Act of Parliament, Portland, 1711

Contributed by Tate House Museum

Description

In 1711 Great Britain passed legislation that would forever change relations between the colonies and the Crown. The Act of Parliament ensured the "Preservation of White and other Pine Trees growing in Her Majesties Colonies of New Hampshire, the Massachusets-Bay, and Province of Main, Rhode-Island, and Providence-Plantation, the Narraganset Country, or Kings-Province, and Connecticut in New-England, and New-York, and New-Jersey, in America, for the Masting Her Majesties Navy."

A published document of this type announced the new law to townspeople.

The 1711 Act, among other legislation, enabled the Crown to establish a political and economic monopoly of the mast industry, one of the region’s most lucrative natural resources. These laws became known as the Broad Arrow policies.

Eventually, Britain amended the act to also allow mast agents to procure suitable pines on private property. This became the source for bitter dispute in the years leading up to the American Revolution.

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About This Item

  • Title: Act of Parliament, Portland, 1711
  • Creator: British government
  • Creation Date: 1711
  • Subject Date: 1711
  • Locations:
    • Portland, Cumberland County, ME
    • England
  • Media: Ink on paper
  • Dimensions: 36 cm x 29.5 cm
  • Local Code: 1991.7
  • Object Type: Text

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For more information about this item, contact:

Tate House Museum
1267 Westbrook Street, Portland, ME 04102
(207) 774-6177
Website

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