Whereas when that moment came, and the tea on board the Dartmouth, captain Hall was in danger of being seized and secured by the custom-house officers, who might have been supported by admiral Montague, the sons of liberty projected the destruction of it in the manner above related: and in order to make short work of the whole business, and prevent their repeating the preceding formalities, they did not confine their operations to the tea on board the Dartmouth, but extended them to the teas brought in afterward by captains Bruce and Coffin. Some expected that the destruction of the tea will issue in the destruction of the charter, which will make the inhabitants of the colony furious beyond expression. One gentleman, apprehensive of the fatal consequences that will follow upon the parliament’s meddling with the charter, the great darling of the people, has written freely and fully upon the subject to his correspondent, an influential member in the house. Another, being desirous of learning the real sentiments of the more moderate party, and of such as have not plunged themselves into the politics of the day, has conversed with several of them; but has discovered in them the warmest indignation and the highest resentment at the thought of being deprived of their charter. A major in the militia (whom Mr. Hutchinson honored with the commission, for his good conduct as foreman of the jury on the trial of the soldiers for killing the persons on the 5th of March, 1770) told him, “Sir, you know that I am a friend to government, and wish to support it; but if there is an attempt to take away our charter, I will fight up to my knees in blood in defence of it.” The gentleman has perceived such a spirit to predominate among all the people, that he has judged it right to communicate his knowledge to Sir Francis Bernard, and to acquaint with his apprehensions as to the fatal consequences which will follow upon the adoption of violent measures. He has written also to another friend upon the subject, in hope that the intelligence will get to the ministry, and prove beneficial to the public by preventing harsh proceedings. At Charleston the Carolinians have unloaded the tea, and stored it in cellars, where it cannot be used, and where it will finally perish. Let me pass from hence to relate the doings of the Massachusetts assembly respecting the judges, which you will probably pronounce intemperate.