Part 16 (1/2)

They were waiting for the coming of Benjamin Rotch, who had gone to see if the collector would give him a clearance. Rotch came in and told the angry crowd that the collector refused to give the clearance. The people told him that he must get a pa.s.s from the Governor. Fearing for his personal safety, the poor man started out to find Governor Hutchinson who had purposely retired to his country home at Milton. Then the meeting adjourned for the morning.

[Ill.u.s.tration: The Old South Church, Boston.]

At three o'clock a great throng of eager men again crowded into the Old South Church and the streets outside to wait for the return of Rotch. It was a critical moment. ”If the Governor refuses to give the pa.s.s, shall the revenue officer be allowed to seize the tea and land it to-morrow morning?” Many anxious faces showed that men were asking themselves this momentous question.

But while, in deep suspense, the meeting waited and deliberated, John Rowe said, ”Who knows how tea will mingle with salt water?” A whirlwind of applause swept through the a.s.sembly and the ma.s.ses outside the church. As daylight deepened into darkness, candles were lighted.

Shortly after six Benjamin Rotch entered the church and, with pale face, said, ”The Governor refuses to give a pa.s.s.” An angry murmur arose, but the crowd soon became silent, when Samuel Adams arose and said, ”This meeting can do nothing more to save the country.”

This was plainly a concerted signal. In an instant a war-whoop sounded, and forty or fifty ”Mohawks,” or men dressed as Indians, who were waiting outside, dashed past the door and down Milk Street toward Griffin's Wharf, where the tea-s.h.i.+ps were lying at anchor. It was bright moonlight, and everything could be plainly seen. Many men stood on sh.o.r.e and watched the ”Mohawks” as they broke open 342 chests, and poured the tea into the harbor. There was no confusion. All was done in perfect order.

The ”Boston Tea Party,” of which Samuel Adams was the prime mover, was a long step toward the Revolution. Samuel Adams was at this time almost or quite alone in his desire for Independence, and he has well been called the ”Father of the Revolution.” But his influence for the good of America continued far beyond the time of the ”Boston Tea Party.” Up to the last his patriotism was earnest and sincere. He died in 1803, at the age of eighty-one years. Not as an orator, like Patrick Henry, but as a man of action, like Lincoln and Was.h.i.+ngton, had he a powerful influence over men. His was truly a life of distinguished service to his country.

[Ill.u.s.tration: The ”Boston Tea Party.”]

REVIEW OUTLINE

THE FEELING OF Ma.s.sACHUSETTS PEOPLE.

SAMUEL ADAMS IN BUSINESS AND IN PUBLIC LIFE.

A MAN TO BE TRUSTED.

KING GEORGE'S NEW SCHEME OF TAXATION.

BITTER OPPOSITION TO THE NEW TAXES.

THE KING'S SHREWD ATTEMPT TO OUTWIT THE AMERICANS.

TAXED TEA ARRIVES IN AMERICA.

A HUGE TOWN MEETING.

A BITTER STRUGGLE WITH GOVERNOR HUTCHINSON OVER THE TEA.

OVER 7,000 EXCITED MEN IN THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.

THE GOVERNOR REFUSES TO GIVE ROTCH A Pa.s.s.

THE ”MOHAWKS” AND THE ”TEA PARTY”; ADMIRAL MONTAGUE.

SAMUEL ADAMS THE ”FATHER OF THE REVOLUTION.”

TO THE PUPIL

1. What were King George's new taxes? What was their three-fold purpose?

2. Why were all the taxes repealed except the one on tea? In what way did the King try to entrap the Americans?

3. Tell about the bitter struggle over landing the tea.

4. Can you form mental pictures of the following: The throng of excited men in and about the Old South Church, awaiting the return of Benjamin Rotch; and the party of ”Mohawks” on their way down Milk Street to the harbor?

5. What was the great work of Samuel Adams? What do you admire in his character? Compare him with Patrick Henry. Have you definite pictures of the personal appearance of these men?

CHAPTER XIV