436 MONTHLY JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE. 



between the North Mountain and the Blue Mountain, which are the richest 

 lands we have, and less, as I have noticed beibre, as you proceed southerly. But 

 what may appear singular, and was alluded to in the former part of this letter, 

 the lands in the parts of which I am now speaking, on and contiguous to tide- 

 water, (with local exceptions,) are in lower estimation than those which are 

 above and more remote from navigation. The causes, however, are apparent — 

 1. The land is better; 2. Higher and more healthy ; 3. They are chiefly, if not 

 altogether, in the occupation of farmers ; 4. From a combination of all of them, 

 purchasers are attracted, and of consequence the price rises in proportion to the 

 demand. 



The rise in the value of landed property, in this country, has been progressive 

 ever since my attention has been turned to the subject, (now more than 40 years,) 

 but for the last three or four of that period it has increased beyond all calcula- 

 tion ; owing it part to the attachment to, and the confidence which the people 

 are beginning to place in their form of Government, and to the prosperity of the 

 country from a variety of concurring causes — none more than to the late high 

 prices of its produce. 



From what I have said, you will have perceived that the present prices of 

 land in Pennsylvania are higher than tiiey are in Maryland and Virginia, although 

 they are not of superior quality. Two reasons have already been assigned for 

 this: first, that in the settled part of it the land is divided into smaller farms, 

 and more improved ; and, secondly, being in a greater degree than any other the 

 receptacle of emigrants, these receive the first impressions in Philadelphia, and 

 rarely look beyond the limits of the State ; but besides these, two other causes 

 not a little operative may be added, namely, that until Congress passed general 

 laws, relative to naturalization and citizenship, foreigners found it easier to ob- 

 tain the privileges announced to them in that State than elsewhere ; and because 

 there are laws here for the gradual abolition of slavery, which neither of the two 

 States above mentioned have at present, but which nothing is more certain than 

 that they must have, and at a period not remote. 



Notwithstanding these obstacles, and although I may incur the charge of par- 

 tiality in hazarding such an opinion, at this time, I do not hesitate to pronounce 

 that the lands on the waters of Potomac will in a few years be in greater demand 

 and in higher estimation than in any other part of the United States. But as I 

 ought not to advance this doctrine without assigning reasons for it, I will re- 

 quest you to examine a general map of the United Slates, and the following facts 

 will strike you at first view: That they lie in the most temperate latitude of the 

 United States ; that the main river runs in a direct course to the expanded part 

 of the western country, and approximates nearer to the principal branches of 

 the Ohio than any other eastern water, and of course must become a great, if 

 not (under all circumstances) the best highway into that region ; that the upper- 

 seaport of the Potomac is considerably nearer to a large portion of the State of 

 Pennsylvania than that portion is to Philadelphia, besides accommodating the 

 settlers thereof with inland navigation for more than 200 miles : that the ama- 

 zing extent of tide navigation atTorded by the l>ay and rivers of Chesapeake has 

 scarcely a parallel. When to these are added, that a site at the junction of the 

 inland and tide navigations of that river is chosen for the permanent seat of the 

 General Government, and is in rapid preparation for its reception ; that the inland 

 navigation of the river is nearly completed to the extent above mentioned ; that 

 its lateral branches arc capable of great improvement at a small expense, through 

 ihe most fertile parts of Virginia, in a southerly direction, and crossing Mary- 

 land and extending into Pennsylvania in a northerly one, through which (inde- 

 pendent of what may come from the western country) an immensity of produce 

 will be water-borne, thereby making the Federal city the great emporium of the 

 United States — I say when these things are taken into consideration, I am un- 

 der no api)rehension of havinir the opinion I have given relative to the value of 

 land on Potomac controverted by imi)arlial men. 



There are farms always and everywhere for sale ; if, therefore, events should 

 induce you to cast an eye toward .America, there need be no apprehension of 

 your being accommodated to your liking ; and if I could be made useful to you 

 tliercin, you might command my services with llie greatest freedom. 



Within full view of Mount Vernon, separated therefrom by water only, is one 



(91GJ 



