Smuggling Could Prove A Profitable Business...

The following passage is from the novel, "Then...A Patriot I'll Be". It is a first hand account of how even the "loyalist" population in the American colonies benefited from the "vile" practice of smuggling goods against the strict shipping policies of England...

Big business at the time for Boston merchants and ship owners was of course moving their cargoes at will, unfettered by scrupulous laws from the motherland.  At one time, shipping was as wide open and as free as the sea itself, though that was no longer the fact. As the royal noose tightened, and more and more duties and taxes were placed on their precious cargoes, it was getting much harder for these honest businessmen to make their livings, and of course, increase their fortunes. A plan would have to be devised, and in a hurry, if business was going to go on as usual.

      Smuggling had been occurring for some time throughout the colonies. Between colonial officials collecting payment for turning a blind eye to the trade or owning stakes in smuggling vessels themselves, and Britain not having the resources in place to effectively stop this business, smugglers went about their trade, and much money was made. This practice had steadily increased as more and more duties and taxes were placed on the backs of honest merchantmen. I could tell you first hand that these smugglers were very much welcomed by some. Even the “loyalist” Crane family was supportive of this silent trade. The vessels would come in to harbor late in the evening under cover of darkness, or simply unload their illegal cargoes on an empty beach near the cape and disperse the contents from there. Not subject to the fines and taxes of the legal ships, these goods could be purchased cheaper than goods rightfully brought into port. No one was innocent from playing a part in this most “wicked practice”. As much of a loyalist as my grandfather was, even he couldn’t resist purchasing “tax free” rum, and unaccounted for crates of tea for use in the tavern. He did preach his love for king and country, but he was a businessman first, and profits were his driving force. Not to mention, chocolate was expensive if purchased legitimately, and grandfather (as well as the rest of my family) did enjoy sitting around the table at home eating those sweet brownish shavings.



Shop Owners Wait On Shore For Smuggled Goods To Arrive