Milliner

I have imported the best and most fashionable English good for sale in this store. I pray these conflicts of late are soon settled. If the situation doesn't improve, I may be forced to return to England.

I cannot allow my personal feelings to interfere with my business. I provide goods and services for all Virginians, be they Patriot or Loyalist. And when the conflict is resolved, assuming my business has survived these terrible times, I hope to remain the favored choice for the victors as well as for the unfortunate defeated party.

Well, with all this talk of war, there are few gentlemen and ladies interested in purchasing fashionable British dress and the like. But far worse are these terrible Non-Importation agreements that we were forced to sign. The Patriots insist that we will not purchase any merchandise from England. And if you dare to go against these Patriots, they will put you out of business completely, and worse. Why some merchants have been threatened with tar and feathering if they don't comply with the Patriots. 

I have no suppliers on this side of the Atlantic and it will be many months—and even longer if we go to war with England—before I can restock my shelves with merchandise. How can I live here if I cannot operate my millinery shop?

Viewpoints:

Farmer
Milliner
Patriot
Loyalist