An early instance of smuggling is found in a letter of James Brown in 1736 to one of his ship captains:

"....my Neighbours threaten to informs agaisnt us, so...be not too bold when you come home, Enter in the [west passage] if you can, and if you cannot .... send your Cargo Some to Road Island, and some up here [to Providence] in boats, so as not to bring but a few hhds. up to my Wharff...":  [Hawes, Off Soundings, p. 166]