road, which is 77 miles long, commences at Portsmouth, in this county, and terminates on the Roanoke River, at Weldon, N. C. The Dismal Swamp Canal, 22 miles long, connects Chesapeake Bay with Albemarle Sound, North Carolina. The north end empties into Deep creek, a branch of Elizabeth River; and the south into Joice's creek, a branch of the Pasquotank River. This canal passes for 20 miles through the Great Dismal Swamp, and has been a work of great labor and difficulty. It was commenced in 1787, under a joint charter of the two states; but was not finished until a few years since. It is one of the best canals in the Union, is navigated by sloops and schooners, and does much business. Lake Drummond, near the centre of the Dismal Swamp, in times of great drought is its only feeder. In addition, a new cut of 2 miles long, from the town of Deep Creek direct to the Elizabeth River, has lately been made, which saves a circuit of several miles. Hampton Roads lies on the N. border of the county. Pop. in 1840, whites 11,280, slaves 7,845, free colored 1,967; total, 21,092.

Norfolk borough is situated 106 miles from Richmond, 230 from Washington city, and 8 miles above Hampton Roads, on the N. bank of Elizabeth River, near the junction of its southern and eastern branches. It was first established by law as a town in October, 1705, in the 4th year of the reign of Queen Anne; at which time its favorable situation for trade had gathered a considerable population.

In the Westover mss., Col. Byrd, in the History of the Dividing Line between Virginia and North Carolina, thus describes Norfolk in 1728:

Norfolk has most the air of a town of any in Virginia. There were then near 20 brigantines and sloops riding at the wharves, and oftentimes they have more. It has all the advantages of situation requisite for trade and navigation... The town is so near the sea that its vessels may sail in and out in a few hours. Their trade is chiefly to the West Indies, whither they export abundance of beef, pork, flour, and lumber. The worst of it is, they contribute much towards debauching the country by importing abundance of rum, which, like gin in Great Britain, breaks the constitutions, vitiates the morals, and ruins the industry of most of the poor people of this country. This place is the mart for most of the commodities produced in the adjacent parts of North Carolina. They have a pretty deal of lumber from the borderers on the Dismal, who make bold with the king's land thereabouts, without the least ceremony. They not only maintain their stocks upon it, but get boards, shingles, and other lumber out of it in great abundance. The town is built on a level spot of ground upon Elizabeth River, the banks whereof are neither so high as to make the landing of goods troublesome, nor so low as to be in danger of overflowing. The streets are straight, and adorned with several good houses, which increase every day. It is not a town of ordinaries and public houses, like most others in this country, but the inhabitants consist of merchants, ship-carpenters, and other useful artisans, with sailors enough to manage their navigation. With all these conveniences, it lies under the two great disadvantages that most of the towns in Holland do, by having neither good air nor good water. The two cardinal virtues that nake a place thrive, industry and frugality, are seen here in perfection; and so long as they can banish luxury and idleness, the town will remain in a happy and flourishing condition.

The method of building wharves here is after the following manner. They lay down long pine logs, that reach from the shore to the edge of the channel. These are bound fast together by cross pieces notched into them, according to the architecture of the log

houses in North Carolina. A wharf built thus will stand several years, in spite of the worm, which bites here very much, but may be soon repaired in a place where so many pines grow in the neighborhood.

Norfolk was formed into a borough* Sept. 15th, 1736, by royal charter from George II. Samuel Boush, one of the principal landholders, was made mayor† until a vacancy occurred either by his death or resignation. Sir John Randolph was appointed recorder, and the following gentlemen aldermen-George Newton, Samuel Boush, Jr., John Hutchins, Robert Tucker, John Taylor, Samuel Smith, Jr., James Ivey, and Alexander Campbell.

Ten years after, the inhabitants of the borough evinced their loyalty in their rejoicings at the defeat of the Pretender at the battle of Culloden, fought April 6th, 1746; an account of which is preserved in the Virginia Gazette, published at Williamsburg, and copied below:

Williamsburg, July 31.-We have very credible information from the borough of Norfolk, that on the 23d inst. they made extraordinary rejoicings there upon the good news of the defeat of the rebels by His Royal Highness, the Duke of Cumberland. The account we have of it is as follows:

The effigy of the Pretender, in the full proportion of a man, in a Highland dress resembling that which he appeared in, by the account given by a person in town who saw him a few months ago, was placed in a two-armed chair, and the following cavalcade marshalled, viz:

1st. Three drummers.

2d. A piper.

3d. Three violins.

4th. Six men with long white rods, with slips of paper like sashes over their shoulders, and different mottoes wrote on them in capital letters, as Liberty, Property, and No Pretender, No Wooden Shoes, &c. 5th. A man in woman's clothes, dressed like a nurse, carrying a warming-pan with a child peeping out of it.

6th. The Pretender in a two-armed chair, drawn in a cart.

7th. Six men, two and two, with drawn cutlasses.

Lastly. A vast crowd of people of the town and country, who thus marched in procession through all the streets till they came (about one o'clock) to the centre of the three main streets, where a gibbet being erected for the purpose, the cart was drawn under it, and his Protectorship was immediately exalted to the general view and satisfaction of the spectators. Liquor was provided for the better sort, and the populace had great plenty in casks standing with one head out.

On drinking the health of His Majesty, KING GEORGE II., a royal salute was made of 21 guns, planted in two different places, which was answered by a number of others from vessels in the harbor. Then followed other loyal healths, as the Royal Family, His Royal Highness the Duke, the Governor, Virginia, success to His Majesty's arms, &c., each health being proclaimed by the guns at the two different parts of the town, and vessels in the harbor. Thus the gentlemen continued at the court-house till the evening, when the windows all over town were beautifully illuminated. Then a large bonfire was kindled around the gibbet, and in a few minutes the effigy dropped into the flames. Then there was another royal salute, accompanied with loud huzzas and acclamations of joy. To conclude, that the ladies might also partake of the rejoicings on this extraordinary occasion, the gentlemen entertained them with a ball, and the evening concluded with innocent mirth and unaffected joy, becoming a people loyal to their king, and zealous for their country's good.

The harbor of Norfolk admits vessels of the largest size, and is equal to any in the country. It may be considered the great naval depôt of the Union; and the borough, together with Portsmouth, is the residence of a greater number of naval officers than any other port in the country. There are, generally, several vessels of war lying at anchor in her harbor, beside those at the Navy Yard.

Previous to the late war, Norfolk monopolized almost all the trade with the British West Indies, which was a source of much profit. From that period, excepting the years 1816, '17, and '18, during which the restriction was removed, her commerce was in a

* Norfolk became a city by act of the legislature, April 24th, 1845.

There is in the possession of a gentleman at Norfolk a silver mace, weighing several pounds, presented to the corporation by Sir John Randolph. It was carried before the Mayor on going to court, and in public processions.

languishing condition until the completion of the Dismal Swamp. Canal. Its facilities for trade have been greatly increased by the completion of this work and the Portsmouth and Roanoke Railroad. It enjoys considerable foreign commerce, chiefly in corn, lumber, cotton, and naval stores. The plan of the town is some

what irregular. Most of the streets are wide and well built, with handsome brick and stone buildings. The surface of the town is an almost dead level, and the private residences of many of its inhabitants, away from the business streets, are very neat, and have annexed spacious gardens adorned with shrubbery.

An erroneous impression has prevailed abroad that Norfolk is unhealthy yet the stranger having this idea cannot but be surprised at the unusual number of fine, rosy-cheeked, healthy-looking children whom he meets in the streets. "The deaths in Norfolk for the year ending May 31st, 1844, as reported by the healthofficer, amounted to 209, in a population of 11,000, or 17 per cent. -a pretty favorable indication of the salubrity of the position. The deaths in London are 3 per cent. of the population; in Philadelphia 2 per cent. In both of these cities are masses of poor, destitute, vicious, and worked-to-death people, which necessarily accounts for their greater mortality. In Norfolk, however, there is a large slave population, yet the same rule does not apply."

The principal public buildings are a custom-house, court-house, jail, a marine hospital, almshouse, academy, masons' lodge, 2 Episcopal, 1 Methodist, 1 Catholic, 1 Baptist, and 1 Presbyterian church, beside 2 churches for colored people. There is a theatre, 1 Lancasterian, and about 40 other schools, an orphan asylum, 4 banks-the Exchange Bank of Virginia, Virginia Bank, Farmers' Bank of Va., and a Savings' Bank-and a population of about 12,000. It has more foreign commerce than any other place in the state. The tonnage in 1840 was 19,079. There were then, by the U. S. statistics, 8 foreign commercial and 8 commission houses, cap. $202,000; 35 retail stores, cap. $1,590,500; cap. in

manufactures, $178,300. Population in 1775, about 6,000; 1810, 9,193; 1820, 9,478; 1830, 9,816; 1840, 10,920, of whom about one-half were blacks.

The most beautiful building in the town is the Norfolk academy, which is an elegant structure after the temple of Theseus, standing on a spacious green.

It is an academy of the highest class, under the charge of a principal and three assistant professors. The principal, W. F. Hopkins, A. M., was formerly professor of chemistry at the U. S. Military Academy at West Point. Under his charge it is very flourishing. The pupils, for the purpose of exercise, are formed into a military corps. Annexed to this institution is a preparatory department. St. Paul's church is the oldest building in Norfolk. It was erected in 1739. When the town was burnt by the British in the revolution, it was almost the only building that escaped destruction. The enemy robbed the church, and carried the baptismal font, which was of marble, to Scotland. Upon the end of the church there is still to be seen on the stone-work, the marks of a cannon-bal! fired from the enemy's shipping. The grave-yard, which was used as early as 1700, contains many monuments.

In the environs of the town, a beautiful cemetery, containing several acres, has been laid out by the corporation. It is surrounded by a high, white wall, and is tastefully planted with evergreens. Annexed are inscriptions from some of the monuments :

Here rest the remains of Capt. Angus Martin, who died Sept. 18th, 1838, aged 75 years. He was a native of Argyleshire, Scotland. Bred to the sea, he was, at the early age of 18, intrusted with the command of a ship belonging to the port of Greenock; and crossed the Atlantic one hundred times in his lifetime, as a mariner, &c. &c.

Sacred to the memory of Robert Monroe Harrison, late a midshipman in the navy of the U. S., and son of Robert M. Harrison, for many years consul for the U. S. at various places, and now filling that station at St. Bartholomews. He was born on the 27th of Dec., 1811, and by the upsetting of one of the U. S. cutters in this harbor, was drowned, together with his friends and messmates, Mids. J. S. Slidell and Frederick Rodgers, on the 5th April, 1828. He was distinguished for his amiable disposition, for the remarkable sprightliness of his genius, and for various and extensive acquirements, which would have done honor to a riper age. As an officer he was conspicuous for his zeal and devotion to his duties; as a gentleman for his accomplished, frank, and manly deportment. His end was marked by the same firmness and magnanimity which had characterized his life, resigning himself to a fate which was inevitable. He declined the proffered aid of his generous comrades, and exhorted them to use their exertions, which, alas! were unavailing, to save themselves. Thus, in the morning of life, was this brilliant youth cut off in a career full of promise to his country, and of hope and consolation to his parents. His remains and those of his friend, Mid. Slidell, were followed to the grave by one of the largest and most respectable processions of our fellow-citizens ever known, and under circumstances most solemn and affecting, interred with military honors, on the 13th April, 1828.

Norfolk and its vicinity was the scene of some important military events in the war of the revolution. The British fleet, to which Lord Dunmore had fled at the outbreak of hostilities, made Norfolk harbor its principal rendezvous.

In October, 1775, "a British officer (says Girardin) with 12 or 13 soldiers, and a few sailors, landed at the county wharf in Norfolk, and, under cover of the men-of-war. who made every show of firing upon the town in case the party were molested, marched up the main street to Holt's printing-office, from whence, without opposition or resist ance, they carried off the types, with other printing materials, and two of the workmen. The corporation of Norfolk remonstrated with Dunmore on this outrage; stated their ability to have cut off this small party, had they been so disposed; and requested the immediate return of the persons and property illegally seized. Dunmore's answer was taunting and insulting in the highest degree. He said that he could not have rendered the people of Norfolk a greater service, than by depriving them of the means of having their minds poisoned, and of exciting in them the spirit of rebellion and sedition;' that their not having cut off the small party who took Holt's types, he imputed to other reasons than their peaceable intentions, as their drums were beating to arms without success the greater part of the time that the party were on shore. He gave them no satisfaction on the subject of restoring the persons and property seized and carried off. Holt, the printer, was not silent on the occasion. He published in the Williamsburg papers an eloquent philippic against Dunmore, and a patriotic advertisement, stating his intention to establish a new press, to be conducted on the same principles as that which had been destroyed."

The administration of Virginia directed all their attention upon this part of the state, where they perceived the danger most formidable. Dunmore, alarmed at their preparations, constructed batteries and intrenchments at Norfolk, armed the blacks and tories, and forced the country people to drive their cattle and convey provisions to the town. The government of Va. dispatched, with all speed, a detachment of minute-men, under the command of Col. Woodford, into the county.

"Dunmore, apprized (says Botta) of this movement, very prudently occupied a strong position upon the north bank of Elizabeth River, called Great Bridge, a few miles from Norfolk. This point was situated upon the direct route of the provincial troops. Here he threw up works upon the Norfolk side, and furnished them with a numerous artillery. The intrenchments were surrounded on every part with water and marshes, and were only accessible by a long dike. As to the forces of the governor, they were little formidable: he had only 200 regulars, and a corps of Norfolk volunteers; the residue consisted in a shapeless mass of varlets of every color. The Virginians took post over against the English, in a small village at a cannon-shot distance. Before them they had a long narrow dike, the extremity of which they also fortified. In this state the two parties remained for several days without making any movement."

An ingenious stratagem precipitated the operations. A servant of Major Marshall's, (father of the chief-justice,) being properly instructed, deserted to Dunmore, and reported that there were not at the bridge more than 300 shirt-men, as the Virginians, who mostly wore hunting-shirts, were contemptuously called. Believing the story, Dunmore dispatched about 200 regulars, and 300 blacks and tories, to the Great Bridge; who arrived there on the morning of the 9th of December, 1775, and just as the reveille had done beating, inade an attack upon the Virginians. They were signally defeated, and lost 102 in killed and wounded. The annexed particulars of this action, called the Battle of the Great Bridge," were published five days after, in the Virginia Gazette:

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The Great Bridge is built over what is called the southern branch of Elizabeth River, 12 miles above Norfolk. The land on each side is marshy to a considerable distance from the river, except at the two extremities of the bridge, where are two pieces of firm land, which may not improperly be called islands, being entirely surrounded by water and marsh, and joined to the main land by causeways. On the little piece of firm ground on the further or Norfolk side, Lord Dunmore had erected his fort, in such a manner that his cannon commanded the causeway on his own side, and the bridges between him and us, with the marshes around him. The island on this side of the river contained six or seven houses, some of which were burnt down (those nearest the bridge) by the enemy after the arrival of our troops; in the others, adjoining the causeway on each side, were stationed a guard every night by Col. Woodford, but withdrawn before day, that they might not be exposed to the fire of the enemy's fort in recrossing the causeway to our camp, this causeway also being commanded by their cannon.

The causeway on our side, in length was about 160 yards, and on the hither extremity our breastwork was thrown up. From the breastwork ran a street gradually ascending, about the length of 400 yards, to a church where our main body was encamped. The great trade to Norfolk in shingles, tar, pitch, and turpentine, from the country back of this, had occasioned so many houses to be built here, whence the articles were conveyed to Norfolk by water. But this by the by. Such is the nature of the place as described to me, and such was our situation, and that of the enemy.

On Saturday the 9th inst., after reveille beating, two or three great guns and some musketry were discharged by the enemy, which, as it was not an unusual thing, was but little regarded by Col. Woodford. However, soon after he heard a call to the soldiers to stand by their arms, upon which, with all expedition, he made the proper dispositions to receive them. In the mean time, the enemy had crossed the bridge, fired the remaining houses upon the island, and some large piles of shingles, and attacked our guard in the breastwork. Our men returned the fire, and threw them into some confusion; but they were instantly rallied by Capt. Fordyce, and advanced along the causeway with great resolution, keeping up a constant and heavy fire as they approached. Two field-pieces, which had been brought across the bridge and placed on the edge of the island, facing the left of our breastwork, played briskly at the same time upon us. Lieut. Travis, who commanded in the breastwork, ordered his men to reserve their fire until the enemy came within fifty yards, and then they gave it to them with terrible execution. The brave Fordyce exerted himself to keep up their spirits, reminded them of their ancient glory, and, waving his hat over his head encouragingly, told them the day was their own. Thus pressing forward, he fell within fifteen steps of the breastwork. His wounds were many, and his death would have been that of a hero had he met it in a better cause. The progress of the enemy was now at an end, and they retreated over the causeway with precipitation, and were dreadfully galled in their rear.

Hitherto, on our side only the guard, consisting of twenty-five, and some others, in the whole not amounting to more than ninety, had been engaged. Only the regulars of the 14th regiment, in number 120, had advanced upon the causeway; and about 230 negroes and tories had, after crossing the bridge, continued upon the island. The regulars, after retreating along the causeway, were again rallied by Capt. Leslie, and the two field-pieces continued playing upon our men. It was at this time that Col. Woodford was advancing down the street to the breastwork with the main body, and against him was now directed the whole fire of the enemy. Never were cannon better served; yet in the face of them and the musketry, which kept up a continual blaze, our men marched on with the utmost intrepidity. Col. Stevens, of the Culpeper battalion, was sent round to the left to flank the enemy, which was done with so much spirit and activity that a rout immediately ensued. The enemy fled into their fort, leaving behind then the two field-pieces, which, however, they took care to spike up with nails.

Many were killed and wounded in the flight; but Col. Woodford very prudently restrained his troops from pursuing the enemy too far. From the beginning of the attack, till the repulse at the breastwork, might be 14 or 15 minutes; till the total defeat, upwards of half an hour. It is said that some of the enemy preferred death to captivity, from fear of being scalped, which Lord Dunmore cruelly told them