by the side of the "Dartmouth," at
Griffin's Wharf. One guard answered for the three vessels. As the time
drew near for the landing or return of the tea, the excitement of the
community increased. "Where the present disorder will end," wrote
Hutchinson, "I cannot make a probable conjecture; the town is as furious
as in the time of the stamp act." "The flame is kindled," so wrote the
wife of John Adams, "and like lightning, it catches from soul to
soul.... My heart beats at every whistle I hear, and I dare not express
half my fears."

Twenty days after her arrival in the port, a vessel was liable to
seizure for the non-payment of duties on articles imported in her, nor
on landing a portion of her cargo, could she be legally cleared. On
official advice from the governor to Colonel Leslie, commander of the
castle, and Admiral Montagu, the latter ordered the ships of war,
"Active" and "King Fisher," to guard the passages to the sea, and permit
no unauthorized vessels to pass. "The patriots," said Hutchinson, "now
found themselves in a web of inextricable difficulties." "But where
there is a will there is a way," and the patriots had more resources
than the governor dreamed of.

Rotch, the owner of the "Dartmouth," was summoned before the committee
(December 11), and was asked by Samuel Adams, the chairman, why he had
not kept his pledge, to send his vessel and tea back to London. He
replied that it was out of his power to do so. He was advised to apply
for a clearance and a pass. "The ship must go," said Adams, "the people
of Boston and the neighboring towns absolutely require and expect it."

The journals of the day are filled with items concerning the tea
question. Little else was now thought of. They contained the resolves of
the Massachusetts towns, encouraging Boston to stand firm, and assuring
her of their support, and accounts from Philadelphia and New York of the
determination to nullify the tea act, and of the declination of the
consignees in the latter place.

The "Gazette," of December 13, editorially says: "The minds of the
public are greatly irritated at the delay of Mr. Rotch, to take the
necessary steps towards complying with their peremptory requisition." On
this day an important session of the committee of the five towns already
named took place at Faneuil Hall. "No business transacted matter of
record," is the brief but suggestive entry as to its doings.

Dorchester, in legal town meeting, declared th