Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-02-22
RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
,,pYn.y MORNING, FEBRUARY 22, 1850.
THE DAY.


her hest her greatest SON. Her farest daugh
~ and strdies cons gathering in from all portions Oh
orv 70 grace and honor the Statesmen stand
bh on the roll of fame soldiers immortalized by inc
If ba,e and By their deeds ndebly engraved on the
mage of history bushing maidens and youths burning VIII"
noble emulation lisping infancy itse-a VIII come
forward together to-day TO hear the praises OF Washington
io,a in the universal testimony OF gratitude TO his
ord name and 10 catch new inspiration for the race oil
vous and honorable bearing, and perhaps OF sesaer
cno ,rinl which lies before them VI Washington deeas
and virtues We shall not attempt TO make mention we
,c,ve that grateful task 10 the orators so adirao selected
for the occasion.
W. deem il appropriate however, present 10 our
readers the Farewell advice OF Washington 10 MS oeVo'ea
counrvmen It's noble sentiments should be cherished,
above all things BY the American people in the
ous moment The imperous majority of the North should
heed his warning voice against sectional preudces and in
iustice-and the people of the South, while glowing with
admiration for the Union as Washington regarded it, will
listen 10 his solemn words and idolze the Constitution as
"sacredly obligatory upon ALL" By Its haowed provisions
they will be prepared TO stand or fall
The corner bed stone the Monument is splendid block
of whi,ish granite presented by the James River and Kan
awha Company. 1t was qnarred on the canal, oo miles
above this CITY on the of James Gait ESQ., Of Flu
vanna,he "point of Fork ground made classic BY hay
been the HEADQUARTERS Of Washngtons dear compan
ion in-arns Gen La Fayette during the Revolution The
spot is thus described in Howe's History of Virginia
At the confluence of the two branches OF the James IN ms
county (Fluyanna is point Of land called the Point oil
Fork where in the latter part OF the Revolution, State
arsenal was established and large quantity OF military
collected When the State was INVADED oy NH Nth
Tareton was detached Charlottesville Lieut. Col Simcoe
was sent destroy the magazines at the Point OF FORK and
ne was ultimately be Joined by Iareton to assist ms IN
al
are from Girardln:
"Wih their accustomed eagerness and activity the Two in
and dreaded pariZans entered upon the execution
of their respective tasks This double movement rendered
Steubens situation unusually perous The extreme dif
the British and their schemes; the precautions
which Simcoe took for securing every person met or seen
on his route eectuay concealed his march from the Baron
The latter however became apprzed OF lareon rapid ad
vance Imagining himself the Immediate object OF H. he lost
no time in Transporting his 10 the South side OF the
Riyanna intending himself speedily 10 follow with the
whole division under his command when Simcoe reached
the Point OF Fork the American stores mad been removed
and Sieubens detachment had crossed the about
30 men, then awaiting the return OF the boats to embark and
oin their friends. These unayodably fell into the
hands OF the British cavalry The river deep and
unfordable and all their boats had been secured on the
South side Of H. Simcoe's main object was there
fore frustrated Under the modification arising from
this disappointment singular stratagem occurred to
his willy mind II impress The Baron with the be
lief that the troops AT The Point Of Fork were the ad
vance of the British Army, ready TO oyerwhelm him; and
thus 10 work upon his fears induce him 10 sacrifice
most of the stores which had been transported the Ri
wanna For this purpose he encampei the heights oppo
site to Steubens station advanageousy displaying his
force and b. the number of his fires suggesting probabi
~ of the main body headed by Corvallis having actually
reached the neighbohood The Baron, who bad been in
formed that the corps under Tareon threatened his left
anced himself imminent danger Retreatins precpitate
y during the night he marched thirty miles from the
Point Of Fork abandoning 10 the enemy such stores as
could no, be removed In the morning, Simcoe observing
the of his satagem and wishing TO give il Sill
farther effect procured some small canoes and sent across
the river Captain Stephenson, with detachment OF light
infantry and CorEet Wooisey with four hussars. The
former was directed destroy stores and arms which
the baron had left behind in the hurry and confusion OF his
erea and the latter TO mount his hussars who
had carried their saddles with them, such Struggling
horses he likely fnd 10 patrol some miles on the
route taken by Steubenn short 10 exhibit every appear
ancs eager and formidable pursuit Both these orders
were successfully executed Stephenson performed without
delay annoyance the task of destruction assigned 10 him.
and Woosey so confirmed the belief OF Seuben that the
whole British army close his rear that he acceera
ed his march, retiring still further from the river. His OBJ
ect his original destination, and JOIN Gen
era Greene; but ne received es orders not 10 eave the
State 30 long CORVALLIS should continue there On the
militia under Lawson, similar injunction was laid British
historians have greatly exaggerated The loss sustained by
counts undoubed evidence is in the hands of the author OF
this narrative"
The cap-stone noble piece OF blue granite presented
by the Richmond and Dan,ie Railroad Company 1t was
quarried on the line of the Railroad along the river in Ches
terrified county, about two miles above Richmond We ask
attention to the following correspondence
OFFICE OF THE JAMES RIVER AsD kAaAwHA Co..
January 30th, 1850. !
Sir: am instructed behalf of the James River and
Kanayha Company ask the privilege OF furnishing from
their granite quarry the James river the bed stone tor
the of the monument to be erected by virginia IN no.
nor Of George Washington is memory eneFsea WIN IN
stood in n relation which recur with grateful sasac
ton He was one OF the earliest of those who suggested
connection between the Eastern md Western waters
thn of
the first President of the Company and The enlightened and
unwayerne friend OF the great improvement 10 the dav Of his
death earnestly hope that the strong desire ociate
the Company in the imposing evidence Of affection and re-
spect about 10 be given BY Virginia 10 her ustous
may moi be disappointed. haze the honor to BE- with the
highest respect your ob't serv't. J. MASON.
To his Exccllency JoH: B. FLoyp Governor Of Virginia
RICHMOND, FEsUARv 10Th, 1850
Sir. Your communication addressed the Executive in
behalf of the James River and Kanawha Company has bsen
received In reply gives great pleasure TO say that the
magnificent block of granite furnished BY the Company WIZ
be used for the purpose indicated in your letter This tribute
10 the memory him. whose will ontlas the granite
which it, s snguary appropriate coming as
does from those who have succeeded him in the advocacy
and execution Of the great work projected by him. whose
gacons and comprehensive wisdom embraced all his coun
trys interests Respectfully, yours, &C..
To Jons Y Mason, Esq, Pres't J. r. q K. Co.
AT meeting of the Board Of Directors the James Ri
and Kanawha Company, held at Richmond on Monday
Resolved That copy of the Reports Of this Company
and Of the correspondence between the President and the
Governor relative the block Of granite designed for the
corner of the Washington Monument DO presented TO the
Governor with the request that they may be deposited in the
Extract from the Records.
WIN P. MUNFORD Scc'y
His Exry JoHs B. FLOYD, Governor OF Va
RlcHMoSn FEB. Goth, 1850.
Sir: The Commissioners of the Washington Monument
have received the resolution Of the Board of Directors of he
James River and Kanawha Company, requesting that
copy of the reports of the Company and OF the corespon
dence between the President and the Governor relative
the block of granite designed for the Of tho Wash
ington Monument may be deposited in the corner stone
instructed say il will afford the Commissioners
great pleasure to comply with that request.
have The honor TO be with the highest respect
Your obedient ser
GEORGE w. MUNFORD,
Sec'y. Of the Board Of Commissioners.
JoHx y. mason, Esq. President, &c.
OFFICE RIcHMoSp AND DAsvILLE R. R. Co,
February IS, 1850
Sir: am authorized BY the Richmond and Danylle Rail
Road Company ask your acceptance herewith Of block
of blue granite obtained from the quarry the immediate
line of their road for the OF the Washington
Monument.
This tribute OF honor and affection by Virginia the me-
mory of her lustrous son. exctes the grateful pride
every cherished institution and awakens the patriotic i'm
ale 81 ciri1 hiph erho rlnre