The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-01-01
we send on this New-Ycar's morn our Joy
fu, salutations.

we send on this New-Ycsr's morn our Joy
full saiutations.
historical Data.
Immediately after the selection Of James.
town as the seat OF the colony OF Virginia,
/" Newport. Smith, and tweulie others were
sent to discover the head Of the rlyei." On
May 81, 1907, they visited a point now
known Us Powha.an, an ancient seat OF tue
Indian pctcutate Of that name, Just below
the present city OF Richmond, and near the
wharyes OF the Chesapeake and Ohio rail-.
way. This was thirteen years prior TO the
landing OF the pilgrim fathers on Plymouth
rock. lu 1909 Captain Francis West was
sent with a COLONY Of 100 men, who settled
lust below the falls, where Rockets now Is.
In 1856 the Colonial Rangers, under Col
onel Edward Hin, aud the friendly lodlans,
under Totopotomoi, the Pamunkev chief,
suffered defeat at the hands OF the "Richa-
hicrlan Indians from the mountains" ut
point in the eastern limits OF Richmond,
known as B!oody-Run spring.
On the 18th OF March, l675-'16, Colonel
William Byrd was granted 1851 acres OF
land, beginning at the mouth Of Shockoe's
creek" and extending up James river sew
eral miles, in conside. alton OF the introduc-
ton into the colony of 122 persons and sun
dry negro slaves. In 1879 he obtained GER
tain privileges from the Assembly, upon the
condition that he should settle fifty able
bodied aud well.armed men In the vicinity
OF the falls, in order to protect the frontier
from the sayages. Here be also established
a trading port. He obtained also. IN 1887.
a patent O! 956 acres, on the east side OF the
creek, at its mouth and extending up w.,
and down the line OF the river. On part
OF the latter grant Richmond tirst sprung
up. and subsequently, spread over portion
OF the larger grant. west OF Shockoe creek.
Richmond was laid of by Major William
Mayo for Colonel Byrd, In 1877, In paral'
telegram OF thirty.two sqUares-four In
width and eight In length each square be.
ing equally divided into four lots. There
were, besides, laid off adjsceutly, number
OF lots varying in area from eight to nfteen
acres. The resemblance OF the site to Rich
mond-on.the-Thames in England. sug-
gested the name II was established as a
town by act OF Assembly in May, 1912.
The patriot Convention OF Virginia met
al 81. Johns church the 20sb OF March,
l775, and there Patrick Henry used the IA
nous words "give me liberty or give me
deash"
In 1779 the seat OF government was re-
moved from Williamsburg to Richmond.
The foundation of the Capitol was laid Au-
gust Is. 1885. The Capitol.Square lots we're
acquired by condemnation and purchase.
In 1882 Richmond was Incorporated as a
Icity. The year previous Arnold bad IN
|yaded ii and burned considerable number
Iof public and private buildings and large
Quantity of tobacco. On January 3, l7SI
occurred destructive fire, consuming
IByrd's warehouse and between forty ana
|tifty buildings. On December 26, ISL, the
I.ichmond Theatre was destroyed by nre,
and not less than seventy-one lives lost-in-
Guiding Governor Smith. The Monumental
church occupies the site OF the old Theatre,
and covers the ashes OF about sixty OF the
dead. On the 20tb OF July, 1914, great
ireshet in James river; 81 he water rose n
feet above bigh-water mark, carried away
the larger part of MayO's bridge, and did
some damage to shipping" The city was
first supplied with water pumped from The
James in December. 1881. The corner stone
CT the Washington monument was laid the
e2d of February, 1850, and Washington 5
statue unveiled the 22d Of February, 1893.
Total cost OF monument and statues,
$685. Gas was Introduced in 1851, ana
number OF the streets were lighted WIN
Il on the night Of the 22d Of February OF
that year. Q
The Virginia Convention, sitting at Rich
mond. 18th April, 1861, I'assed the ordi-
nance of secession. May Goth, same year,
the seat OF the Confederate Government
vsas removed from Montgomery to Rich
mond. May 81, 1862, the battle OF Seven
Pines was fought. June 26th to July Isl,
same year, Seven Days Battles around
Richmond. The 18th of March, 1868, an
| explosion occurred at the Confederate fuse
! factory, on Browns Island, and about 80
women. girls, boys, and men killed. The
siege OF Richmond began in June, 1864, and
ended in the Evacuation ard Great Fire
April 3, 1860.
Military government from evacuation un
til January %, 1870. Gilbert {. Walker
elected Governor July 6, 1869. Aprii y
1870, Capitol Dsaste'-67 persons killed
and more than 200 wounded. October
and ., 1870, greatest food ever known IL
James river. Mayo's bridge destroyed
The arrow on the small granite monumen
in front of the st. Charles Hotel Indicate
the height tue water reached. Decembe
25th q A. NJ, same year, Spotswood fiote
burnt, and seven or eight lives LOST. In
25th November, 1877, flood in river create
than that of 1870. Mayo's new bridge par
italy destroyed.
From the centre OF wharf-front at Rich
mond TO a point at the mouth OF Chesapeak
Bay, off Cape Henry, tie distance Is 10
nautical miles, or 1873 statute miles over tn
course a ship would SAIL
The Caplte, stands on ground elevated
I7fA feet aloye the level of the sea.