W.D. Rev. Mr. Cooper, “Americans Throwing the Cargoes of the Tea ships into the River, at Boston,” 1789. Engraving, Library of Congress Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Image Courtesy Library of Congress
Published in 1789, The History of North Americawas written by Reverend Mr. Cooper and engraved by Paul Revere, Jr. This primary source from the colonial era contains detailed history about the indigenous population, settlement of the colonies, fight for independence, and formation of the United States. Americans Throwing the Cargoes of the Tea ships into the River, at Bostondepicts a scene from The Boston Tea Party, the colonists’ ultimate statement of defiance against British tyranny. Policies favoring The British East India Company, which monopolized American tea sales, caused escalating colonial resentment. On December 16, 1773, Samuel Adams, leader of the Sons of Liberty, organized 100 people disguised as Native Americans to sneak onto three British ships docked in Boston Harbor. They dumped approximately 46 tons of tea into the water, destroying the product and infuriating the British. Revere’s engraved illustration captures this pivotal event leading up to the American Revolution.