On this day 250 years ago a meeting of merchants at the State House in Philadelphia adopted resolutions written by group of Patriots led by Benjamin Rush, Thomas Mifflin, and William Bradford. The Resolutions declared:

“That the duty imposed by Parliament upon tea landed in America is a tax on the Americans, . . . without their consent.

That . . . the tax . . . has a direct tendency . . . to introduce arbitrary government and slavery.

That a virtuous and steady opposition to this ministerial plan of governing America is absolutely necessary to preserve even the shadow of liberty and is a duty which every freeman in America owes to his country, to himself, and to his posterity.

That the . . . [tax on] tea . . . is an open attempt to enforce this ministerial plan and a violent attack upon the liberties of America.

That it is the duty of every American to oppose this attempt.

That whoever shall, directly or indirectly, countenance this attempt or in any wise aid or abet in unloading, receiving, or vending the tea sent or to be sent out by the East India Company . . . is an enemy to his country.

That a committee be immediately chosen to wait on those gentlemen who . . . are appointed by the East India Company to receive and sell said tea and request them . . . immediately to resign their appointment.”

Source: https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/phil_res_1773.asp