second town meeting, after thus acting in vain, dissolved without
the customary expression of opinion. Hutchinson himself records that
"this sudden dissolution struck more terror into the consignees than the
most minatory resolves." From that moment the matter was in the hands
of the Boston Committee of Correspondence.

By means of the committee, at whose head was Adams, communication was
held with the towns throughout Massachusetts. The province was greatly
excited, and repeated demands for resignation were made upon the
consignees, but they clung to their offices and the hope of profit.
Delays were skilfully secured, and the first ship was entered at the
customs, after which according to law it must within twenty days either
clear for England or land its cargo. The governor was resolved not to
grant a clearance, and rejoiced over his opponents. "They find
themselves," he said, "in invincible difficulties."

But everything was prepared. To the last minute of the twenty days the
Whigs were patient. Petition after petition, appeal after appeal, went
to the governor or the consignees. There was no success. On the last
day, the 16th of December, 1773, all three of the tea-ships were at
Griffin's Wharf, watched by the patriots. A town meeting, the largest in
the history of Boston, crowded the Old South, and again resolved that
the tea should not be landed. "Who knows," asked John Rowe, "how tea
will mingle with salt water?" The remark was greeted with cheers, yet
one more legal step might be taken, and the meeting, sending Rotch, the
master of the first tea-ship, to the governor at Milton to ask for a
clearance, patiently waited while he should traverse the fifteen miles
of his journey. During the hours of his absence there was no
disturbance; when he returned, the daylight had gone, and the Old South
was lighted with candles. Seven thousand people were silent to hear the
report. It was brief, and its meaning was clear: the governor had
refused; the last legal step had been taken. Then Samuel Adams rose.

"This meeting," he declared, "can do nothing more to save the country."

It was the expected signal. Immediately there was a shout from the
porch, and the warwhoop sounded out of doors. The meeting poured out of
doors and followed some fifty men in the garb of Indians, who suddenly
appeared in the street. They hurried to Griffin's Wharf. There they
posted guards, took possession of the tea-ships, and hoisting the chests