A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia, Part 12

Author: Martin, Joseph. ed. cn; Brockenbrough, William Henry
Publication date: 1835
Publisher: Charlottesville, J. Martin
Number of Pages: 1278

USA > Washington DC > Washington DC > A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia > Part 12
USA > Virginia > A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia > Part 12

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

partly in Virginia and partly in North Carolina. This canal was finished, upon a circumscribed plan in 1822. Its dimensions have since been en- larged. Every quarter of a mile, the canal is widened to 60 feet for turn- out stations. The locks newly constructed correspond in dimensions with those of the Chesapeake and Delaware canal; and the old ones may be so altered when necessary, without great difficulty. The summit level is 163 feet above the Atlantic at mid-tide, and is supplied by a feeder of five miles' length from lake Drummond. The basin at Deep creek, is half a mile in length, and 15 feet above the level of tide-water. The Northwest canal connects Northwest river [which empties into Currituck sound in N. Caro- lina] with the main canal, requiring a cut of 6 miles. This canal is 24 feet wide, and 4 feet deep.

. The Appomatox has been improved from its mouth 10 miles to Fisher's bar, and around the falls 5 or 6 miles above Petersburg.

Danville and Dan river canals are a series of improvements upon the

purpose. This was accordingly done, by an act passed in February 1820. Under this new act, the state undertook to pay, semi-annually, to the Stockholders of the James River Company, a dividend upon their stock of 12 per centum per annum for several years, and of 15 per centum per annum forever thereafter. The state un- dertook further, to carry into effect the contemplated improvements, by appropriating to that purpose the requisite funds; and in consideration of these things, the Company assigned to the Commonwealth, all their tolls and income of every kind.

The state having thus acquired all the interest of the original stockholders in this Company, the General Assembly abolished the former Directory of the Company, by an Act passed in 1823, and appointing a new Directory of the same, committed the management of its concerns to this body. To enable the accomplishment of the ob- ject specified, sundry Acts were passed by the General Assembly, from time to time, authorizing the Directory to borrow large sums of money. For the payment of the interest of the sums so to be borrowed, and of the annuity aforesaid, all the income of the Company was appropriated to that purpose; and the General Assembly pledged its faith, that it would provide such other revenues as might be necessary. Until such other sufficient funds should be provided, however, so much of the revenue of the Board of Public Works as might be necessary to supply the deficiency, was ex- pressly pledged.

Under this authority, the President and Directors of this Company have borrowed' at various periods since the authority was given, and at various rates of interest, sun- dry sums of money, the aggregate of which amounts now to $1,321,500; and the total amount of the annual interest thereon is computed at $76,563 50, exclusive of the perpetual annuity of $21,000 payable to the original stockholders of the Company, for. the surrender of their charter.

In 1832, the policy which seems to have guided the course of legislation upon the subject of the James River Company until that time, appears to have been changed .. Until then, the policyhad directed, that the Commonwealth should possess the exclu- sive control over this great institution. To give complete effect to this policy, the state had expended much more than a million and a half of dollars in completing the work, But on the 16th of March 1832, a joint stock company was again incorporated, pro- visionally, to effect the great purpose of connecting the tide water of James River with the navigable waters of the Ohio. The capital of this company was to be $5,000,000 divided into shares of $100 each. To this stock, the state stipulated, that, she would subscribe at once ten thousand shares, or $1,000,000, to be paid for by a transfer of the whole interest the Commonwealth held in the works and property of the James River Company; and when three-fifths, or more, of the capital stock should be taken by others, the state agreed, to subscribe for the residue of the #5,000,000, be this what it might. Time until the second Monday in December 1832, was allowed, for making up the subscription of the private stockholders, but before that day another act was passed, extending this time to the 3d Monday in December 1833, and this ex- tended time was again prolonged by another Act, passed by the last Assembly, until the 31st of December of the present year. The latter Act binds the Common wealth to subscribe for the remainder of the capital stock of the contemplated company, whenever one moiety of it, or more, should have been taken by other subscribers.

In this state of things, while the faith of the state is pledged to comply with the

OF VIRGINIA.

upper branches of the Roanoke river, upon which in Virginia and North Carolina, the Roanoke company have expended about 8350,000.

Shenandoah Canals are on the river of that name, and near Port Repub- lic in Rockingham county. A fall of 50 feet is overcome by six short ca- nals with stone locks; by which this river is rendered navigable nearly 200 miles.

The Rappahannock has been improved by locks, dams, and canals, from Fredericksburg to Fox's mills, about 40 miles. This work was done by a joint stock company-$30,000 of the stock belonging to individuals, and $20,000 to the state.

North-Western Turnpike. We extract an account of this road from Gov. Tazewell's first message, sent to the Legislature Dec. 1st, 1834:

"Another great Corporation in which the Commonwealth is exclusively concerned, is that styled ' The President and Directors of the North-Wes- tern Turnpike Road.' 'This was created by an act pased in the year 1831. Its object was, to construct a road from the town of Winchester, in the county of Frederick, to some point on the Ohio River to be thereafter select- ed; and the Corporation was authorized to borrow, on the credit of the State, a sum or sums of money not exceeding $125,000, for the accomplishment of the object of its creation. During the last session of the General Assem-

conditions proposed by itself, provided these conditions are accepted by others, I feel myself restrained from offering a single remark as to the justice or policy of the con- templated scheme. The proffered contract must be carried into effect by the Com- monwealth, be its effects what they may; provided those to whom the proffer has been made accept its terms, on their part, within the time limited. But should these terms not be accepted within the time prescribed, I would recommend to your most serious consideration a careful revision of them, if a further extension of the time is hereaf- ter proposed.

In any event it will be wise to provide some means now, by which the debt due by the James River Company may be ultimately reimbursed; because, whether the pro- posed arrangement be completed or not, the payment of the principal of this debt will remain as a charge upon the state exelnsively. Although the payment of the per- petual annuity to the original stockholders in this Company, as well as of the annual interest due to the lenders of the large sums borrowed to carry on this great work, is well and amply provided for already, no provision has ever been made for the reim- bursement of the debt itself. It is true, that no part of this is yet payable, nor will become due for many years: but sound policy requires that whenever a debt is con- tracted, funds adequate to the extinction of it, at some time or other should be sea- sonably appropriated to that object. Should this be omitted, there is always hazard, that the debt will not only become permanent, but that its amount will constantly aug- ment; and while this tends, by its influence, to generate great inequalities in a state, it must in time disturb its legislation, impair its credit, and produce effects upon its currency which cannot be foreseen or prevented.

As a fiscal agent, the James River Company has been of no benefit as yet. The income of this Corporation has not sufficed to satisfy its own expenses, the perpetual annuity due to the original stockholders, and the interest of the sums borrowed to carry on its works. Owing to this canse, the ability of the Board of Public Works has been meh cramped of late, by the necessity imposed upon that body to provide for the deficiency, out of its funds. But the resources of the James River Company have been much influenced for several years last past, by the shortness of the crops usually transported to market by the works of that Company; by the reduction of the rate of its tolls; as well as by various casualities; which it is to be hoped will.not again occur. When these causes shall cease to operate, the income of this Company will be augmented of course; and if ever its annual resources shall suffice to meet all its annual engagements, it must become a most valuable institution, not only to all those who may then be directly interested in it, but to the public and to the Treasury ; provided this income be made liable to the reimbursement of the principal, and to the payment of the interest, of the debt dne by the company, for which debt the Com- monwealth is ultimately bound."

١٠٠٨

الـ

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

bly, an act was passed, empowering the Corporation to borrow, on the cre- dit of the Commonwealth, for the purpose of the road, a further sum not exceeding $86,000.

" Under the authority given to it by these several acts, the Corporation has borrowed the sum of $121,000 only, as yet, which may be considered as the present capital stock of this institution. For the payment of the in- terest, and the final redemption of the principal of all the sums borrowed, the nett proceeds and surplus tolls which may arise from the road, after keeping the same in repair, were pledged and appropriated, by the terms of the charter. But should these funds be found inadequate, the General As- sembly has stipulated to provide other and sufficient revenues for these pur- poses; and until such other sufficient funds shall be provided by law, so much of the revenue of the Board of Public Works, not otherwise appro- priated, is pledged, as may be necessary to supply the deficiency.

"Although great progress has been made towards the completion of this work, it is not yet finished. No profits, therefore, have been derived from it; but it has hitherto acted as a drain of the income of the Board of Public Works, whose revenue is bound to provide for the payment of the interest on the capital borrowed. It is expected, however, that this improvement will be so far completed during the next year, that it may then be made produc- tive; and when finished, but little doubt is entertained, that the income de- rived from its tolls, will not only keep it in repair, and satisfy the interest on the capital borrowed to construct the work, but will suffice, in time, to re- imburse the lenders of this capital. It will then become a valuable fiscal agent."

Railroads, though but of late introduction into the United States, have attracted considerable attention in Virginia; one has been lately executed styled the Chesterfield Railroad, near Richmond. The results of this road are more brilliant in proportion to its extent, than those of any similar work in the Union. It is about 13 miles long, and connects the coal-mines of Chesterfield with tide-water. The whole capital invested in it, including cars for transportation, stables, horses, &c. was $150,000. The trade on it is already 50,000 tons per annum, and the receipts for transportation du- ring the year 1833 were $70,000. The stock is of course at a high premium.

The Petersburg and Roanoke Railroad was the second which went into operation in the state, which it did in midsummer 1833; the cars running daily between its extreme points. 'This road commences at Petersburg, and extends 60 miles a little W. of S. to Weldon, in. N. Carolina, and the foot of the falls of Roanoke river; the line is very direct, and the graduation in no place exceeds 30 feet per mile, and the curves have radii of from 2 to 4 miles. Great part of the profit arising from this road is derived from the transportation of persons. The work was began on the line in 1831, and completed June, 1833, aggregate cost $450,000. Before the construction of this road Norfolk had always been regarded as the proper depot and out- let for the trade of the Roanoke valley, and would no doubt have become possessed of it by improvements connected with her Dismal Swamp Canal; but this road having arrested most of the trade and carried it to Petersburg, , the country about Norfolk procured at the session of 1833-4 the passage of an act authorizing the Portsmouth and Roanoke Railroad, which is to terminate at the same point on the Roanoke with the Petersburg road, and which is now under contract. The construction of the Portsmouth road will probably carry the trade to the seaboard, to avoid the tedious navigation

OF VIRGINIA.

of the James river, after it reaches Petersburg,-unless there should be a road made from Richmond to Petersburg, (which is spoken of) by which the trade coming by this route would have the advantage of the market of both cities. We can scarcely believe that there will be trade enough to employ profitably, both roads, as some suppose, but the travelling alone will always enable the Petersburg road to pay something to its owners.

The Winchester Railroad, connecting the flourishing town of Winches- ter, with the Baltimore and Ohio railroad at Harper's Ferry, is rapidly pro- gressing, and nearly completed.

The Richmond and Fredericksburg Railroad company have the law, and will probably soon have the funds necessary for its completion, as the trade would be considerable, and the travelling immense.

The following list exhibits a muuber of projected improvements, for which the state has granted charters, and authorised a subscription of two-fifths, on the part of the literary fund, as soon as the individual subscription should make up the other three-fifths; some of these improvements are now going on actively, but in the most of them the stock has not as yet we believe been taken:

Name of Companies.

Thoroughfare gap turnpike company, Lexington and Mountain canal turnpike co. Winchester and Potomac railroad co. Huntersville and Warm spring turnpike co. Thornton's gap and Warrenton turnpike co. Ist Danville and Evansham turnpike co. Stanton and Jennings's gap turnpike co. Fincastle and Blue Ridge turnpike co. Smithfield, Charlestown and Harper's ferry turnpike company, (additional sub.) Staunton & James river turnpike co. do. Rivanna and Fredericksburg turnpike co. Millborough and Carr's creek turnpike co.

Date of Act. Capital. Two-fifths.

13th Feb. 1833,

31000

12400

12th "

10000

31st Jan.

300000

4000 120000

20th Mar. 1832,

16000

6100

28th Feb.

50000

20000

7th Mar.

6000

2100

26th Feb. 10

8000

3200

25th

10000

4000

7th 16

50000

20000

28th Jan.

30000

12000

22d Dec. 1832,

5000

2000

$546000

$218400

Since this article was sent to press we have received the following table, shewing the state of the Internal Improvement Fund at a much later date:

State of the Fund for Internal Improvement, 30th September, 1834.

Productive.

Unproductive. Totals.

Permanent funds, (as per statement B,): Bank stocks and loans, and James river company's stock, Internal improvement companies,

1,315,900 00 29,150 00

208,611 11

1,673,661 11

Disposable funds, (as per statement C,): Bank stocks and loans,

185,373 03

50,000 00

Internal improvement companies, - 230,575 00

593,653 40 3

1,159,601 43

Total investments, - - -

1,890,998 03

9.12,264 51

2,833,262 54

Cash in the treasury :

Belonging to the permanent funds, #30,- 196 30, and to the disposable funds, #15,213 53, -

45,739 83 -

Total amount of the fund for internal improvement, - $2,879,002 37

1833,

30000

12000

9.00

١١

١٦

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The receipts into the treasury from Ist Octo- ber, 1833, to 30th September, 1831, in- cluding the balance on hand the first mentioned date (#25,077 59) amounted to -

338,190 61

The disbursements during the same period were,

292,450 81

Leaving in the treasury, as above stated,

$15,739 83

The probable receipts during the year end- ing 30th September, 1835, including the present balance on hand, will amount to The probable charges and appropriations, under present engagements, will be,

288,227 83

353,600 27

Leaving a probable deficiency of

#65,372 44.

Permanent Funds, 30th September, 1834.

125} shares in the Little river turnpike company, at par,

12,550 00

250 66 James river turnpike co.

50,000 00

7947

Bank of Virginia, 791,700 00

3381 = Farmers' Bank of Virginia,

338,100 00

900

Bank of the Valley, 66

90,000 00

231

82 66 Swift run gap turnpike co. 66 4,100 00

12,500 00

Certificates of James river co. 6 per cent. loans, Amount producing revenue,

1,375,050 00

shares in the Dismal swamp canal company, at par,

17,500 00

570

Chesapeake and Ohio canal company, (formerly stock of Potomac co.) -

31,111 11

2500*

Chesapeake and Ohio canal company, (state subscription of 1833,) - 250,000 00 -

Amount unproductive,

298,611 11

Total amount,

*$1,673,661 11

* Note .- Amount reported last year,

1,423,661 11 Add the state's subscription to the Chesapeake and Ohio canal company, "transferred to, and vested in" the fund for internal improvement, by the act of March 8th, 183-1, 2,500 shares, or

250,000 00

$1,673,661 11

North-western bank of Virginia, 1

23,100 00

125 66 Upper Appomattox co.

50,000 00

Disposable Funds in Stocks and Loans, 30th September, 1834.

Stocks acquired by the application of the income of the fund for internal improvement, and disposable according to the 13th section of the act creating that fund, and by loans obtained under special acts of Assembly, viz:

6,100 00 I

61 shares in the Farmers' bank of Virginia,

at par, 1

100

Bank of the Valley,

418

Bank of Virginia,

500

Bank of United States, (loaned Dismal swamp canal company,) "

34 =

James river company,

·20.000 00

200

Staunton and James river turnpike company,

30.000 00

300

= Lynchburg and Salem turnpike company,

14.000 00

140

= Ashby's gap turnpike company,

18,575 00

3711

= Shepherdstown and Smithfield turnpike company, -

80.000 00

800

= Roanoke navigation company,

8.000 00

160

Jackson's river turnpike company,

160,000 00

1600 = Petersburg railroad company,

65.500 00

Loans to the Dismal swamp canal company, at 6 per cent.

5,173 03

United States 5 per cent. stock of 1821, I

515,948 03

Loan to Richmond dock company, at 6 per cent. 375 shares in the Bank of Virginia, (loaned to Richmond dock company,)

at par,

37,500 00 12,500 00

50,000 00 16,000 00

160

66 Lower Appomatox company,

126

Berryville turnpike company,

5,000 00

66 Cartersville bridge company, -

5,400 00

160

66 Fairfax turnpike company,

32,000 00

6-13

= Fallsbridge turnpike company,

30,000 00

300

= Fauquier and Alexandria turnpike company,

33,600 00

672

Leesburg turnpike company,

8,000 00

Manchester and Petersburg turnpike company, Middle turnpike company,

23,900 00

1000

Richmond dock company, -

20,000 00

400

= Snicker's gap turnpike company,

46,000 00

920

Swift run gap turnpike company,

Tye river and Blue ridge turnpike company,

Amount carried over" 4

387,800 00

10,000 00 41,800 00 50,000 00 6,800 00

OF VIRGINIA.

2,400 00

Amount of productive stock, 1

6,300 00

186

= Dismal swamp canal company,

46,500 00

239

62,500 00

Amount brought over,

140

Monongalia navigation company,

8,180 00

(still due, $4,692 00,)

2,208 00

Slate river company,

7,500 00,

12,500 00

200

Leesburg and Snicker's gap turnpike company,

1,620 00,

12.680 00

280

Lexington and Covington turnpike company,

95,000 00,

95,000 00

3800

Portsmouth and Roanoke railroad company,

3,000 00,

23,000 00

260

Rappahannock company,

3,926 37,

26,073 63

600

Smithfield, Charlestown and Harper's ferry turnpike company,

1,750 00,

12,250 00

280

Warm springs and Harrisonburg turnpike company,

70,000 00,)

50,000 00

Amount unproductive,

Total amount of disposable funds,

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

RECAPITULATION.

In James river company shares, Bank stocks,

57,900 00 87,500 00

Ditto, (loaned out,)

145,400 00 5,173 03

United States stock,

Subscriptions to improvement companies, -

235,373 03 924,228 40

As above,

$1,159,601 43

Note .- Variations since 30th September, 1833, viz: Amount as then reported, -

966,847 80 - - Add instalments on subscriptions paid during the year, - -

- 192,753 63

As above,

$1,159,601 43

240

Wellsburg and Washington turnpike company,

471 56,

6,661 77

4800

Winchester and Potomac railroad company, 1

643,653 40

$1,159.601 43

6,500 00

78,000 00

Loans of money,

387,800 00

515,948 03

Rivanna navigation company,

4,500 00,

7,500 00

OF VIRGINIA

MANUFACTURES.

Few countries possess greater advantages than Virginia, for success in manufacturing; she has labour sufficiently cheap and abundant, inexhaus- tible supplies of fuel, and almost unlimited water-power. But planting and farming continue the favourite pursuits; her citizens seeming unwilling to invest their capital in enterprizes new and hazardous, and for which they have not been rendered competent by their habits and education, There are however extremely valuable flour mills, and some nail, cotton and other manufactories at Richmond, of which a more detailed account will be given when we speak of that city. In speaking of Wheeling in the N. W. part of the state, we shall give an account of her manufactories of cotton and woollen cloths, glass, iron, nails, porter, &c. which are nume. rous and valuable. The salt works on the Kanawha produce annually about 12,00,000 bushels of salt, and the amount is only limited by the de- mand; those on Holston produce from 150,000 to 200,000; and there are others on a smaller scale which will be noticed in their proper places,

AGRICULTURE.

There is great diversity in the agriculture of the state, but it is for the most part badly conducted. The old practice of cultivating land every year until exhausted, and then leaving it to recover from its own resources, still continues in many places. In others the three shift system prevails ;- that is first a crop of Indian corn, sceond, wheat, rye or oats, and third-the year of rest as it is erroneously called, but in which in fact the stock are. permitted to glean a scanty subsistence from the spontaneous vegetation ;- after which it is again subjected to the scourging process of cultivation, while little attention is paid to the application of manures or the artificial grasses. This destructive system for the most part prevails from the sea board to the head of tide-water, and on the south side of James River to the Blue Ridge. On the north side of that river, especially towards the Poto- mac, cultivation is much better ; a regular system of rotation in crops is at- tended to; grass seeds, generally red clover, (trifolium pratense) are sown on the small grain; animal and vegetable manures are saved with care and judiciously applied, gypsum is used to great extent and with very powerful effect. In the valley district, also a good system of cultivation is pursued ; and irrigated meadows are common, and very productive. On both sides of the Blue Ridge, maize or Indian corn, wheat,. rye, oats, and buck wheat are the principal grain crops. 'Tobacco is the principal staple of most of eastern Virginia, but in the Valley is cultivated only in its southern por- tion,-and not at all beyond the Alleghany. The grasses common to both regions are the red clover (trifolium pratense,) orchard grass (dactylis glo- merata) timothy (phleum pratensa,) and herds grass, (alopecurus praten- sis,) the two former are cultivated on dry, the latter on moist soils. In the eastern and southern counties, cotton is planted to considerable extent. On the shores of the Chesapeake barley and the castor oil bean (ricinus com- munis) are cultivated; and on some of the best lands above tide-water hemp is raised to advantage.

The Trans-Alleghany country, being exceedingly mountainous, and re- mote from market is chiefly devoted to raising live-stock. No more grain is raised than is sufficient to supply the country itself, and the travellers and stock-drovers who pass through it; but in summer the visitors of the

1. lo

100

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

mineral waters, afford a very considerable market, consuming an immense quantity of provisions. The climate and soil are very favourable to grass, and afford excellent pastures. The greensward and white clover, (trifolium ripens) spring up spontaneously wherever the timber is removed or deaden- ed, and on rich ground are very luxuriant. The cattle are fattened gene- rally on fine pastures of clover and timothy mixed.

It is difficult to speak with precision of the profits of agriculture in Vir- ginia, in many instances it yields a bare subsistence to the cultivator, in others a neat income of two or three per cent; but where the lands are in good heart, careful and judicious husbandry practised, and wheat and to- bacco the principal crops, there is no doubt that with slave labour a profit of from 6 to 8 per cent may be annually realized from capital invested; to accomplish this however, great attention and activity are necessary on the part of the proprietor. Lands in the Valley, in consequence of therc being fewer slaves, are more equally divided among the whites; the young popu- lation settle more at home, instead of moving to the west-and the lands are generally better cultivated: these circumstances cause land to sell generally higher in that section, and the country to be more prosperous, although running streams are less frequent and communication with market more difficult and expensive.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia, Part 12

Author: Martin, Joseph. ed. cn; Brockenbrough, William Henry Publication date: 1835 Publisher: Charlottesville, J. Martin Number of Pages: 1278

Author: Martin, Joseph. ed. cn; Brockenbrough, William Henry
Publication date: 1835
Publisher: Charlottesville, J. Martin
Number of Pages: 1278