The women of America held meetings in many towns, and declared they would drink no tea until the hated tax was removed.  The ladies had a hard time of it without their consoling cup of tea, but they stood out nobly.

Three shiploads of tea were sent to Boston.  On the night of December 16, 1773, a party of young Americans, painted and dressed like Indians, boarded the three vessels lying in the harbor, opened the chests, and emptied all the tea into the water.  They then slipped away to their homes, and were never found out by the British.  One of the leaders of these daring young men was Paul Revere, whose famous midnight ride has been immortalized by Longfellow.

When the news of the Boston Tea Party was carried across the ocean, the anger of the King was aroused, and he sent a strong force of soldiers to Boston to bring the rebels to terms.  This act only increased the spirit of patriotism that burned in the breasts of all Americans.

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George P. Morris, the poet, describes this Tea Party, and the origin of the tune “Yankee Doodle,” in the following verses, which our American boys and girls of to-day will gladly read and sing: 

       Once on a time old Johnny Bull flew in a raging fury,
       And swore that Jonathan should have no trials, sir, by jury;
       That no elections should be held, across the briny waters;
       “And now,” said he, “I’ll tax the tea of all his sons and daughters.” 
       Then down he sate in burly state, and blustered like a grandee,
       And in derision made a tune called “Yankee doodle dandy.” 
       “Yankee doodle”—­these are facts—­“Yankee doodle dandy;”
       My son of wax, your tea I’ll tax; you Yankee doodle dandy!”

       John sent the tea from o’er the sea, with heavy duties rated;
       But whether hyson or bohea, I never heard it stated. 
       Then Jonathan to pout began—­he laid a strong embargo—­
       “I’ll drink no tea, by Jove!” so he threw overboard the cargo. 
       Then Johnny sent a regiment, big words and looks to bandy,
       Whose martial band, when near the land, played “Yankee doodle dandy.” 
       “Yankee doodle—­keep it up—­Yankee doodle dandy—­
       I’ll poison with a tax your cup, you Yankee doodle dandy.”

       A long war then they had, in which John was at last defeated,
       And “Yankee Doodle” was the march to which his troops retreated. 
       Cute Jonathan, to see them fly, could not restrain his laughter;
       “That tune,” said he, “suits to a T—­I’ll sing it ever after!”
       Old Johnny’s face, to his disgrace, was flushed with beer and brandy,
       E’en while he swore to sing no more this Yankee doodle dandy. 
       Yankee doodle,—­ho-ha-he—­Yankee doodle dandy,
       We kept the tune, but not the tea—­Yankee doodle dandy.