Rut. though Richmond was very dull and very dull, yet the people of Rich were not unhappy, and they seemed to regard Richmond as the pivot of the universe. Tobacco mainly kept Richmond from utter stagnation. As evidence of Richmond's business in 1849, hundreds of young men, unable to find employment, vailed, in two schooners, from her port to San Francisco. They, however, must have been weaklings, for few if any succeeded, while many, unable to endure the rough life, returned home.

In 1849, my brother, Charles Blair, with two companions, went to California overland. My brother, gentle as a woman, was, upon occasion, as brave as a lion, and, therefore, he easily conformed to the code of his rough associates, which was: defend honor at the risk of life, or "git out"; the while feather meaning disgrace. When a former suitor of the young lady whom my brother Charles, was courting, made disparaging remarks of the young lady. Charles challenged him to a duel with pistols, and killed him. This was the only difficulty he ever had with any one.

In these earlier days, James River was a great avenue of commerce. Vessels from abroad and at home crowded her wharves and docks, and Rockets had so many sailors within her borders a bethel was built for them. The Cur  Ships, Scotchmen, had a handsome line of schooners plying between Richmond and New York, and discharging and loading them was a lively spectacle. But in time steamers appeared, and the schooners disappeared. 