A Brief Comparison of French and British Colony Trade

Sunday Shoes and Tricorns

Here's the thing. . .Many in present-day Ste. Genevieve do not like to be compared to Virginia's restored town of Colonial Williamsburg. . .Just as the 18th century French and English in North America found themselves at odds with each other, it sometimes seems that the age-old battle is still being fought. But for many of us schooled in American history and who find our roots mostly from the British Isles, it's the only reference we have of North American colonies, and we all have to start somewhere. I hope that I will become as well informed about the Colonial French as I am the English, so bear with me on this journey.

In truth, Ste. Genevieve history in many ways is not the same as Williamsburg, VA, at least in the first half or so of the 18th century, but I enjoy finding the similarities and differences in comparing the two. For example, both the English and French came to the New World with the idea of enriching their mother countries. England started colonizing in order to build an empire and keep up in the race with France. Both English and French colonies were many and they each prospered on matters of business and trade. They also shared a dislike of each other, which is why the French sided with the Patriots in the American Revolution.

The major difference in these colonies of North America was how the governments were set up, thus shaping the everyday life of the inhabitants. Royal charters were given to British colonists, who experienced much freedom in government and economics. The monarchy allowed them to work fairly independently. On the other hand, the colonist of New France were sent to North America as servants of the Crown, under sovereign rule in all ways.

Glassware, Hand-blown

The first French colonies were established as trading posts, ruled by the Crown and opened mainly to trade for furs with the Native Americans. The trading post existed for the Monarchy and the owners were at his mercy. The English were better developed economically for individuals. Shops were owned and operated by merchants, who could buy goods directly from England, Europe, and Asia through British ports. The French colonies stocked their trading posts with items sent to them from the King's warehouses. Those warehouses might have the same goods as the English, but the French trading posts were stocked with goods only from the Crown's warehouse. 

"The economy of eighteenth and early nineteenth century Ste. Genevieve was largely agricultural. Ste. Genevieve's commercial contacts were maintained largely through New Orleans and were, according to Ekberg, dominated by the mercantile policies of France and Spain. The community exported raw materials and imported finished products. Looms and weavers, for example, were not present in the town, because it was the colonial community's obligation to purchase manufactured cloth from the mother country." NRHP (NRS) Nomination Form 2002

When the Spanish took over the Louisiana Territory from 1763-1802, nothing much changed. They did not try to colonize it with people from Spain. The French Creoles were to swear allegiance to the Spanish King and simply continued working. Their trading posts were stocked by a Board of Trade and regulations were enforced by the Spanish military. They did, however, encourage friendly Native Americans to move into the territory, as well as Anglo-Americans, mostly from Tennessee and Kentucky after the War of Independence. This brought several differences in lifestyle, as well as consumer demands. 

Menard and Valle Store, Ste. Genevieve

Pelts at the Menard and Valle Store, Ste. Genevieve

Menard and Valle Store, Ste. Genevieve

Felted Wool Capes

The big commercial change came to this area when Jefferson purchased the Louisiana Territory for the United States in 1803. Anglo-Americans had already begun to settle in the Spanish colonies in the second half of the 18th century, but now more and more arrived to settle the newest part of America. Agricultural products rose in numbers. Being mostly farmers, they sent more and more boatloads of agricultural goods from their crops to New Orleans, the boats returning filled with goods and domestic needs requested by the new inhabitants. After 1803, merchants were allowed to open stores stocked with items of their choice and trading posts were no longer required to stay within the confines of the Crown.

Leather Trunks were popular in the Colonies of Britain, France, and Spain

Was Ste. Genevieve quite different from Williamsburg, VA in its economy?  It depends on the year and who owned the Louisiana Territory at the time--France, Spain or the United States. While Williamsburg had been British for almost 200 years before their independence, the people of Ste. Genevieve lived under several flags over 100 years or so, not to mention the significant numbers of Germans who arrived in the early 19th century, stirring the melting pot even more. The key to understanding when listening and/or reading about Ste. Genevieve's history is knowing the time period referred to. Then the facts fall in place.

Blue and White English Ware

Handmade Journals

Glassware, Tinware and Trivets were found in all colonies

Canteens and Baskets

Shrub Glasses and Salt-glaze Pottery, Prentis Store, Colonial Williamsburg

Powder Horns and English Games

As I have said before, my fascination with the French Colonial inhabitants resides in how my own ancestor's lifestyles changed when they arrived about 1792, the family being rooted in a British background for 100 years in the English colonies. No strangers to pioneering new land, they were subjected to the French Colonial lifestyles once they crossed the Mississippi River. How did it change their lives? What concessions did they have to make? Did they sneak in goods and supplies that they were familiar with? I think that as it is now, it was so then. They came with English wares and customs but once in a new country, adjustments were made--on both sides. My direct family line settled in the New Madrid territory, where they swore allegiance to Spain but the population was about half Creoles and half Anglo-Americans. Need I say more?