88 TRAVELS IN THE CONFEDERATION 



On the south side of the river the banks rise not until 

 some distance from the present channel, and it could 

 easily be made out what had been the several limits of 

 the river-bed, originally very wide ; indeed, this grada- 

 tion of channel may be observed in most of the rivers 

 of this region. On ascending the rise towards the up- 

 per sand-flats, a shell-bank was remarked, beneath a 

 covering of sandy clay and sand. The clay-bed was 

 distinct, in color and horizontal direction. 



The land lying next the rivers and creeks is the dear- 

 est, and fetches 4-5-6 pounds the acre Virginia Cur- 

 rent ;* not only because the soil is richest there and 

 most productive, and the situation more advantageous 

 for trade, but because those who are careless husband- 

 men may find an easy support by the profitable taking 

 of fish, oysters, and crabs. The land lying at a dis- 

 tance from the streams, higher, dryer, sandy, and 

 worse, descends in value to as little as 10 and 5 shill- 

 ings. The high, sandy land is, to be sure, not the most 

 fertile, but very little trouble is taken to give it any 

 improvement, even were there enough working hands ; 

 for the American expects everything of Nature and 

 cares not to forestall her. I was told of a man who has 

 an extensive property on this side the river, and many 

 hundreds of negroes, who nevertheless find it difficult 

 to raise enough for themselves and their master. The 



* The value of land in this region is comparatively not so 

 high as in the mountain districts. In the counties of Fred- 

 erick, Berkley, Shanandoah, Augusta &c, even 12 years ago, 

 an acre of the best land could be bought for 2-3 pounds, but 

 now for not less than 6-8-10 pounds. That region has been 

 long settled and is more thickly populated than the fore- 

 country. 



