The Town and Country Magazine; or, Universal Repository of Knowledge, Instruction, and Entertainment. London: A. Hamilton, January 1774. 56pp, 5.25 x 8.25 in.

An account of the Boston Tea Party in a leading British magazine, illustrating the resolve of the colonists to stand up to British exploitation.

In the section "Domestic Intelligence," pp. 54-55, is an account dated at Boston, December 20, 1773, containing a description of the circumstances and the ultimate failure to come to an agreement over the duty to be paid on the tea:

But behold, what followed! A number of resolute men, dressed like Mohawks, or Indians, determined to do all in their power to to save their country from the ruin which their enemies had plotted, in less than four horus(sic) emptied every chest of tea on board the three ships, commanded by the captains Hall, Bruce, and Coffin, amounting to 312 chests, into the sea, without the least damage done to the ships, or any other property. The masters and owners are well pleased that their ships are thus cleared, and the people are almost universally congratulating each other on this happy event.

We are positively informed, that the patriotic inhabitants of Lexington, at a late meeting, unanimously resolved against the use of Bohea tea of all sorts, Dutch or English importation, and to manifest the sincerity of their resolution, they brought together every ounce contained in the town, and committed it to one common bonfire.

An excerpt from the famous handbill is reprinted: "It is clear that if the Americans buy any of this tea, they must pay the parliament's duty, and acknowledge the right to tax us as often and as high as they think proper, than which nothing can be more disgraceful and injurious to a free people."

An excerpt from a letter from New York, signed by The Mohawks, illustrates the American resolve even further: "We do therefore declare, that we are determined not to be enslaved by any power on earth; and that whatever shall aid or abet so infamous a design, or shall presume to let their store or stores for the reception of the infernal chains...we are prepared, and shall not fail to pay them an unwelcome visit, in which they shall be treated as they deserve."