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: -The writs of assistance were issued by the Court of Exchequer to help customs officials search for smuggled goods. These writs were called “writs of assistance” because they called upon sheriffs, other officials, and loyal subjects to “assist” the customs official in carrying out his duties.

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: -James Otis was a Massachusetts lawyer who rose to provincial fame in the 1760s as one of the most able defenders of colonial American rights, beginning with his argument in what became known as the Writs of Assistance case in 1761.