16. A number of brave & resolute men,
determined to do all in their power to save
their country from the ruin which their
enemies had plotted, in 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

Option: B. Protest British Taxation policies.

Explanation:

The actions written in this small passage tells us about the heroic acts by the colonist done against the taxation policies in the colonies.

The Boston Tea Party was a protest against taxation. After winning the Seven Years War, the British were in debt. To reduce it, the Parliament forced acts on the colonist. The colonists grew angered as they required to pay taxes. For revenge, the colonist called themselves The Sons of Liberty clothed as Indians climbed the docked ship at night and dumped 342 chests of tea in water.

The event rejoiced in colonies as settlers believed they taught a lesson to the British by forcing to pay taxes for them.