The target Aiming was the Tea Act Action of May 10 , 1773 , which allowed Preventing_or_letting the British East India company to sell Commerce_sell tea from China in American colonies without paying Commerce_pay taxes apart from those imposed Action by the Townshend Acts .

American Patriots strongly opposed Agree_or_refuse_to_act the taxes in the Townshend Act Action as a violation Legality of their rights .

The harbour of St. John 's was defended Defending by a number of fortifications and gun emplacements such as Fort Amherst , Chain Rock Battery , Fort Frederick , and the large star-fort known as Fort Townshend .

But Rhode Islanders increasingly protested Attack the Stamp Act , the Townshend Acts , and other British impositions that had clashed Hostile_encounter with the colony 's history of rum manufacturing , maritime trade , and slave trading .