red and forty-two chests, which was the whole
number in these vessels, and discharged their contents into
the dock. When the tide rose it floated the broken chests
and the tea insomuch that the surface of the water was
filled therewith a considerable way from the south part of
the town to Dorchester Neck, and lodged on the shores. There
was the greatest care taken to prevent the tea from being
purloined by the populace; one or two being detected in
endeavoring to pocket a small quantity were stripped of
their acquisitions and very roughly handled. It is worthy of
remark that although a considerable quantity of goods were
still remaining on board the vessel, no injury was
sustained. Such attention to private property was observed,
that a small padlock belonging to the captain of one of the
ships being broke, another was procured and sent to him. The
town was very quiet during the whole evening and the night
following. Those who were from the country went home with a
merry heart, and the next day joy appeared in almost every
countenance, some on account of the destruction of the tea,
others on account of the quietness with which it was
effected. One of the Monday's papers says the masters and
owners are well pleased that their ships are thus cleared."

Another Boston paper says:

"The people repaired to Griffin's wharf, where the tea
vessels lay, proceeded to fix tackles and hoist the tea upon
deck, cut the chests to pieces, and throw the tea over the
side.... They began upon the two ships first, as they had
nothing on board but the tea, then proceeded to the brig,
which had hauled to the wharf but the day before, and had
but a small part of her cargo out. The captain of the brig
begged they would not begin with his vessel, as the tea was
covered with goods belonging to different merchants in the
town. They told him 'the tea they wanted, and the tea they
would have, but if he would go into his cabin quietly, not
one article of his goods should be hurt.' They immediately
proceeded to remove the goods, and then to dispose of the
tea."

From the "Evening Post" of Monday, December 20, 1773:

"Previous to the dissolution, a number of persons, supposed
to be the aboriginal natives, from their complexion,
approaching the door of the assembly, gave the war-whoop,
which