fectively enforced, this measure, in
             the eyes of the colonists, constituted a high-handed disregard of their most
             elementary right to occupy and settle western lands. More serious in its
             repercussions was the new financial policy of the British government, which
             needed more money to support its growing empire. Unless the taxpayer in
             England was to supply all money for the colonies' defense, revenues would
             have to be extracted from the colonists through a stronger central
             administration, which would come at the expense of colonial self-government.
             The first step in inaugurating the new system was the replacement of the
             Molasses Act of 1733, which placed a prohibitive duty, or tax, on the import
             of rum and molasses from non-English areas, with the Sugar Act of 1764.
             This act forbade the importation of foreign rum; put a modest duty on
             molasses from all sources and levied duties on wines, silks, coffee and a
             number of other luxury items. The hope was that lowering the duty on
             molasses would reduce the temptation to smuggle it from the Dutch and
             French West Indies for processing in the rum distilleries of New England. To
             enforce the Sugar Act, customs officials were ordered to show more energy
             and effectiveness. British warships in American waters were instructed to
             seize smugglers, and "writs of assistance," or warrants, authorized the king's
             officers to search suspected premises. Both the duty imposed by the Sugar
             Act and the measures to enforce it caused consternation among New
             England merchants. They co...