Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-11-23
Correspondents.
corre.pondence Of lhe American.
Portsmouth, Va, Nov. II, 1856

PORTSMOUTH, w., WV - aSoN'
My DEAR AMrRrcAS:-The elections Of
the different states with few exceptions being
over, and the public mind having had time
TO feast on the different results, few lines
from an old acquaintance, may be Of some
interest TO your numerous readers.
This section of onr country, although WITHIN
less than 80 hours travel from Sunbury, Is
almost unknown to the people Of that vic'ni'y'
j say almost unknown, because, 10 myself, II
was so much so as TO you, until quite recently.
We are here on the very margin OF the Attain
tic Ocean, with bu, the Hampton Roads be-
tween us. Norfolk with population OF III
900 is situated OIL the east bank OF The Eliza
ae,h river. but seven miles from Hampton
Roads. Portsmouth, which is only separated
by the river, has population OF over 5000,
and wi,trin the last three years has been i'm
ptoving and increasing very rapidly. The
harbor of this place and between here and
,he Ocean, is said to be equal TO any in the
world, and Of capacity equal TO half the com.
mercial operations Of the world. But with
all these natural advantages, aided too, by
fine back country foe agricultural purposes,
regre, to say, the people here are but the Gus
toners of other more enteeprising sections OF
the country. This state of things however,
will not last long il the presen, feeling is kept
up between the North and the South. Peo-
pie here, although reared in luxurious iLle
ness, are already beginning 10 talk seriously
IF ''rolling up their sleeves, and going TO
work." If they do so, and of wtich have
,ut little doubt, the time is not far distant
when this place will rank among the most
important points of this country.
All that is necessary TO make Norfolk and
Portsmouth every thing that can be desired,
sa concentration of capital in the hands of
men of business. This will be effected, if
aot,by the told inhabitants" others seeing
he advantages of location will settle here,
who have both the will and the means 10 do
business.
In politics, presume Pennsylvania is dis
,osed to take Il rest of some months before
'ntering OIL The great race that is 10 come of
n 81, and 1872. Such too, is the case here.
little is said, but from that little, it is pretty
asy to suppose who are the most prominent
mong the great men of the country. Both
;eueral Cass and Mr.. Buchanan, have many
varm friends in Virginia, but am inclined
think The choice of PENNSYLVANIA will have
considerable influence with the democracy of
his state 1t is believed here that Pennsyl.
ania will again be the battle ground, and
hould Mr.. Buchanan loose The delegate vote
{ his own state il wouid be madness TO bring
is name before National Convention. But
rhile Virginia will make no pre,ensions, a,
his ,rne for the Presidency. she has alfavor-
e who is well known 20 the country as an
minert statesman, tha, may be brouHh, for.
;ard for the secoud office. Yhat man is
oHS Y. Mason, Secretary OF The Navy under
no immortal Polk. Few men are better
;uowu than Judge Mason no man has more
warmer friends, and his name would be
over Of strength 10 whoever may be nomi-
isted for the Presidency
No place at this time offers greater induce.
nen,s TO farmers Of either small or great
aeans than this. Lands equal 10 your fine
iver bottoms can be bought for from five to
fifteen dollars per acre, within Two or three
niles from town! These lands are capable
With proper cultivation, Of producing abund-
mt crops OF every description, and with a
market of each town, every day could not
all to be profitable. This may seem strange
the industrious farmers Of Northumberland
county, yet it is SO. To explain this, it is
,nly necessary to give yon single fact. AL
.hough there is no finer grass country 10 be
'ound than this, yet nearly every pound OF
nay used here is shipped from Philadelphia,
New York, or some other northern seaport
For the purpose Of testing this fact, las,
year indnced gentleman to put out is acre.
IF timothy and clover. II produced % ton:
per acre Of as fine hay as ever saw. Hay
is always worth from rs cents TO one dola
any reasonable amount. How easy would i
be then for any Of your farmers with smal
means, TO become the owners Of fine farm
in this pleasant and delightful country! Fiv'
years good management would place them il
possession OF fine farms.
hope you will call the attention of you
oeighbors to this subject; those who do no
like to work can live by catching fish an
oysters!
TIE Fowl Caucus, or Worlds Conven
ton of Poultry class Of feathered citizen
yas fairly renrpsented from the proud bir