USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -To enforce the Townshend Acts, British officials used writs of assistance. These allowed tax collectors to search for smuggled goods. Colonist hated the new laws because they took power away from colonial governments. The colonists responded to the Townshend Acts by once again boycotting many British goods.

Detailed explanation-2: -Writs of assistance were general search warrants that British American courts began issuing to empower customs officials to combat smuggling.

Detailed explanation-3: -In 1760, governor Bernard of Massachusetts authorized the use by revenue officers of writs of assistance. Writs of assistance were documents which served as a general search warrant, allowing customs officials to enter any ship or building that they suspected for any reason might hold smuggled goods.

Detailed explanation-4: -The colonists were frustrated at the lack of documentation surrounding the Writs of Assistance. They were also angry at the little control that they held over the use of the writs. The colonists perceived the use of the Writs of Assistance as one where British power was synonymous with colonial disrespect.