ing, in which public
sentiment was legally brought to bear upon the consignees. It was held
on the 18th. The meeting was quiet and orderly, and its business was
speedily transacted.

A committee was appointed to wait on the consignees for a final answer
to the request of the town, that they resign their appointment. This was
their reply:

"BOSTON, November 18, 1773.

Sir,--In answer to the message we have this day received
from the town, we beg leave to say that we have not yet
received any order from the East India Company respecting
the expected teas, but we are now further acquainted that
our friends in England have entered into general engagements
in our behalf, merely of a commercial nature, which puts it
out of our power to comply with the request of the town.

We are, sir, your most humble servants,

RICHARD CLARKE & SONS,
BENJ. FANEUIL, JR., for self and
JOSHUA WINSLOW, Esq.,
ELISHA HUTCHINSON, for my
Brother and self."

Immediately on receiving this answer, the meeting, without vote or
comment, dissolved. "This sudden dissolution struck more terror into the
consignees," says Hutchinson, "than the most minatory resolves;" and but
for his efforts, they would have followed the example of those of
Philadelphia, who had resigned six weeks before.

Next day (November 19), the consignees, in a petition to the governor
and council, asked leave to resign themselves, and the property
committed to their care, to his Excellency and their Honors, as
guardians and protectors of the people, and that means might be devised
for the landing and securing the teas, until the petitioners could
safely dispose of them, or could receive directions from their
constituents. Their action was the cause of much comment in the
newspapers, and debate in the council. It was urged in opposition to the
scheme, that it was no part of the legitimate functions of this body to
act as trustees and storekeepers for certain factors of the East India
Company.

In a letter to a friend, dated November 24, Hutchinson thus expresses
his views of the situation. He says:

"When I saw the inhabitants of the town of Boston, assembled
under color of law, and heard of the open declaration that
we are now in a state of nature, and that we h