Molasses from the British West Indies , used in New England for making rum , was priced much higher than its competitors .
Molasses also had no need for the large quantities of lumber , fish , and other items offered by the colonies in exchange .
Molasses from the British West Indies , used in New England for making rum , was priced much higher than its competitors and they also had no need for the large quantities of lumber , fish , and other items offered by the colonies in exchange .