|
The costumed men were said to be members of the
Sons of Liberty,
a pro-independence organization led by the
radical Sam Adams.
MacThoi
historians have reexamined personal accounts recorded at the time.
This research reveals
that the Sons of Liberty were no where near Guff's Wharf at the time of the
"Party," but rather it was Clan MacThoy.
Christmas
1773 was a time of strained relations
between Britain and its holdings.
Tariffs were placed and
imports limited on ships moored at Guff's Wharf. Precious little
liquor was making its way into the American Colonies which
did nothing for the stress levels.
In this detox, rumors spread that
East India Company ships moored at the
wharf were fresh from the tropics and loaded
down with rum and whiskey. The MacThoys
determined to "liberate" the
liquor.
After
last call, the Clan stole down to the Wharf and made their
way aboard the East India ships. Words cannot describe the
Clan's shock and dismay when they discovered only
tea. In their rage, they jettisoned the tea into the harbor.
When
bystanders approached the MacThoy to learn what had
happened, they concocted a story about the local natives
storming the wharf. This was followed by activist groups
clamoring to claim the event for themselves.
The
resulting brouhaha prompted a backlash
by the British government. It demanded reimbursement for the
ruined cargo and imposed what became known as the Intolerable Acts
on the colonies, setting the stage for revolution. |
