ants of this Continent, did enter into an agreement to
withhold the importation of teas until the duty laid thereon mould be
repealed, which agreement, as we are informed, has been punctually
observed by the respectable merchants in the Southern Colonies, while,
by reason of the peculiar circumstances attending the trade of this
place, some quantities, tho' very small in proportion to what had been
usual before said agreement, have been imported by some of the merchants
here. And whereas, it now appears probable to this Town, that the
British Administration have taken encouragement, even from such small
importations, to grant licenses to the East India Company, as aforesaid,
therefore,--

Resolved, That it is the determination of this Town, by all means in
their power, to prevent the sale of teas exported by the East India
Company, and as the merchants here have generally opposed this measure,
it is the just expectation of the inhabitants of this town that no one
of them will, upon any pretence whatever, import any tea that shall be
liable to pay the duty from this time, and until the Act imposing the
same shall be repealed.

[Illustration: Signature, Samuel Adams.]

GOVERNOR GAGE, THROUGH COL. FENTON, TO SAMUEL ADAMS, 1773.

"Mr. Adams, you have displeased His Majesty, made yourself liable to be
sent to England, and tried for treason. Change your political course,
you will receive personal advantages, and also make your peace with the
King."

_Mr. Adams' Reply:_ "I have long since made my peace with the King of
Kings. No personal consideration shall induce me to abandon the
righteous cause of my country. Tell Gov. Gage it is the advice of Samuel
Adams, to him, no longer to insult the feelings of an already
exasperated people."

And then the Town adjourned till three o'clock in the afternoon.

* * * * *

At 3 o'clock, there was again a very full assembly, and the committee
reported to the Town that they had waited on Richard Clarke, Esq^r. and
Son, and Benjamin Faneuil, Esq^r., said to be factors of the East India
Company, and communicated to them the resolve of the Town, whereby they
were requested, immediately, to resign their appointment, and that said
gentlemen informed the committee, that as Messrs. Thomas & Elisha
Hutchinson, (who are also reported to be factors of the said Company,)
were at Milton, and not expected in town 'till Saturday evening, and as
they chose to consu