Richmond

Richmond was centre of Donald operations after the Revolutionary War - Alexander moved back there in 1785 and carried on like nothing had happened in the meantime. He took citizenship of Virginia and was soon even involved in the government and wrote many letters to Jefferson who was then in Paris on the subject.
"Our Assembly are now sitting. They have not yet done much business, but what has been done is highly commendable. They have in very strong and pointed language thrown out a proposal for emitting paper money, and they have repealed the Port Bill, which was attended with numberless inconveniencies to the Merchants. At the request of Colo. George Mason, I have drawn up a Plan for a new Bill, which will more effectually secure the Revenue than the former, and will remove the many objections that Merchantile People had to the Last." 
A Donald - 12 November 1787.

My first visit I did not enjoy the city - I was much more impressed this time round.

Next door to the VHS there is the Virginia Museum of Fine Art - well, past the Daughters of the Confederacy building - and I had to go there for my lunch today. Creole blackened fish as you ask out on the decking overlooking the sculpture park - delicious. But what a collection in the museum. A Faberge gallery, English silver gallery, colonial paintings and furniture, Andy Warhol's Triple Elvis for Alexander Donald II, and this painting from the American gallery which I rather liked.Captain Samuel Blodget Jr (1757-1814), an officer in the New Hampshire Militia, who fought at the battle of Princeton. Painted in 1786 by John Trumball - so again at the height of Alexander's power in Richmond.

I have to apologise that in previous posts I may have given the impression that Patrick Henry's "Give me Liberty!" speech was made in Hanover Court House - it was actually made in St John's Church, Richmond. I went up on the hill to watch the sunset over the city next to it. Unfortunately the gates of the churchyard were locked, so I couldn't get in to get a decent photograph. The view on top of the hill overlooking the St James reminded Byrd of  the view of the Thames at Richmond, so hence the name.
Now that I have my bearings, I think it is a lovely city and I beg its pardon for jumping to snap decisions last time around! The first picture of the few below is the Capital building - the centre part of that building was built at exactly the time Alexander was in Richmond, so he would have watched it spring up. Designed by guess who - Thomas Jefferson, or TJ as the student guides at UVA called him.

Notice the little pumpkin peeking out of the house above? Would rather like one of these houses on top of the hill.