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A Wharf scene

A Wharf scene.jpg Baking BreadThumbnailsA Silversmith weighing clipped coins Baking BreadThumbnailsA Silversmith weighing clipped coins Baking BreadThumbnailsA Silversmith weighing clipped coins Baking BreadThumbnailsA Silversmith weighing clipped coins Baking BreadThumbnailsA Silversmith weighing clipped coins Baking BreadThumbnailsA Silversmith weighing clipped coins Baking BreadThumbnailsA Silversmith weighing clipped coins

A wharf scene—arrival of a ship from the mother country. (Conjectural sketch by Sidney E. King.)

During the 17th century, active trade was carried on between the Virginia colony and the mother country. Local commodities of timber, wood products, soap ashes, iron ore, tobacco, pitch, tar, furs, minerals, salt, sassafras, and other New World raw materials were shipped to England. In exchange, English merchants sold to the colonists, tools, farm implements, seeds, stock and poultry, furniture and household accessories, clothing, weapons, hardware, kitchen utensils, pottery, metalware, glassware, and certain foods and drinks.

There is also good evidence that some trade was carried on with Holland, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Mexico, and the West Indies. Many artifacts unearthed (especially pottery) were made in the countries mentioned. It is believed that certain commodities were acquired by direct trade with the country where made, in spite of the strict laws by which the Colonial Powers sought to monopolize the colonial trade for the benefit of the mother country.