Answer: The Writs of Assistance
The Writs of Assistance were an important factor in the tensions that eventually led to the Revolutionary War. The writs allowed custom officers to search private property without a reason, in an attempt to curb smuggling. However, colonists complained about damage being caused to the property without it being restored. They also complained about the fact that the writs were given arbitrarily and were transferable. They argued this arrangement violated their rights as British subjects.
