Continental Association
Enforcement
Enforcement
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The Continental Association went into effect on December 1, 1774\. Compliance with (and support for) the established boycott was largely enforced through local enforcement committees. By mid\-1775, a large majority of Virginia's 61 counties had set up their own enforcement committees. Nearly all other colonies saw similar levels of success in upholding the boycott, with the notable exception of Georgia, where [Governor James Wright](/wiki/James_Wright_%28governor%29 "James Wright (governor)") emphasized the need for British protection from Native Americans.

The use of public pressure was an overwhelmingly effective tactic in enforcing support for the boycott. Those who went against the boycott or even simply criticized the Association would often find their names slandered in newspapers and town gossip, often forcing those targeted to cave to pressure and publicly apologize. The threat of more direct action also played a role in forcing merchants to comply, with one merchant in Annapolis, Maryland, choosing to [burn his own ship](/wiki/Peggy_Stewart_%28ship%29 "Peggy Stewart (ship)") full of imported tea rather than attempt to sell it. When enforcement could not be guaranteed, some counties enacted [price ceilings](/wiki/Price_ceiling "Price ceiling") to discourage [smuggling](/wiki/Smuggling "Smuggling").


Why were price ceilings enacted in some counties?