100 TRAVELS' THROUGH NORTH AMERICA t 
Was in the town. Ugly and ill contrived a 
this building is, a stranger must not attempt t# 
find fault with any part of it, for it is looked 
upon by the inhabitants as a most elegant 
fabric* 
The Falls in the river, or the Rapids, as they 
should be called, extend six miles above the 
city, in the course of which there is a descent 
of about eighty feet. The river is here full 
of large rocks, and the water rushes over them 
in some places with great impetuosity. A 
canal is completed at the north side of these 
Falls, which renders the navigation complete 
from Richmond to the Blue Mountains, and at 
particular times of the year, boats with light 
burthens can proceed still higher up. In the 
river opposite the town, are no more than 
seven feet water, but ten miles lower down 
about twelve feet. Most of the vessels trading 
to Richmond unlade the greater part of their 
cargoes at this place into river craft, and then 
proceed up to the town. Trade is carried on 
here chiefly by foreigners, as the Virginians 
%ave but little inclination for it, and are too 
fond of amusement to pursue it with much 
success. 
Richmond contains about four thousand in¬ 
habitants, one half of whom are slaves. Amongst 
the freemen are numbers of lawyers, who, with 
the officers of the state government, and se- 
