24 oct. 1773 - Said participant George Hewes, “We then were ordered by our commander to open the hatches and take out all the chests of tea and throw them overboard, and we immediately proceeded to execute his orders, first cutting and splitting the chests with our tomahawks, so as thoroughly to expose them to the effects of the water.” Hewes also noted that “We were surrounded by British armed ships, but no attempt was made to resist us.” (La bande de temps)