Page 40 - Beers With Our Founding Fathers

Beers with our Founding Fathers

was inflamed by this proclamation, forcing all colonists from

native Indian lands that were now under the control of
England, having been previously seized from the native

Indians by France. To prevent colonists from expanding,
occupied posts were established. These posts were costly,

and such costs were passed on to the colonists, citing the
need to defend the colonists from the ‘hostiles’.

 The Sugar Act of 1764 – The original Sugar and Molasses Act
of 1733 was due to expire. The purpose of both acts was to

tax imported molasses and other goods in order for these
goods to be more expensive when traded with France. The

original act was not strictly enforced due to corruption.
However, under the new act, enforcement was strict –

including the stationing of England’s troops and ships in the
colonies and ports. Although the tax was reduced, more

goods were taxed. This resulted in an increase in the cost of
not only the goods, but the byproducts of these goods, such

as rum. It also hindered trade, also increasing the cost of
imported goods while reducing the value of the exports and

goods in trade.

 The Currency Act of 1764 – Currency in the colonies was a
mess. Currency, necessary for trade, was difficult to come
by, establish or regulate. The currency of gold and silver was

not available to the colonists, as there were no precious

metals mines. The lack of regulation made trade difficult,
had no stable method of valuation, and could be refused or

accepted towards private or public debt at the discretion of

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