Acknowledgement.
I am an avid admirer of Jane Austen's novels. This my first attempt of an AU version of Sense and Sensibility. In contrast to my earlier stories, this time I use Austen's original canon and not the canon's from Ang Lee's movie adaption. All of Austen's canons will be mentioned, some will even be portrayed as OOC those will be Eliza Williams, Nancy, and Lucy Steel , the two Steel sisters will not have any surname.
My OCs are Amy,Joe Ferrars, Louis, Theodore, Mrs. Ramsey, Mr. Xanders, Mr. O'Shannessy and son, and Mr. McTavish family.
Since it is supposed to take place during Revolutionary War, it may or may not be a surprise that some historical figures from the actual Revolutionary War will be included.
Unlike my previous stories this one will be written in American English since it takes place in America.
Therefore the setting will not be Sussex, Dorsetshire, Somersetshire, Devonshire, or Essex but Delaware, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Boston,Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, Province of New York,and Rhode Island.
Much of the events will be centered on Massachusetts, Boston as well as Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
The story begins on the 17th of December 1773.
It was a most peculiar scene that took place once the long drawn meeting finally had ended.
A crowd consisting of nearly two hundred men began to gather on a nearby hill. Perhaps it would have been less peculiar if it wasn't for the fact that most if not all men were disguised. All the men divided further into groups of two,and they began to chant angry Indian war cries as they began to enter the three ships.
As he heaved The Eleanor's tea chest down into the Boston harbor, John Dashwood thought to himself.
"My wife is very fond of her tea," declared young Dashwood in clear, high voice.
"Sounds just like our sister," sighed Robert.
"However, I refuse to accept that we are to pay taxes in Parliament where we have no representation." Dashwood continued looking straight at the other two men. He crossed his arms around his shoulders.
"I, for one, agree with dear brother-in-law; however, I do confess that I am nervous about this. The thought of my sister and your wife discovering our involvement has been weighing me down lately." Robert confessed in a slow low tone of voice.
"Forgive me, dear Robert, I for one do not believe it is fair. Why should we have to pay taxes to buy the East India Company's shipment of tea!?" Dashwood said in high-pitched upset voice.
"Believe me, John, I do agree with you on what you say." Robert declared and nodded towards his older brother-in-law.
"I refuse to help save the British East India Company from going bankrupt," Dashwood spitted out the words in anger now.
"I cannot stand idle by. Something must be done!" Robert cried out vehmently and looked back towards his sister's husband.
"As I am the oldest, I believe I should go first-provided there are no objections?" John said with arms crossed, his words authoritative and his voice determined.
The stance was contagious for soon Robert Ferrars too had his arms crossed.
"In case we are discovered, I reckon I should be the next to go."
Willoughby's response was more or less delayed as he stuttered and struggled to respond.
"Well, I.. I don't know, to be honest. Uh, I mean you both seem to make valid points. I imagine most of the English colonists would agree with us but you know there is certain to be huge unimaginable punishments if we are ever discovered."
"It is unfair that we are forced to pay taxes without any representation in the British Parliament. They shouldn't be allowed to tax us colonists. I certainly will not contribute to the profit to the East India Company's profit, especially not from their sales from tea." Dashwood confidently said as he crossed his shoulders.
Again Willoughby stuttered to respond.
"Well...To be honest I mean... Uh, to be honest, both of you seem to make valid arguments. I imagine that the English colonists would agree with us. The British and the East India Company are certain to seek retaliation and punish us."
"Willoughby, please don't tell us that you have changed your mind!" Robert uttered suddenly.
Eventually, Willoughby heaved the tea chests from The Eleanor into the harbor after looking nervously around his shoulder.
John, placed his arm around his brother-in-law's shoulders.
"Look Robert, even if Willoughby decides to change his mind, I'm certain we will still be able to carry out our plans."
Robert, sounding astonished said: "You were right, John. It wasn't an exaggeration. There must be several hundred men that has gathered in the harbor."
Nodding as he turned his head backwards in the direction of a nearby hill. "The crowd, that we left, on the hill, were over two hundred."
Giving his sister's husband a friendly slap on the back, Robert said: "Well, Willoughby, this means we will release you from your pledge, with the men on the hill and the men in the harbor. We will be able to find your replacement."
As a kind reminder, John addressed the other men. "Willoughby, I assume you know the English was only able to implement the Tea Act because of the Taxation of Colonies Act."
One of the first two to enter The Darthmouth was John Dashwood and he soon took charge of the task - the astonished Captain Hall did not object.
Robert was supposed to follow suit and begin to heave The Beaver's tea chests into the Boston harbor. He seemed to hesitate, as he stopped in his steps and looked back down towards the gathered crowd of people.
"Now what's wrong Robert?" asked a nervous Willoughby.
"It is probably nothing. I just thought I saw someone I recognized..." Robert mumbled.
"Please Robert do not say you too have changed your mind and need persuasion now!"
"My sister will be filled with contempt toward me if she knew of our actions tonight," Robert answered without thinking.
A baffled Captain Coffin could only manage to silently look on.
While both The Darthmouth and The Eleanor had carried a shipment of one hundred fourteen chests of refreshments, The Beaver had held one hundred and twelve. After three hours, no more tea chests could be found and the dumping of the brew was probably made easier since they used their tomahawks to dispose of the pekoe. In total three hundred and thirty-six crates of beverage went into the Boston harbor.
Surprisingly, the men involved in the dumping of the managed to commit their protest act without having their bad disguises discovered. All the three men each had much at stake and lose if their involvement ever was found out. Robert may have been, a second son yet he was still expected to behave a certain way, especially since he was a son in the New York Ferrars family.
Back in New York and at the Ferrars' farm, one of the many slaves was still dressed as if he were to get up and work. In the rows of houses, the distant sound of heavy snoring, crying children and the usual moans made it appear as if it was an ordinary day.
Joe Ferrars tip-toed back to the bunk beds and was only pretending to be asleep, hoping he could run away before the Ferrars had woke up.
He really did not have to run away, he just dreaded sad farewells... he wanted forget everything he knew of, but Joe was not certain if he wanted to give up the trusted life at the Ferrars farm.
He had been one of the two hundred workers employed at the Ferrars Iron Nest farm. The family grew corn, barley and some wheat. Usually the air was not calm. Now the only other sound that he had grown familiar to was the sound from the wind running through the trees and their leaves - with the distant roar from the Hudson River.