related to clothing. Writing in 1681 to his merchant in London, he directed that the balance which remained undisposed of after the several commissions he had given had been filled, should be expended in the purchase of linen, including the finest holland. There should also be one piece of kenting and several pieces of dimity. The selection was left to his correspondent.[1] In a subsequent letter Fitzhugh expresses himself in less general terms, in asking to be sent to him, with bills of lading, to be delivered at his landing, a certain quantity of kerseys, cottons, and coarse canvas, thread and silk, shoes and ironware, and also a hundred-weight of Gloucester cheese.[2] Several years afterwards he directed Mr. Sergeant in London to devote the proceeds of the tobacco which he had just shipped to him to the purchase of kerseys, cottons, blue linen, a bale of canvas, thirty ells of holland sheeting, nails, hoes, and axes.[3] His orders were not forwarded to London merchants alone. In 1681, he is found in correspondence with Stephen Watts of Bristol, who is told to return for the tobacco consigned to him two dozen pairs of shoes, among other articles,[4] and similar instructions were given by him to merchants who resided in other towns in England. Fitzhugh, by this course of exchange, obtained goods not only for use in his own household, but also for sale to his neighbors.
Colonel William Byrd, whose home was situated on James River, which was in more direct communication with England than the Potomac and even the Rappahannock, was equally in the habit of giving to his English merchants both large and small commissions, to be filled on receipt of the tobacco and bills of exchange forwarded by him. In 1685, he is found writing for a hat and a pair
