s past in England"

_Extract from a Letter from Boston, (Messrs. Hutchinson,) dated 10th
Sepr., 1771:_

"From a more particular estimate of the consumption we are of opinion,
the two towns of Boston and Charlestown consume a chest, or about 340
pounds of tea, one day with another. These two towns are not more than
one-eighth, perhaps not more than one-tenth, part of the Province.
Suppose they consume but 300 chests in a year, and allow they are but
one-eighth, it will make 2400 chests a year for the whole Province. This
Province is not one-eighth part of the Colonies, and in the other
governments, especially New York, they consume tea in much greater
proportion than in this Province. In this proportion, the consumption
may be estimated at 19,200 chests per annum, or upwards of six millions
of pounds. Yet at New York or Pensylvania they import no teas from
England, and at Rhode Island very little. Here we find the Dutch traders
continually gaining ground upon us. If teas do not sail with you before
the spring shippings, we fear the Dutch will carry away all the trade of
the Colonies in this article."

_Extract of a Letter from Boston, dated 11th Sepr., 1772:_

"We have delayed answering your last enquiries relative to the tea
concern, in hopes of being able to form a better judgment, but to no
great purpose; the great importation from Holland, principally through
New York and Philadelphia, keeps down the price here, and consequently
the sale of teas from England. We have set ours so low we shall have no
profit from this years adventure, yet there are 50 chests still on hand.
You ask our opinion whether the difference between the English and Dutch
teas, if it did not exceed the 3d. duty and 9 pr cent., would be
sufficient encouragement to the illicit trader? If the difference was
not greater we think some of the smugglers would be discouraged, but the
greater part would not. Nothing will be effectual short of reducing the
price in England equal to the price in Holland. If no other burthen than
the 3d. duty in the Colonies, to save that alone would not be
sufficient profit, and the New Yorkers, &c., would soon break thro'
their solemn engagements not to import from England."

_Extract from a Letter from Boston, dated 25th Feb., 1773, in Answer to
a calculation sent of the supposed price at which the illicit trader can
now import tea into America from Holland:_

"In your calculation of the profits on Dutch teas,