N OF THE TEA AT BOSTON,

_As contained in the Boston news paper of the 16^th Dec^r._

Boston, Thursday, Dec^r 16^th, 1773.

It being understood that Mr. Rotch, owner of the ship Dartmouth, rather
lingered in his preparations to return her to London, with the East
India Company's tea on board, there was, on Monday last P.M., a meeting
of the committee of the several neighboring towns in Boston, and Mr.
Rotch was sent for and enquired of, whether he continued his resolution
to comply with the injunctions of the body on Monday and Tuesday
preceding. Mr. Rotch answered that in the interim he had taken the
advice of the best counsel, and found that in case he went on of his own
motion to send that ship to sea in the condition she was then in, it
must inevitably ruin him, and therefore he must beg them to consider
what he had said at that meeting to be the effect of compulsion, and
unadvised, and in consequence that he was not holden to abide by it,
when he was now assured that he must be utterly ruined in case he did.
Mr. Rotch was then asked whether he would demand a clearance for his
ship in the custom house, and in case of a refusal enter a protest, and
then apply in like manner for a pass, and order her out to sea? To all
which he answered in the negative. The committee, doubtless informing
their constituents of what had passed, a very full meeting of the body
was again assembled at the Old South meeting-house, on Tuesday
afternoon, and Mr. Rotch being again present, was enquired of as before,
and a motion was made and seconded that Mr. Rotch be enjoined forthwith
to repair to the collectors and demand a clearance for his ship, and ten
gent^n were appointed to accompany him, as witnesses of the demand. Mr.
Rotch then proceeded with the committee to Mr. Harrison's lodgings, and
made the demand. Mr. Harrison observed he could not give an answer 'till
he had consulted the comptroller, but would, at office hours next
morning, give a decisive answer. On the return of Mr. Rotch and the
committee to the body with this report, the meeting was adjourned to
Thursday morning, at ten o'clock.

Thursday.

Having met on Thursday morning at ten o'clock, they sent for Mr. Rotch,
and asked him if he had been to the collector, and demanded a clearance.
He said he had; but the collector said that he could not, consistent
with his duty, give