This ftate is therefore one third larger than the iflands of Great-Britain and Ireland, which are reckoned at 88,357 Square miles.
Thefe limits refult from, i. The an- cient charters from the crown of Eng- land. 2. The grant of Maryland to the Lord Baltimore, and the fubfequent de- terminations of the Britifti court as to the extent of that grant. 3. The grant of Pennfylvania to WilUam Penn, and a compaft between the general aflemblies of the commonwealths of Virginia and Pennfylvania as to the extent of that grant. 4. The grant of Carolina, and adual location of its northern boundary, by confent of both parties. 5. The treaty of Paris of 1763. 6. The con- firmation of the charters of the neigh- bouring ftates by the convention of Vir- ginia at the time of conftituting their com- monwealth. 7. The ceflion made by Virginia to Congrefs of all the lands to which they had title on the North fide of the Ohio.
QUERY II. A NOTICE of its rivers, rivulets, and how far they are navigable?
An infpedion of a map of Virginia^ will give a better idea of the geography of its rivers, than any defcription in writing. Their navigation may be imperfeftly noted.
Roanoke^ fo far as it lies within this ftate, is no where navigable, but for canoes, or light batteaux; and, even for thefe, in fuch detached parcels as to have prevented the inhabitants from availing themfelves of it at all.
James River, and its waters, afford na- vigation as follows.
The whole of Elizabeth River ^ the loweft of thofe which run into James River, is a harbour, and would contain upwards of 300 fliips. The channel is from 150 to 20O fathom wide, and at common flood tide, affords i8 feet water to Nor- folk. The Stafford, a 60 gun fhip, went there, lightening herfelf to crofs the bar at Sowel's Point. The Fier Rodrigue,