Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-03-02
THE PRESIDENTS VISIT TO RICHMOND.
Correspondence of the National h,teligencer.l
ExcHASsE HOTEL, RIoHaosD, (VA.
FRIDAY MORNING, FRRRuARY %, 1850.

EXCHANGE HOTEL, RICHMOND, IVA.
FRIDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY %, 1885,
Although the papers of this city will doubtless
have given you, in advance Of this communication
sketches OF the excursion of the President hitber
on yesterday, to attend the ceremonies of laying
the cornerstone of the projected monument in this
capital of Old Virginia to the memory of the most
illustrous OF her sons, on this the anniversary of
his birth, further and fuller account of incidents
connected with his journey and reception here on
an occasion SO interesting, may, hope, possess
something OF interest to your readers.
The accounts which | may be able to give in an
other communication of the imposing proceedings
to be had to-day, and of such other incidents of the
occasion as may seem significant, will also hope,
may in like manner derive enough of similar in
terest to render them not unacceptable.
am emboldened thus to hope by the fact that
the abundant indications of the state of public feel
ing and purpose, in this eldest of our family OF
Commonwealth, which have been enabled to
mark during the excursion hither, and thus far
since the arrival here, are OF character most
cheering to those who have discerned dark por-
tents in what you have aptly characterized as "THE
EVIL OF THE DAY.
These indications, trust, may be taken as ear
nest of all which the occasion may call forth and
surely, if they shall prove SO, confirmation strong
proofs from holy writ will be afforded that the
spirit of loyal devotion to the Union is still strong,
and all alive in its old abiding place, the popular
heart Of the State of the birth and burial of the
Unions nightiest founder and most munifcent
benefactor.
Aside from these indications, and the abundant
manifestations of popular regard for himself with
which the President has been received, as often as
the people have had opportunity thus to greet him
since he left Washington, the occasion and incl
dents OF the excursion are well calculated to rem
der il interesting to him in high degree, and to
prompt a heart as patriotic and strong as his to
high purposes and stern resolves to acquit himself
faithfully in his great Office.
The trip down the river was, as he remarked,
his first passage of the stream by daylight; afford.
ing him, Of course, his first opportunity for behold
ing the Mecca Of the Votary of Freedom which
crowns its western shore. When, therefore, the
customary tolling of the steamboat bell announced
our approach to the spot
ssWhere old Potomacs classic waters lave
The sacred shore that bears orld-sought grave,
he took position upon the forward deck and look
ed earnestly out upon the mansion and grounds
and wooded slopes of MOUNT VERNON. The ve-
nerable CUsTIs, the adopted son and oldest living
representative Of the family of him who once dwelt
in that mansion, and made it as a consecrated
temple in the eyes of his countrymen and all man
kind, stood by, and, as the boat passed down the
stream, pointed out the place of sepulture Of
the great dead. And there stood, also, the great
living soldier, and civil chietain, now occupying the
highest station which the departed had adorned, and
in reverent silence yet with the compressed lip and
motonless eye which betoken strong thought and
firm resolve, gazed upon the spot where WASH
INGToN lies inurned.
road at Aqua Creek, the PRESIDENT was received
by the joint Committee of the Legislature of the
State of VIRGINIA, and addressed by its Chairman,
the Hon. WIN. KINNEY, of the Senate, as follows
Mr.. PRESIDENT 1t affords ordinary pleasure the
organ of the General Assembly Of Virginia welcome you
your native State You have been long long
separated from her. but neither time distance has weak
ened her affection for you On the contrary your high and
manly beang your great and patriotic services amidst
of trial and peril since you left her, have but the
deared you to her maternal heart and we your BRETHREN
have been commissioned by her to give you her cordial greet
ing give you her hearty welcome and her that
she still cheshes you of her avoite and to
duct you her capital that you may there participate in the
ceremonies of laying the Of which
she is about to erect to the memory Of your elder BROTHER her
WAsHINGToE.
Mr. President, the spot where meet the circumstances
which surround us calculated to call forth emotions both
of pleasure and of pain We upon the shores of the
beautiful Potomac You have just gded its smooth
You have passed Mount Vernon, that consecrated
spot where sleep the remains Of him who " first in war,
first in peace first in the hearts Of bis countymen The
of the solemn bell which warned you that you
passing the tomb Of Washington, doubt not awoke in
your heart deep emotions of reverence almost OF religious
The saddeng voice Of that tong bell is here to give
place wild bursts Of joyous music we your brethren,
without distinction of party, welcome, thrice welcome you to
the hospitalities Of Virginia.
Mr. President the circumstances Of the present occasion
forbid that should enter upon review Of your deeds Of
noble daring. Suffice it to say, they have been such to
for you and the brave army under your command the
grateful applause Of your country Whenever wherever you
the enemy despite of the odds against you victory
yours You "never surrendered" Victory secured,
you threw the mantle of mercy the conquered And it
is fact remarkable and calculated to call forth gra-
ude Go that though you passed through many
of DANGER carnage and DEATH harm your person
In this the hand of that ruling and protecting
Providence which often shielded Washington and which has
continued guard beloved country We but
believe that your life has been preserved Tor wise and great
purposes and rejoice ia the grateful that that
life, heretofore spent amidst the stern horrors of war,
anxiousy yet far happily your part devoted to the
peace and the union of your country.
Mr. President the voice Of your countymen has called you
to the highest office EARTH In the discharge of its duties
you have said would make Washington your model
his administration the exempar of your Rest assured
sir that the country condes in the sincerity Of these grateful
avowals Of noble purposes May your efforts be crowned
with the that attended those Of Washington May
you like him. the close Of your administration leave the
people whom you have been called preside Free
porous, happy, and united May you, like him. when you
retire 10 the shades of private life be greeted with the
unanimous plaudt of millions Of feemen, well done good
and faithful servant"
The PRESIDENT replied substantially as follows
Mr.. CHAIRMAN For the generous welcome which you
have give my native sate and the kind language
which you have expressed it, offer you, and through you
and the committee which you the chairman to the Leg
atue and People of this noble Commonwealth my heartfelt
thanks. cannot hope attempt reply to the welcome
houn