Changes

The customs service in Britain’s North American colonies in the eighteenth-century had a violent and turbulent history.  The Treasury Department in London did little to correct known problems; England was at war during much of this period and was not in a strategic position to risk antagonizing its overseas colonies.  At the end of the Seven Years’ War, following Britain’s decisive victory, several successive ministries implemented reforms in an attempt to achieve more effective administrative control and raise more revenue in the colonies.  The revenue was necessary, Parliament believed, to bolster the military and naval defensive positions along the borders of their far-flung empire.  Among these reforms was the deputizing of the Royal Navy’s Sea Officers to help enforce customs in colonial ports.   

The customs service in [[Britain]]’s North American colonies in the eighteenth-century had a violent and turbulent history.  The Treasury Department in London did little to correct known problems; [[England]] was at war during much of this period and was not in a strategic position to risk antagonizing its overseas colonies.  At the end of the [[Seven Years’ War]], following Britain’s decisive victory, several successive ministries implemented reforms in an attempt to achieve more effective administrative control and raise more revenue in the colonies.  The revenue was necessary, Parliament believed, to bolster the military and naval defensive positions along the borders of their far-flung empire.  Among these reforms was the deputizing of the Royal Navy’s Sea Officers to help enforce customs in colonial ports.   

In early 1772 Lieutenant William Dudingston sailed His Majesty’s armed schooner ''Gaspee'' into Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay to aid in the enforcement of customs collection and inspection of cargo.  Rhode Island had a well-earned reputation for smuggling and trading with the enemy during wartime.  Dudingston and his officers quickly antagonized powerful merchant interests in the small colony.  One night when the ''Gaspee'' lay hard aground, a band of Providence residents rowed out to confront the officers and crew.  Before the break of dawn, Lieutenant Dudingston was shot and His Majesty’s vessel burned to the waterline.   

In early 1772 Lieutenant William Dudingston sailed His Majesty’s armed schooner ''Gaspee'' into [[Rhode Island]]’s Narragansett Bay to aid in the enforcement of customs collection and inspection of cargo.  Rhode Island had a well-earned reputation for smuggling and trading with the enemy during wartime.  Dudingston and his officers quickly antagonized powerful merchant interests in the small colony.  One night when the ''Gaspee'' lay hard aground, a band of Providence residents rowed out to confront the officers and crew.  Before the break of dawn, Lieutenant Dudingston was shot and His Majesty’s vessel burned to the waterline.   

   

   

Previous attacks on naval vessels had gone unpunished.  In one case a customs yacht was actually destroyed (also by fire) with no administrative response.  But in 1772 the Admiralty would not ignore the destruction of one of its military vessels on station.  The American Department consulted the Solicitor and Attorney Generals who investigated and advised the Privy Council on the legal and constitutional punitive options available to them.  The Crown turned to a centuries-old institution to investigate, the Royal Commission of Inquiry.

Previous attacks on naval vessels had gone unpunished.  In one case a customs yacht was actually destroyed (also by fire) with no administrative response.  But in 1772 the Admiralty would not ignore the destruction of one of its military vessels on station.  The American Department consulted the Solicitor and Attorney Generals who investigated and advised the Privy Council on the legal and constitutional punitive options available to them.  The Crown turned to a centuries-old institution to investigate, the Royal Commission of Inquiry.