The Providence Tea Party
March 2, 1775
Providence
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| An English tea set imported to America |
To support the tax on tea or not to support the tax on tea? That is the burning question of today, March 1, 1775. I walk over to Mrs. John Brown's residence on Power Street to see what is happening. Mr. John Brown is a wealthy merchant. He does not support the "insidious" tax the Crown has placed on tea. Other people have different ideas.
Women are organizing a tea boycott and a tomorrow they will march on Market Square and burn the tea! GASP!
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| Citizens of Providence call for tea boycott |
"No tax on tea!" I am prepared to cry out. "No taxation without representation!"
Not so fast.
The men are debating the tax.
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| Lawyers discuss the tax |
A lawyer says the tax is small and only affects wealthy merchants who can afford to pay it. Another argues that most British subjects, even in England, are taxed without representation. The tax is to pay for a war fought on American soil.
Others argue we never asked for the war so why should we pay the tax?
Moving along to Mrs. Brown's parlor, a lady is drinking tea. My adult person asks her how SHE feels about the tax on tea. My guardian argues it is women who do the shopping and drink the tea. Men have other options. They can visit a coffee house. Men drink spirits and coffee. Tea is a social beverage for ladies.
This lady owns a small shop and says the boycott will harm her business. She is not in favor of it.
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| No taxation without representation? |
I don't know what to think! Should I sign the boycott or not?
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| Boycott list |
I must explore more about where tea comes from and how it is made.
Tea comes from the leaves of a plant. In China they pick and dry the leaves. Then they compress them into bricks like this one for shipping across the ocean. [Editor's note: Or not really... museums just like to buy them because visitors think they're cool].
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| This is tea? |
In the end I decide I prefer chocolate!
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| Making drinking chocolate is hard work. This is why Felicity has Rose. |
Grown up things like taxes do not concern me.
More to come... I expect this is not the last we will hear about the cruelty of the Crown!
