Question

which of the following actions would be considered salutary neglect?

english officials petition the crown for writs of assistance to aid their investigations of smuggling.

colonists accused of violating the navigation acts are routinely broken out of prison by their compatriots.

colonial governors are appointed by the crown and play an active role in governance.

colonial ship owners easily get away with selling enumerated goods to nations other than britain.

Explanation:

Define salutary neglect

Salutary neglect was the unofficial British policy of lenient enforcement of parliamentary laws, particularly trade regulations like the Navigation Acts, regarding the American colonies during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. This policy allowed the colonies to flourish economically and develop local governance without heavy imperial interference.

Analyze the options

• Option 1: English officials petitioning for writs of assistance represents active, strict enforcement of trade laws and anti-smuggling measures, which is the opposite of neglect.
• Option 2: Colonists breaking prisoners out of jail is an act of colonial resistance and lawbreaking, not an official policy or practice of British imperial neglect.
• Option 3: Crown-appointed governors playing an active role in governance represents direct imperial oversight and intervention, which contradicts the hands-off nature of neglect.
• Option 4: Colonial ship owners easily getting away with selling enumerated goods to other nations directly illustrates the lax enforcement of mercantilist trade laws (the Navigation Acts), which is the core definition of salutary neglect.

Answer:

• (A) English officials petition the crown for writs of assistance to aid their investigations of smuggling.
• (B) Colonists accused of violating the Navigation Acts are routinely broken out of prison by their compatriots.
• (C) Colonial governors are appointed by the crown and play an active role in governance.
• (D) Colonial ship owners easily get away with selling enumerated goods to nations other than Britain. (Correct answer)