New York merchant, Charles McEvers proposes smuggling tea into America in wine pipes after the Boston Tea Party. " ...The consignment of tea you have now on hand will at all times suit this market any quantity of which will command immediate sale for cash, as it is an article as necessary to the inhabitants of this country as their daily bread, and we imagine that little difficulty would attend the introducing it thro- the same channel with wine cargoes…. We would recommend your having the tea that you intend for this place taken out of the chests and put in half pipes, well leaded, as this will give the least suspicion and lessen the risque…." Francis Newton founded the firm in Madeira in 1745 & became a leading wine merchant; 1758 Thomas Gordon entered into partnership with Newton. Repaired at folds with tape.