Page:Notes on the State of Virginia (1802).djvu/19

Rh population, I think it poſſible, that its navigation may alſo be made to interlock with that of the Patowmac, and through that to communicate by a ſhort portage with the Ohio. It is to be noted, that this river is called in the maps James River, only to its confluence with the Rivanna: thence to the Blue Ridge it is called the Fluvanna: and thence to its ſource, Jackſon's River. But in common ſpeech, it is called James River to its ſource.

The Rivanna, a branch of James River, is navigable for canoes and batteaux to its interſection with the South Weſt Mountains, which is about 22 miles; and may eaſily be opened to navigation through theſe mountains to its fork above Charlotteſville.

York River, at York town, affords the beſt harbour in the ſtate for veſſels of the largeſt ſize. The river there narrows to the width of a mile, and is contained within very high banks, cloſe under which the veſſels may ride. It holds 4 fathom water at high tide for 25 miles above York to the mouth of Poropotank, where the river is a a mile and a half wide, and the channel only 75 fathom, and paſſing under a high bank. At the confluence of Pamunkey and Mattapony, it is reduced to 3 fathom depth, which continues up Pamunkey to Cumberland, where the width is 100 yards, and up Mattapony to within two miles of Frazer's ferry, where it becomes 2½ fathom deep, and holds that about five miles. Pamunkey is then capable of navigation for loaded flats to Brockman's bridge, fifty miles above Hannover town, and Mattapony to Downer's bridge, 70 miles above its mouth.