It is our intention that this letter should meet you below, at the Hook, that you may be apprised of the danger of bringing your ship into this port.
All the tea shipped by the Hon'ble East India Company to Boston has been destroyed on board the vessels that brought it. The ship Polly, Capt. Ayres, arrived lately at Philadelphia with the tea destined for that port, and was compelled to return with it without being suffered to come into the harbour, and there are advices in town that Charles Town has made the same determination with respect to the tea arrived at South Carolina, and you may be assured the inhabitants of this city have adopted the same sentiments, and are fully determined to carry them into execution.
We therefore think it is a duty we owe to the said Company, as we can neither receive the tea or pay the duty, to apprize you of your danger, and to give you our opinion, that for the safety of your cargo, your vessel, and your persons, it will be most prudent for you to return, as soon as you can be supplied with such necessaries as you may have occasion for on the voyage. Certain we are that you would fully concur with us in the propriety of this advice were you as well acquainted with the people's sentiments as we are, which you will learn from the enclosed papers. We shall be glad to hear from you in answer hereto, and to render you any services we can in your critical situation.
We are, your most obdt servts,
Henry White,
Abraham Lott & Co.
Pigou & Booth.
To Capt. Benjn Lockyer, of the ship Nancy.
LETTER FROM Capt. LOCKYER TO THE AGENTS, TENDERING THE CARGO.
With their Reply, referred to in their Letter of the 22d. April, 1774.
New York, April 20th, 1774.
Gentlemen: