"I observed with great concern a paragraph with the signature of 'Consideration,' calculated to deter you from paying for the tea,a measure at this alarming juncture highly necessary and what every REAL friend to the cause of America must think your indispensible duty.While we contend for liberty,let us not destroy the idea of justice.A trespass has been committed on private property in consequence of the Resolves of your town.Restore to the sufferers the most ample compensation for the injury they have received-convince your enemies that their property is secure in every Port on the British Continent-Convince them that you do not regard the value of the article destroyed-that you only deny the right of taxation.Let not the annals of your history be sullied by a refusal-pay for the tea-it will rejoice your friends-it will convince your adversaries that the cause you are attach'd to is a righteous and just cause.Convince them that you regard honesty as much as liberty,and that you detest libertinism and licentiousness...." Why did this anonymous author think that the patriots should pay for the tea lost during the Boston Tea Party?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The anonymous author believed that paying for the tea was necessary at that "alarming juncture" to ensure that the patriots did not undermine the idea of justice while fighting for liberty. They urged the patriots to compensate the tea owners for the trespass that had been committed against their private property and to demonstrate that they valued honesty and detested libertinism and licentiousness. By paying for the tea, the patriots could reassure their adversaries that their cause was righteous and just, and that they did not disregard the value of the property destroyed, but only denied the right of taxation.

"I Observed with Great Concern a Paragraph with the Signature