Colonial Virginia Trade with Muscovy

Early in the reign of Tsar Peter the Great commercial relations were established between Virginia, Maryland, and Russia. From a declaration of the Governor and Council of Maryland in 1698 to King William III in England:

“Wee being deeply sensible of your Majesty’s Princely care over us and of the tokens of your Royal Grace Conferred on this one of your Provinces Especially that Singular Instance in promoting a Trade of Tobacco with Muscovy for the advance of your [our] Stapel Commodity & Chief Produce of our Country…”

Map of Virginia-London colonial trading routes courtesy Library of Congress – by Arnoldo di Arnoldi.