rye whiskey had become a staple. packaging in bottles was begun. the partnership between william and thomas, according to which they managed the brewery, had been fixed to a ten-year term in early 1838, soon after the fire. the brothers molson agreed to a second contract on 1 july 1848. a break clause was inserted into the new contract, whereby advance written notice was to be given if william decided to exit the brewery. he exercised that clause in 1852, and did exit on 1 july 1853. he was bound to do so if he wished to pursue a career as a banker by the legislation allowing private banks because the 1850 law forbade bankers from pursuing all other trades.