United States History Student Edition

D In Support of the Tea Act

In May 1773, Parliament passed the Tea Act, which gave the British East India Company control of the tea market in the colonies, forcing colonists to buy only British tea. The following excerpt is from a pro-British pamphlet that was published that year and distributed to citizens in New York. PRIMARY SOURCE: PAMPHLET “ The British Company is at this time in extreme distress , tottering on the verge of ruin. Its fall would be fatal to our trading interest. In this season of danger, the Legislature, among other methods of assistance, has granted the liberty of exporting some of that immense quantity of teas which they have on hand, free from all duties, to their fellow subjects in America. At the same time, a few of your merchants have their stores crouded with teas from the Dutch Company, the sale of which would be injur'd by the sale of the English, which is better in quality, and can be afforded at a much cheaper rate. In this dilemma , can it be a matter of doubt to a lover of his country, t o an honest man, whether he should encourage the illicit trader , who crams his coffers with wealth . . . and [who] . . . support[s] . . . a foreign Company, which is a rival to that of his own country: or by purchasing from the fair trader , to assist . . . an institution on which the commercial interest of the state so greatly depends? ” — excerpt of a pamphlet, printed 1773 distress a state of danger or need dilemma a difficult situation illicit illegal coffer a box or chest that holds money EXAMINE THE SOURCE 1. Identifying What economic arguments does the writer present? 2. Analyzing Does the writer appeal to readers as American colonists or British citizens? How do you know?

Poplicola [Pseud.]. To the worthy inhabitants of the City of New-York. New York, 1773. Accessed via Library of Congress at www.loc.gov.

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