RICH^D CLARKE,
BENJ^N FANEUIL, Jun^r.
THO^S & ELISHA HUTCHINSON.

A true copy from the original.

Petition on file. Attest:
Signed, THO^S. FLUCKER, Sec^y.

* * * * *

PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNCIL THEREON,

_At a Council held at the Council Chamber, in Boston, upon Friday, Nov^r
19, 1773._

Present:

His Excellency Thomas Hutchinson, Esq^r., Governor.

Isaac Royal,[49] } James Bowdoin, } James Pitts,
John Erving, } Esq^rs. James Russell, } Esq^rs.
Wm. Brattle,[50] } James Otis, } Sam^l Dexter, Esq^rs.

His Excellency represented to the Council the tumults and disorders
prevailing in the town of Boston, and required their advice upon
measures proper for preserving the peace, and for supporting the
authority of Government. Whilst the Council were debating on the
subject, a petition from Rich^d Clarke, Benj^n Faneuil, and Messrs.
Tho^s. and Elisha Hutchinson, to the Governor and Council was presented,
setting forth that the Hon'ble East India Com^y, in London, have ship'd
a considerable quantity of tea for the port of Boston, which they are
made to understand, will be consigned to their address, for sale, and
that some of them have, in consequence of this, been cruelly insulted in
their persons and property. They therefore beg leave to resign
themselves, and the property committed to their care, to the Governor
and Council, as the guardians and protectors of the people, and pray
that measures may be directed to, for the landing and securing the teas,
until they can be at liberty, openly and safely, to dispose of the same,
or until they can receive directions from their constituents. After long
debate, it was proposed and agreed that his Excellency be desired to
appoint a future day for the Council to sit, and he appointed the 23^d
inst., and the Council adjourned the further consideration to that time
accordingly.

November 23^d, 1773. Present in Council: His Excellency Tho^s.
Hutchinson, Esq^r., Governor.

Isaac Royal, } Esq^rs. James Bowdoin, } James Pitts,
John Erving, } James Russell, } Esq^rs. John Winthrop,
James Otis, } Esq^rs.

His Excellency directed the Council to proceed in the consideration of
the petition of Rich^d Clarke, Esq^r.,