he colonists
from becoming purchasers at the sales of foreign companies,
usually made from September to November, and consequently at
least discourage those companies from encreasing their China
trade, and also to obtain some information, though
imperfect, before the investments for the China ships of the
ensuing season are ordered. It is proposed that chests of
Bohea tea, chests of each specie of Singlo tea, together
with a smaller assortment of Hyson, Souchong, & Congou tea
be consigned to such a number of merchants conjointly as may
be thought sufficient, (for whom their correspondents in
England shall give satisfactory security,) together with
such persons as shall be thought proper for that purpose to
be sent from thence. That upon the arrival of such tea in
Boston public notice shall be given thereof through the
Continent, and also that it is the intention of the East
India Company, if the sales of this cargo should be found to
answer, to repeat such consignments, in order to supply that
Continent with teas at least equal in price to what they
must pay for the same if obtained in a way of illicit trade.
That in order to conduct these sales in the most
advantageous manner, the parties to whom the cargoes shall
be entrusted shall act as one body; that the concurrence of
the majority shall be necessary for any act therein; that
each party shall be answerable for himself only, but that no
credit shall be given to bills received for paying without
the assent of at least three of the persons so appointed;
that it shall be the object of the person who may be
appointed to go with the cargo to obtain all possible
information respecting the actual consumption, mode of sale,
species of tea that may be introduced, & opportunity of
remittances at Boston, where it is proposed the first
consignment shall be made, as it is the only considerable
mart, where tea from England is at present received without
opposition, and having so done he shall visit such other
places on the Continent as may be thought proper, but
particularly New York and Philadelphia, in order to obtain
the same information at those several places, and learn,
from being on the spot, how far the New Yorkers, &c., will
hold their solemn engagements, when they find the advantages
they will probably reap by