Navigation Act

American  

noun

English History.

1. any of several acts of Parliament between 1651 and 1847 designed primarily to expand British trade and limit trade by British colonies with countries that were rivals of Great Britain.

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Example Sentences

In December, 1809, Macon made an effort to pass a stringent navigation act to meet the British Orders in Council and the French decrees.

From Albert Gallatin American Statesmen Series, Vol. XIII by Stevens, John Austin

The digesting of a navigation act, of a like nature with the famous one executed afterwards by the republican parliament, is likewise recommended to the commissioners.

From The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.I., Part D. From Elizabeth to James I. by Hume, David

To exhibit at a glance the effect of the British navigation act, it was sufficient to compare the quantity of American and British tonnage employed in their intercourse with each other.

From The Life of George Washington, Vol. 5 Commander in Chief of the American Forces During the War which Established the Independence of his Country and First President of the United States by Marshall, John

Morris wished the whole subject to be committed including the clauses relating to taxes on exports & to a navigation act.

From The Journal of Negro History, Volume 3, 1918 by Various

The act contains twenty-one sections, regulating trade, duties. &., like any other navigation act.

From The Unconstitutionality of Slavery by Spooner, Lysander