VIEW OF THE TRADING TOWNS. 63 
parts of that state. Added to this, Norfolk, 
from its contiguity to the Dismal Swamp, h 
enabled to supply the West Indian market 
with lumber on better terms than any other 
town in the United States. It is in conse* 
quence increasing with wonderful rapidity, 
notwithstanding the disadvantages it labours 
under from the laws, which are so inimical 
to commerce. At present it contains upwards 
of live hundred houses, which have all been 
built within the last twenty years, for in the 
year 1776 the town was totally destroyed by- 
orders of Lord Due in ore, then regal governor 
of Virginia. 
Most of the rivers in South Carolina are ob¬ 
structed at their mouths, much in the same man¬ 
ner as those in North Carolina; at Charles¬ 
ton. however there is a safe and commo- 
diou harbour. From having; such an ad van- 
fage, this town commands nearly the entire 
trade of the state in which it is situated, 
as well as a considerable portion of that of 
North Carolina. The consequence is, that 
Charleston ranks as the. fourth commercial 
town in the union. There are two rivers which 
disembogue on each side of the town. Cooper 
and Ashley, ; these are navigable, but not for 
a very great distance ; however, from Cooper 
River, a canal is to be cut to the Santee* a large 
navigable river which runs a considerable 
