visited the southern army, under De Kalb, as a military commissioner, at the request of Mr. Jefferson.

In 1782, he was a member of the Virginia legislature, and of the executive council, and in 1783, at the age of 24, a member of Congress, in which he served three years. He was always at his post, and engaged in the most arduous duties. He introduced a resolution to vest in Congress the power to regulate the trade with all the states, and other important resolutions. He was appointed a commissioner to settle the boundary between New York and Massachusetts. In 1787 he was again a member of the Virginia legislature, and in 1788, of the Virginia convention. From 1790 to 1794 he was a member of the United States senate. From 1794 to 1796 he was minister plenipotentiary to France, and he was recalled by Washington, under an implied censure. In 1799, under the nomination of Mr. Madison, he was appointed governor of Virginia. In 1803 he was minister extraordinary to France, to act in conjunction with Mr. Livingston, the resident minister.

This mission was of the utmost consequence, as it terminated in the acquisition of Louisiana. In the same year, he was appointed minister to London, and in 1804, to Spain. In 1806, in conjunction with the late William Pinckney, he was appointed minister to London, where he pursued the negotiations with the Fox ministry. Mr. Monroe having been prominently brought forward as a candidate for the presidency, as the successor of Mr. Jefferson, returned from London; but soon after withdrew from the can

vass.

In 1810 he was again elected to the legislature, and again appointed governor. He was appointed secretary of state, Nov. 26, 1811. The war department being in a very embarrassed state, on the departure of its head, Gen. Armstrong, Mr. Monroe undertook it, and made extraordinary and very useful exertions to help the war on the lakes, and the defence of New Orleans. After he had reduced to order the war department, he resumed the duties of the department of state; which he continued to exercise until, in 1817, he was chosen successor to James Madison in the presidency. In 1821, he was re-elected by a vote unanimous, with a single exception, one vote in New Hampshire having been given to J. Q. Adams.

Mr. Monroe was wise and fortunate in the selection of his ministers. He went further than either of his two immediate predecessors, in maintaining the necessity of an efficient general government, and in strengthening every arm of the national defence. He encouraged the army, increased the navy, and caused those foreign naval expeditions to be sent out to the West Indies, the Mediterranean, the coast of Africa, and the shores of South America, which have given instruction to our officers, augmented our seamen, protected the national commerce, and caused the country to be universally respected by distant nations. He ordered the principal headlands, and exposed points along our borders and sea-coasts, to be accurately surveyed, plans of fortifications drawn, and the reports made up, with a view to the ultimate complete defence of the frontiers of the United States, both on the land and sea-side. He directed inquiries, surveys, and plans, as to the most suitable sites for the northern and southern naval depôts for the repair and accommodation of our fleets, in time of war and peace. The cession of Florida, by Spain, to the United States, was effected during his administration. It was during his administration, that the emancipated Spanish and Portuguese colonies were formally recognised by the United States. He assumed high constitutional ground in favor of internal improvement and the United States Bank. He was mainly instrumental in promoting the pension law for the relief of indigent revolutionary soldiers. During his administration the illustrious Lafayette visited these shores as the guest of the nation. He took the most energetic measures in favor of the abolition of the slave-trade, and continued to encourage the establishment of the principles of commerce with all nations, upon the basis of free and equal reciprocity.

It is a high compliment to the firmness, judgment, and sagacity of Mr. Monroe, that he proclaimed to the world the determination of the United States not to suffer any European government to interfere with the internal concerns of the independent South American governments. The well-timed expression of this sentiment put an end to all rumors of any armed intervention in the affairs of Spanish America Col. Monroe retired from the office of president at the end of his second term.

In the late stages of his life, he was associated with the ex-presidents Jefferson and Madison, in founding the University of Virginia. Subsequently, he was chosen a member of the convention of 1829-30, for revising the state constitution, and presided over its deliberations. He did not disdain to act as justice of the peace in Loudon.

Mr. Monroe died at New York, July 4th, 1831, the anniversary of American Inde. pendence, like the ex-presidents Jefferson and Adams. Col. Monroe's biography is intimately and honorably connected with the civil and military history of the United States. He was one of the leaders of the democratic or Jefferson party, and involved in most of the party questions and occurrences by which the country was divided and agitated. He possessed a very energetic, persevering spirit; a vigorous mind, and extraordinary powers of application. In his unlimited devotion to public business, he neglected his private affairs. He retired from office extremely deep in debt; a situation from which he was relieved, though when almost too late, by liberal appropriations of Congress to satisfy the large claims which he preferred on the government for moneys disbursed, and debts incurred on its account.

LOUISA.

Louisa was formed from Hanover in 1742: its mean length is 30, mean breadth 18 miles. The county is watered by the North and South Anna Rivers and their numerous branches. The surface is hilly; the soil, originally of middling fertility, has been injured by injudicious agriculture. Several gold mines have been opened in the county, but not worked with much profit: in 1840 the gold mined was worth $3,000. Pop. in 1840, whites 6,047, slaves 9,010, free colored 376; total, 15,433.

Louisa C. H., 60 miles ww. of Richmond, on the line of the Louisa rail-road, is a small village containing a few dwellings only. There are no places of note in the county.

Louisa has been the scene of no important historical incident. Its citizens bore their full share in the Indian and French war of 1755, and in the war of the revolution. Tarleton with his cavalry passed up by the court-house in 1781, on his expedition into Albemarle: and when Lafayette had united with Wayne at the Raccoon Ford, on the Rapid Ann, and turned to pursue the British general from whom he had been retreating, he made a forced and rapid march across this county, from Brock's bridge on the North Anna, to the Fluvanna line, in order to intercept the enemy. The road which he opened for this purpose is still known as "the Marquis's road;" passing southwesterly three or four miles above the Green Spring. In the same year, two tories who had attached themselves, as marauders, to the British army, were summarily hung by one Holland and another man, near the Goochland boundary, twenty-one miles south from Louisa C. H., with the countenance and before the eyes of the neighboring people. Louisa first sent Patrick Henry as a delegate to the House of Burgesses in 1765, soon after his removal from Hanover; and she again elected him in 1776-7, till he returned to his native county.

As the Virginia House of Burgesses had the merit of originating that powerful engine of resistance-corresponding committees between the legislatures of the different colonies-so Louisa had the honor of furnishing the member, in the person of DABNEY CARR, Esq., who introduced the measure March 12th, 1773. The resolutions adopted were entered upon the public journals, one of which placed Mr. Carr on the standing committee of correspondence and inquiry. Wirt says of him:

In supporting these resolutions, Mr. Carr made his début, and a noble one it is said to have been. This gentleman, by profession a lawyer, had recently commenced his practice at the same bar with Patrick Henry; and although he had not yet reached the meridian of life, he was considered by far the most formidable rival in forensic eloquence that Mr. Henry had ever yet had to encounter. He had the advantage of a person at once dignified and engaging, and the manner and action of an accomplished gentleman. His education was a finished one; his mind trained to correct thinking; his conceptions quick, and clear, and strong; he reasoned with great cogency, and had an imagination which enlightened beautifully, without interrupting or diverting the course of his argument. His voice was finely toned, his feelings acute; his style free, and rich, and various; his devotion to the cause of liberty verging on enthusiasm; and his spirit firm and undaunted, beyond the possibility of being shaken. With what delight the House of Burgesses hailed this new champion, and felicitated themselves on such an access to their cause, it is easy to imagine. But what are the hopes and expectations of mortals !

"Ostendent terris hunc tantum fata, neque ultra
"Esse sinent-"

In two months from the time at which this gentleman stood before the House of Burgesses, in all the pride of health, and genius, and eloquence-he was no more: lost to his friends and to his country, and disappointed of sharing in that noble triumph which awaited the illustrious band of his compatriots.

LUNENBURG.

LUNENBURG was formed in 1746 from Brunswick: its length is 25, mean breadth 16 miles. The Meherrin runs on its southern boundary, and the Nottoway on its northern. Pop. in 1840, whites 4,132, slaves 6,707, free colored 216; total, 11,055.

Lewiston, the county-seat, situated in an elevated and healthy part of the county, 78 miles sw. of Richmond, was laid off in 1817 by act of Assembly, when there was but one family residing here. It now contains about 20 dwellings.

When the British invaded Virginia in 1781, Tarleton, with his legion, passed through this county and committed depredations upon the people. His men entered private dwellings, and wantonly ripped open beds and scattered their contents, notwithstanding the tears and remonstrances of the females, whose husbands and brothers were mostly with the army. The Rev. Mr. Craig, a strenuous whig, owned a fine mill a few miles from the C. H., where flour was manufactured for the American troops. To this mill Tarleton was guided by a young tory. The old parson, hearing of the proximity of the enemy, was busily engaged in rolling the last barrel of flour with the U. S. mark into the mill-pond, when Tarleton appeared at the head of his men. They burnt the mill, a trace of the dam of which is now to be seen, and compelled the good old parson to off with his coat and assist in slaughtering his pigs for their use. They carried off his slaves, but they, with a single exception, returned, reporting that they were harshly used by the enemy.*

* From mss. of R. F. Astrop, Esq., containing historical and descriptive matter relating to this section of the state.

MADISON.

MADISON was formed in 1792, from Culpeper. It is about 23 miles long, and 13 miles wide. It lies at the eastern foot of the Blue Ridge, from which extend several mountains into the western part of the county, some of the smaller of which are very fertile. The tobacco raised on the highlands is of a superior quality: between the mountains are fine valleys of rich bottom land. The county is watered by the Rapid Ann and its branches. Pop. in 1840, whites 3,729, slaves 4,308, free colored 70; total, 8,107.

Madison, the county-seat, is 97 miles NNW. of Richmond. It is situated in the heart of the county, on a high and elevated ridge, and commands a beautiful and picturesque view of the Blue Ridge and the neighboring mountains. It contains 4 mercantile stores, 1 Baptist and 1 Episcopal church, and about 50 dwellings. At the post-offices of Rapid Ann Meeting-House and Leon are a few dwellings; the first contains a Baptist and a Free church.

The late HON. LINN BANKS, of this county, " for 20 successive years was speaker of the House of Delegates, an office for which he was so peculiarly qualified, that he was selected to fill it in all the mutations of party. He retired from the legislature in 1838, and was elected to Congress in that year, to complete the unexpired term of Mr. Patton, who was chosen counsellor. He was re-elected in 1839, and again in 1841. He served in the extra session of 1841, and then agreed with his competitor, to submit their cause to the people of his district. He consequently resigned his seat, which was obtained by his opponent, the majority against him being small. He was found drowned (Feb. 24th, 1842) in a stream which he had to cross in going from Madison Court-House to his residence, a few months after he was thus consigned to private life."

MASON.

MASON was formed in 1804 from Kanawha, and named from the celebrated statesman George Mason. It is about 30 miles long and 22 broad. The Ohio forms its western boundary, and the Great Kanawha passes centrally through it. The surface is broken, and much of the soil of a good quality. Pop., whites 5,923, slaves 808, free colored 46; total, 6,777.

Buffalo, in the se. part of the county, on the E. bank of the Kanawha, 21 miles from its mouth, contains a Presbyterian church and about 20 dwellings.

Point Pleasant, the county-seat, is situated at the junction of the Great Kanawha with the Ohio, 370 miles west of Richmond. It contains 1 Episcopalian and 1 Presbyterian church, 3 mercantile stores, 1 steam flour, and 1 steam saw-mill, 2 tanneries, and about 50 dwellings.

There was once an Indian town of the Shawnee tribe at the mouth of Old Town creek, near Point Pleasant, on the land of Thomas Lewis, Esq., the clerk of the county It was deserted by them, it is supposed, about the year 1760. In ploughing there in 1798, about 80 gun-barrels were found. An anvil, a vice, hammers, and other blacksmith's tools have been disinterred. Mr. Lewis, the county clerk, has opened several of the small mounds which abound in this section, and found a gun-barrel, a camp kettle, a butcher knife, tomahawk, a pewter basin, a variety of beads, and human skeletons.

Point Pleasant is on the site of the bloodiest battle ever fought with the Indians in Virginia, the battle of Point Pleasant-which took place in Dunmore's war, Oct. 10th, 1774.

To illustrate more clearly this desperate action, we present our readers with a plan of the battle-ground, with explanatory references, obtained by us while at Point Pleasant, in the autumn of 1843: a. A small pond and ravine where the action commenced, and where Col. Charles Lewis was mortally wounded. From this place, at right angles to the Ohio, to Crooked creek, both armies, early in the action, were extended through the woods. After a while the Indian line extended further down on the creek. d. Position of the fort built after the battle. All the officers who fell in the battle were buried at or near this spot, in what is now known as the Point Lot. b. The court-house. c. Cornstalk's grave. He was originally buried near the Kanawha; but a few years since his remains were disinterred, and removed to their present resting-place.

RIVER

The subjoined account of this action, is from the work of Withers:

The army destined for this expedition was composed of volunteers and militia, chiefly from the counties west of the Blue Ridge, and consisted of two divisions. The northern division, comprehending the troops collected in Frederick, Dunmore, (now Shenandoah,) and the adjacent counties, was to be commanded by Lord Dunmore in person; and the southern, comprising the different companies raised in Botetourt, Augusta, and the adjoining counties east of the Blue Ridge, was to be led on by Gen. Andrew Lewis. These two divisions, proceeding by different routes, were to form a junction at the mouth of the Big Kanawha, and from thence penetrate the country northwest of the Ohio River, as far as the season would admit of their going, and destroy all the Indian towns and villages which they could reach.

About the first of September, the troops placed under the command of Gen. Lewis rendezvoused at Camp Union, (now Lewisburg,) and consisted of two regiments, commanded by Col. William Fleming of Botetourt, and Col. Charles Lewis of Augusta, and containing about four hundred men each. At Camp Union they were joined by an independent volunteer company under Col. John Field of Culpeper, a company from Bedford under Capt. Buford, and two from the Holstein settlement, (now Washington county,) under Capts. Evan Shelby and Harbert. These three latter companies were part of the forces to be led on by Col. Christian, who was likewise to join the two main divisions of the army at Point Pleasant, so soon as the other companies of his regiment could be assembled. The force under Gen. Lewis, having been thus augmented to eleven hundred men, commenced its march for the mouth of Kanawha on the 11th of September, 1774.

From Camp Union to the point proposed for the junction of the northern and southern divisions of the army, a distance of one hundred and sixty miles, the intermediate country was a trackless forest, so rugged and mountainous as to render the progress of the army at once tedious and laborious. Under the guidance of Capt. Matthew Arbuckle, they, however, succeeded in reaching the Ohio River, after a march of nineteen days; and fixed their encampment on the point of land immediately between that river and the Big Kanawha. The provisions and ammunition, transported on pack-horses, and the beeves in droves, arrived soon after.