USA > Washington DC > Washington DC > A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia > Part 11
USA > Virginia > A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia > Part 11
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Brass four pounders,
2| Rifles, 5
2174
do. six pounders,
Horsemans' pistols, 1991
Iron four pounders, do. six pounders,
-
5 Cavalry swords, 2053
26 Artillery swords, -
353
Muskets, -
-
-
37181
Colors,
167
Bayonets,
-
36857
Drums and fifes, 375
Carbines, -
120| Bugles, Trumpets, &c. &c. 22.
Reports of Arms, S.c. Remaining in the Armory at Richmond, on the 30th
September, 1833-viz:
Brass mortars, -
2| Muskets, - 38,472
32 pounders, brass,
6| Rifles, Virginia manufactory, 880
Long 6 pounders, brass,
1 do. received from the U. S. 1851
24 pounders, iron, -
-
4 Carbines, 20:
12 pounders, iron, -
-
36
Pistols,
- 702
6 pounders, iron, -
129 Cavalry swords, &c. &c. - 3126.
4 pounders, iron, -
43
Regulations .- An act for the better organization of the militia, passed! 1833-34, revises and consolidates all the existing laws on the subject of the militia, with amendments, of which the following are the principal provi- sions: the officers are required to be trained by the commandments of regi -- ments, instead of by the brigade inspectors; the musters are increased, so. that there will be one regimental muster in the spring, one battalion muster in the fall, and a company muster in the spring and fall, cach making four musters in the year; volunteer companies having two extra additional mus- ters, making six in the year, but the regimental courts of enquiry have the power within any regiment to dispense with any of the extra musters if they think proper, and the power of substituting battalion musters, in the spring, in lieu of the regimental muster, and also to prescribe the time and place of muster; the commandants of regiments to prescribe the time and place of the trainings of the officers, instead of the brigadier generals, as: heretofore. All companies are to be officered with a captain, four lieuten- ants, five sergeants, and six corporals cach; volunteer companies are per- mitted to adopt their own by-laws, and the commandants thercof to appoint the time for their extra musters; fines for failing to attend such extra mus- ters to be imposed by the courts of enquiry, to be collected by the sheriffs, and paid to the treasurers of such companies, to be disposed of by the com- panies as they may deem proper; all uniformed volunteer companies to be armed. The act exempts from militia duty, (except in time of war, insur- rection or invasion,) all members of volunteer companies who produce to their regimental courts of enquiry, certficates from their commanding offi- cers of seven years service. Companies of artillery equipped with ord- nance, to be allowed one dollar per day for cach horse employed in drawing . their artillery and caissons, and the governor is authorized to require any company of artillery to perform the duties of light artillery.
The uniform of the respective corps of the militia, to be the same with that of the United States' army, unless the governor, by proclamation, shall otherwise order; but volunteer companies now uniformed, are not required to change their uniform. Battalion courts of enquiry to be held in October
85
OF VIRGINIA.
or November, and regimental courts in November or December; the act authorizing boards of the officers of the different regiments to be convened at any time to transact any other business of the regiment other than the assessment or remission of fines. The fines on non-commissioned officers and soldiers for failing to attend musters, to be not less than 75 cents, nor more than three dollars for each delinquency. Musicians may be allowed by the regimental courts of enquiry, two dollars per day for each lawful mus- ter, the claims to be paid by the sheriff within three months thereafter, and provision is made for the more prompt payment than heretofore of drafts for the purposes of the militia. One stand of colors only is allowed to each regiment, and colors and musical instruments are not allowed oftener than once in ten years, nor unless sanctioned by the regimental court of enquiry. The adjutant general is allowed the brevet rank of a brigadier general .- The executive to cause the act, together with the articles of war, to be print- ed, and one copy to be furnished to each commissioned officer. The act not to take effect till the first of January, 1835.
LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
This state has two lunatic asylums: one is located in eastern Virginia, at Williamsburg, James city county, the other in western Virginia, at Staun- ton, Augusta county. There were in the lunatic hospital at Williamsburg, on the first of January, 1834, 37 male and 18 female patients-total 55 .- During the year 1833, nine died, and three were discharged. The aggre- gate expense for the support of this institution during the past year, was $9,250 87, according to the director's report. In the lunatic hospital at Staunton, there were on the 28th day of December, 1833, 19 male, and 18 female patients-total 37; during the same year, one died. There was ex- pended for the support of this establishment, duriug the past year, 86,078 31, according to the report of the committee.
A considerable addition is now being made to the building of the last mentioned asylum ..
PENITENTIARY.
- We believe this system has been as successful in few states, as in Virginia- The annexed table exhibits the fact that it is only necessary to send back again one in (nearly) every twenty-one; which seems to exhibit a very suc- cessful reformation :- whilst the reports of its fiscal concerns prove that so far from being a burthen, it brings to the State a small annual revenue. To punish crime, and reform the criminal, without expense to the state, is the object in view :- our system certainly attains the latter completely, and ap- proximates, in a very beneficial degree, to the former :
. 86
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
A TABLE shewing the number of convicts, received in the Penitentiary of Virginia, from the time it was opened in 1800, with the pardons, deaths, escapes, and discharges in each year, until the 30th of Novem- ber, 1833, and the number remaining on that day.
YEARS.
No. received.
No. pardoned each
year.
No died each year.
- No. escaped each
No. discharged
each year.
each year. ‘
No. received for 2d, 3d and 4th of- fences and included in the whole
No. received,
3
1808
37
11
1
1809
40
00
1
31
121
4
1810
25
.11
3
20
121
1
1811
33
10
Cz
18
112
1
1813
52
17
CT
33
117
-
1814
33
23
3
15
114
3
1815
45
9
6
14
106
6
1816
74
6
3
26
122
6
1817
77
16
3
39
158
4
1818
60
9
7
47
171
6
1819
80
12
11
34
168
5
1820
93
20
6
44
191
5
1821
81
13
15
55
211
4
1822
103
20
12
60
209
5
1823
83
12
14
66
220
9
1824
62
15
16
6
45
211
4
1825
34
1
23.
47
191,
3
1826
52
6
18
33
154
20
1827
43
4
17
28
149
2
1828
50
6
17
21
143
1
1829
55
4
21
24
149
1830
57
4
15
25
155
1831
49
5
25
22
168
4
1832
43
13
51
20
165
1
1833
37 .
11
9
19
124
1
-
1786
330
330
11
993 Av'ge, 122
86
-
1
16
41
1803
55
3
2
31
68
1804
41
1
1
3
33
87
1805
50
1
21
90
1806
40
er
5
1
34
118
1807
54
18
3
22
113
1801
23
1
-
10
19
1802
44
-
1
-
No. in the prisons
on the Ist Jan.
year.
1800*
-
11
112
5
1812
50
34
29
124
1
R
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TREE29 1 12007981 10015
87
OF VIRGINIA.
'These convicts were employed in the following occupations; viz. Boot and Shoe making, 14( Splicers,
3
Harness making,
2 Fuller and Washer,
1
'Tailoring,
10 Wheelwrights,
7
Blacksmiths,
8 Carpenters,
6
Strickers,
8 Coopers,
7
Nailors,
3
Yard hand, pumps, &c.
2
Mill Stone makers,
2 Runners,
2
Firemen,
1 Nurses,
2
Weavers,
-
17 Cooks,
3
Quillers and spoolers,
-
5 Clerk,
-
1
Wool carders,
2
Invalids,
5
Wool spinners,
-
2
Total number of men,
Women (all colored persons) employed sewing,
9
Total of all colors of both sexes, =
122
Number of slaves for transportation,
7
'The act making solitude not more than half or less than onc-eigth of the term of conviction, and requiring each person to be confined in his dark and solitary cell for six months immediately after being received, was in force from the 1st of March, 1824, to the 9th of March, 1826. It was then provided, that three months of solitary confinement should be suffered at the commencement of each person's term, and three months more at the close. This law continued in force until the 27th February, 1829; when it was provided that the first three months should be omitted; but the three months at the close of the term was continued until the 9th of March, 1833, when solitude was reduced to one-twelfth part of the whole terin and not to exceed one month at any one time. The wall round the prison was not erected till 1824.
Of the number of prisoners received into the Penitentiary from Ist Oc- tober, 1832 to 30th Sept. 1833, there were for-
Murder,
4 Horse stealing,
6
Voluntary manslaughter,
5
Grand larceny,
10
Unlawful stabbing,
2
Forgery,
2
Stealing'free negroes,
1
Passing counterfeit bank notes,
3
Arson,
Bigamy,
1
Robbery,
Felony, -
-
6
Stealing slaves,
1
Total,
44
INTERNAL . IMPROVEMENT.
Virginia is considerably behind her sisters New York and Pennsylva- nia in the extent of her improvements. For this several reasons may be assigned; first, her habitual caution and prudence in legislation, requiring demonstration of its utility before she will embark her capital in any new enterprize ; second, the sectional jealousies of different portions of the state, the interest of several often conflicting, with regard to any specific im- provement proposed; third, the mismanagement of her first enterprizes in this field, have contributed to dampen her ardour ever since. Of late she seems to be more inclined to arouse from her lethargy. There is a per-
2
1
113
.
88
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
manent fund devoted to the purpose of internal improvement; by a report in Sept. 30, 1833 this fund amounted to $1,423,661 11, to which may be added a disposable fund of $966,847 80, [of which however $61,111 11 is at present improductive] making in all $2,415,586 50; from which the an- nual income is $144,934 00. This fund is managed by 13 directors styled the "Board of Public Works; of which board the Governor, Treasurer, and First Auditor are ex officio members. The board meets annually on the first Monday in January. The members receive $4 per diem, and 20 cents a mile for travelling.
The views of Governor Tazewell upon this subject are interesting :-
"Another great Corporation connected with the fiscal concerns of the 'Commonwealth, is "the Board of Public Works." This institution was established in 1816, and endowed with all the stocks then held by the state in different Turnpike and Canal Companies, in the Bank of Virginia and the Farmers' Bank of Virginia, and with all the interest the state might acquire thereafter as a bonus or premium for the incorporation of other Banks, or for the increase of their capital, or the renewal of their charters. These funds and their proceeds, although nominally much greater, cannot be justly estimated, in money, at more than about two millions of dollars, which may now, therefore, be considered as constituting the capital stock of the Corporation. The receipts from this capital are equal to about $115,000 annually.
"The object of this institution, was to invest its annual profits, and the pro- ceeds of such part of its capital as it might be thought judicious so to invest, in any work of Internal Improvement, promising when completed, to be of advantage to the Commonwealth, and profitable to the other proprietors of it. But aware of the difficulties that would attend the judicious selection of such works, the authors of the Corporation established a rule, by which it should be governed in every case. When any work of Internal Improve- ment was proposed, if after the requisite surveys of it had been made, and its cost estimated, by officers and at the expense of the Corporation, three- fifths of the capital deemed necessary for the completion of such a work was subscribed by individuals, the residue was to be taken by the Corporation, and paid for by it rateably with the sums advanced by the private stock-holders.
"If this scheme had been carried into full effect according to the original plan, it seems quite obvious, that all the funds of the Corporation would have been ultimately invested in the stocks of comparatively small under- takings, to the completion of which the enterprize and unaided capital of in- dividuals would have been perfectly adequate: while great works, the very magnitude of which would prevent the combination of a sufficient number of individuals to subscribe the proportion necessary to secure the co-operation of the state, would never have been carried into effect. Thus, while some partial improvements might have been made, no work of general and perma- nent utility would have been accomplished, and the great object of the Cor- poration must have been defeated. The discovery of this was at last made ; but not until more than $900,000 of the capital of the institution had been invested in undertakings since abandoned, or in those the profits of which are quite inconsiderable, or much less than the average rate of profit in the country generally.
"To remedy this defect, a modification of the original plan was adopted. The Commonwealth assumed upon itself, exclusively, the completion of cer- tain great Internal Improvements, in which, from their very nature, the co.
:
1
FP
-
89
OF VIRGINIAA.
operation of a sufficient number of individuals could not be expected, leaving all others, deemed of less general utility, to the support of the Board of Pub- lic Works. Thus the subject of Internal Improvement has become divided into parts-in one of which the state is concerned exclusively, while in the other, the Board of Public Works is but a co-partner with individuals.
"The effect of this division of the public interests, has been attended with some hazard already, and unless much discretion is used hereafter, will be ruinous to the Board of Public Works, and seriously oppressive to the state itself. . 'The funds of the Corporation not being equal to the immediate ac- complishment of all the great objects in which the Commonwealth was con- cerned exclusively, and to the advancement, at the same time, of the others in which the Board of Public Works was interested as a co-partner with in- dividuals, to supply the deficiency, resort was had to loans. The payment of the interest and the reimbursement of the principal of these loans were charged, in the first instance, upon the stock for the benefit of which the loans had been effected : but should this prove insufficient, the funds of the Board of Public Works were made subject to these payments; and should a deficiency still exist, the Treasury itself was made accountable for it.
"The example of relying upon loans for the accomplishment of such pub- lic works being once set, was soon followed in the case of works to be con- structed at the joint charge of the state and of individuals. Large sums have been borrowed to enable the payment of the subscription of the Corporation to these works also. The payment of the interest and the reimbursement of the principal of these loans, were charged, in like manner, upon the cor- porate funds, in the first instance: but should these prove insufficient, the 'Treasury itself, as before, is made chargeable with any deficiency.
"Thus it has happened, that while a considerable portion of the capital of this Corporation has been invested in stocks absolutely unproductive, or very nearly so, the whole of this capital is now charged with the payment of the interest and reimbursement of the principal of large debts, for which the Treasury itself is ultimately liable. As yet, the income of the Corpo- ration is equal to the satisfaction of all its expenses, and to the payment of the interest charged upon it. It is believed also, that the capital is suffi- cient to discharge the principal of all these debts. But should any ad- ditional burthen be imposed upon this Corporation, at this time, it is proba- ble that it's means would not suffice to meet all its engagements, without im- pairing this capital. In that event, it is obvious that ere long, the whole weight of all these engagements must fall upon the Treasury, when to pre- serve the credit of the state, new and burthensome taxes must be imposed upon the people.
"To prevent such a result, Irecommend to you most carnestly, that no new charge be imposed upon this Corporation, at present. In a few years, it is expected very confidently, that all the works in which it is concerned and which are now in progress, will be completed. Unless individuals have been greatly deceived in their estimates of the effects of these works, the funds invested in them will then become productive. The profits of this capital, or its proceeds will then enable the casy and speedy reimburse- ment of the debts with which the Corporation is now charged. The whole funds of the Board will then become applicable to other undertakings ; and the work of Internal Improvement may again proceed with increased vigor and advantage. But if a different course is pursued, the ruin of this Cor- poration may be the too probable consequence -- grievous taxation must fol- 12
A
1
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0
90
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
low as the necessary effect of its ruin; and the work of Internal Improve- ment will receive a shock from which it will not recover for a long period.
"As a fiscal agent, the Board of Public Works has been, and under ju- dicious management will continue to be, of great advantage to the Com- monwealth. So long as its plans meet public approbation, it will call into useful action the unemployed capital of individuals, making this productive to its proprietors, and beneficial to the community. The very debts which it may be compelled to contract occasionally, will effect all the beneficial results, without producing any of the evils attendant upon a public debt- provided they are confined to a limit, within which the income of the Cor- poration, after satisfying its expenses, will certainly pay the interest, and its capital surely reimburse the principal. But if a different course is adopted, this Institution, instead of being an useful fiscal agent, will be worse than useless. It will then become positively mischievous, acting as a perpetual drain of the Treasury and exhausting its funds, repleted often as its coffers must be, by heavy exactions from the people."
Navigation East of the Appalachian System .- The eastern part of Vir- ginia is peculiarly favored in facilities for water transportation, in the im- mense and deep bay of Chesapeake and its large tributaries, the James, the York, the Rappahannock, and the Potomac. The earth affords no other instance of so great a physical change in so short a distance, as that between the shallow sounds of North Carolina, and the deep water of the Chesa- peake; in the latter the largest ships of war have adequate depth almost to the very verge of the primitive rock ; ships of the line ascend the main bay nearly, to its head,-the' Potomac to Alexandria,-some distance into York river,-and up James river to the mouth of Nansemond; sloops drawing six or seven feet water penetrate into innumerable creeks upon both sides of the bay. Nature seems also to have been especially liberal to this state in the peculiar direction of the channels of her rivers, making her eastern border a common recipient of all flowing east of the Appalachian System. The rivers of Georgia and the Carolinas, from Alatamaha to Cape Fear inclusive (and we might say without much violence to Roanoke) flow S. E. or S. S. E .: but from the southern border of Virginia to the Susquehan- nah they flow east, and the latter river south. Much has been done to im- prove the navigation in eastern Virginia, but little when compared with the extent of country and the number of lines of communication inviting at- tention.
James River is navigable for vessels of 250 tons to Warwick, and 125 tons to Rocket's, the port of Richmond. At that city commences the falls or rapids, to pass which by a navigable canal, the old James River Com- pany was chartered in 1784, and were collecting tolls in the year 1794. (See Richmond, Henrico County.) The Richmond canal entered a basin on the western side of the city, it was 25 feet wide, and 3 deep, and extended originally 23 miles to its junction with the river, in which space there are 12 locks, and a fall of 180 feet. Three miles above the falls there was another short canal, with 3 locks, overcoming a fall of 34 feet. These canals and locks, with other slight improvements opened a tolerable navigation of 12 inches water to Lynchburg. In 1825 the James River Company declared canal navigation complete to the head of Maiden's Adventure falls, in Gooch- land County, a distance of 303 miles from Richmond. The width of the canal is 40 feet, depth of water 35 feet, and the expense was $623,225; the fall overcome was 140g feet. This last improvement was probably in pro-
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91
OF VIRGINIA.
portion to its magnitude the most promptly executed work at that time ac- complished in the United States. Besides these there is another canal through the Blue Ridge, about 7 miles long, and 30 feet wide, overcoming a fall of 100 feet.
James River and Kanawha Communication .- The necessity of opening a complete communication between the Ohio and Chesapeake by this line, has been felt by all classes in Virginia, indeed it is admitted that without it. she must sink to a very low ebb when compared with her more enterprising sisters, in wealth, population, and importance. There has already been ex- pended on this line of improvement $1,274,583, of which $638,883 86, have been expended on the lower James River Canal, the old and new im- provements,-$365,207 02 on the mountain canal,-$87,389,81 on the Kanawha,-and $171,982 49 on turnpike roads and bridges from Coving- ton to the Kanawha; but these improvements though of great local advan- tage to the sections of country in which they are situated, by no means es- tablish a continuous communication. To effect this all-important object the Legislature in 1831-2, granted a charter of incorporation to the James River and Kanawha Company, with a capital of $5,000,000. This char- ter was at first liberal, but has since been most particularly and specially favored by the Legislature, for the purpose of inducing individual subscrip- tion; exempting the shares from taxation, making the charter perpetual, allowing the Banks to subscribe, and subscribing for the state an amount far beyond her usual proportion in improvements, &c. These advantages, and the unremitting exertions of some patriotic citizens, have (it is believed) procured the necessary amount of subscriptions, and it is probable that the noble work will be commenced in the spring of 1835. No human foresight can see the limit of the advantages attendant on its success, or the evils of its failure .*
Dismal Swamp Canal is another important improvement, it is said to have been the first canal commenced in the United States, and nearly the last finished,-it is 223 miles in length, 40 feet wide, and 6} deep, it passes from Deep creek to Joyce's creek at the head of Pasquotank river, and con- nects the waters of the Chesapeake with those of Albemarle sound, it is
*The first Message of Governor Tazewell contains the best history of the legisla- tion upon this subject which we have seen;
"One of the great Corporations created for purposes of Internal Improvement, în which the Commonwealth is now concerned exclusively, is " The James River Com- pany.". The origin of this must be sought for as far back as the year 1784. In that year, the General Assembly passed an Act, whereby they incorporated a Company under this name, with a capital of $100,000, divided into 500 shares, of $200 each, for the purpose of clearing and extending the navigation of James River, from tide-wa- ter upwards, to the highest parts practicable on the main branch thereof. By seve- ral other acts passed afterwards, it was declared, that the highest place practicable within the meaning of the first act, was Crow's Ferry at the mouth of Looney's creek in the county of Botetourt; and the capital stock of the Company was increased to 700 shares. Of these shares, the state became a subscriber for 250, with which the Board of Public Works was afterwards endowed, as a part of its capital, when this Institution was created in 1816.
After the work for the accomplishment of which this charter was granted, had been completed, or very nearly so, it was thought beneficial to the state, to improve the navigation of James River beyond the highest point first fixed, to the mouth of Dunlap's Creek-to make a convenient road from thence to the great falls of the Ka- nawha River; and to make the last mentioned river navigable from the great falls thereof to the river Ohio. But as their charter imposed no such obligations upon the then existing Company, it was necessary to enter into a new contract with it, for that
92
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
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