Re: Heh.
"...East Indian prices were cut before the introduction of the three pence tax, in effect making its price, even with the tax, cheaper than Hancock’s tea."
Hancock wasn't concerned with Libertarian principles. He was concerned with maximizing his profit, not helping his country. He didn't lower his prices to beat the competition, he threw his competition's merchandise into the harbor.
If the East India Company had cut him in the profits, I would have ended that last sentence with "into the harbour".