American Revolution in Massachusetts

John Hancock, c. 1770-2 (John Singleton Copley)

Incident
The Liberty, a sloop owned by John Hancock, was confiscated by the British in retaliation for Bostonians allegedly locking a customs official in the hold while they unloaded a cargo of Madeira wine in defiance of the Townshend Acts. Hancock was charged with smuggling in addition to losing ownership of the Liberty.

Causes
The Revenue Act of 1767, part of the Townshend Acts, levied heavy taxes on items imported to the colonies. The American Board of Customs Commissioners was created to allow officials to inspect incoming merchant vessels and levy the appropriate taxes. Hancock had previously refused to allow customs officials to inspect one of his other vessels, the Lydia, thus drawing their ire. The customs official sent to inspect the Liberty accused Hancock’s men of offering him a bribe to look the other way while they unloaded their cargo, and locking him in a hold when he refused.

Effects
The two officials responsible for seizing the Liberty were forced to move their operations to a British warship in the Harbor due to the crowd of angry Bostonians that assembled on the wharf after news of the incident spread (they were later joined by the rest of the Commission.) In addition to physically assaulting the two officials, the mob broke the windows in their houses and dragged a pleasure boat belonging to one of them out of the harbor, burning it to ashes on the Common.

John Adams defended Hancock against the smuggling charges, which were later dropped due to lack of evidence. He was never able to secure the return of the Liberty.