Illicit Affairs : Philadelphia’s Trade with Lisbon before Independence, 1700-1775

This paper explores the economic relationship between Lisbon and Philadelphia prior to Philadelphia’s independence from the British Empire. Technically illegal according to the various imperial policies that Britain imposed on the American colonies, Philadelphia built and maintained a robust trade partnership with the port of Lisbon. Using data from archives in both Philadelphia and Lisbon, we argue that the relationship signifies Philadelphia’s orientation away from the British Isles and the importance of Philadelphia in the Atlantic economy.