Tea, Coercion, and Conciliatory Acts

 Fun Fact:

Frederick Lord North was 38 when he became prime minister in 1770. Corpulent with large features and a bulbous head, he was famous for his wit, literary anecdotes, and historical references. Prior to becoming PM, he had supported the policies that led to the revolution in America. Although he took a more conciliatory policy when he took office, his policies regarding the East India Company tea precipitated the rebellion. 

The East India Tea Act of 1773 was designed to make tea cheaper in America and increase revenues from the tea tax, thus upholding the right of Parliament to tax America. It seemed like a win-win. While England viewed the right to tax as fundamental to parliamentary supremacy, the Americans regarded any direct tax as a tool for tyranny.

The Americans responded by dumping the East India tea into Boston Harbor. North escalated the tension by imposing the Coercive acts, intending to make an example of Massachusetts; instead, it made North despised in the colonies. The sanctions failed to isolate Massachusetts, uniting the colonies in opposition. 

In February 1775, North introduced his Conciliatory Proposal to Parliament to avoid escalating the conflict. The idea was to allow the colonies to tax themselves--provided they made a sufficient contribution. Parliament would not give up the right to tax the colonies but would suspend the exercise of the right. As you might expect, it was a hit neither with Parliament nor the colonies. Franklin said it was akin to a highway man bringing his hat to the window for you to fill sufficiently to spare him the trouble of rifling your pockets himself.

Although North showed tremendous political courage in submitting the proposal in direct contradiction to the King's wishes, it was too little too late as parliament and the people were set on demonstrating supremacy, and it didn't address other issues that concerned the colonists. 

The heavy losses at Bunker Hill in June 1775 made North believe that a successful military conquest of the colonies was not a likely possibility. 

The above is condensed from The Men Who Lost America by Andrew Jackson O'shaughnessy -- Chapter 2 or 3, I think.

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I spent most of yesterday researching and writing a short story. Don't leap to the conclusion that I finished; it's not even half done. The weather was too cold to do anything outside, and will be worse tomorrow with temperatures coming in at -20.

A fellow author's having a difficult time, being hospitalized at the moment. Give her books a look and choose one or six to start with. Here's a link to Rex Regis, a series starter.