Earliest British account of the Boston Tea Party

Transcript

Castle William 17th December 1773

My Lord

I did myself the honor to write your Lordship last Saturday, since then the Sons of Liberty* have destroy’d [destroyed] 340 Chests of Tea on board three ships, that lay all together at one of the Wharfs.

The fourth vessel that brought the Tea is strand’d [stranded] near to Cape Cod, but the Tea was got safe on Shore, and it’s expected by this time it has fared the same fate as the rest.

I had the regiment ready to take their Arms, had they been called upon.

I am informed the Council would not agree to the Troops going to town, however it must end in that at last. Lenity [gentleness] won’t do now with the People here. The Gentlemen* that took refuge here still continue and likely to remain, for the mob threatens them much if they go to town, in short, they rule everything at present.

The Governor who is now on the Island, has wrote to My Lord Dartmouth on this late Affair.

I have the honor to be My Lord
Your most Obedient
and most humble Servant
Alexr. [Alexander] Leslie