Chapter 1

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The Young American's Library

THE YANKEE TEA-PARTY;

Or, Boston in 1773

by

HENRY C. WATSON,

Author of "The Camp-Fires of the American Revolution," "The Old Bell of Independence," etc. etc.

With Illustrations

Philadelphia: Lindsay And Blakiston

* * * * *

Lindsay & Blakiston's Publications.

THE YOUNG AMERICAN'S LIBRARY;

A USEFUL AND ATTRACTIVE SERIES OF BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE: EMBRACING EVENTS CONNECTED WITH THE EARLY HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY, AND LIVES OF ITS DISTINGUISHED MEN. Written with much care, and in an entertaining and instructive manner. WITH ILLUSTRATIONS OF IMPORTANT EVENTS, AND BEAUTIFULLY ILLUMINATED TITLE PAGES.

* * * * *

LIFE OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Franklin as a Tallow Chandler. Franklin at the Printing Press. Franklin's first Arrival in Philadelphia. Franklin acting as his own Porter. The Philadelphia Library, founded by Franklin. Franklin attracting Lightning from the Clouds. Franklin Signing the Declaration of Independence. Franklin as a Statesman.

LIFE OF GENERAL WASHINGTON.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Washington at Eighteen. Washington Crossing the Allegheny. Surrender of Cornwallis. A View of Mount Vernon. Washington Crossing the Delaware. Washington at Valley Forge. The Washington Family. The Tomb of Washington.

LIFE OF LAFAYETTE.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Lafayette as Commander of the National Guard. Lafayette Offering his Services to Washington. Lafayette at the Battle of Brandywine. Battle of Monmouth. Lafayette's Final Interview with Washington. Lafayette's Arrival at New York. Triumphal Arch at Philadelphia. Lafayette's Tomb.

LIFE OF WILLIAM PENN.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Portrait of William Penn. Penn receiving Instruction from his Mother. Penn receiving a Visit from his Mother in Prison. Penn Landing at Chester. Visit to the Indian Country. Penn's Treaty with the Indians. Penn's Cottage. Laetitia Court. Penn's Residence at Philadelphia.

LIFE OF MARION.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Marion as a Trooper. The Last Shot. Marion and the Raw Recruits. Sergeant McDonald and the Tory. The Famous Potato Dinner. Colonel Campbell taken Prisoner. Macdonald's Message to Colonel Watson. Mrs. Motte and the Bow and Arrows.

LIFE OF DANIEL WEBSTER.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Young Daniel at the Saw Mill. Webster Fishing at Fryburg. Webster Declining the Clerkship. Webster Expounding the Constitution. The Bunker Hill Celebration. Webster at Faneuil Hall. Marshfield, the Residence of Webster. Webster on his Farm.

LIFE OF HENRY CLAY.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Henry Clay the Statesman. The Village School. The Birthplace of Clay. The Mill Boy of the Slashes. The Debating Society. Bolivar Reading Clay's Speech to the Army. The Residence of Mr. Clay. The Torchlight Procession.

LIFE OF ANDREW JACKSON.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

A Portrait of Jackson. Jackson's Presence of Mind. Jackson's Narrow Escape. Jackson and the Acorns. Jackson as Judge. Jackson and the Indian Prisoners. The Battle of New Orleans. Jackson at the Hermitage.

LIFE OF NAPOLEON BONAPARTE.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Napoleon's Snow Fortress. The Battle of the Pyramids. Napoleon's Retreat from Russia. Napoleon's Return from Elba. The Bridge of Arcola. The Battle of Marengo. Napoleon before the Battle of Austerlitz. Napoleon Drawing a Plan of Attack.

THE YANKEE TEA-PARTY, AND OTHER STORIES OF THE REVOLUTION.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

The Boston Tea-Party. Hezekiah Wyman. Mr. Bleeker and his Son. Tarleton Breaking the Horse. Lee's Legion. Seizure of the Bettys. Exhibit of Colonel McCain. General Morgan.

THE OLD BELL OF INDEPENDENCE, OR PHILADELPHIA IN 1776.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

The Old State House Bell. Washington's Prayer for the Dying Soldier. Defeat of the Skinners at Deadman's Lake. The Story of the Half-Breed. The Outlaws of the Pines. The Battle of the Kegs. Capture of General Prescott. Riley going to the Place of Execution.

LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Portrait of General Taylor. Defence of Fort Harrison. Battle of Okee Chobee. Capture of General La Vega. The Streets of Monterey. Capitulation of Monterey. General Taylor Never Surrenders. Charge of the Kentuckians at Buena Vista.

Each of these volumes is well written, in a high, moral tone by responsible authors, and contains numerous anecdotes, illustrative of the early and latter history of our country. The compact style in which these works are written, as well as their _low price_, make them well adapted for Family, School, or District Libraries.

Price per Volume, 56-1/4 Cents, Cloth gilt. In Setts, neatly done up in Boxes, $6 75.

* * * * *

THE YANKEE TEA-PARTY;

Or, Boston in 1773

by

HENRY C. WATSON

PREFACE.

In explanation of the plan of this work, it may be stated, that such an occasion as that upon which the outline events happened seemed to us most proper for the object in view. A Fourth of July festival in the old rendezvous of the Boston Tea-party is surely well calculated to excite patriotic feeling; and when to those who participated in the festival are added a number of the veterans of the War of Independence, filled with glorious recollections, the effect is to turn the mind to the admiration and veneration of the men and deeds of the "trying time."

No event excites more interest among Americans than the destruction of the tea in Boston harbour. Then and there, the unconquerable resolution of freemen was first made apparent to the obstinate oppressors of our infant country. Yet, until of late years, the history of the affair was very imperfectly known, and the names of the men who participated in it scarcely mentioned. In these pages will be found a faithful account of this glorious exploit, and, in connection with the other narratives, it is hoped it will kindle in the breasts of young readers an enthusiasm for liberty and a love of heroic excellence.

CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTION

THE LEBANON CLUB

THE SKIRMISH AT LEXINGTON

THE FIGHT AT CONCORD

THE FIFER'S STORY

ARNOLD'S EXPEDITION

EXPEDITION AGAINST TICONDEROGA

PUTNAM'S ESCAPE

THE BATTLE OF BENNINGTON

CAPTURE OF GENERAL SULLIVAN

PATRIOTISM OF MRS. BORDEN

ESCAPE OF CAPTAIN PLUNKETT

TREASON OF RUGSDALE

CRUELTY OF TARLTON

LEE'S LEGION

ATTACK ON GENERAL WAYNE

THE MUTINY AT MORRISTOWN

THE TREASON OF BETTYS

THE BATTLE OF BUNKER'S HILL

EXPLOITS OF PETER FRANCISCO

EXPLOIT OF COLONEL ALLAN M'LEAN

THE ADVENTURE OF MAJOR LEE

GENERAL DANIEL MORGAN

BATTLE OF ORISKANY

CONCLUSION

INTRODUCTION.

Those who have been associated in the performance of any deed of valor or patriotism ever feel attracted to each other by an influence stronger and nobler than that of friendship. The daring patriots who joined in resistance to the tyrannizing might of Britain, were men pledged to die rather than betray each other, and to maintain their rights while they could lift the sword or aim the musket; and that pledge made them look upon each other in after years, when the storm of war was hushed and security dwelt at the fireside, as brothers whom no petty cause could sunder nor ill report make foes. These remarks apply, especially, to those who first threw themselves into the breach, and resolved that, if the British ministry would adopt such measures as the stamp act, their execution should be resisted and become difficult, and if such measures were passed as the act taxing tea, coffee, and the comforts of life, that the tea should never be landed, and thus prove a loss to its owners. The men who threw the tea into Boston harbor were patriots united by a sense that union was necessary for the salvation of liberty; and they were attracted to each other by the same influence during the bloody struggle which succeeded. What wonder, then, that they loved to meet in after years, to wish each other health and happiness, and chat over the stirring events in which they had participated, and to which their first bold deed was as the spark to dry hay, kindling to a fierce blaze the ready seeds of war.

It was the fourth of July in Boston. Throughout the city which cradled the Revolution, the anniversary of the birth of the free and happy United States of America was celebrated with rejoicings unknown to the shackled people of monarchical countries. Meetings were held in various parts of the city, patriotic and democratic speeches made, bells rung, cannons fired, pistols, crackers, and fireworks of all descriptions discharged, toasts drank, and festivities of all kinds indulged. The soldiers paraded the streets with fine bands discoursing most excellent music, and followed by the usual crowd. Bunker Hill was the scene of a large patriotic meeting, and the events of the 'trying time' were again and again recounted with much enthusiasm.

But a more unusual and far more interesting meeting occurred in Boston, about a quarter of a mile from the wharf known ever since the commencement of the Revolution as Griffin's Wharf. In the upper room of an old and somewhat dilapidated tavern were assembled a party of old and young men--the representatives of two generations. Three of the old men were the remaining members of the famous Lebanon Club; the first liberty club formed in the colonies, and the one which designed and executed the project of destroying the tea at Boston. They had come from various parts of the country, upon agreement, to meet once more in the house where the disguised members of the club had met on the evening of the sixteenth of December, 1773. The names of the old patriots were David Kinnison, Adam Colson, and Lendall Pitts. Five other veterans had joined the party by invitation, together with half-a-dozen young men who had arranged the meeting and paid all expenses, with a view of passing the Fourth of July in a novel and interesting manner.

A well-laden table extended the whole length of the room, and flags, banners, and appropriate emblems and devices, were hung on the walls. There was no formal organization, as at public festivals, no president elected, and no list of toasts prepared. It was intended to be a sociable gathering. No band of well-arranged and harmonized instruments appeared, but old Jacob Brown and old Samuel Hanson, a fifer and a drummer of the continental army, occasionally stirred the hearts and fired the eyes of the company with the music which had nerved the patriots of Bunker's Hill and Bennington. Each of the veterans sat in an arm-chair at the table, the young men being distributed among them so as to wait upon them occasionally, and show them every attention.

Mr. Kinnison, though not the oldest man of the company, looked as if he had seen the hardest service, and received the hardest buffets of Time. His features bespoke a strong and energetic mind, and his eye was full of fire and activity. His hair was grey and bushy, partly covering a large scar on his high forehead. He had evidently been a man of powerful frame, but was now bent with the weight of years, and service. The other veterans appeared to be generally of the same age, and to have seen hard toil and service. The fifer was the most remarkable of the party. In spite of his age and white hair, his puffed cheeks and the sly twinkle of his eyes gave him a kind of jolly, frolicsome appearance, which would indicate that age could not chill the humor of his heart.

THE LEBANON CLUB.

When the company were fairly seated at the table, Mr. Kinnison opened the conversation by asking the young men if they had ever heard any account of the Lebanon Liberty Club. They replied they had heard of the club, but never any definite account.

"Well," said Mr. Kinnison, "I can tell you something about it. Mr. Pitts, Mr. Colson, and myself, were members of a club consisting of seventeen men, living at Lebanon, up here in Maine. Most of us were farmers. We knew what them folks over the river were aiming at, and we knew that there was no use of dallying about matters. Our rights were to be untouched, or there must be a fight. So, you see, we Lebanon men resolved to form a club, to consider what was to be done, and to do accordingly. We hired a room in the tavern of Colonel Gooding, and held regular meetings at night. The colonel was an American of the right color, but we kept our object secret, not even letting him into it."

"If it isn't too much trouble, Mr. Kinnison, we should like you to tell us all about what the club had to do with the tea-party, and how that affair was conducted," said one of the young men, named Hand, filling the veteran's plate.

"He can tell you much better than any one else," remarked Mr. Pitts. "I can vouch for the bold part he took in it, and he has a better memory than the rest of us."

"No flattery, Pitts," returned Mr. Kinnison. "My memory 's bad enough, and as for taking such a bold part in that tea-party, it's all nonsense. If there was a leader, you was the man. But I'll tell these young men all I know of the affair, and what the Lebanon Club had to do with it."

"Take some of this beef, Mr. Brown?" interrupted Hand.

"Much obliged, sir, but beef is rather too tough for my gums," replied the old fifer. "I'll try something else." Mr. Kinnison went on with his narrative.

"Well, the seventeen men of our club determined, whether we were aided or not, to destroy the tea which the East India Company had sent to Boston. The plan was soon formed, as it always is when men are determined to do a thing. We wanted no captain--each man could command for himself. We resolved to disguise ourselves in Mohawk dresses, and carry such arms as would enable us to sell our lives pretty dearly; we also pledged ourselves never to reveal the names of any of the party while there was danger in it. We expected to have a fight anyhow, and the first man who faltered was to be thrown overboard with the tea. We came to Boston and found the people ripe for the deed. A great meeting was to be held at the old South Meeting-house, and we concluded to wait and see what would be done there. We lodged at this tavern, and held our councils up in this room. Well, there was a tremendous meeting at the Old South, and most of us were there to help to keep up the excitement, and to push our plan if a chance appeared. Young Quincy made a speech that stirred the people, and made them ready for anything which would show their spirit. The people voted with one voice that the tea should not be landed. We saw how things were going, came back to the tavern, put on our Mohawk dresses, and returned to the meeting. Pitts succeeded in getting into the church just about dusk and raising the war-whoop. We answered outside. Then Pitts cried out, 'Boston harbor a tea-pot to-night!'

"Ay," exclaimed Pitts, brandishing his knife above his head, "and 'hurra for Griffin's Wharf!'"

"The crowd echoed Griffin's Wharf," continued Kinnison, "and hurried towards that place. Our men joined together, returned to the tavern, got our muskets and tomahawks, and collected about seventy men together, armed with axes and hatchets. Then we pushed for the wharf where the East Indiamen, loaded with the tea, were lying. Let me see!--The ships were called the Dartmouth, the--"

"The Eleanor, and the Beaver," prompted Colson.

"Ay, the Dartmouth, the Eleanor, and the Beaver," continued Kinnison. "You see, my memory 's weak. Well, when we reached the wharf, there was a crowd of people near it. It was a clear, moonlight night, and the British squadron was not more than a quarter of a mile distant--so, you see, there was a little risk. We didn't halt long. Pitts led the way on board the Dartmouth, and we followed, musket and tomahawk in hand. Nobody offered any show of fighting for the tea. We cut open the hatches, and some of the men went down and passed up the chests, while others cut 'em open and emptied the green stuff into the water. The crew of the vessel were afeard to stir in stopping us, for we told 'em we'd shoot the first man who interfered. I tell you, there was quick work there. When we had cleared that ship of the tea, we hurried off to the others, Pitts still leading the way, and did the same kind of work for them. The people began to crowd on the wharf, and some of 'em came to help us. I guess there was about a hundred and fifty of us on the third ship, all hard at work passing up the chests, cutting 'em open and spilling the tea. Within two hours, about three hundred and fifty chests of the tea were thus destroyed. The crowd cheered us once in a while, and we knew we'd have friends enough if the red-coats attempted to attack us. When we had emptied the last chest that could be found, we gave three of the loudest cheers and gained the wharf. A drummer and fifer were ready, as Mr. Brown and Mr. Hanson can inform you, and we formed a procession and marched up to this tavern. Here the crowd gave our band of Mohawks cheer after cheer ond then dispersed. But we didn't intend to end the night's work so quietly. We had a supper prepared just where we are now eating, and Josiah Quincy and some other big men came to join us. We made a night of it, I tell you. Pitts, I think, got very drunk, so many wanted to drink with such a bold patriot."

Pitts was rather disposed to deny the assertion that he was actually drunk; but Kinnison and Colson said it was a fact, and he, at length, admitted that he was considerably excited, perhaps beyond the command of his reason. The company laughed at this 'getting around the stump,' and one of the young men proposed that Pitts' health should be drank in a glass of ale. The beverage was ordered and the health of the patriot drank with a hearty relish. The work of demolishing the eatables then went bravely on.

"Mr. Kinnison," said Mr. Colson, "there's one incident concerning that tea-party that has slipped your memory. As our procession moved from the wharf and passed the house of the tory Coffin, Admiral Montague raised the window, and said, 'Ah! boys, you have had a fine evening for your Indian caper; but mind, you've got to pay the fiddler yet!' Pitts here shouted, 'Oh! never mind, never mind, squire! Just come out, if you please, and we'll settle that bill in two minutes!' The people shouted, and the admiral thought he had better put his head in in a hurry."

"That's true," remarked Kinnison. "Well, you see, my memory is poor. Pitts would have mentioned it but for his modesty."

"I recollect it well," said Pitts. "If that tory Coffin had shown his face that night, I wouldn't have given three cents for his life."

"I think I would have had a slash at him," observed Kinnison. "I felt as savage as a Mohawk on a war-path."

"I don't want to interrupt your eating, Brown and Hanson," said Colson, "but couldn't you stir us up a little with the drum and fife?"

"Ay," added young Hand, who seemed to be the general mouth-piece of the younger portion of the company, "give us the air you played when you marched up from Griffin's Wharf."

"No objection," replied Hanson. "Come, Brown, get out your whistle. There's a little music left in it yet, I know."

The old fife was soon produced, and the drum also; and moving their chairs a short distance from the table, the veteran musicians struck up the stirring air of the old Massachusetts Song of Liberty, once so popular throughout the colonies, and supposed to have been written by Mrs. Warren.

"Hurra!" exclaimed Hand, when the musicians had concluded. "Three cheers for the music and the musicians!" and three cheers were given quite lustily by the young men, and some of the old ones.

"I have a copy of that Song of Liberty," said Hand. "Here it is, with the music. I'll sing it and you must all join in the chorus."

"Good!" said Kinnison, and the others echoed him. Hand then sang the following words, the young men joining in the chorus, and, occasionally, some of the veterans attempting to do likewise.

Come swallow your bumpers, ye tories, and roar, That the Sons of fair Freedom are hamper'd once more; But know that no cut-throats our spirits can tame, Nor a host of oppressors shall smother the flame. In freedom we're born, and, like sons of the brave, Will never surrender, But swear to defend her, And scorn to survive, if unable to save.

Our grandsires, bless'd heroes, we'll give them a tear, Nor sully their honors by stooping to fear; Through deaths and through dangers their trophies they won, We dare be their rivals, nor will be outdone. In freedom we're born, &c.

Let tyrants and minions presume to despise, Encroach on our rights, and make freedom their prize; The fruits of their rapine they never shall keep, Though vengeance may nod, yet how short is her sleep! In freedom we're born, &c.

The tree which proud Haman for Mordecai rear'd Stands recorded, that virtue endanger'd is spared; That rogues, whom no bounds and no laws can restrain. Must be stripp'd of their honors and humbled again. In freedom we're born, &c.

Our wives and our babes, still protected, shall know, Those who dare to be free shall forever be so; On these arms and these hearts they may safely rely, For in freedom we'll live, or like heroes we'll die. In freedom we're born, &c.

Ye insolent tyrants! who wish to enthrall; Ye minions, ye placemen, pimps, pensioners, all; How short is your triumph, how feeble your trust! Your honor must wither and nod to the dust. In freedom we're born, &c.

When oppress'd and approach'd, our king we implore, Still firmly persuaded our rights he'll restore; When our hearts beat to arms to defend a just right, Our monarch rules there, and forbids us to fight. In freedom we're born, &c.

Not the glitter of arms, nor the dread of a fray Could make us submit to their claims for a day; Withheld by affection, on Britons we call, Prevent the fierce conflict which threatens your fall. In freedom we're born, &c.

All ages shall speak with amaze and applause Of the prudence we show in support of our cause; Assured of our safety, a Brunswick still reigns, Whose free loyal subjects are strangers to chains. In freedom we're born, &c.

Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all, To be free is to live, to be slaves is to fall; Has the land such a dastard as scorns not a lord, Who dreads not a fetter much more than a sword? In freedom we're born, &c.

The song was much applauded for its spirit, and some of the young men wanted to give three more cheers, but Hand said they were already making too much noise, and their enthusiasm cooled.

THE SKIRMISH AT LEXINGTON.

"Now," observed Hand, "I should like to hear some account of how things went on during the war. We are all in the right mood for it."