The Parliament in 1767 passes the Townshend Acts which place duties on a number of essential goods, including paper, glass, and tea, and establish a Board of Customs in Boston to more rigorously execute trade regulations.

The new taxes are enacted on the belief that Americans only object to internal taxes and not to external taxes such as custom duties.

The Americans, however, argue against the constitutionality of the act because its purpose is to raise revenue and not regulate trade.

Colonists respond by organizing new boycotts of British goods.

These boycotts are less effective, however, as the Townshend goods are widely used.