Tobacco was formerly cultivated to a great extent near Washington on the Potomac Bottoms, but wheat is now the staple produce. Certain tracts of these lands have, within the last few years, been sold at from forty to eighty dollars per acre. *

Taxes.-In 1807, a yearly tax of one dollar was laid on all species of dogs. And in August 1809, an additional annual tax of nine dollars was laid on all female dogs. In 1810, a tax of one-half per cent. or fifty cents on the value of every hundred dollars, was laid on real and personal property. On male slaves, between fifteen and forty-five years of age, belonging to residents in the city of Washington, a yearly tax of a dollar and fifty cents was imposed, and one dollar only on all female slaves, between fifteen and forty years. The taxes on private carriages are as follows: A coach, per annum, fifteen dollars; a chariot, or post chaise, twelve; a phaeton, nine; four-wheeled carriages of any other description, with steel springs, six; with wooden springs, three; with wooden spars, two; curricle, chaise, chair, or sulky, three.

Of the Negroes or Blacks.-Most of the domestic and field labour, at Washington, is performed by black slaves, on the subject of which, the same opinion prevails there as in the West Indies, that without them

Beef 44d. to 6d. per

Prices at Washington in March 1818. pound; pork the same; potatoes, 3s. 4d. per bushel; bread, 2d. per pound; beer, 64d. per bottle; milk, 5d. per quart; tea, 4s. 6d. to 13s 6d. per pound; coffee, 124d, to 16d.; sugar, 54s. to 90s. per hundred.

it would be impossible to cultivate the soil. It is difficult to procure white servants, whose wages are high. Another inconvenience is, that from interest, caprice, or the love of change, they seldom remain long with the same master. They are unwilling to associate with the blacks, and seeing their former companions on the road to independence, their constant effort is to free themselves from the shackles of servitude. The daily expence of a black slave has been estimated as follows:

Dol. Cts.

His price is about 500 dollars, which, at 6 per cent. the lawful interest, is

30 0

For risk or accidents,

30 0

For a peck of Indian meal per week, or thirteen

bushels per year, at 50 cents,

6 50

Two pounds of salt meat per week,

7 50

A barrel of fish per annum,

To which must be added, for fowls, vegetables, milk,

According to this calculation, the daily expence is nearly twenty-seven cents. A white labourer usually earns three-quarters of a dollar, or seventy-five cents per day; but as he is more industrious, he performs more work. The masters or proprietors of stout black labourers hire them at the rate of sixty dollars a-year. Their food and clothing are estimated at thirty-five dollars. Most of the slaves at Washington are well clad and nourished. They are usually very civil. Besides their uncommon desire for spirituous liquors,

they are fond of changing their wives; and, as soon as a separation takes place, a new attachment is formed. Celibacy is unknown among them. Masters do not force them to work when advanced in years.

The following account of Yaro, an African, still living in Georgetown, was communicated to me by General Mason.

Yaro, before the American revolutionary war, was brought from Africa to the United States, and there sold as a slave to a family, who lived near Georgetown, on the banks of the Potomac. After many years of hard labour and faithful service, his master gave him his freedom as a reward. Yaro resolved to be independent. He toiled late and early, and in the course of a few years he had amassed 100 dollars. This sum, which he considered as a fortune, was placed in the hands of a merchant, by whose death and insolvency all was lost, and Yaro found himself again in the same situation as when he became free. This affected him much; his usual strength had abated, and old age was coming on; but he still cherished the hope of independence. He worked all day at fixed wages, and, in the evening, he made nets, baskets, and other articles for sale. A few years elapsed, and he was again rich: another hundred dollars were the fruit of his toil. This amount he deposited in the hands of another merchant, of Georgetown, who also became a bankrupt. Yaro was sad, but his courage and habits of industry suffered no change. He again resolved to be indepen dent, before the day came when he could no longer work. He renewed his task of daily labour, which he continued without relaxation for several years. Ile again found himself in possession of another and a better fortune, 200 dollars. By the advice of a friend, who explained to him the nature of a bank, he purchased shares to this amount in that of Columbia, in his own name, the interest of which now affords him a comfortable support. Though more than eighty years old, he walks erect, is active, cheerful, and good-natured. His history is known to several respectable families, who treat him with attention. On Christmas, bis great delight

Government.-The district of Columbia, west of the Potomac, is subject to the laws of Virginia, and to the east of this river, to those of Maryland; though under the special direction of congress. The city is governed by the laws of the corporation.

66

The Corporation.-The inhabitants of the city form a body, politic and corporate, under the title of Mayor and Council of Washington." The council, consisting of twelve members, not under twenty-five years of age, is elected annually by the free white male inhabitants aged twenty-one or upwards, who have paid taxes the year preceding the election, and is divided into two chambers, the first of which has seven, and the second five members. The fines, penalties, and forfeitures imposed by the council, if not exceeding twenty dollars, are recovered, like small debts, before a magistrate; and if greater than this sum, by an action of debt in the district-court of Columbia. In 1806, the corporation passed an act to establish an infirmary, (north of F. street, No. 448,) for which the sum of 2000 dollars was appropriated, and trustees appointed for the superintendence of this establishment. In August 1810, a sum not exceeding 1000 dollars was appropriated, for the support of the infirm and diseased; and the cor

is to fire a gun under their windows at break of day, which is intended as a signal for his dram. When young, he was the best swimmer ever seen on the Potomac; and though his muscles are now somewhat stiffened by age, he still finds pleasure in this exercise.

poration have allotted certain squares (numbered 109 and 1026) for places of interment, which are situated at a proper distance from the populous part of the city. Two dollars are the price of a grave.

The canal, which runs through the centre of the city, commencing at the mouth of the Tiber creek, and connecting the Potomac with its eastern branch, is nearly completed. Mr Law, the chief promoter of this undertaking, proposes to establish packet-boats, to run between the Tiber creek and the Navy-Yard, a conveyance which may be rendered more economical and comfortable than the hackney-coach. This canal is to be navigable for boats drawing three feet water. If the nett profits exceed fifteen per cent. on the sum expended, the excess is to be paid to the mayor and city council.

The Potomac bridge was built under the direction of a company, or board of commissioners, and the funds were raised by a subscription consisting of 2000. shares, at 100 dollars per share. The expences of the work amounted to 96,000 dollars, and consequently the real value of a share was forty-eight. The bridge, which is covered with planks of white and yellow pine, is a mile in length, and is supported by strong piles, from eighteen to forty feet, according to the depth of the water. A neat railing separates the foot from the horse-way. By means of a simple crank and pul

Brother to Lord Ellenborough.

This bridge was partially destroyed by the British, but has since been re-established.