ABSTRACT
FROM THE DA Y that the American colonies were founded to the day that they became an independent state they were treated by the mother country as colonies to be cleared, planted, and exploited. In 1651 England imposed a heavy duty upon tobacco imported from Virginia. When the planters replied by exporting their tobacco to Holland, the English parliament passed an Act which provided that exports from the American colonies had to be sent first to an English port where the import duty had to be paid. This law remained in force until the revolt of the American colonies. When some industries were established in the colonies, despite the English monopoly, English ships were prohibited from handling American wool, yarn, or manufactured products.
