Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1850-01-21
THE LYNCHBURG VIRGINIAN.
LyNCmBURG. JANUARY II. 1850
RAIL ROAD COMMFNCE


The ceremony Of commencing work upon the
Virginia and Tennessee Rail Road took place or
"Wednesday last, under circumstances the mos
auspicious, II we may except the state of the
weather \ procession was formed in front Of
the Masonic Hall, at O'Clock, consisting of the
Military Companies of the town, the Governor oil
the State, the President and Directors of the
Road, and citizens generally. 1t proceeded
through several streets 10 the area in front of the
cotton factory, which had been selected as the
SPOT on which the first earth was to be broken.-
Inc snow and the state Of the streets prevented
many from turning out-slll the ccnconrse OF
people was very large The ceremonies of the day
were appropriately commenced with a fervent
and eloquent invocation of the blessings of the
Almighty upon the enterprise, by the Rev. John
Early well known as one Of the first and most
eihcien' advocates of the work. The orator oil
the day Joseph X. Irving, Esq, then delivered
AN able and eloquent address, Of about half an
hours length, concluding with a graceful allusion
to Governor Floyd Gen. Clay, the President,
and Z. r NJ. Garnett, Esq, Engneer-in- Chief
OF the Company, then made brief Addresses
winch our position did not enable US to hear-to
the Governor who responded in speech of great
beauty and power. Having concluded, Govern
or Floyd taking the spade presented by General
Clay proceeded TO throw up the earth. The
space was used IN succession by the Presi-
dent Engineer and Directors of the Compa-
n.y. ny ME- Iunstall, the President, Capt Talcott,
Engineer, and Mr.. Clifford, one of The Directors
OF the Richmond and Danvie Rail Road Com.
panY, and many of our most respectable citizens.
AT TINS moment, salute was fired by the Me.
chanIc Artillery, Capt. Shields and, the Govern
or having been escorted to his lodgings. by the
'li'itaIy, the procession was dismissed
THE SUPPER
Inc proceedings OF the day being over, our cit
Izcns refreshed themselves and awaited. with
pleasing anticIpatons, the arrival of the bour ot
winch the supper, prepared by the worthy host
OF the Union Hotel, Mr.. Charles L. Dbrell. was
to take place. At a little after 9. the COMPANY
and invited guests sat down to a sumptuous en-
terainment, prepared with great taste and Gle
ga"cc: Among the invited guests from distance
were Ills Excellency, Gov. Flovd. Mr.. Senator
Woods, OF the Franklin District, w. p Tunstall.
PRESIDENT Capt. Tacott Chief Engineer, and
Mr- uiliord, Director, of the Richmond and
pahV'i'e Kan Road Company Mr.. Cook, of Gray
son, and Mr.. II. L. Brooke, of Richmond
Judge Wilson presided, assisted bv several
Vice Presidents In response to the REGULAR toas,
complimentary to Gov. Floyd, that gentleman re-
sponded IN one of his happiest efforts, which call
ed lorth ihe nnboundcd applause of the company.
In answer to toasts, or in compliance with direct
calls made upon them, the company was address
ed by MeSsrs. Tunslall, J. X. Irving, CLAY. Deane
CraIle, Clifford, Taoou, Carnett and r. J. Davis
In reply TO toast complimentary to the Lynch.
burg Press, Mr.. Mcdonald of the Patriot made
abrIct, but pertinent and eloquent address. There
were passages of wit, between Messrs. Tuns,a
and Irving, which delighted the listeners. We
mus content ourselves with this meagre sketch
OF 'he evening S entertainment intending to pub.
llsh the lul account, prepared by the Committee
Inc company did not diSperSc until the "smal
hours" had arrived.
we must not omit TO mention that the Armory
Band was IN attendance at the Supper, and de.
lighted the company with strains of music not of
ten heard in this quarter.
On Thursday, the President, Directors and En-.
g'neer OF the '. 7. Rail Road COMPANY en-.
tertained the Governor and company of twenty
I'VE or thirty persons at a Dinner furnished BY
Mr. D'brell,ln his usual style of elegance There
were many brct addresses made and GOOD thinr>
SAID. The Company will not soon forget the sto
/ ry, told by the Governor, of incidents connected
with the passage of the Rail Road bill and of tbe
trouble Gen. Clay encountered 10 have in Mace
a member supposed to be friendly, but w no. &c
the CONSERVATION of The General and other friend
OF the scheme, voted in the negative when the
ayes and noes were called
/ Later IN the evening, the Governor was tbf
guest OF one OF our most respected citizens. at ?
large ana very elegant entertainment. And TIM,
i concluded the festivities of the occasion.
ne Governor left town for Richmond IN the
racket, on Friday morning, having won golden
opinions IRON our citizens of all parties