VIRGINIA 81 



the government, merchants, advocates, and other con- 

 siderable residents took their departure as well, and the 

 town has lost half its population. The trade of this 

 place was never great, its distance from navigable 

 waters not being favorable to more active affairs which 

 thus became established in smaller towns. It lies be- 

 tween the James and York rivers, 7 miles from the one 

 and 12 from the other. The inhabitants of this town 

 and of all lower Virginia desire greatly that the seat 

 of government should be brought back thither, and are 

 doing all they can to bring it about; and chiefly be- 

 cause they fear that besides the great loss they have 

 already suffered they may have to pay taxes for erect- 

 ing at Richmond the new public buildings necesary in 

 future. The merchants of the country round about 

 were accustomed formerly to assemble here every year, 

 to advise about commercial affairs and matters in the 

 furtherance of trade. + This also has come to an end. 

 Thus, like so many older ones in Europe, do cities in 

 this new world lament for the uncertain fate of a past 

 glory. 



In the tavern here there is very good, but very dear 

 entertainment. Black cooks, butlers, chamber-maids, 

 made their bows with much dignity and modesty ; were 

 neatly and modishly attired, and still spoke with en- 

 thusiasm of the politeness and the gallantry of the 

 French officers. 



Provisions are very cheap ; butchers' meat 2 pence ; 

 hog meat 3 pence the pound ; a turkey-cock 2 and a 

 half shillings ; a turkey-hen 2 shillings ; a dozen pullets 

 6 shillings. 



York in Virginia, called also Little York, lay out of 

 our road indeed, but the excursion was warranted by 



