I was recently provided some information that suggested that when a colonial
VA tobacco grower/plantation owner "sold" his crop for export to a
merchant/ship captain/factor he was not in fact selling it but giving it to
that person/company on consignment.  The actual "sale" would not occur until
the tobacco reached the ultimate purchaser in Europe, for example.

Until that time, the tobacco grower was still considered the "owner".  Thus
if the ship went down, he would lose and not ultimately be paid for his
tobacco.  For the smaller tobacco grower, in particular, this seems to me
like a very risky situation when they were dependent upon the cash from the
tobacco sales.  I would have thought there would be enterprising businessmen
in VA willing to buy tobacco outright there, and thus assume the risk for
themselves (or for another party) for the transatlantic voyage and reap the
ultimate profits.  I do realize that if the grower did sell on consignment,
without another middleman, he would stand to reap greater profits.

I have been looking for confirmation of the information provided me, so far
unsuccessfully, in Virginia/Colonial Chesapeake history books.

Do any of you have any thoughts on whether the information I have been
provided above is an accurate?

Thank you in advance.

Best Regards,
Janet (Baugh) Hunter

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