Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-01-07
TUESDAY MORNING, JANUARY Z, 1851.


official Reporter of the Convention Tho proposal is rea
sonabe one and the economical that can be adopted
II will give to the debaes &C., the whole circulation (cy
and country Of the Richmond press and the
reasonable that we doubt It's promp, acceptance by
the Convention At The Time, the publication ot tho
full debates by this arrangement will not In the least inter
tee with the current and other o the papers
Today, by resolution Of the House. the Convention will
have The use OF the Hall Of Delegates from II Ia p NJ and
afterwards from the hour of4 p. NJ. Many think ha this
arrangement should be bu, temporary Will work we'll
and that other should he selected for the sngs
OF the Convention. Our opinion Is that Lafayette
Hal-a large room very central and located most
nlenty 10 the Cepol,shch has been rendered BY the City
Councl-mgh be easily, and small expense fitted up
for the use Of the Convention and the convenience OF spec
taors by the erection Of galleries. Wo throw
this suggestion with all due respect
We cheeriuly comply with the request of friend, in
laying before readers very interesting sketch of Peter
Francisco which appeared the Editorial columns Of the
Republican of the 10th Docembcr The subject OF tho
tice was shining mark In his way When child we liza
tened with thrilling curiosity the nursery tales of the giant
hero whose adventures seemed invested With almost fab
uous phass AT later PERIOD though still boy We were
brought In with the mighty warrior who in the pi
ping times of peace employed In the civil service Of
the Staeand learned admire his sterling character,
virtues and warm heart IL Is strange that painting
engraving monumental exists, give the rising
generation the anest conception of The striking appear
Of who had he lived in antiquity, would for his
almost super ehuman achievements have been placed among
the demigods The suggestion Of correspondent Of The
Republican, that Virginia should monument TO Peter
Francisco Is we'll worthy OF consideration. State gratitude
could be better manifested Peter Francisco has left be-
in
From the Richmond Republican,
1t Is the misfortune of the rank md e OF srmy that
while they DO oil the hard fighting and encounter The great
perils of the hae field, they receive The smallest por
lion of the glory nnd appliance which follow victory They
have tbs lions share Of danger their officers the lions
share Of renown Sometimes however there IL among the
humble ranks of the private soldiers individual whose
cuar and sodiery and physical qualities single him
from The multitude and rivet upon him the attention and
admiration OF his cointrymen The eye Of the world then
passes by the glieng groups of Generals and Coonel.
and fixes upon this hero of nature, In his plain attire and
with his counennnce backened by the smoke and dust Of bat
lie vet whose valiant spirit irrndiates the doubtful
strife and exas the humbest station
Such WAS PErgn FRAxctsco, man who. In extra
ordinary physical strength lion like courage and genenesa
of disposition Of the remarkable Of the Revo
ulionary warriors Of Virginia. We could easily fill this
journal with anecdotes illustrating his character and p.ow
ess, but limits forbid than brief sketch Of the
history of who at ens deserves not 10 be forgotten
Potter Francisco did remember he knew his
native country. Returning evening from school, lin his
native land wherever that may have becn) when five
of age together with his sister and TWO other children boy
and pr they passed near tho sea shore vessel lay at
chor short distance from the coast Several saors
were Just landing In small boat francisco stopped To adj
mlre the white sails of the weasel his sister alarmed the
presence of the sailors home begging him Id follow her.
The sailors enced him and Two OF his companions on board
the vessel, and they not permitted 10 return They
brought this country and francisco was sold (un
2l years od TO named Wright who lived at the place
known Ranss Tavern, in Cumberland county He was
seventeen years OF age when The with Greni Britain
commenced and felt very strong desire 10 Join ef Wash
CsnI Iptbo Of tfrJ Jharn
king an interest In the patriotic and courageous youth,
bough, his time from Wright, and told him to go. He ac
cordingy entered the army and commenced in The
course which believe II Is exaggeraton say tina!
he performed actual service than any twenty OF the
other patriots of the Revolu m At tho sormng OF Stony
Point perhaps the dangerous and desperate achieve
rnent of the Revolutionary wa he the first who
entered the orress aer Major Gbbon which occasion
he received bayonet wound In The thigh He al Bran
fought heoicay under Greene In the South where he
engaged in actions of the Cowpens Camden Guford
Court House, &C. Probably no soldier Of the Revolution
nt tho cannon's mouth, than Peter Francisco.
The man himself perfet Hercules In strength and
In hand 10 combat perfectly inyincIble His
rs was six feet and inch his weight 26O pounds; his
complexion dark and swarthy his hands and feet
monty large He welded sword six feet in length That
sword la In the Richmond Amoy. II used to wave In
front of the fight like meteor, bearing down all before it,
Francisco welded II with much md efficiency
or did Richard Of The Lion Heart his famous baleaxc.
Some of the anecdotes of his personal strength and
achievements would be absolutely incredible bat for The
exceptonnbe authority upon which they founded On
one OCCASION when on visit Richmond 10 purchase
barrel of wine merchant said he might have the barrel
If he would II and drink from 1t, Francisco nised II
with eaer and drunk from the bung hole On another
cason noted bully who had heard OF his grea. strength
rodo all the way Kentucky match himself against
him In personal encounter. Francisco who was man OF
enlnsny pacific dspasion endcavored 10 dssnade the bull
" from his purposes but finding him determined he raised him
from the ground If he had been bnby, and put him
the fence The picked himself up and requested
Mr. Francisco to put his horse aiter him. No sooner
hOrae hy thp
same means Francisco struck man man but once
with his clcnched fst This occasion when he
attacked by three ruians whom ne piled up in heap
together, striking of them and breaking his Iawhons-
II is sta ted In Howes History Of Virginia, shat such
his personal strength that he could easily shoulder
weighing 100 pounds; and our informant highly respec
able gentleman residing in Buckingham, In comun
cation before says He could take NE In his right hand
and pass the room with and Play my hcad against
the ceiling though had been do-baby. NJ weight
was 1875 pounds Imagine such Samson as this N front
of n buttle, waving his six feet sword
The following anecdole Illustrative OF Franciscos Talo
has been often published -
.While the British army spreading havoc and desola
on all around Them. by their punderngs and ournngs ~
Virginia, in l7al, Francisco had been reconnorng and
while stopping at the house Of Mr. '.'', then in Amelia
now Noltoway county, nine of Taretons cavalry came up
with three negroes, and told him he was their prisoner
Seeing he oyerpowcred by numbers he made no resist
ance Believing him be very peaceable, they all went
into the house leaving him aud the paynss,er together
Gye up Instantly all that you possess OF value sd me
latter prepare de II have nothing 10 give up SAID
Francisco,
Joined ,hs soldier hose massy silver buckles which yon
wear in your shoes" "They present from valued
end replied Francisco and would grieve me TO part WIN
them Give them into your hands never will You h9yo
the power; take them If yon think ht The solder pat ms
sabre under his arm and bent down take hem Francis
CO. finding sofavonbe opportunity to recover his liberty
stepped pace In his drew the sword with force from
under his arm and instantly him blow across the
scul "My onemy" observed Francisco was brave ano
though severely wounded drew pistol and IN The same
moment that pulled tho gger cn his hand nearly OIL
The bue, grazed my side. Ben 49, (.he man OF ne
ousel very ngcnerosly brought musket and gave Il TO
one OF the British Soldiers and told him to make use OF nat
He mounted the only horse they could ge and presented
al my breast /, missed Are. rushed on the mnz1le Of
the gun. i short s.rusgs e'uusd d,armed ana wonn-
ded him Tare,on's troops Of four hundred man we're
hen In sight All was hurry and con!ls!o, which In
creased BY repeatedly halow!ns, ns loud as could
Come on my brars aoye; NOUS your time rs if,H soon
dispatch and t.n attack ss main So9y The
and aed seized Ben. 49, and would have dispatched
him. but the poor wretch begged for his e ho wa. oi only
an object Of my contempt but pity The eight horses mat
were left behind gave him 30 conceal for me- Discovering
TarIeton had dispatched ten more IN pursuit OF me-
fresh th.mselves l. like IN "i fox doubled and fcl! on