Boston Port Act of 1774

Boston Port Act of 1774

The Boston Port Act, enacted in March 1774, shut down the port for all trade and imposed hefty fines on Bostonians to reimburse for tea dumped during the Boston Tea Party. This legislation sparked outrage across the Thirteen Colonies, prompting the First Continental Congress to unite against British oppression.

Be it enacted:  From June 1, 1774, no person may load or unload goods within Boston's harbor. Violators face heavy penalties: forfeiture of goods and vessels involved. If any vessel remains anchored in defiance for six hours after a warning from naval officers, it will be seized along with its cargo.

 Exemptions include military supplies and provisions necessary for residents if properly certified by customs officials. Seizures will only be executed by authorized officers, enforcing strict consequences on anyone attempting bribery or collusion. All contracts made under these restrictions are deemed null and void. 

The penalties for violating the regulations outlined in the passage are quite severe. If any goods, wares, or merchandise are loaded or unloaded at places other than those designated by the King, the following consequences apply:

Forfeiture of Goods and Vessels: The goods, wares, and merchandise involved in the illegal activity will be confiscated. Additionally, the ships, boats, and other vessels used in the transportation of these goods will also be forfeited.

Forfeiture of Transport Means: Any horses, other cattle, and carriages used to convey the goods will be seized.

Penalties for Individuals: The individuals involved in the illegal activity, including those who knowingly receive the goods, will face the penalties and forfeitures imposed by this Act or any other relevant Act.

These measures were intended to ensure strict compliance with the regulations and to maintain control over trade and customs in the port of Boston. If you need further details or context, feel free to ask!

Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty years of experience in writing with 12 of those years in the online content sphere. Author of 5 books and a Graduate with an Associate of Arts from Phoenix University in Business Management, then a degree. Mass Communication and Cyber Analysis from Phoenix University, then on to Walden University for her master’s in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft and is currently studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology. Her work portfolio includes coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime. Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist in her spare time, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, oil, pen and ink, Gouche, and pastels. As a political operative having worked on over 300 campaigns during her career, Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 6 blogs that range from art to life coaching, to food, to writing, and opinion or history pieces each week.