Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-08-05
NORFOLIl. July 81.
NORFOLK, July 81.
IMPORTANT
To Norfolk, Richmond anm North Carolina
STEAMBOAT LINE
= III M f'Ny.l IfANb
[,rnLi RnIilnnl.e

From BQitimOre
At the moment that our paper was 60
ing to press, and about fifteen minutes
aiierihe arrival of the Powlatan, from
Richmond, the report OF a gun from be-
low the Fort, announced an arrival-and
in five minutes after, the elegant s TEAM
BOAT VIRGINIA, Capt. John Ferguson,
GnlendeG 10 ply between this place and
Baitmore,) appeared in full view, moving
upon the bosom of her native clement,
with a rapidIty and grace which while ii
caplIvated large concOurse of behold
ers, afforded the most pleasing antlcipa-
tons of the future benefits which she will
confer on our Borough, by placing us,
as ii were, At less than one half the dis
lance which we have heretofore been,
from the other important Cities OF the u
Mon: thereby creatinga closer commu-
mon ofinterest and feeling between the
members Oft the great commercial family
of the United States, and giving the great
est possible facility 10 all the purposes of
an enlarged intercourse.
She made her passage in less than 23
hours, having left Baltimore yesterday
morning, AT a quarter before 8 O'Clock,
aud arrived IN tins harbor at a quarter
before O'Clock. Notwithstanding she
started little later than the appointed
hour, the passengers from that City and
Richmond would have set down 10 break
iasthere atthe same hour, but that she had
TO contend with d strong head wind the
whole passage, and to stem powerful
eDb tide from lie entrance of Elizabeth Ri
yer.
Mr. Benjamin Ferguson, who has been
for many wears the Proprietor of the Bal
iimore Line of Packets to this place, IN
which he has given SO much satisfaction,
by his attentive and obliging department,
has the sole merit of the present impor-
tant enterprize.-It is devoutly 10 be
wished, that his hopes may be accom-
plished, and his efforts he rewarded, by
an increase of intercourse through this
channel, from the neighborhood of Nor
folk TO the North instead oftlIe long
and tedious Journey by land, in stages,
or the former uncertainty OF packets, de-
pending on the elements.
We understand this Boat has cost 3d.
COOS, which is no inconslderable stake
for one individual.
The passengers speak iii the highest
terms the neatness and comfort which
they found on board, in all respects, and
of the great attention of Capt. Ferguson.
The Table could not be better furnished
Bedding surprising any they have
| seen-and, in short, every thing that
could render the Journey smooth and
pleasant. They are delighted with tie
Boats performance, and The facility of
making convenient harbors along the
Bay, as pointed out by Captain Fergu-
son, in case il should be necessary at IL
| ny time, TO seek shelter from the APP
proach Of boisterous weather. There
will he intermediate places established for
! landing passengers on either side of the
| Chesapeake, and il may be expected that
| the future passages of the VIRGINIA
will be some hours shorter. On first
| trip, trlfling delays are unavoidable, IN
arranging the new machinery OF such a
! vessel. Tie distance from Baltimore is
! 80 miles, which will, with certainty, he
| performed in 81 hours.
II cannot but create exulail0n III the
| minds of our fellOw-ctlzens, both OF this
| State and North-Carolna, that this I'M
portant link in the great chain OF inter
nal Improvement i'll our neighborhood,
| has been successfully commeticed-and
| at tie proximity it will at once establish
! between them and our Northern Cities
while to the general prosperity of our
! Country, it contributes such striking
| object of public accommodation.
1t is worthy Of remark, that gentle
man residing ia Baltimore, having bust
ness with friend i'm Richmond, they APP
pointed, each 10 start from home yester-
| day after breakfast. by their respective
Steamboats,, aud breakfasted here to-
| day (Beacon.
We learn from the highest authority,
lsays the Albany Daily Adverlser,) that
lnOse who have contracted for con
sirucilng part Of the Canal in the vici-
nity OF Rome, are prosecuting their labor