Page:Economic History of Virginia Vol 1.djvu/475

 until 1696 that Fitzhugh expressed an intention of becoming a part owner in a vessel. Byrd complained that he was brought into debt by the interest which he possessed in property of this kind, but such an interest was not lacking in substantial advantages, as the captains of the ships in which the Virginian planters had partial ownership generally gave them the preference in freighting.

The bill of lading contained the marks and numbers stamped upon each hogshead when ready to be exported. It stated that the tobacco was in good order when delivered, and guaranteed that it would be in the same condition when it reached the consignee, the only exception made being for damage inflicted by the action of the sea. It also prescribed the amount of the charges to be paid for transportation. A second bill of lading with the same provisions was drawn along with the first, the one to become void as soon as the other was accomplished; one of the two was enclosed by the owner to his merchant wherever he resided, whether in England or elsewhere, and by its authority a demand was made by the latter for the tobacco when it reached its destination.