Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-11-27
Jas. River ana Kanawha Canal,

, as. 1S1Vcf ana A6naWna Canal.
The Canal and River Improvement, be-
tween Lynchburg and Buchanan, having
been reported ready for use, the citizens
OF the latter town, and Of the vicinity, de-
termined to manifest their feelings Of delight
at the consummation of their long deferred
hopes, in manner worthy ofthe occasion;
whilst Messrs. Boyd & Edmond, the
proprietors ofth Canal Packets. resolved
to give all the eclat in their power to the
ceremony of the inauguration--as the
French style it-of this great State I'm
provement. The weather, for the two days
preceding had been Indictment, and the
morning of Friday. the 2lst inst, was ex-
ceedingly unpromlsing. On that day. how
ever, at half past six. A. NJ, the Packet
Boat "JouN EARLY Capt. Harrington,
left our Basin, with some forty or fifty gen
tlemen who had accepted the hospitable
invitation Of Messrs. Boyd & Edmond
Among the number was the Saunders
Brass Band" and squad Of the Lynch
burg Artillery, which had been detached
for the purpose Of manning gun that had
been forwarded up the River few days
days previous. The company continued
toreceivc accessions,o of both sexes, at every
Lock and stopping place, until the capaci-
ty for accommodation Of the Boat was
tested in the fullest manner. The jam
was endured, however. with great good
nature. There was a delay Of near an
hour, at the first Lock above North River,
and in the Cedar Creek level there was a
want of water, owing to a breach in the
Canal, the day before, which made it diff
cult for the Boat to get along. These
causes. added to a very strong headwind,
hic,l, in the Ponds, retarded the speed
very considerably, prevented the Packet
from reaching Buchanan until after eight
o'clock.
The arrival was greeted by the firing
Of cannon and the hearty cheers of vast
concourse assembled on the banks. The
company landed on the Pattonsburg side,
and We're conducted to a spacious and
very elegant Hotel, just erected and kept
by Mr.. Darst, the well known host of the
house at North River. The hour, the dark.
ness, and the cold prevented the formal
reception which had been projected. The
Hotel was found scarcely less crowded
than the Packet had been. The dancing
had already commenced, and was contin-
ned, with true Western energy and perse-
v,rlnce, until broad day light next morn
ing. Indeed the number of visiters so
greatly exceeded the sleeping accommo-
dations, that dancing all night seemed the
only alternative. The entertainment was
worthy of the occasion and Of the rcputa-
ton of the host. The more substantial
elements Of the supper were displayed iii
the Dining Saloon.while, in anupperroom,
table was set out,in a very recherche man
ner. with ices, jelics. and every variety
Of confectionery and fruits. 1t is scarce
y necessary to say that the amplest u.s.
tice was done to both departments without
much ceremony.
The Ballroom was tastefully decora-
ted with evergrcens, and the motto - om
is the ninter Of ar discomfort made glorious
sumDamer"-told at once all the anxiety,
disappointment and despair of past years,
and the natural exultation of the present mo-
ment 1t was impossible not to sympathse
with those who now saw accomplished what
had been for years cherished hope. even
when every thing combined to exfinguish
it. There were some who seemed to ques-
ton their own senses, when they saw, at
their river banks large and Elegantly fitted
Packet, which had left Richmond some
forty eight hours before.
Saturday morning, at nine O'Clock, the
Packet left Buchanan on the return, a.
midst the roar OF cannon and the cheers Of
the people, our Band appropriately play
ing-"Oh carry me back to old Virginny."
The weather was fine, and we had an OPP
portulity oiseeing some beautiful scenery.
and part Of the improvement through
which We passed after night on the up
ward trip. Without any accident, we
reached Lynchburg, a little after eight p.
NJ, all highly delighted with the works Of
nature and art which the trip had enabled
US to behold
AT the request Of the company we ex-
press their grateful appreciation Of the lib
eral hospitality and courteous bearing Of
Messrs. Boyd & Edmond, and of Capt.
Harrington of the Packet. Their thanks
are also due TO the Band, whose enlivening
strains added much to their enjoyment--
The Engineers Of the james River and
kanawha Company laid us all under obi
gatlons,by their polite attentions and the liz
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