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This state is divided into 103 counties, compris-
ed within two districts, the Eastern and Western.
The population is 1,211,272, of whom 469,724 are
slaves. Richmond is the capital. The other
large towns are Norfolk, Petersburg, Fredericks-
burg, Lynchburg, Williamsburg and York, all
which are on the eastern side of the mountains.
Wheeling, on the Ohio, is the largest of the west
ern towns in the state. Virginia has been
chiefly distinguished for the culture of tobacco,
although wheat and maize receive a good share of
attention ; these three articles constitute the chief
' exports of the state. The cultivation of tobacco
has considerably fallen off within a few years, and
the land in many cases, has been neglected in
consequence of the exhaustion of the soil. Ma-
ny tracts in the eastern parts, formerly devoted
to tillage, are now abandoned and overgrown
with pines. Agriculture in general, may be pro-
nounced in a backward state in Virginia. East
of the mountains, the labour is almost wholly per-
formed by the slaves, and this portion of the state
appears to be declining in wealth. West of the
mountains, slave labour is less relied upon, and
the country is improving in its condition. The
imports into this state for 1829, amounted to 395,-
352 dollars ; the domestic produce exported, to
3,783,493 dollars ; total exports, 3,787,431 dollars.
The enrolled and licensed shipping in 1828,
amounted to 67,302 tons. The manufactures con-
sist chiefly of iron and salt. The salt works, on
the Kanahwa, produce about 2,000,000 bushels
of salt yearly. At Harper’s Ferry, is a manufac-
tory of muskets, employed principally for the
United States.
The legislature consists of a Senate and House
: of Representatives. The senators are 32; they
are elected by districts, and hold their office four
years, one quarter of their number being renewed
every year. The representatives are chosen year-
ly. These elections are made viva voce, and not
as in other states, by ballot. The governor is
elected for three years, by the two branches of
the legislature, and is eligible but once in 6 years.
There is a council of three, chosen like the Gov-
ernor , the senior counsellor is Lt. Governor. The
right of voting comes very near to universal suf-
frage. Clergymen are ineligible as legislators.
No legislative provision can be made for religious
worship.
The most numerous religious sect in Virgin-
ia, are the Baptists who have 337 churches ; the
Presbyterians have 104; the Episcopalians 45
ministers : the Methouists 77. There are also
Lutherans, Catholics, and Jews in small num-
bers.
There are 4 colleges in this state; at Charlotts- |
ville, Williamsburg, Lexington and Prince Ed-
ward county. The state has a Literary Fund
of 1,510,689 dollars.
Virginia wins the earliest settled of the British
American colonies. An expedition was despatch-
ed by the London Company, under Captain New-
port, who was accompanied by Gosnold and the
celebrated Captain Smith. They entered the
Chesapeak, and discovered James’ river in April,
1607. A settlement was immediately formed at
Jamestown, but the colonists soon began to suffer
severely by famine and the hostility of the natives.
Smith was taken prisoner, and when on the point
of being put to death by the savages was rescued
and released by the romantic generosity of Pocae
hOntas,the King’s daughter. The affairs of the col-
ny after this, fell into so bad a state, that all the set-
tlers embarked, and were under sail to leave the
country, when several ships arriving with sup-
plies, they wrere induced to remain. From this pe-
riod, the settlement began to thrive, though much
harrassed by Indian wars. Charles 1. conferred
upon the inhabitants the right to elect represent-
atives ; in return for which favour the Virgin-
ians adhered to the royal interests during the
civil wars which preceeded his overthrow. The
parliament in 1652, sent a fleet which brought
them to submission, and for 9 years, Cromwell
appointed the Governor of the colony. After the
restoration, Virginia was much disturbed by a
civil war in her own territory, but the Governor
continued to be appointed by the King till the
beginning of the American Revolution. In 1776,
a new constitution was formed; and in 1830, it
was revised by a Convention.
Virneburg, a town of Prussia, in the govern-
ment of Treves; seated near the Nesse, 26 m.
W. N. W- of Coblentz.
Virton, a to'wn of the Netherlands, in Luxem-
burg, 22 m. W. of Luxemburg,
Visagapatam, a town of Hindoostan, capital of
an extensive district in the province ofthe North-
ern Circars,and the residence of the Judge, collec-
tor, &c., of the district. It has a harbour, and
carries on a considerable trade. 100 m. N. E. of
Rajamundry and 480 N. E. ofMadras.
Visalia, p.v. Campbell Co. Ken.
Vischma, a towin of Russia, in the government
of Tobolsk, 268 m. S. W. of Tobolsk.
Vise, a fortified town of the Netherlands, in
the province of Liege, seated on the Meuse, 6 m.
S. of Maestricht.
Visen, a town of Portugal, in Beira, and a
bishop’s see, 32 m. S. of Lamego and 49 N. E. of
Coimbra.
Vishnri- Volotschok, a town of Russia, in the
government of Tver. It has a canal, which, by
uniting the Tverza and the Masta, connects the
inland navigation between the Caspian and the |
