At the same time, the governor and his cronies were busily pocketing bribes, as was the custom in the self-financing French colonial service.
Bribing was a common practice in France and its colonies.
mnli hypothesis: Bribing was a common practice in France and its colonies. premise: At the same time, the governor and his cronies were busily pocketing bribes, as was the custom in the self-financing French colonial service.