The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-06-28


Messrs. w. II. Joynes and Sam'l b. Paul. OF
the Petersburg committee; and Mr.. q. A. My
ers, President of the Common Council of Rich
mond, and one of the committee from the
Council. The two steamers Curtis Peck and
Engineer) just at this moment gave vent TO
their surplus of steam, and the noise and con-
fusion were SO great that the fine speeches on
each side were lost TO posterity. II was un-
derstood, however, that the President declined
the invitation to visit Petersburg, and accepted
the invitation 10 Richmond.
s'Steam was then again set TO work, and
about 3, p. m, the party reached Claremont,
the hospitabe residence of William Allen,
esq.,, and partook of most abundant and ele-
giant lunch. Here some twenty five or thirty
Of the 'sovereigns' of Surry had assembled to
see "a live President
'sAt 5, p. M, the Engineer crossed the
mouth of Chipoak's creek, and soon landed at
the wharf of Lower Brandon, the residence of
the Harrison family. and after interchanging
civilties with'the inmates and several Of the
neighbors, were conveyed in carriages over the
broad acres of the two Brandons, with the
teeming wheat fields, whose rich and golden
harvest is just about being fully brought TO the
ground. One of Hussey's beautiful reaping
machines was in operation, and, as 1t dashed
along, the heavy sheaves fell in admirable re-
gularity and volume, ready for the binders
and 'shockers.'
"The President here showed that he was
practically acquainted with farming, for he
seized bundle OF wheat, and. to the astonish-
ment not only Of the "natives" but of his trav-
cling companions, skilfully bound up sheaf
with double tie. 1t may not be amiss here
to state that, while Hussey's machines are most
81 G,l boz
great complaints Of the unsoundness of the iron
castings, which produce constant arrangement.
They would be invaluable if made compact and
solid enough. Let him look to it.
CATER visiting the elegant and hospitable
mansion of VIM. Harrison, esq, at Upper
Brandon, the party returned to the Lower
Brandon house about Il. took dinner, and spent
the night. After breakfast, yesterday morn
ing, at 10 O'Clock, they left Brandon, with a
party of ladies and gentlemen of the neighbor-
hood, and SUCCESSFULLY landed at the beautiful
estates of Westover and Shirley, owned by
John Selden and Hill Carter, esqs. From
what we know of these gentlemen, we doubt
not that the party was received with warm
hearted and elegant hospitality"
And, in conclusion, the same paper remarks:
..We have given meagre outline of the
Il
man Of very. imposing personal appearance, Of
very simple, affable, and pleasing manners. He
cannot but leave our State favorably impressed
with the Virginia hospitality extended to the
Chief Magistrate of the Union. Though the
political antipodes of Mr.. Fillmore, we cannot
but be pleased, as Virginians, that he has met
with SO proper reception. May the conserva-
tive spirit of our people and their doctrines ope-
rate favorably upon him, and stimulate him to
course that will best promote justice to the
South and security to the Constitution and the
Union"
The Presidents Reception ut Portsmouth.
The following is the address Of GEonGE w.
GACE, esq, to the PRESIDENT. in behalf of
the town of Portsmouth, Virginia:
Mr.. President: In behalf of the municipal
thorities and citizens of the town of Portsmouth,,
it becomes my pleasing duty to welcome you and
your suite to the civlites and Inequalities of this
section of the Old Dominion.
1t is always pleasing sight to see the Chief
Magistrate ola great Republic intermingling with
the people, and there is nothing which goes far
to exempfy the beauty and simplicity of our re-
publican institutions this mutual reciprocity Of
feeling between the people and their Chief Ruler.
Your Administration, sir, has been fraught with
consequences OF the most serious moment for the
veal or woe Of our happy Confcdcracy. We have
passed through crisis which threatened to shake
our much loved country to its very centre, and
sever the holy bonds which were united in friend
ship, riveted with mutual interests, and cementcd
with patriotic blood; but, thanks to Americas
God, to you, sir, and our enlightened representa-
tvcs, the dark cloud which lowered portentously
over u.s. and threatened destruction TO this glorious
fabric of Divine origin, has gradually dispersed,
and the glorious sun of 4" UNION, ONE AND INsErA-
aAnLE," again smiles upon us; and you, the proud
wachman upon the high dome Of Americas watch
tower, can now safely cry aloud in voice which
can be heard from Maine to Louisiana, and from
the broad Atlantic to the Pacific, the glorious
watchword of safety, " ALL's WELL"
Again l welcome you to our town, and tender
you all Virginia greeting.
To which the PRESIDENT responded:
Sin, Unjust beg leave to return my cordial thaksn
to you, sir, and the committee and through them
to your citizens, in whose behalf you arc acting,
for the polite and hearty welcome with which have
been greeted. Sir, l have been completely taken
by surprise in the beautiful and eloquent address
with which have been received. do not flatter
myself that it is the individual who draws from
your patriotic bosoms such enthusiasm as have
this day seen dsplayed it is the Office which is in
me represented, however unworthily. Whatever,
according to the measure of my humble ability
has been done to assuage and pacify the angry ele
ments of discord that threatened the severance of
this noble and happy. Union has been done; but the
honor of establishing the measures of Compromise
muat be attributed 10 those by whom have been
surrounded in this indeed time of trial.
must again repeat my thanks, sir, for the true
Virginia greeting with which have been received.
Subsequently at collation. which was serv-
ed, the chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr..
GRIcE, proposed the health Of
ellis Excellency the President Of the United
States"
The PRESIDENT arose in response as follows:
SrR: thank you for the honor you have done
me, and shall feel proud to have been the sub
ject of your sentiment. need not assure you that
my visit to your beautiful town has been fraughi
with pleasure, in the thoughts to which it has
When lnok At noble