to have borne well, as the following record will show, and it merits preservation:

NOVEMBER 20th, 1784.-Last Sunday, in the afternoon, came to this city, his Excellency General George Washington, Esq. The next day was ushered in with the discharge of thirteen cannon, when every countenance showed the most heart-felt gladness on seeing our illustrious and beloved General in the Capital of the State, and in the bosom of peace. In the evening, the city was illuminated and every demonstration of joy was shown on the pleasing occasion.

On Thursday, the merchants of this city gave an elegant dinner to his Excellency, General Washington; the same day, came from Boston, the Marquis de la Fayette, accompanied with Captain Granshaw, of the navy of his most Christian Majesty, and the Chevalier Caruman.

The two Houses of Assembly appointed committees to wait upon his Excellency and the Marquis de la Fayette, who severally addressed them.

Last night, the corporation of this city gave an elegant ball in honor to our illustrious and much beloved visitor, General Washington.

On Monday, the corporation of this city waited on his Excellency, and presented him with the following address:

“To GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esq., late Commander-in-Chief of the American Army:

"SIR-Actuated by every sentiment which can inspire a grateful people, the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen and Common Councilmen of the city of Richmond, embrace this long wished for opportunity of congratulating you on your return to the bosom of peace and retirement in your native country, after so many years honorably spent amidst the toils and turmoils of war, which, through the smiles of Heaven on your exertions, has been productive of liberty, glory and independence to our extensive empire.

"On seeing you, sir, in this city, we feel all that men can feel, who are indebted to you for every social enjoyment, and who are deeply impressed with a conviction that, if the late illustrious leader of the armies of America, had not only possessed, but exercised every talent and every virtue, which can dignify the hero and the patriot, we might not at this day have dared to speak the language of free-born citizens, nor would we have seen commerce and navigation, with their fruitful train, liberated from their shackles, inviting the inhabitants of distant nations to seek an asylum and residence among us.

"When in the review of a few years, we behold you, not only forming soldiers, but also teaching to conquer; when we contemplate that prudence, courage, and magnanimity which, surmounting every difficulty, regardless of every danger, and contemning every reward, excites not only the veneration of your country, but even commanded the admiration and applause of your enemies, and spread the fame of America to the remotest corner of the world, giving her rank and consequence among the kingdoms of the earth; and when we think what we might have been if Washington had not existed, our hearts expand with emotion too strong for utterance; and we can only pray that the Supreme Giver of all victory may crown you with his choicest blessings here, and never-failing glory hereafter.

"Signed by order and on behalf of the Common Hall. "ROBERT MITCHELL, Mayor."

"To the Worshipful the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen, and Common Council of the City of Richmond:

"GENTLEMEN—I derive great honor from your congratulatory address, the language of which is too flattering not to have excited my utmost gratitude.

"To the smiles of Heaven, to a virtuous and gallant army, and to the exertions of my fellow-citizens of the Union, (not to superior talents of mine) are to be ascribed the blessings of that liberty, independence, and peace, of which we are now in the enjoyment.

"Whilst these are afforded us, and whilst the advantages of commerce are not only offered, but are soliciting our acceptance, it must be our own fault, indeed if we do not make them productive of a rich and plenteous harvest, and of that national honor and glory which should be characteristic of a rising empire.

"That this growing city may enjoy the benefits which are to be derived from them in the fullest extent that it may improve such of the advantages as bountiful nature has bestowed, and that it may soon be ranked among the first in the Union for population, commerce, and wealth, is my sincere and fervent wish.

"GEORGE WASHINGTON."

CHAPTER X.

THE HAY-SCALE WAR.

SCARCELY any country or any community, however peaceably disposed and however well governed, can be always free from domestic feuds and. internal commotions.

In the beginning of the present century, a dangerous feud arose in the city of Richmond, which threatened dismemberment or civil commotion, or as one of our most distinguished poets expresses it in prose, "Where a difficulty in the parish seemed to announce the end of the world!" The origin of the controversy was no less important

than the locating the first hay-scale erected in the city. As such a machine was considered beyond the skill of any American mechanic to construct, it was ordered from England, and on its arrival, the question arose, what part of the city should be honored by its erection therein ?

Each claimed the preference, and three parties were formed—the Creeks on the east, the Shockoes on the north, and an intermediate one, which I shall call the Carians. The discussions in and out of the Council waxed warmer at each renewal, until at last, as a rhymester of the day described it,

"The contest high and higher rose,
Until from words they got to blows,
As arguments of greatest stress
That either party could express."

The newspapers were resorted to, and squibs and even epigrams, or attempts at them, were penned on the occasion. Such was the excitement that one party, fearing a defeat, and preferring, like the Czar, destruction to disgrace, threatened to throw the scales into the river.

At length the James River Company fortunately threw a sop to this Cerberus, by offering a piece of ground for the erection of the scales on Cary street near the Basin, then nearly completed, and also offered to bear a part of the expense, on condition that the Company might have the use of the scales, when not otherwise

employed. Not the first time that the scales of justice were influenced by interested motives.

The Creek nation and the Shockoes had to succumb, and the city was saved. The flow of ink ceased, and that of blood was averted.

The scales yet retain their position, and the only objection to it was discovered too late to wit, that the ascent to the platform, and the restricted limits of approach to it were such, that wagons laden with hay found great difficulty in reaching it, and it fell into disuse.

The defeated nations obtained their triumphs in turn. Each was honored with an independent hay-scale, and the Carians retain the empty honor of an empty platform.

How many wars originate from causes almost as puerile, and terminate in as little benefit to the victor and as little injury to the vanquished!