The Boston Tea Party
Submitted by Alex Talcott, age 11

The Boston Tea Party took place in December 16, 1773. The reason for this event was that King George; the king of England , tried to force the colonies to accept shipments of tea from a company called the East India Company. The East India Company was having financial difficulties at the time. The tea was priced cheaply and the important duty wasn't expensive. However, the colonists could see this move as another attempt to tax them without the colonists noticing it. This is called taxation without representation. When the word became known that King George was taxing the colonists unfairly, some people started to buy tax-free black-market tea, which was smuggled in Holland . Many refused to buy tea from Great Britain and some went on a boycott of tea altogether. Large amounts of tea rotted in London warehouses. The people quickly realized if ships carrying loads of English tea arrived they would be ruined. Tea Agents would earn quick profits and colonial merchants would be driven out of business.

In November of 1773, three ships were on their way to Boston all loaded with chests of East India Company tea. The names of the three ships were the Beaver, Dartmouth and The Eleanor. Many were still boycotting but some were buying the inexpensive tea assuming it was all right. Everyone agreed that English teas must not be allowed ashore and the ships must be sent back. The Tea Agents naturally refused. A big meeting was held. Francis Rotch, the owner of the Dartmouth , was willing to remove his ship. He tried to get permission. An agreement that the tea must be destroyed came upon them. “But who will do the job?” A voice called out, Mr. Ebenezer Stevens, one of the leaders replied, “A volunteer group.” Several men stepped forward, including Paul Revere and Benjamin Hatcher. The volunteers talked amongst themselves, planning how they could get aboard the ships best and get at the tea. Someone suggested they dress up as Mohawk Indians. “Of course we shall deceive no one into thinking we are real Indians,” Ebenezer exclaimed. The idea would protect names and families. It would also prevent British Redcoats from storming door to door making threats to make sure another thing like this would never happen again.

The met at Ebenezer's house. Ebenezer's brother and another man agreed to supply the men with disguises axes for breaking into the chests of tea. Mr. Rotch returned with bad news. He could not move his ship. They were giving a signal to put on their disguises. The men wore hoods, blankets and shawls and many other disguises. They didn't wear feathers or headdresses. They split up into groups. Each group would board a different ship.

Ebenezer came to some astonished sailors. He told them to do what he said and no harm would come. He commanded them to open the hatchways and hand over the rope and hoisting tackle. The sailors obeyed. Next Ebenezer told them to get below.

Some of the tea that was thrown overboard didn't go far out in the Boston Harbor so some men pushed the chests out farther. Some people watched and cheered as the chests landed in the water. Around the chests was canvas. Cutting through the canvas dulled the blades of the axes. Some crates took too long to open so they threw it overboard unopened. It was very hard work. When the job was done, there was an inspection. They searched the disguised men for any tea that might have been taken, but first they swept the deck clean.

Parliament was furious. The Government thought they would punish the people who took part in the great event, maybe even by using force. Parliament's most drastic act was probably the Boston 's Port Bill. It ordered the Port of Boston to be closed. The Boston Port would remain closed until the tea was paid for. In the 1700's there were no planes or trains, but they did have ships. The British tried to stop supplies from coming to Boston . Other colonies supported Boston . They got there mostly by horseback. Great Britain was trying to starve Boston. The bottom line was that the people of Boston did not think they owed England anything. The Boston Tea Party eventually let the Revolutionary War.