 During the period of military government of Canada, when severe restrictions were placed on the fur trade, Strettell was one of the London merchants who signed petitions to the Colonial Office, seeking relaxation of the regulations.He represented the "Canada merchants" who petitioned for the abolition of the Stamp Act and other offensive duties in 1765, and he led the effort to remove James Murray from the governorship of Quebec.Strettell's interest in various branches of the trade to America is further shown by his activity in collecting money for the relief of sufferers from the Montreal fire in 1765, and from the fire in Bridgetown, Barbados, in 1766; and for the establishment of what later became Brown University, in 1768.