CHAPTER XV
THE BOSTON TEA SHIPS
1774-1776
Αὖται δὲ αἱ νέες ἀρχὴ κακῶν ἐγένοντο.—Herodotus, v. xcvii.
Ever since the riots at Boston on the 5th March 1770, an apparent lull had taken place in American affairs. The repeal of all the duties except that on tea had left but narrow ground for the renewal of differences of opinion between the mother country and her Colonies, and many of the latter began to withdraw from the non-importation agreements into which they had entered. There were elements, however, on both sides of the Atlantic which did not understand compromise, but it was the general impression in both countries that it only needed a little mutual generosity and the repeal of the Tea Duty to restore a permanent good understanding.
New England indeed stood firm; but even in New England there were many who wavered. Samuel Adams almost alone believed, not only that a rupture with England was inevitable, but also that the Colonies were sufficiently strong to resist successfully, if united amongst themselves. He was accordingly occupying himself in organizing corresponding Committees in all the principal towns, so as to be ready for any emergency, and he shrank from none; even were it to involve a definite breach with the mother country. George III. stood in the same relation to the English policy of the day as Samuel Adams to the American opposition, for the King was determined that the Colonies should submit to taxation, and he unfortunately
