managed. No regular market was at hand for the cocoons that were produced, but the trial went on. I saw on one occasion a wagon load of multicaulis plants brought all the way from Tennessee and never removed from the store where they were unladen, unless to kindle fires. The wise ones began to sell out very soon, and realized large profits. Many more sold at a later period, but the high price and great decline broke the purchasers. At last the plants were worth nothing; they could not be given away; caterpillars and other insects would not prey on them; they would not grow up into trees, and they could not be rooted out, for they sprouted tenfold when cut down; and now after a lapse of twenty years, one of the plants may be occasionally seen in a hedgerow, and regarded as a weed.

P. S. Since the first edition of this book was published, the author has obtained re-possession of a manuscript written by him forty years ago, which contains the following curious narrative, entitled

THE SECRET INQUISITION AT WESTOVER.

"You already know that the city of Richmond and the land extending some distance above it, was laid off in lots by Col Byrd, and that subsequently a lottery scheme was formed in which the lots constituted the prizes. A large portion of the tickets were sold-many of them to persons who set no value on the prizes, but who partook of the Colonel's hospitality, and therefore purchased tickets. But many tickets remained un

gold. The lottery was drawn, and the possession of a prize ticket was prima facie evidence of a title to the corresponding lot. The greater number of those who drew prizes took possession of their lots, but many tickets were never produced, and were supposed to be lost-the owners of them unknown. The lots which fell prizes to such tickets lay many years neglected, until some persons finding the property valuable, inclosed the derelict lots and paid the annual taxes on them. Years passed, and no owners appeared, except occasionally, when the resurrection of a prize ticket which had been buried among musty papers claimed the corresponding lot. But of late years, real estate in Richmond has attained to an immense value, and the heirs of Byrd have been advised to claim all that portion for which no prize ticket has been produced. Many very valuable lots are thus situated. Now for the robbery.

"Some months since (Sept., 1816), when the mansion at Westover, on James river, the seat of the Byrd Family, was without a solitary occupant, nor any white person on the estate, the house was entered in the night, through a window, every book-case, drawer and chest was opened and every bundle of papers examined. But so far as is known or believed, not an article, except it may be an instrument of writing, was stolen. Not the least trace has been found of these inquisitorial visitors, except of footsteps, which imprinted the shape of neatly made boots.

"In the morning the servants found bundles of papers spread open on the tables and chairs, and immediately sent for Mr. Harrison, of Brandon, who married a Miss Byrd. He had previously, when suits were brought for the lots, placed with an agent in Richmond the important papers relative thereto; and now with apprehension lest he should be assaulted on the highway, he carried the remaining papers with him. Whether

any were stolen is not known. The whole is a singular mystery, and rumor may have exaggerated it."

CHAPTER XXIX.

THE JAMES RIVER CANAL.

The progress of Richmond and of the James River Canal were so intimately connected that it is due to the one to notice the other. This was the first canal commenced in the United States. It was projected by the first man in the State, in the Union, in the Universe-by WASHINGTON— the object of whose visit to Richmond in November, 1784, when the Legislature was in session, was chiefly to promote a junction between the East and West, by connecting the waters of the James and of the Potomac rivers with those of the Ohio. On the 5th January, 1785, acts were passed for clearing and improving the navigation of the James and Potomac,* and subsequently in the session (too late for a refusal to be received,) for vesting in General Washington an interest in each company, 100 shares or $20,000 in the one, and 100 shares or £5000 sterling in the other, as donations from the State, in token of respect for his services, not only

* On the 5th March, 1802, the Potomac Canal was opened, and two boats laden with flour passed through the locks at the Great and Little Falls.

in suggesting these works, but also for those to his whole country." Washington, like himself and no other, respectfully declined the donations for his own emolument, but offered to hold them in trust for such public institutions as he might designate and the Legislature approve. The result was that he bequeathed the $20,000 to Liberty Hall Academy, now Washington College, in Lexington, and the £5000 towards the endowment of a College in the District of Columbia. Wherever WASHINGTON's hand was placed it conferred a blessing! O, my countrymen! base on his precepts your political faith, and require your representatives to make his example the guide to their conduct: Let Washington be their standard of rectitude and patriotism!

Mothers of America! teach your children Washington from the pages of Marshall, of Sparks, and the yet more attractive ones of Irving, but not from those who had not the soul to appreciate him!

Can disorganizers and politicians by trade, read the Farewell Address of Washington, without a blush of shame?

To descend to the subject of our chapter-the James River Navigation Company was chartered with a capital of $100,000. On the 20th October, 1785, the stockholders met and elected George Washington President; John Harris, David Ross, William Cabell and Edmund Randolph, Directors.

Washington declined the active Presidency, because he could not give it his personal attention, and Mr. Randolph acted as President pro tem. In 1789 he was appointed Attorney General of the United States, and William Foushee was elected President, which office he retained till 1818, when he was succeeded by J. G. Gamble, whose successor was W. C. Nicholas in 1819, and in 1820 a new charter was granted, subject to the assent of the stockholders under the old one. The capital expended up to that time was $140,000, and the profits in addition increased the amount to $234,000— for the relinquishment of which and of their charter the stockholders were to receive an annuity of 15 per cent. on the capital of $140,000.

The narrative must however recede to give it continuity. On the 29th December, 1789, the members of the Legislature were invited to take a trip up the canal and through the locks. The canal was then opened from Westham to Broad Rock, a short distance above the city. In 1795 the canal was completed to the head of the Basin, and in November, 1800, the water was let into it.

The principle of rotation in office does not seem to have prevailed in those days. Perhaps the loaves were lighter or the fishes smaller than in later ones. Be this as it may, Dr. Foushee retained the office more than a score of years. Robert Pollard filled and fulfilled the offices of