The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-06-06
To the Editor of the Madisonian

U Nc fsuNDT " tVt 4bNutSONfQHs
SIR: Having just returned from a most de
lightiul excursion on the Potomac, TO the rail-
road landing al Acquia creek and back, being
invited by Capt Black Of the steamer Augusta,
in his usual polite and genllemanly manner, as
one of an escort to meet the President of the
United States on his return from Virginia al
low me 10 trespass on your columns for the pur-
pose of describing my impressions Of the tip.
The morning was delightful, and the fresh
breeze on the Potomac meeting the feet and
elegant vessel, produced the most refreshing
and invigoraing sensations. The Arsenal was
soon passed, and the war steamer Missouri, "
ing at anchor in the sream--a'l hands on board
of which seemed TO be engaged at the morning
abution of the vessel. After an elegant break
fast, Mount Vernon was in sight, the spot so
dear to every American bosom-in passing
which. the Marine Band, from the Navy Yard,
sent on board by The po'iteness Of Col. Hender-
son, very appropriately performed the Portu
guese Hymn, filing all hearts with the pleasing
yet melancholy feelings that delightful air is 50
well calculated TO inspire. The varied and beau
was passed with great rapidly, and we reached
The terminus of the railroad at about 10 o'clock
After short delay, the railroad Train was seen
winding its way out Of the gorge Of the hills
through which il passes on It's way to the
great South.
The President accompanied by the Postmas
ter General, Gen. Mason, and number Of other
distinguished gentlemen, auu iauIes, was re-
ceived on board by the escort, the Band striking
up their heart-stirrng stains, and the boat,
with att her bunting displayed turned her
Prov toward The metropolis Of the Union
We rapidly passed the beautifi undula-
ting hills of The old sister States of Mary
land and Virginia, and after partaking of a most
sump,uous dinner, Mount Vernon was also
again passed and saluted and the boat rouc he'd
at the wharf at Alexandria, where crowds stood
ready to see and greet our hoaored Chief Ma
gisirate, and soon hove in sight of the steamer
Missouri, when proud spectacle awaited US
the yards of this noble vessel were fully manned
with gallant tars who, as they proudly stood TO
the very extremity Of her topmast yards, with
their taTpaulin hats, blue jackets, and ide
white trowsers, huttering in the breeze, while
the officers and marines crowded her deck and
warehouses, presented sight which made
every heart leap in its bosom, as we sloa-
ly passed her, the dense smoke bursting from
her sides, the booming sound Of her cannon
bounding over The water and reverberating from
the hills, answered by salvos Of artillery from
the Arsenal grounds, made US feel that it was
no common occasion, and most forcibly impress
ed all persons present with the sublime dignity
Of our Republican institutions for there stood
our beloved President, alfred as n pain Vir-
gnia gentleman with none of the trappings of
rank or station, freely cobversing with those
around him, now to be seen in the cabin, and
again on the forward deck of the vessel, mixing
freely and unaffecedly with his fellow men,
At O'Clock we landed again at Washington,
where all parties separated for their respective
destinations and, for myself, mu say thai,
in life Of no shor duration, have never spent
day afJTding me mere pure and unalloyed en-
joyment, aud before closing this communion
ton, must pay short tribute Of commenda-
ton to The steamer Augusta and her gentleman
ly commander; and when say that Capt Black
is the very beau ideal Of steamboat captain,
attentive TO his duties, aud gallant and polite To
his guests, while the boat is unsurpassed for
speed and equnllrd by few in scrurulous order
and neatness, | am confident that my scnli-
menis viii meet with a hearty response from
all the rthied and intelligent passengers who
palronise the inland route, which is daily ad-
vancing in public estimation. on account Of 1t,
superior speed and safely over any parallel or
antagonistic route.
Wishing that more Of my fel!ow-citizens had
particp ,ttd in the pleasure of the excursion.