The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-01

- this class Of productions sss grown hare esys
eral weeks easiisf than at places north Of thu
Chesapeake, ard The facilities OF sendinr them
to distant markets are abundant Richmond
cuts oft all the upper trade from this venerable
town, which Possesses natural advantages that
the former has not; and which, BY energy and
enterprise, Richmond could be made To fasl
Norfolk is pleasant spot for residence. A a
sea breeze always sets into that port. Ports
mouth, lying opposite, is quite pleasant village.
having about $500 inhabitants, with but litils
trade. Its principal commercial business il
created by the Dismal Swamp canal and the ad.
jacent United States navy yard; the former
bringing large quantities Of lumber, and the
latter giving employment to large number Of
mechanics in various branches. This navy ward
is one OF the largest in the United States, and
all its buildings, dry-docks &C., are arranged
on corresponding scale. The Seaboard and
Roanoke railroad here strikes off to Weldon.
North Carolina, which bids fair, il conducted
with the spirit manifested by the present pres-
dent, to give strong impetus to the prosperity
of the place.
Hence traced my steps to Richmond and
Fredericksburg. The latter town is at the head
Of the Rappahannock river, which admits vesn. Ia
of twelve feet draught up to the town. The
population is about 5000. The advantages of
this place in the way of water power are great.
and well worth the attention of Eastern capital
lists This agreeable town was the residence
of the mother Of Washington. now took tina
rails for Aqua creek, where we were put on
board of the mail steamer for Alexandra. The
business of this venerable city has Of late ann.
mented rapidly on account of the activity inn.
parted to capital by the Orange railroad and the
branch n lv INF IN s,,to nj
peake and Ohio canal. Confidence is felt that
it will become a great market for the coal
brought by the Cumberland boats to be shipped
to Eastern ports. 1t does also heavy business
in the expectation Of flour and grain. The an.
terprse of the Alexandrians would make this nm
important commercial port had they the neces.
sary capital to put to account the natural ad-
vantages of their position.
Here ends my tour. The nature of nv bust.
ness gave me considerable opportunity to Judge
of the feelings and disposition of the Southern
people. have sketched from memory, as I
took no notes. If errors should be perceived
in my pencling by those better informed. 7
trust they will be indulgently overlooked.
had much opportunity also to form correct
estimate of that delicate domestic institution.
Southern savery--an institution recognised and
guaranteed to the South by the Constitution.
and which the Abolitionists have of late pre-.
sumptuously as well as mischievously medded
with, thereby disturbing the peace and harmo-
ny of our beloved country. I was led to the
conviction that the slaves were kindly treated
and contented The free negroes of the North
will not compare as respects comfort and con.
tent with the slaves of the South. Observation
conclusiyey proves that there are sections of
the Southern country in which, from the in.
tensty of the heat the whites cannot Go out
door labor without sure destruction to their
physical constitution; on the contrary the Afri-
can race do not suffer from such exposure.
Their constitutions seem admirably fitted by
Providence for labor in such districts.
fondy hope that the fanatics referred to will
leave off agtating question over which they
have no legitimate control, especially as the
tendency Of their course is clearly calculated to
curtail the privileges and happiness of the race
in whose behalf they profess to feel so much
interest.
The Southern people possess morality and
benevolence sufficient to,cover all the response
bities and duties connected with their political
organizations and to them may be safely COM
mitted the care of this unfortunate race
Respectfully, D. nj.