 When Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette toured the United States in 1825, a new capitol had not yet been constructed and the governor's mansion was too small to host a proper reception, so the governor had to entertain the dignitary at Weisiger's Tavern.Desha's major accomplishment as governor was in the area of internal improvements.In 1825, he convinced the legislature to fund the creation of the Louisville and Portland Canal on the Falls of the Ohio.