1767, originated by Charles Townshend and passed by the English Parliament shortly after the
           repeal of the Stamp Act. They were designed to collect revenue from the colonists in America by
           putting customs duties on imports of glass, lead, paints, paper, and tea. The colonials, spurred on
           by the writings of John Dickinson, Samuel Adams, and others, protested against the taxes. The
           Boston merchants again boycotted English goods, the Massachusetts Assembly was dissolved
           (1768) for sending a circular letter to other colonies explaining the common plight, and British
           troops sent to enforce these laws and keep peace were involved in unpleasant incidents, notably
           the Boston Massacre. The boycott decreased British trade, and in 1770 most of the Acts were
           repealed, but retention of the tea tax caused the Boston Tea Party.