now living. The wind blew with fearful violence; and the storm of that year has scarcely ever had its equal, in the recollection of "the oldest inhabitant." Many houses in Norfolk and Portsmouth were damaged. Some unroofed, and others entirely demolished. Chimneys, trees, and fences were blown down, and several lives were lost. The power of the storm is said to have been truly frightful and astonishing—

"The winds

Held oft a momentary pause,

As spent with their own fury; but they came
Again with added power-with shriek and cry,
Almost unearthly; as if on their wings

Passed by the spirit of the storm."

The tide rose to a great height; the Norfolk Drawbridge was swept away, and the damage to the shipping was immense.

In the summer of this year, Booth, the celebrated tragedian, who had but a short time before, left London, arrived in Norfolk from the island of Madeira. From this place he went to Richmond, and astonished the citizens by his wonderful genius. His appearance, on his arrival there, is said to have been somewhat singular. He was nearly twenty-five, but looked seven years younger, and "wore an old straw hat, and a linen roundabout; and, without the least shadow of pretension, he sauntered along, gazing at everything he saw." He died in the fall of 1852.

Thursday, September 15, was set apart in the borough as a day of humiliation and prayer.

The commerce of the place and the general interests of the community, suffered so greatly from the effects of the Navigation Law, that a public meeting was held on the 21st of December, for the purpose of adopting suitable measures to have it repealed as soon as possible.

The exportations to the West Indies for this year amounted to only $94,384, being $23,616 less than the preceding year.

CHAPTER XX.

1821-1824.

Team Ferry Boat-Steamboats-Reduction of Ferriage-Privileges-Acts of Assembly-Receipts-Competition Needed-Improper Restrictions-Drawbridge-Strange and Alarming Light Painful Event-Loss of Life-Death of Rev. E. M. Lowe-Arrival via Dismal Swamp Canal-Lamented DeathsCity Inspector.

JAN. 19, 1822. A slowly moving teamboat, which had been built to convey passengers across the river, was tried, and found to answer the purpose. The poor blind horses that were used, were transferred, after some eight or ten years, to a more appropriate position on the mud-machine, and steam ferry-boats were introduced, which, after paying all expenses, yield a very considerable revenue to the county.

It is believed that if the ferriage were reduced to two or three-fifths of the present sum (which is five cents), the receipts would be as much as they are now, and perhaps more. There would be more passing across the river between the two towns, which would have a good tendency. The citizens would thereby become better known to one another; and a more social feeling and friendly spirit, calculated to advance the mutual interests of both sides, might be the pleasing result. But this remains to be tested by experience.*

"All ferry privileges are intended to promote the public convenience. There is no vested right conferred by the grant, and it is, at all times, subject to such change and modification as the legislature may, in its wisdom, deem expedient and proper. The convenience and accommodation, not of the inhabitants of a particular district of country alone are concerned, but of a large portion of the travelling public.

* After the above had been put in type, the writer learned that the court of Norfolk County passed an order to reduce the price of ferriage, after the first of January, 1853, to three cents. The court also decided, to run one of their boats from the railroad depot, to transport freight and passengers to Norfolk.

6

"The first act passed on the subject was in 1748. According to the Act of 1757,* the ferry-keepers were required to give immediate passage over the said ferries to all inhabitants of the said county, without any fee or reward.' In November, 1766, it was enacted, that the justices of the said county of Norfolk be, and they are hereby empowered and required to contract and agree with proper persons, who will give most for the privilege of keeping the said ferries, and to apply the money arising therefrom towards lessening the county levy.' There was another act in 1792; and, by the act of 30th January, 1817, the county court of Norfolk County was authorized to rent or lease it for a term of years. They generally receive $3,000 for it per annum.

"It will be seen that it was contemplated by the act of 1757, to keep up the ferries by a levy upon the tithable inhabitants of Norfolk County. Now, the people of Norfolk, of Princess Anne, of Nansemond, and the travelling world, are taxed, one hundred years after its establishment, to sustain a ferry transportation, in order that a portion of Norfolk County, principally interested, may be exempted from all taxation.

"The receipts of the present ferry have been estimated at from $16,000 to $20,000 per annum. The boats are run just so long after dark, as the superintendent of the ferry pleases, and take their own time in communicating between the two towns in the day-time. Passengers and freight are delayed, too, by the stoppages at Washington Point. Competition alone can secure the public convenience.

"On March 24th, 1838, a ferry privilege was granted to the city of Norfolk, but with restrictions. If these restrictions are proper, the new ferry ought not to have been authorized. If the city of Norfolk had an equal right to the privilege, provided the public convenience is promoted, as all must concede it has, the restriction is unjust. If the county ferry has a right to claim from the legislature a protection against fair competition, it has the same right to monopolize the privilege altogether. All such principles have been repudiated by the legislature of this, as well as of other States, long since. They are the avowed foes of all chartered companies, which do not study to promote,

* See page 65.

and actually do promote, the public convenience and accommodation."

July 22, 1822. The new draw-bridge was completed.

On the night of the 16th of September, the citizens were greatly surprised by a strange and very luminous light, that appeared in a northwesterly direction, differing in appearance both from the aurora borealis and an artificial light. Very serious apprehensions, about the destruction of the world, were felt by the credulous.

Exportations this year to the West Indies only $74,303-less than the preceding year $20,081.

1823. On the night of February 2d, a destructive fire took place on the west side of Market Square, during the progress of which a most distressing event occurred. Mr. B. W. Talbot, an estimable gentleman, a native of Baltimore County, Maryland, and, at that time, one of the firm of Allyn & Talbot, merchants of Norfolk, lodged in an upper room of one of the buildings destroyed. Having, as was supposed, retired to bed, every effort to rescue him failed of success, and he perished in the flames. A feeling of horror appeared to thrill every one present, and profound sympathy was manifested throughout the community. Some remains of the body were found, and carefully deposited in an urn; and the most impressive funeral ceremonies were observed on the occasion.

A Mr. Barret, from the county, was killed, and several young men were seriously injured, by the falling of the walls.

February 26. Departed this life, Rev. Enoch M. Lowe, the beloved pastor of Christ Church, in the thirty-third year of his age.

April 28. The commercial portion of the denizens were much gratified by the arrival, via Albemarle Sound and the Dismal Swamp Canal, of the schooner Rebecca Edwards, Captain Burgess, of Halifax, North Carolina, with a cargo of cotton, flour, tobacco, hogs, &c., &c., to Messrs. J. and P. E. Tabb, and J. and W. Southgate. This, it appears, was the first vessel that passed through the canal, with freight for Norfolk; and so advantageous a means of communication with the adjoining State of North Carolina soon proved to be of great benefit to the town. The

arrival was, therefore, very appropriately hailed with joy by the citizens generally.

September 7th. Departed this life, Major George W. Camp. On December 7th, just three months later, Colonel William Sharp, a near relative of the former, was also numbered with the dead; and in their deaths, the community felt the loss of two of its most respected, intelligent, and useful members.

June 21, 1824. An ordinance was passed by the Council, providing for the appointment of an inspector of the corporation— salary to be $400; bond and security required in the sum of $1000.

CHAPTER XXI.

1824.

Illustrious Guest-Lafayette's Visit to the Borough-The News Circulated--People from the Country, &c.-Excitement-Anxiety to see the Old HeroPatriotism-Surprise of the Simple-minded-The Reception-Entertainment -Illumination-Portsmouth-Bonfires-Grand Banquet-Ball in Portsmouth -Ball in Norfolk-Congress-The Nation's Gratitude and Joy-His Character-His Errand--Services in Liberty's Cause-Subsequent Visit.

FRIDAY, October 22d. This was a great day in the old borough ; one of the most memorable in its history. LAFAYETTE, the venerable friend of America and of Washington-he who, during the darkest hours of our great struggle for freedom, had been the nation's friend indeed, and then its honoured and honourable guest in its bright and prospering career of glory—having accepted an invitation from the authorities to visit the borough, accordingly arrived on the above day, and we record with great pleasure that his welcome was most "cordial, respectful, and gratifying!"

The news of the visit soon spread from the town to the country, and the neighbouring towns and villages, whose population con