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Richmond, Virginia

Richmond, Virginia image
Parent Issue
Day
9
Month
August
Year
1861
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Riohmond, Va , was founded by an Act of Assombly, in May, 1742. It is situated on the left or north-cast bank of James Iliver, at the lower falls, and at the head of tide-water, about 100 miles in a straight line, south by west of Washington. The distance by railroad is 130 miles frora Washington. It is the largest town in Virginia, and one of tho most beautiful in the Union. The situation of the city and tho scenery of tho environs are much admired, combining in a high dcgree, the clcments of grandeur beauty and variety. The river, windinfi among verdant Lilis which riso wilt graceful swells and undulations, is interrupted by numerous islands and granito rocks, among which it tumbles and foams for a distance of several miles. The city is built on several Lilis, the most considerable of wbich are Shockoe, aud Richmond Hills, separated from each other by Shockoo Creek. it is laid out with general regularity, in rectangular blocks.- About twelve parallel streets, nearly three miles ia length, extend northwest and southeast. The principal thorouhfare of business aud fashion is Main or E Street. The Capítol and other public buildings are situated ou Shockoo Hill, the top of which is an elevaled plain m the west part of the city. This is the fashioiiable quarter, and is considercd the most dcsirable for private residenecs.- The Capítol, from its size and clevated position, is the most conspicuous object in Richraond. It stands in the centre of a public square, of about eight acres, is adorned with a pórtico of Ionic columns, and contains a marble statue of Washington, by Houdon, taken from life, arfd Bonsidered a perfect ükeness. llic City Hall ia an elegant and costly building, iü the Doric style, at an aiiMo oí Capítol Square. ïhe Penitentiary, which stands near the river, iu the west suburbs of the city, has a froEt 300 feet 1 longth, and is 110 fect dee. ïhe ity containa also a court house, a iail au arinory 320 feet long by 280 wide two mark t housea, a theatre, an orphan asylum, and a masonic hall. A new custom house is in process of enetion - Ïhe public press consista of sixteen or seventcen papers and periodicals, six or seven of which are issued daily. Therc areabout thirty churehes. the institutions of this city may bc menüoncd the Vu-gima Histortcal and Philosophical booiety, Eichraond College, fuunded by the Baptists in 1832; St, Vinoeuts College, under the direction of the CathoJics, and the Medical Department of Hampden and Sydney College, cstabishod here ia 1838 ; the edifico of the latter is a fine specimen of the Egyptiau style of architecture. The water of the nver is ra.sed by forcing pumps into turce reservoirs, containiug 1,000,000 gallons each, and thence distributed over the city The James Rivcr and Kanawiia Canal, ofwhich this is the easteru terimcus, is completcd to Buohanan, about -UU miles, and is progresaing to Covington, on Jacksoirs l{ivcr. jt waa com. menced in 1831, and had cost in 1852, 810,714,306. Railroads connect with the South, West and North. The chief articles of export are tobáceo, wheat and nour. The quantity of tobáceo inspected here m 1852, was 24,119 hogsheads.- Ïhe exporta of that year were 13,771 hogsheads. The shipping of the district, June 30, 1854, amounted to an aggre gateof 5172 tor.s registercd. and Ö709 tous enrolled and licensed. llichmond possesses an immense water power, derived from the falls of James Kiver, which, from the commenooment of the rapids, a few miles abovo the city, deseends about 100 foet to the tide level. Few places Sa the State, or q tho whole country, possess greater natural advantages for productive industry, which bas reeently attracted ïnuch attention. ïhe principal articles produced bere are flour, tobáceo, cotton and woolen goods, paper, machinery and irou ware. Eichmond oontaius about ferty tobáceo factories, somo of whioh are very extensivo, and several rolling milis and cotton factories. Population in 1854, 32,389, of whom 19,282 were white persons, 10,889 slaves, and 2,218 free persons of calor.

Article

Subjects
Old News
Michigan Argus