Mr. McClellan seeks "to establish the particular function which smuggling-and especially that in connection with the West Indies trade"-performed in relation to the political and economic elements of the Revolution. The first two chapters provide an overview of American colonial trade and with it, the growth and operations of the British commercial and colonial systems. Without an understanding of these broader elements, one cannot fully comprehend the role of smuggling. The remaining three chapters discuss the causes of smuggling, the political circumstances surrounding it, the laws designed to stop it and the results of enforcing those laws. After the close of the French and Indian War, Britain sought to enforce the laws concerning imports from the West Indies. This attempted restriction, along with new taxes and an already growing sense of independence, worked to accelerate the colonies along the road to revolution. This discussion, which was the prize-winner of an essay contest at Williams College in 1911, is enhanced by a complete bibliography and a subject index.
William S. McClellan
(1912), 2007, 5.5" x 8.5", paper, index, 126 pp.
ISBN: 9780788406393
101-M0639
