WILLIAM LEGGE
(William Legge, 2nd Earl of Dartmouth)
The Revolution was clearly underway although formal hostilities were not to begin until the following year. The Patriots were already trying to stockpile arms and ammunition—especially gunpowder. See {636945}.
See {636935}for the policy decision that triggered this order.
In South Carolina, the Patriots, in reaction to the Tea Tax, did not destroy the tea, but stopped it from being landed and sold. Finally Lt. Governor Bull had the tea moved into the Customs house in Charleston. The patriots were satisfied that it was under lock and key and could not be sold or distributed and the tea tax was thus not collected. The British Secretary of State for America, however did not regard the compromise favorably.
William Legge, 2nd Earl of Dartmouth, PC, FRS, styled as Viscount Lewisham from 1732 to 1750, was a British statesman who is most remembered for his part in the government before and during the American Revolution, and as the namesake of Dartmouth College.
