Why did Horatio Nelson make enemies while commanding a frigate in the West Indies?

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Horatio Nelson Lord Nelson, detail of an oil painting by J.F. Rigaud; in the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, Eng.

While commanding a frigate in the West Indies starting in 1784, Horatio Nelson made enemies by strictly enforcing the Navigation Act.

Following the American Revolution, American ships were no longer entitled to trade with British colonies, yet they continued to do so with the tacit approval of local authorities. By rigidly upholding the law, Nelson alienated:

Merchants and shipowners: Who were profiting from the illicit trade.
Resident British authorities: Who had failed to enforce the regulations to protect their own financial interests.

This uncompromising stance on legal duty caused significant friction and likely contributed to a period of professional isolation, as Nelson later suspected a prejudice against him at the Admiralty resulting from his actions in the region.1