been 98°, and the greatest cold 6° below 0. The mean annual temperature at Williamsburg is about 57°. Virginia is divided into two districts and 140 counties, and in 1850 contained 1,421,081 inhabitants, or one person to every 28 acres; and their distribution to the several counties was in the following proportions: Alexandria... 7,218.... 1,408.... 1,382....10,008 157.... 6,819.... 9,770 97.... 2.148.... 4,586 34.... 1,699.... 4,400 123.... 3,785.... 5,639 504....14,462....25,972 219.... 8,393....15,153 1,272.... 6,135....15,955 208.... 3,340.... 8,872 663.... 1,868.... 4,020 Isle of Wight. 4,724.... 1,234.... 3,395.... 9,353 461... 5.764....10,319 Mechlenburg. 7,256. 195. 7,187....11,692 149.... 4,724.... 9,331 147- 2,923.. 6,714 912....12,429....20,597 149.... 2342.... 4.394 2,143.... 4,715....12,283 138.... 6,142....13,258 433.... 3,410.... 6,064 912.... 4,295....14,320 823.... 4,354....10,084 745.... 3.648.... 7,498 519.... 3,755.... 7,346 136.. 6,050.... 8.437 184.. 5,921....10,007 88.... 2,324.... 9,609 735....12,798....28 796 530.... 1,751.... 8,626 364.... 5,282.... 8.178 488.... 7,192....11,857 518.... 4,408.... 7,596 530. 2498.... 8.129 259.... 3,130.... 7.669 296.... 3,844.... 9.782 2,391.......... 9,907........27,482 709.... 2.277.... 6,448 1,795.. 5,755....13.521 527.... 7,481....14,911 318.... 3,311.... 8044 985. 2.479... 5,679 742.... 5,992.... 9,820 43.... 641.... 1,282 1,113.... 3.557... 7.080 454.... 2,181.... 4,460 265.... 3,403.... 5,972 The number of dwellings in the state in 1850 was 165,815, and of families 167,530, being a proportion of about 8.8 persons to each dwelling and family. The deaths in 1849-50 averaged one in every 72 persons. The rela tive social and industrial statistics of the two divisions of the state are exhibited in the annexed table: District. Dwellings. Families. Eastern Virginia.... 82,691.... 83,729.. Total.... 83,124.... 83,801 Inhabitants. Farms. Deaths, Manuf. 1849-50. 856,698.. 37,741. .2,293.. 13,465 564,963....39,272. .2,140.... 5,888 .165,815....167,530....1,421,661....77,013....4,433....19,053 If the population of Virginia be divided into 100 parts, it will be found that about 76 parts obtain their subsistence from agriculture, 12 from manufactures and trades, 2 from mining, 4 from commerce, and the residue from other employments. The mines of Virginia have of late years become very productive. Coal is principally found in the western counties, and is of every quality, from anthracite to the highly bituminous and cannel; and iron of the finest description is found in the same district. In 1840 the production of wrought iron from all the forges and rolling mills was 5,886 tons, but in 1850 ithad increased to 15,328 tons, in the manufacture of which, 17,296 tons pig iron, 2,500 tons blooms, 66,515 tons mineral coal, and 103,000 bushels of charcoal, in all valued at $591,448, had been used, and employment given to 1,295 hands. The capital invested in this interest is $791,211, and the value of the product set down at $1,254,995. The amount of pig and cast iron produced from the furnaces is about 28,000 tons annually. The salt works of the Kanawha are more extensive than any others of the Union. Gold is also found at the base of the Blue Ridge, and lead, plumbago, etc., are in abundance. Gypsum, porcelain, and other clays, with building material, etc.; slate, and indeed almost all the more useful minerals are produced in one or other part of the state. The grain crop of Virginia consists principally of Indian corn, wheat, and oats; little of rye, barley, or buckwheat is grown. The finest wheat is that produced west of the mountains; but the best brands of flour are those of Richmond. Of the staple crops, tobacco is by far the most important; cotton and flax, however, are by no means of trifling amount, though not produced in so large quantities as in some other states. The cotton crops average 23,000 bales; live stock, which in this state finds noble ranges of pasture land and a congenial climate, is abundant; and the products of animals are large and valuable. The wool of Virginia is excellent, and stands well in the markets. Virginia is also a great "hog state," and in the western district the annual slaughter is immense. Bacon, cheese, and butter are largely exported. In 1850 there were 77,013 farms under cultivaion-37,741 in the east, and 39,272 in the west. As a manufacturing state, Virginia holds the fifth or sixth rank in the United States. Its iron manufactures are the most important, and embrace machinery, hardware, cutlery, fire-arms, etc. Cotton and woollen manufactures are also important. In 1850 there were in the state 27 cotton mills, the capital invested therein amounted to $1,908,900, and the number of hands employed was 2,963; the raw material used was valued at $828,375, and the product at $1,486,880. There was also manufactured 1,755,915 pounds of yarn. The capital invested in woollen manufactures was $392,640, the raw material was valued at $488,899; hands employed, 668; value of products, $841,013. Mixed goods and manufactures of silk, flax, etc., are made to a considerable amount. In the manufacture of tobacco about $2,000,000 are invested. The number of productive establishments, manufacturing to the value of $500 and upwards annually, was in 1850, 4,433 -2,293 in the eastern district, and 2,140 in the western. Virginia exported directly to foreign countries in the year ending 30th June, 1850, domestic articles to the value of $3,413,158, and foreign articles to the value of $2,488-total $3,415,646; and its imports from foreign countries were valued at $426,599. The shipping entered amounted to 30,965 tons-12,190 American and 18,775 foreign, and the shipping cleared amounted to 65,458 tons-42,091 American and 23,367 foreign. The chief ports are Richmond, Norfolk, and Alexandria-Petersburg, Tappahannock, and Cherrystone are of minor importance. The registered shipping owned in the state amounts to 18,042 tons. The coasting trade is considerable, and perhaps three times the amount of the foreign trade; the imports coastwise are not less than $12,000,000, and the exports are little less in value. The principal articles exported are tobacco and flour, also firewood, rosin, turpentine, etc. The enrolled and licensed shipping owned at the several ports, including those on the Ohio River, amounted in 1850, to 55,007 tons. Eight states export to foreign countries more than Virginia, and eleven import to a greater amount. The shipping built in Virginia in 1849-50 amounted to 3,584 tons in 34 vessels. In 1850 there were completed in this state 565 miles of railroads, and 418 miles of canals and navigation improvements; and there were in course of construction 390 miles of railroads, and upwards of 200 miles of plank-roads. The principal railroads were the Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac, 76 miles long; the Richmond and Petersburg, 22 miles; and the Petersburg and Roanoke, 62 miles, which together form a portion of the great southern line. The Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad runs from Weldon, N. C., to Norfolk. The other lines are, the Appomattox, 10 miles; the Alexandria and Orange, 75 miles; the Central, 98 miles; the Chesterfield, 12 miles; the Greenfield and Roanoke, 21 miles; the Manasses Gap, 107 miles, etc.; and many lines are projected or being constructed, to unite with the railroad systems of neighboring states. The Virginia canals consist of the James' River and Kanawha, which extends along the bank of the river from Richmond to Lynchburg, 146 miles; the Dismal Swamp Canal, which extends from Deep Creek to Joyce's Creek, a branch of the Pasquotank River, which flows into Albemarle Sound, 23 miles; and several short cuts, branches, etc. In October, 1850, there were in the state 6 banks and 31 branches-liabilities: capital $9,814,545, circulation $10, 256,967, deposits $4,717,732, and other items $338,841; assets: specie $2,928,174, loans and discounts $19,646,777, stocks $269,914, real estate $764,282, other investments $210,498, due from and notes of other banks $1,925,652, and $552,153. Virginia formed a new constitution in 1851. The right of suffrage is conferred on every white male citizen 21 years of age and upwards, who has resided two years in the state and one year in the place he may offer his vote. The General Assembly is composed of a Senate of 50 members, elected for four years, and House of Delegates of 152 members, for two years. This legislature meets biennially at Richmond, and a majority of each house constitutes a quorum. The Governor is chosen for four years, and is ineligible for the succeeding term. He must be a native of the United States, a citizen of Virginia of five years' standing, and 30 years of age. A Lieutenant-Governor, with the same qualifications, is elected at the same time and for a like term, and is ex-officio President of the Senate. All administrative officers are also elected by the people. The constitution provides for a Supreme Court of Appeals, District Courts, Circuit Courts, and County Courts-the state to be divided into 21 circuits, 10 districts, and 5 sections; and for each circuit a judge is elected by the people thereof for eight years, and for each section a judge for 12 years. These last constitute the Court of Appeals, any three of whom constitute the court. County courts are held by justices of the peace chosen for four years. The public debt and resources of Virginia, 1st February, 1850, amounted to the following sums: The annual interest on the absolute debt is $555,685. The ordinary expenses of the government amount to about $570,000, and the ordinary revenue and taxation amounted in 1849-50 to $632,756. The permanent literary fund capital amounts to $1,561,160, and the revenue derived therefrom for the year ending 1st October, 1849, was $95,935; the total sum expended in the education of 30,387 poor children was $70,111. The University and the Military School at Lexington also received in part their support from the state. Virginia's principal colleges are: Law departments are attached to the University and to William and Mary College, and a medical department to the University. The Episcopalians have a Theological School in Fairfax county; the Presbyterians control the Union Theolgical Seminary in Prince Edward's county; and the Virginia Baptist Seminary is located at Richmond. The aggregate libraries attached to the above contain 57,000 volumes. Of the religious denominations in Virginia, the Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyterians are numerically preponderant, and count respectively 47,000, 34,000, and 17,000 communicants. The Protestant Episcopalians are also numerous in this state. RICHMOND, the state capital, is situated on the north side of James' River, immediately below the falls, 150 miles from its mouth, and in latitude 37° 32′ 17′′ north, and 79° 26' 28" west. It is the depot of a fine back country, and contains within itself unsurpassed facilities for manufacturing. The capitol is one of the most beautiful edifices in the Union, and its churches, public buildings, and private residences will compare well with those of any other city. Population, 27,483. Manchester, on the opposite bank of the river, and which is connected therewith by a bridge, has considerable manufactures. NORFOLK is the chief seaport. It is situated on the east bank of Elizabeth River, a few miles above its entrance into Hampton Roads, and has a commodious and safe harbor. Gosport navy yard, on the opposite side of the river, is an important station, and contains a magnificent dry dock, which cost nearly $1,000,000. Dismal Swamp Canal opens an extensive communication from Norfolk to the south, and the Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad connects it with the railroad systems of the south and west. Population 14,320. PETERSBURG, a port of entry on the Appomattox, has a population of 14,603; FREDERICKSBURG, on the Rappahannock, is an important commercial depot, and contains about 5,000 inhabitants; CHARLOTTESVILLE, on Moore's Creek, is chiefly noted as the location of the University of Virginia; LYNCHBURG is a great tobacco market; HARPER'S FERRY, at the junction of the Shanandoah with the Potomac, is noted for its majestic scenery, and contains an arsenal and armory of the United States; WINCHESTER OCCUpies the site of old Fort Loudon, and is otherwise an important town; and there are others of importance along the courses of the rivers. WHEELING is the most flourishing of the Ohio towns. In this connection we may mention, that in Westmorland county, on the Potomac, is the spot where the illustrious Washington was born. The house, which stood on Pope's Creek, about half a mile up the stream, on a plantation called Wakefield, is now in ruins. A stone, with the simple |