The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-07-09

The FouRrH AT PmEr Ponr.--Availing our
selves of days leisure, in company with large
party of ladies and gentlemen, we left the city on
the morning Of the Sd, in the good steamer Osceoa,
Captain Mitchell, destined for Piney Point Payil-
ion, where, after receiving numerous additions TO
our company at the various landings on he Poto-
mac, we arrived at about 7 p. m. The trip down
the river delightful; the air fresh and invgo-
rating, came to US from storm clouds on either side,
which gave to the farmers on the banks of the
leaving the showers behind us. Fort Washington,
Mount Vernon, the White house, and other known
localities were passed. and the uninitiated were
pointed out each remarkable spot by the gentle
manly officers of the boat or through the courtesy
Of fellow-passengers. The birthplace of the Father
of his country, situated in Westmoreland county,
on the right bank of the Potomac, at the head of
small creek called Nomini, with Stratford in its
immediate neighborhood- famed mansion of the
Lee family, built by one Of them while Govssnpr
of the Colony Of Virginia, the materials Of which
were brought from Engiand-was gazed upon with
much interest. On our arrival at the Point, the
company were received with marked courtesy and
politcness by the liberal proprietors, and nothing
seemed wanting to the pleasure and comfort of the
visiters. On the morning Of the Fourth, the
steamer Georgia, from Baltimore, brought large
number of passengers, while the surrounding coun-
try sent no small number Of is sons and daughters
to unite in the festivities of Freedoms natal day.
AT IL m, the company were called together in the
capacious ballroom, where the Declaration of In
dependence, prefaced by some appropriate remarks,
was read by DR.. Jennings, Of Baltimore. Music
by the band succeeded; and Mr. Thomas J..
Semmes, of Georgetown, then delivered chaste
and eloquent DISCOURSE appropriate to the day and
rather out of the order of The usual Independence
addresses. After the ceremonies were concluded
a most bountiful repast was served up, and toast
and sentiment became the order Of the hour. AT
night the ball was opened in fine spirit, and the vo-
taries Of the dance kept it up in admirable style un-
til the small hours of the morning. Then sleep,
the bath, fishing, bowling, shooting, &C., served to
carry off the hours too rapidly by far for our
Wishes and we returned to town on Friday morn
ing, delighted with trip, and only regretdng that
our duties compel us to stay from such delightful
spot as Piney Point during the warm days of sum-
mer.
LAYING OF A CORNER SroHE.-The cornerstone
of new church edifce for the Roman Catholic
congregation Of the Holy Trinity, in Georgetown,
was laid on yesterday afternoon with appropriate
religious ceremonies, by the Rev. Archbishop Of
Baltimore, assisted by number of reverend clergy
of the diocese. procession was formed at George
town College, consisting Of the Philodemic Society
of that institution, the faculty and Students the
Catholic Benevolent Society of Washington, the
congregation of the church, and number of citi-
zens who marched, accompanied by music, to the
spot selected as the site, at the corner Of Lngan
and First Streets and after the religious services of
the church on such occasions were concluded, an
address was delivered by the Rev. DR.. Ryder,
President of the College, and handsome collec-
ton taken up for the benefit of the church.
The building, we learn, will be ITO by IS feet,
and the contract for in construction has been award
ed to Mr.. Duffy, Of Georgetown. When COM
pleted, it will prove quite addition to the many
handsome church edfces, Of which our neighbors
can hoaet