch tea under cover of darkness like a thief in the night order order gentlemen, please, let us maintain civility. The chair recognizes mr. John copley. Sir. I am an artist, not a politician, but like so many others in this town, i have been pulled into this matter. Just a month ago, my father in law, mr. Richard clarke and the other consignees were very much wanting to see peace restored in boston. It was out of their power to send the tea back to england, but they offered to have it stored while they awaited further orders, and they would allow the tea to be inspected to assure said committees that no tea would be sneaked off and be sold. But this body refused those concessions. And so with the consensus of the consignees, as they were not involved in introducing the tea to the town, they would not at all interfere with the people. In the procedure of the same. The consignee mr. May, youre out of order. The consignee mr. May, you will wait to until i recognize you, sir. Mr. May, you may now speak. The consignees desire to lay the blame upon the people of boston entirely. The consignees are under the direct and immediate influence of the governor. As his bonds. Let us not forget order then who of the seven awns. S p let us not forget order then who of the seven consignees are governor hutchinsons son . His friends and inlaws, mr. Copley. It is the governor himself who has devised this devilish plan. Ben. The consignees must be excused. All this talk, as though the consignees were the passive instruments of the kings well. It was not so long ago that i and mr. Clark stood with one voice against the kings taxes. Just last week, he proposed out right an invitation for myself and other sons of liberty to discuss these matters in a civil fashion. By this refusal did the consignees show themselves to be as guilty as parliament itself [pandemonium] order mr. Molineaux, you speak as though you and your compatriots are the gentleman in this debate . Here, here mr. Clark and the other consignees are only trying to protect themselves and their families from the likes of you, sir here, here , sir. Aid by refusing to show their face, even in a Public Meeting such as this mr. Clark, what about you . Who threatens my good friend mr. Clarke for his wise refusal to meet with an unnamed crowd under your socalled liberty tree . Here, here was it not you, mr. Molineaux, who not too long ago that a mob that ransacked the home of our governor . I believe i should not call you , but by your more fitting nickname. Order, order shall i, sir, name of a few of the other names that have been called by me . Gentlemen by god, we will have order in this house gentlemen, let us for member the issue at hand. Dr. Warren, sir. Thank you. Gentlemen, the issue here tonight is must greater than this tax. We must clear our right to representation, because these duties are an infringement of our natural and constitutional rights. We must defend our right to representation, on us stands the fortunes of america here, here order. Recognizes mr. May again. What good would representation do us if we were to send 13 representatives to that unjust body, one from each colony, or two or three from each colony . We would still be outvoted. And then, we would have legitimized the right of parliament to tax us. Representation in parliament is a strawman, i say. We hold our right to tax ourselves and will not surrender that right to the corrupt politiciansd of parliament. Here, here. The chair recognizes dr. Gardner. I am distressed that someone seeks to delude us about this wholesome and legal beverage. It,here is a poison about it is that which flows from the lips who insight the mob. Here, here mere 3 10 tax worth the destruction of trade in this town . The chair recognizes mr. Samuel adams. Sir. Governors have no right to speak and take what they please. Instead of being content with the station assigned them, that of honorable servants of society , and instead become absolute masters desperate to as a private man has a right to say what wages he will pay in his private affairs, so has the community to determine what it will give of its substance for the administration of public affairs. Here, here. The chair recognizes mr. Archibald wilson. You have the floor. Mr. Savage i apprehend that , the application of a modicum of decency and civility to this assembly will have no ill effect. As i suppose mr. Adams would have us drink his healthy new england rum or good english tea. [laughter] i fear any excesses of parliament far less than the petty tyrants and despots in this town who hide behind john noble titles, king hancock, and wish to destroy all those who oppose them. I strive to serve my customers of all political persuasions. Here, here. Dissent is the lifeblood of the body politic, but when it interferes with my right to carry on my business, if the defiles the very principles that the courts uphold. [pandemonium] order are there any others who wish to speak this evening . Let them come forward to the front of the aisles, to the corners of the balcony. Come, come now. We have had many who wish to speak thus far. Clearly, we have a few more. The chairman recognizes the young gentleman to my left on the main floor. Sir . My name is adam colson. I think parliaments taxes are ruining the lives of those of us who live in the colony. Here, here [pandemonium] i think it is mans right to be free and to live with a just ruler, not an unfair tyrant like king george order the chair recognizes the speaker to my right in the balcony. My name is jonathan. Can you not see that this issue has caused nothing but trouble . Brother has turned against brother, father has turned against son. I argue with my brotherinlaw, john hancock, all the time, to what end . Let us pay this small tax and be done with it . Here, here why i recognize my speaker to the right on the floor. I come in and out of the harbor, and i see many of the towns merchants. If only seven men are allowed to sell tea, what happened to the other ones . Here, here i am a wig maker. You loyalists think that this issue is over three cents, but it is not. We are fighting over representation in parliament, a right of all english men. Here, here. Here, here. The chair recognizes the speaker to my left on the main floor. My name is john cochran. I sell wine, not tea. What is stopping parliament from taxing any item it chooses . We need representation here, here the chair recognizes my speaker to the right. I go for the peaceable route. Parliament has removed all other taxes. Why not just go for the two tea andrink our enjoy it . [pandemonium] my name is nathaniel russell. I have friends that are both patriots and loyalists, but i am caught in the middle of his tax issue. But since the patriots have begun a campaign that includes threats and violence, i can no longer remain neutral. [groaning] careful what you say, young sir. The sons of liberty are not dishonest for not following the law. However, there is no justice. We must do what is right here, here the chair recognizes the speaker to the right. My name is james brewer. I understand that you loyalists are upset by some of the violence of the patriots. If it takes violence to make the king listen to us, then i support the patriots. Order chair recognizes the speaker to my right on the floor. Under the tea tax, british east India Companys tea is cheaper than other tea. Under the tea tax, that tea is smuggled. I encourage my colonists to purchase british made goods. We are concerned about the violence, but as a patriot, i think we must consider our fight until our voices are heard. The chair recognizes my speaker to the left in the balcony. This chaos must stop. Let us return to our orderly lives. The chair recognizes my the speaker to my right in the balcony. What will happen if we continue to divide parliament . It could close the harbor. Is this protest really worth risking our freedom . The chair recognizes the speaker to my right on the floor. Sir. My name is isaac williams. We need to demand our full rights as english citizens. Without representation, gentlemen, parliament is committing a violent attack on the liberties of the colonists. Here, here. The chair recognizes the speaker to my left on the floor. Mr. Chairman, members of the congregation, i am a merchant. These meetings have been tiresome and a waste of our time. Here, here why not leave well enough alone . Order the chair recognizes the speaker to my right on the balcony. I feel that a bunch is ahead of us if we do not resolve this issue. We must not let the riots and violence rule our streets. The chair recognizes the speaker to my left. I too am a simple merchant. These meetings have been a waste of our time. Why not leave well enough alone . The chair recognizes the speaker to my right on the floor. My name is benjamin tucker, junior. By being stubborn and refusing to send tea back to england, the are causing even more problems in boston. Here, here i am a baker, and i believe that we must follow the good laws passed by parliament. Laws protect us and keep the colony strong. Order the chair recognizes my speaker to my right in the balcony. My name is nicholas. I am very angry that i am not being allowed to sell tea. Our businesses are losing money. The kings laws are preventing us from providing for our families. Here, here. I, too, am a simple merchant. I pride myself on providing quality goods for fair prices. Since the tea act, i cannot sell tea, and i feel like i am punished. For what . For the right to speak your mind. The chair recognizes this speaker to my left on the floor. I am a weaver of this town. I know that too much strain can cause a will open cloth to unravel. We must not push too hard against king and parliament, or the cloth of our community may also unravel. The chair recognizes the speaker to my right on the balcony. My name is joseph nichols. The loyalists say we should behave as englishmen and talk about this peacefully. I say we have brought this forth in parliament for 10 years now, and they still have not listened. Well said the chair recognizes my speaker to my left in the balcony. My name is samuel. I am a loyalist. We should behave like english men and talk about this peacefully. We have been talking to the king and parliament from his 10 years now. They still havent listened, and they are not going to listen. The time to talk with them is over. The time for action is now. You all have the opportunity to speak. The chair recognizes the speaker to my right on the floor. My name is peter harrington. My family has been boycotting british made goods and will continue to do so until the king and parliament start listening to the colonists yeah the chair recognizes my speaker to my left in the balcony. I say the king is infringing on our liberties by telling us what we can and cannot buy. We are being treated like secondclass people like secondclass citizens. Until england gives us the respect we deserve, i will smuggle dutch tea into the colonies be careful about your public statements, young lady the speaker recognizes the person to my right and the balcony. We must all obey the laws of king george. Violence must stop and order must be restored. The chair recognizes the speaker to my right on the floor. I fought in the french and indian war, and we did not need the help of the british soldiers to win it. Why must we pay our troops we never asked for . Why . The speaker to my left on the floor. Gentlemen this man has the floor. Sir, you may speak. As a schoolmaster, i understand that the loyalists are upset by the violence. I think that sometimes violence is the only way to make important changes. If it takes violence to make the king listen to us, then i support the patriots and what other methods they choose. Reason, sir. Be careful. I recognize the speaker to my left in the balcony. I am john cooley. These socalled patriots complain about a threepence tax yet they pay higher prices for , smuggled touch tea, i ask you, where is their sense . The chair recognizes the speaker to my right on the balcony. My name is charles, a loyalist. The sons of liberty are causing violence and making boston a dangerous place to live. Remember the boston massacre . You patriots head stones inside snowballs and through them at the soldiers. No wonder they fired on the mob. The chair recognizes the speaker to my left in the balcony. Please. I think king george has been good to us, and i worry about what will happen to the patriots if they continue to defy him. Here, here the chair recognizes the speaker to my left on the floor. As a doctor, i worry about the wellbeing of the the world with this violence, but as a patriot, i believe we must continue with our fight until our voices are heard and the king takes us seriously. We must stand up against the king. Here, here the chair recognizes the speaker to my right on the balcony. My name is benjamin simpson. I say it is unfair that king and Parliament Say we can only buy british goods. I think i should be able to drink dutch tea if i like. The chair recognizes the speaker to my right on the floor. I consider myself a proud english subject. I did not partake in the protests, but watched silently. , minding my own business. Now i see that i serve the crown asked by upholding her values. This means joining the protest protest. Here, here the chair recognizes the speaker to my left in the balcony. My name is joseph. Only seven merchants are allowed to sell is India Company tea. We are at a disadvantage. We dont have our voices heard. The chair recognizes the speaker to my left. My name is edward. The tax may be on tea now, but what is stopping parliament from imposing a tax on wood, sugar, or cloth . We need to continue to boycott unfair laws. The chair recognizes the speaker to my right on the floor. You loyalists complain about violence and how violent we patriots are. Violence may be terrible, but tyranny is worse. I say if violence is the only way to get them to stand up and take notice, then so be it. Violence is it. [gavel] order the chair recognizes the speaker to my right in the balcony. Ellen. Ame is i say we are not children who throw fits when we do not get what we want. We must settle for negotiation. The chair recognizes the speaker to my left in the balcony. My name is robert davis. I am tired of being told what to do by the government that has ignored us for years and knows nothing of our lives. If i have to pay taxes, i want to see where my money is going and know that it is helping my fellow townspeople. Here, here. The chair recognizes the speaker to my left on the floor. My name is john broderick. I ask my compatriots, what will happen to this colony if we continue to defy the king . If we anger the king, taxes will be the least of our problems. Here, here order order the chair recognizes the speaker to my right on the floor. Enough with the liberty tea nonsense we are all english man and subject to the kings laws. Order the chair recognizes the speaker to my left in the balcony. My name is cooper. I teach my sons to respect their fathers words. None of us are sons of liberty. We are the sons of our fathers and our king who protects that. , here, here the chair recognizes the speaker to my right on the floor. Sir, the floor is open for discussion. We patriots must continue to protest. Here, here my name is john craig. I ask you, loyalists, who shall respond . I will act in her name. I ask you, my brothers, to join me, and together we shall fight for justice. The chair recognizes the speaker to my left in the balcony. Why should we support a government whose laws are hurting our economy . We must protest until the tax is repealed. Ladies and gentlemen, the night grows late. We have, i realize, many more who wish to speak than we have time to accommodate. The question may soon be called. I would ask the monitors to please select one more person who may speak this evening before we try to move to some resolution on this issue. To my left . My name is john murray. Everyone here knows that three pence is a small price for the kings protection during the french and indian war. You are acting like spoiled children. Order order the chair recognizes the speaker to my left in the balcony. Why can we only by english tea . And why were only seven merchants chosen to sell this tea . The tea tax is an insult to the people of boston. Order the chair recognizes the speaker to my left in the balcony. I pride myself in keeping warm, dry, and well fed. Why should we go away from the kings protection . The chair recognizes the gentleman to my right on the floor. Sir. I am a rope maker. Why do we allow the king to trample our rights as englishmen . We should read ourselves in the kings laws and create our own government haza reason, sir, reason. Order order order open assembly, mr. Wilson treasonous or otherwise. Ach still has not returned. In the events that governor hutchinson refuses this provision, will this meeting abide by our former resolution . So moved. So moved . Second . Second. All in favor of the motion please say aye. The motion is carried. We have a notion that the tea shall never be landed in the province, and to ensure this, every town must appoint a committee of inspection to prevent the tea from coming into this town. All those in favor . Aye opposed . Nay. The chair is in doubt. All those in favor . Aye opposed . Nay ayes have it. Ayes have it. It is the resolution of this meeting that the tea shall not be landed. The chair recognizes mr. Quincy. It is not the spirit in these walls that will withstand us. State willn of the call forth certain events that will make a very different spirit necessary for our selfish and. Those who suppose that shouts will and the trials of the day entertains a childish fantasy. Let us look to the end. Weigh and consider before we moved to those motions that will bring forth the most trying and horrific struggle that this country ever saw. Here, here. Ah, mr. Roach. Mr. Roach mr. Roach, we have been waiting for you, sir. You have returned from requesting a pass from governor hutchinson to return your ship to england with the tea without unloading it. Can you tell us what has happened, sir . Yes, sir. His excellency said he is willing to grant anything consistent with the laws, his duty to our king the vessel passage until it had been properly cleared by the Customs House i will finish but, if the vessel can obtain proper qualification, there should be no distinction between my vessel or any other . Order dr. Young. Francis roach must not suffer harm to his personal property. He has shown us today he is a good man who has done everything in his power to satisfy us. Here, here. Thank you, doctor. Captain roach. Under the present circumstances, will you order the dartmouth back to london with its cargo of tea . I apprehend that will be my ruin. If you will not order your vessel with its cargo back to london, will you attempt to land the tea . I would have no part of the tea, but if properly called upon to do it, i will attempt to decline the regulations of the custom commissioner with my own security. The king can do nothing more to save the country. Mr. Adams, you are out of order, sir. Mr. Hancock, you are out of order, sir. Order order this meeting is not yet adjourned. Keep to your seats. Mr. Adams. Mr. Moderator. I move that dr. Thomas young, who desired to address the meeting. Mr. Young, you will way to be recognized by the chair. You may be recognized by the chair, and you maze he, sir. May speak, sir. Thank you, sir. Mr. Moderator, you are most kind as opposed to others like him over there. This tea is really a slow poison that has a corrosive effect on all those who consume it. I have given it up since it became a political poison this meeting is not adjourned yet. Sir, you have the floor. Thank you, sir. Tea produces nothing of value. Its use is insidious and pernicious and leads to various distempers. I trust that you fellow countrymen have decided to eschew this tea, and will resist temper, andthis will resist your urges toward this wicked weed, and to all other needless imported commodities. We are here in boston a free and generous people, and we have decided that to gather here today to exercise our right, which is longstanding right. Whether right. This order will take us, i cannot rightly prognosticate, but mark my word. Now that the hand is on the plow, there must be order order mr. Young, you still may proceed. Thank you, sir. Now what measures will the ministerial government in london take . Mr. Young. Will they resent this meeting . Will they dare to resent it . Who knows . What measures will they take against us . Will they punish us . How . By quartering troops on us . By annulling our charter . By the laying on of more duties . By restraining our trade . Who knows . The question is whether our assembly and deliberations were truly necessary, and order i believe they absolutely and positively are. We must be strong and resolute in case any one of you here be called to account for being at this. Order and may god defend our right to freedom for this country order order the people having manifested exemplary patience, having done everything in their power to preserve the tea without paying duty on it or preventing it to be sold. We have endeavored in every way to send it back unharmed to its owners. Therefore, this meeting is resolved. We must go. May the harbor be a wash tonight with tea. You are watching American History tv all weekend, every weekend on cspan3. Like us on facebook at cspan history. This weekend on the presidency, William Hazel grove discusses Edith Wilsons role in the white house after president Woodrow Wilson suffered a stroke in 1919. Here is a preview. , i always draw the analogy of a family overwhelmed. You have a lot of kids, the house is a mess, the dog is our king. You try to do the best you can. The white house is close down, the curtains pulled, traffic diverted away, wilson is upstairs, nobody has really seen him, and edith is taking correspondence. Remember this, there was no internet, no fax, people wrote letters backandforth. All this correspondence is coming in with nobody to deal with it, so edith would go essential, nonessential, essential, nonessential, and so what happened is the nonessential pile grew. Tons and tons of letters were never opened. She is saying, i it was really access. She would go to the president and ask him to say, what would you think of this, and if he could respond, he would respond. She had a little table set up outside his bedroom where she would meet with the cabinet members and conduct business there. Appointment had to be made, bills have to be acted on or not. It is sort of a hodgepodge of things that she was trying to do as best she could. Can watch the entire Program Sunday at 8 00 p. M. And midnight eastern on the presidency. American history tv, only on cspan tv
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