Historic Fort Norfolk Logo

J. J. W. RlVARDI TO THE GOVERNOR July ll, 1794

I have the honor hereby to forward to your Excellency the Map I have made of Elizabeth's river; all the distances you requested me to determine are accurately measured, and any other you should like to know within the reach of the guns of the forts, can be measured by the scale which is annexed to the Map. I drew a copy of it for the War Office, but, unhappily, it is too large to enter the mail; I have therefore been forced to injure it much by folding it. When I have a little time, I intend to make a second chart, including the Capes, but it requires a trip of a few days, and that must be left for the future.
Had I not known that accuracy and clearness are the first objects required in plans, I would have mine and made a drawing of it but I hope this answers every purpose.
Mr. Courty has just finished the copy of Fort Nelson, which I gave him to do before your departure. I therefore did the whole of these myself, and shall request him now to do some other business concerning Craney Island.
Notwithstanding the bad weather, Fort Nelson goes on tolerably well. Most of the platforms are placed, the new lines more than half raised towards the land side, and the powder magazine so advanced that if the weather is more favorable it will be completed in a few days.
Your Excellency will see by the enclosed return that it was impossible to keep any hands working at Fort Norfolk — a division of our means would reduce them to a trifle. The guns arrived from Elk are, some of them, good, some very indifferent, and only proper for short distances. I therefore shall have them mounted on the battery which commands the entrance of the harbour.
Mrs. Rivardi presents her respectful compliments to Mrs. Lee, and
I have, &c.

 

Fort Norfolk Documents

Before 1794, 1794, 1795, 1796, 1797, 1798, 1799, 1800, 1801, 1802, 1803, 1804, 1805, 1806, 1807, 1808, 1809, 1810, 1811, 1812, 1813, 1814, 1815, 1816, 1817, 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, 1865

Source of Information

CALENDAR of VIRGINIA STATE PAPERS and OTHER MANUSCRIPTS, FROM JANUARY 1, 1794, TO MAY 16, 1795, PRESERVED IN THE CAPITOL AT RICHMOND. ARRANGED AND EDITED BY SHERWIN McRAE and RALEIGH COLSTON, UNDER THE AUTHORITY AND DIRECTION OF Hon. H. W. FLOUENOY, SECRETARY Of THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, AND STATE LIBRARIAN. VOLUME VII. RICHMOND: J. H. O.BANNON, SUPERINTENDENT PUBLIC PRINTING. 1888