Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-07-03

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Tno Pressaont n Raeh0ooA.
Regarding il IL right Of the people to
see and know a. much As possible Of the
Iprivsss a well As public character and
bearing Of thosc whooecuPy,ke high places
of the Government. we make no apology
Cor the space occupied by the subjon,ed
account Of what occurred upon the occa-
sion Of the Presidents visit. to rhs Capital
Of the "Oid Dominion"
After leaving Norfolk, Wednesday the
25th June, on board the u. s. Steamer,
the President stopped at jamestown and
viewed the crumblmg relics efthat venera-
bic site. Here he was waited onby commit
tee of gentlemen from Petersburg andten-
dercd an invitation to visit that city and ac-
eeptits hospitality This he declined, forwans
of.ime. At p. NJ, las we learn from the
Richmond Enquirer. whose account Of the
affair is in the liberal and courteous style
which emincntly charactcrizes that gentle
anlyjournal.) the Engineer crossed the
mouth Of Chipoaks Creek, and soon landed
at the wharf Of Lower Brandon, the resi-
dence Of the Harrison family, and after in
terchanging civilities 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 it dashed along,
the hoavy sheaves fell in admirable regu-
Iarity and volume; ready for the "binders''
and "shockcrs."
The President here showed that he was
practically acquainted with farming, for he
seized bundle Of Wheat, and to the as
constituent, not only of the natives" but
of his travelling companions, skillfully
bound up sheaf with a double tie.
After visiting the elegant and hosPitable
mansion of William B. Harrison, Esq, at
Upper Brandon, the party returned to the
Lower Brandon house about half past z,
took dinner and spent the night. After
breakfast. yesterday mornings 10 o'clock,
they left Brandon, with party Of ladies
and gentlemen of the neighborhood, and
successfully landed at the beautiful estates
of Wcstover and Shirley, owned by John
Sclden and Hill Carter, Esqs.
Athalfpast s P. NJ, the Engineer touch
ed the wharf at Richmond, where the
President was received in the most en-.
thusiastic manner by the Regiment Of Vol
unteers and vast numbers of the citizens
and escorted to the Powhatan House. In
consequence Of the lateness Of the hour and
the coming on of rain, the formal reception
was postponed till morning. Atl1 O'Clock
Friday, the President was escorted from
his lodgings to the southern portico Of the
Capital, where he was welcomed to Rich
mond on behalf Of her citizens, by VIM.
H. Mcfarland, Esq, who spoke as fol-
lows:-
Mr. President: have the honor, in the name of
the citizens Of Richmond, to greet you with cordi-
al sincere and hearty welcome. Your arrival among
US is occasion of congratuation with one and ALL
We are happy ofthe opportunity to manifest re-
spcct for the President Of the United States; and
we embrace it more gladly in this instance because
xf
trymen rests, not alone upon your position. Yours
is indeed, ahigh ofce-high for its dignity and hon
ors-but higher yet for the fearful influence which
it does and must exert upon the dcstinics Of the
public. Its best and trucst, qualification, that with
out which all other endowments arc worthless, if
they be not dangerous, is watchfu irwin
chile devotion to the union Of the States devotion
so ardent and unfatering as to be inaccessible to
sectional appeals, come they from the North or the
South, the West the East, claiming anything a,
the expense Of the harmony and integrity Of the u
| MON. II is such sentiment and habit Of devotion
the Union which constitutes the browning virtues
of an American statesman; and without it, public
services and tnlents can serve only to bctray Sir
We believe that you possess this virtue-your pub
lie nets have evinced it--and are confident thai
your administration will be conspicuous for stead
fast energetic. and, trust, successful endeavol
| to preserve, confirm and pcrpetuate the Union
Again, sir, bid you and the distinguished gentlemen
who accompany YOU, heartfelt welcome 10 the ma
tive State Of Washington, and to its metropolis.
Mr.. Mcfarland introduced to the assembly the
President Of the United States who said as follows
| Mr.. Chairman: This very fattcring reception
| from the capital OF the Old Dominion leaves me nc
language adequate to express the grateful emotion.
| fmy heart That | should have received such q
welcome from any part of the Old Dominion would
have been gratifying to me- but to have received il
from its capital and from its citizens large cause.
emotions Of gratitude that are crwhclming. Thi.
is the first time ever had the pleasure Of seeing
Virginia and Virginia life Sr,I have passed through
the lower parts of your State. was anxious not on
visit your cities and your noble rivers but YOU
hospitable inhabitants. ] wished to look at some Of
those noble plantations for which Virginia as Virgin
ia has been celebrated. 1t granted to me; and
must say. sir. have witnessed those scenes which
have impressed upon my mind that it is impossible
| should have any thing but the fairy land oil
virginia cannot conceive it possible that State
SO large and extensive as this can exhibit many such
beautiful plantations so highly cultivated. had
the pleasure OF witnessing yesterday, sailed up
| the noble river that leads to this beautiful city
watched with anxious solicitudc the first appear
ance OF the spires, but regret to say that they
invisible when the shades of nghtclosed over them
and was compelled to land upon your shores a.
midst the vast multitude which thronged the streets
whose faces could only see by the Pickering lgh,
OF the lamp, the flash of the cannon, and the light
| ming of heaven. ! of course saw but few faces as
passed through your streets. lam happy this morn
ming TO face face in this vast multitude that
are assembled here, the intelligence Of the Old Do
niaion.
You have been pleased, sir, to alude to the hum
bic services which il has been my fortune to rende,
the country in the position in which am placed
believe say, with full sincerity Of heart that
whatever may have been those services for good o,
evil; whatever may have been the exalted position
! now occupy, it is to which l never aspired
My sole ambition has been, since the responsibility
has been cast upon me by an all wise Providence
so to discharge those duties, possble, to cement
the Union Of country, and to perpetuatc our go
rios constitution. (Great applause.
When, sir, nearly year since,bya lamentable dis
pcnsation ofdivinc Providence the chief magistrate
ofthc Union, who by your voice elevated to this
high position, was laid in the dust confess SIR
rlo mic