A number of brave and resolute men, determined to do all in their power to save their country from ruin which their enemies had plotted, less than four hours, emptied every chest of tea on board the three ships commanded by the captains Hall, Bruce, and Coffin, amounting to 342 chests, into the sea!!Without the least damage done to the ships or any other property. The matters and owners are well pleas'd that their ships are thus clear'd and the people are almost universally congratulating each other on this happy event. -Boston Gazette,1773. The actions described in this excerpt were carried out in order to -