there to be tried in a distant land, by a jury of
strangers, and subject to all the disadvantages
that result from want of friends, want of wit-
nesses, and want of money.
WHEN the design of raising a revenue from
the duties imposed on the importation of tea in-
to
America had in great measure been ren-
dered abortive by our ceasing to import that
commodity, a scheme was concerted by the
Ministry with the East India Company, and an
Act passed enabling and encouraging them to
transport and vend it in the Colonies. Aware
of the danger of giving success to this insidious
manuvre, and of permitting a precedent of
tax-
ation thus to be established among us, various
methods were adopted to elude the stroke. The
people of
Boston, then ruled by a Governor,
whom, as well as his predecessor
Sir Francis
Bernard, all
America considers as her enemy,
were exceedingly embarrassed. The ships
which had arrived with the tea were by his
management prevented from returning. -- The
duties would have been paid; the cargoes
landed and exposed to sale; a Governor's influ-
ence would have procured and protected many
purchasers. While the town was suspended by
deliberations on this important subject, the tea
was destroyed. Even supposing a tresspass was
thereby committed, and the Proprietors of the
tea entitled to damages. -- The Courts of Law
were open, and Judges appointed by the
Crown presided in them. -- The East India Com-
pany however did not think proper to com-
mence any suits, nor did they even demand sa-