he persons to
whom the teas are consigned, declare that whilst they can be
protected from violence to their persons, they will not give
way to the unreasonable demands which have been made of
them. I wish the vessels bound to New York may arrive before
those designed to this Province. Governor Tryon I know to be
well disposed to do his duty, and the people there are less
disposed to any violent proceedings, as I have reason to
think, than they are here, and an example of peace and good
order there may have its influence here."

Samuel Adams, Hancock, Warren, Molineux and Young, the most prominent of
the popular leaders, apprehended fully the responsibilities of the hour.
They had a great principle to maintain, and the courage to uphold it.
They knew that, though the people were with them, the failure to obtain
the resignation of the consignees had inspired doubt in other quarters,
as to whether Boston would meet the expectations of the patriots of
other colonies. To such as questioned whether it was not premature to
push matters to extremities, they replied, that if fidelity to the
common cause was likely to bring on a quarrel with Great Britain, this
was the best time for it to come. "Our credit," they said, "is at stake;
we must venture, and unless we do, we shall be discarded by the Sons of
Liberty in the other colonies, whose assistance we may expect, upon
emergencies, in case they find us steady, resolute and faithful." With
men like these "to the fore," though independence was scarcely dreamed
of, revolution was a foregone conclusion.

Thomas Mifflin, an active patriot of Philadelphia, subsequently a
general, and governor of Pennsylvania, when in Boston, said to some of
these men, "will you engage that the tea shall not be landed? if so, I
will answer for Philadelphia." And they pledged their honor that its
landing should be prevented.

On November 11, Hutchinson issued the following order:

"Massachusetts Bay. By the Governor.

To Colonel John Hancock, Captain of the Governor's Company
of Cadets, &c.

The Cadet company, under your command, having signalized
itself heretofore upon a very necessary occasion, and the
late tumultuous proceedings in the town of Boston requiring
that more than usual caution should be taken at this time
for the preservation of the peace, I think it proper that
you should forthwith summon each person belongin