Page:Notes on the State of Virginia (1802).djvu/223

Rh laws, cuſtoms, and hiſtory. The purpoſes of the Brafferton inſtitution would be better anſwered by maintaining a perpetual miſſion among the Indian tribes, the object of which, beſides inſtructing them in the principles of Chriſtianity, as the founder requires, ſhould be to collect their traditions, laws, cuſtoms, languages, and other circumſtances which might lead to a diſcovery of their relation with one another, or deſcent from other nations. When theſe objects are accompliſhed with one tribe, miſſionary might paſs on to another.

The roads are under the government of the county courts, ſubject to be controled by the general court. They order new roads to be opened wherever they think them neceſſary. The inhabitants of the county are by them laid off into precincts, to each of which they allot a convenient portion of the public roads to be kept in repair. Such bridges as may be built without the aſſiſtance of artificers, they are to build. If the ſtream be ſuch as to require a bridge of regular workmanſhip, the court employs workmen to build it, at the expence of the whole county. If it be too great for the county, application is made to the general aſſembly, who authoriſe individuals to build it, and to take a fixed toll from all paſſengers, or give ſanction to ſuch other propoſition as to them appears reaſonable.

Ferries are admitted only at ſuch places as are particularly pointed out by law, and the rates of ferriage are fixed.

Taverns are licenſed by the courts, who fix their rates from time to time.

The private buildings are very rarely conſtructed of ſtone or brick; much the greateſt portion