George Bancroft, History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 6, 10th edition.

[485] o'clock the people of Boston with at least two thou-

Chap. L.} 1773. Dec.

sand men from the country, assembled in the Old South. A report was made that Rotch had been refused a clearance from the Collector. ‘Then,’ said they to him, ‘protest immediately against the Custom-house, and apply to the Governor for his pass, so that your vessel may this very day proceed on her voyage for London.’

The Governor had stolen away to his country house at Milton. Bidding Rotch make all haste, the Meeting adjourned to three in the afternoon. At that hour Rotch had not returned. It was incidentally voted, as other towns had already done, to abstain totally from the use of tea; and every town was advised to appoint its Committee of inspection, to prevent the detested tea from coming within any of them. Then, since the Governor might refuse his pass, the momentous question recurred, ‘Whether it be the sense and determination of this body to abide by their former Resolutions with respect to the not suffering the tea to be landed.’ On this question Samuel Adams and Young¹ addressed the Meeting, which was become far the most numerous ever held in Boston, embracing seven thousand men.² There was among them a patriot of fervid feeling; passionately devoted to the liberty of his country; still young; his eye bright, his cheek glowing with hectic fever. He knew that his strength was ebbing. The work of vindicating American freedom must be done soon, or he will be no party to the great achievement. He rises, but it is to restrain, and