The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-07-07

addressed the company, thanking them for tho
honor done him, and alluded to the unremi,,ng
duties of those friends who had been invited TO
participate with US. by which they were compel
led to forego the visit which they had contem-
plated with pleasure. He spoke of the unceasinp
labors of The Secretary Of the Treasury. and
his i'll health, reason for his absence on this
OCCASION and assured The company that he was
Obliged to attend To his official business while
lying bed of suffering lie referred also to
| the earnest desire which many members of Con-
gress had expressed, to spend The day In Ports
| mouth. and who calculated, until the last moment
to be able to leave Washington; but the Tart
bill held every man al his pos, until the hour
departure of the boat had lung passed. He then
| reverted 10 the condition of our Town and spoke
of .he expressed desire of the. Secretary of the
Navy to keep the mechanics of this Yard CON-
stantiy and profitably employed--and evinced
most perfect confidence that such would be the
fact; and bade fellow citizens to look forward
with hope. the Secretary had assured him that
he would that full justice was done TO this
station. The Doctor then pointed the mill to
the many peculiar advantages possessed by this
section of country in an agricultural, mercantile
| and commercial point of view-spuke of our sa-
lubrity of climate and generous soil, our broad
and beautiful rivers and expansive bays, and
alluded to our Rail Road, penetrating into North
Carolina Look, said lie. at the receipts of that
Road years ago it yielded an annual income of
upwards 100000, when the resources Of the
country, were not well developed as now.
He remarked that there was nothing now want
ing on our part, but public enterprise and indiv-
dual energy to make tina, Road Of great
profit and stated that the whole might be relaid
with heavy III iron and supplied with engines, cars
and carriages, at an expense not exceeding $780,
600, and could he kept in complete repair for some
$4,000 per annum, including all disbursements,
which would yield clear revenue 10 the owners
of at least seven per cent on the capital invested.
Having concluded his remarks by expressing his
pleasure at again meeting in the social his old
friends and fellow citizens he gave
The Government, and the People-The former
the creature of the later its powers should be so
directed 10 realize the idea of Jefferson" the
greatest good to the greatest number"
The President then read the following letters
received by tn Committee Of Invitation
WAsHINGroN, July ], 1916.
Gentlemen Your commu Mica tion, as Com
mitee in behalf of The citizens of Portsmouth has
been received inviting me 10 Join you, in the fes-
tivilies of the approaching 4th of July. 1t would
give me The most sincere pleasure to be with you
this occasion. but my public duties absolutely
forbid my absence from Washington at this peri
cd.
Permit me, through you, 10 tender to the assem-
bled company the following sentiment.
V;rginia-Eler greatest staple products, Gov
rage and Intellect, Virtue and Patriotism, of
which Washington, Jefferson, Madison and Mon
roe among the fines, samples.
Most respectfully,
your friend and fellow citizen,
X. j. WALKER.