The effect of this system was to prevent all manufactures in the Colonies, and all trade with foreign countries, and even with the adjacent plantations.
The Colonies remonstrated in vain against this policy, but owing to popular dissatisfaction, the regulations were not rigidly enforced.

At length an Order in Council was passed, which directed the officers of the customs in Massachusetts Bay, to execute the acts of trade.

A question arose in the Supreme Court of that province in 1761, upon the constitutional right of the British Parliament to bind the Colonies.

The trial produced great excitement.

The cause was argued for the Crown by the King's Attorney-General, and against the laws by James Otis.
It will be seen that the question thus involved was the very one that was finally submitted to the arbitrament of arms in the American Revolution.
The speech of Otis on the occasion, was an effort of surpassing ability.
John Adams was a witness, and he recorded his opinion of it, and his opinion of the magnitude of the question, thus: "Otis was a flame of fire! With a promptitude of classical allusion, a depth of research, a rapid summary of historical events and dates, a profusion of legal authorities, a prophetic glance of his eyes into futurity, a rapid torrent of impetuous eloquence, he hurried away all before him.