Question

how did most american colonists protest the tea act of 1773?
by appointing tea agents
by dumping shipments of tea into the harbor
by boycotting tea
by voting against the townshend acts

Explanation:

The Tea Act of 1773 led to widespread colonial protest. While the Boston Tea Party (dumping tea) was a famous action, most colonists first and broadly protested by refusing to purchase British tea, which is a boycott. Appointing tea agents aligned with the British act, not protest. Voting against Townshend Acts was unrelated as those were earlier and colonists had no formal vote on British acts.

Answer:

C. by boycotting tea