These laws increased in extent, and vigorously enforced by Cromwell, bore harshly upon England's "Plantations in foreign parts" at thattime just beginning to exist. Then began that illicit contraband trade in America which continued and increased from that time during the whole colonial period. And which proved, in conse(iUcnce of the very stringent measures adopted by England late in the eighteenth century to sup[)rcss it, thcreljy in juring the business interests of the colonics, one of the potent, if not the 171 ost potent, of the causes which produced that great event, the American Revolution.

The " Instructions" to Richbell from his partners in relation to their business still exist in the pu])lic Archives of New York. The ])arties naiued, were "Thomas Modiford of Barbadoes, William Sharpe of Southami)ton [I^ngland], and John Richbell of Charlestown, New England, Merchants." All were in Barbadoes apparently at the date of the " Instructions," which, as clear and specific, as they are interesting and curious, are here given in full They are headed : --

" Instructions delivered to Mr. John Richlntl in ordeu to the intended settlement uf a Plantation in the south-icext parts of Neic Enyland, in behalf of himself and of subscribers."

They piously begin, and are in these words: -- "God sending you to arrive safely in New England, our advice is that you informe yourself fully by sober understanding men of that parte of [the] land which lyetli betwixt Connecticott and the Dutch Colloiiy, and of the seacoast belonging to the same, and the Islands that lye betwixt Long Island and the Maine, viz.: within what government it is, and of what kindo that government is, whether very strict or remis.se, who the Chiefe !\Ligistrates are, on what termcs ye