The southern press., 1852-05-01
WA HlnGTon, March 8,

Msasrs. EOfToRs PreSuming that q bFje
notice Of . few places through which passst
in q recent Southern tour would not be unac
ceptabIe to your readers, here with communi
cate it,
took passage from this city on The steam
boat Mount Vernon, at 8 o'clock, A. NJ, the gen
tIemanly attention of whose commander, will
the beautiful scenery Of the Potomac, smade-tht
trip to AQUA Creek, where we arrived in three
hours, quite agreeable. There taking the Rich
mond railroad, we reached the pretty little towI
of Fredericksburg, fourteen miles from the 20
tomac, in less than an hour Five o'clock found
us at the State capital, Richmond A porto.
of the teritofy trayersed by this road is sterile
while another portion lies waste, having been
worn out by improper culture.
Richmond lies on the north side Of James
river, at the head OF navigation, and has pop
suation OF 10000. Several large rolling and
Touring milsand cotton factories are in opera
ton here, ali Of which are driven by water, OF
which motive power d superabundance is furn-
ished by the Kanawha and James river canal
An extensive basin has been made within the
city limits, which is surrounded by warehouses
to receive the produce brought from the upper
country through thecanal. Tobacco and wheat
are its principal staples Of trade both Of which,
after being manufactured, are exported to other
parts. The bu mess part Of the city lies along
the river. The interior of the place, which oc-
cupies All elevated plain, and is built up with
rich and tasteful private dwellings, greatly re-
semb.es the beautiful heights of our neghbor
city Georgetown. The State capitol, a fine
structure, modelled upon the maison caryee at
Nismes, overlooks the city and river. In tie
rotundo of this building is a statue of Wash
ington, represented to be the most perfect Ike
ness of that lInstrous man in the world. A
magnificent monument of The hero is also being
erected in the ada -ent grounds. The COVER
nors residence near by is also a conspicuous
editice.
The natural advantages Of this place give
promise that it will hereafter occupy a promi-
nent position among the cities of the Union.
Indeed, the State Of Virginia has more natural
advantages than any other in the Union. Her
coal and iron, as well as water power, are prac-
tically inexhaustible but her citizens have
hitherto been somewhat deficient in enterprise,
SO that they have not been largely developed.
A railroad of twenty-five miles takes you to
Petersburg, beautiful city, with population
of fifteen thousand souls. Its energetic cit
zens are pushing railroads into every section of
the State, with a view to concentrate the pro-
duce and travel of the interior upon that point
Considerable rivalry exists between this place
and Richmond TO secure the Western business
Petersburg has a favorable position, owing to
its fine watcr-power and easy access to the
ocean, Being situated in a tobacco-growing
region, large amounts of this staple are brought
to its market, to be manufactured and shipped to
other ports 1t has within its limits large cot
ton factories and flour mills, driven by water
power, of which there is an abundant supply
for many more.
At eight o'clock, p M, we took the cars for
Weldon, North Carolina, and Wilmington. AT.
ter nights ride we came, at seven A. NJ, on the
day, to Goldsborough This road is
we'll constructed, has but few curves, and il
almost level, so that the motion of the cars was
barely observable The speed, too, was good,
averaging twenty miles per hour so that our
iron pony brought us to Wilmington at ten
o'clock A. NJ. where we were transferred to
substantial steamer bound to Charleston, South
Carolina Our passage down the Cape Fear river
andthe ocean was pleasant BEAUTIFUL moonlight
night and calm weather overcame the fears of
those who had never been on the ocean before
while the efficient performance of the boat and
the skill of her officers, contributed to render
agreeable our trip of fifteen hours or so to that
far famed and hospitabe city. The approach
to Charleston reminds one of that into New
York by the Narows. This place is clearly
destined TO become the commercial emporium Of
the Southeastern portion of the Union. 1t is
connected with the ocean by beautiful bay OF
nine miles in width II is now large depot for
the principal staple Of the State-cotton-
which il ships TO the Northern cities and Eu.
rope The appearance of the buildings Is not
speciallyinviting, owing to the inferior quality
OF the bricks of which they are built, (the clay
they are made from being of bad quality,) and
TO the salt atmosphere from the ocean. 1t con.
tains, however, large amount of superb and
snowy private residences. The general de.
pertinent Of its citizens is frank, courteous, and
unpretending. a man is valued in Charleston
according TO his intrinsic merit wealth, unac.
companied by good character, not being suffi.
Gent g. command respect A reverence for
religious institutions is conspicuous among the
citizens of this refined and intelligent city. The
Sabbath is strictly observed aud the various
churches well attended. Sullivan's, and other
smaller islands interpreted through the bay.
crowned with forts, present a captivating pros
pect. The churches, particularly the chief
Episcopal one, Of costly order. I was toll
one of the steeples Of that cdlfice cost $50 600
Ou tne SCUM ti0c Oh tne cry Is inc battery, 10
which the citizens resort in the evening 10 enjoy
he sea breeze, and which is really refreshing
spot. A large military school, State institu.
ton, is located in this city.
Itook passage from this agreeable tom in a
magnificent steamer for savannah There are
two water-routes between those cities, one col.
lowing the sounds that are formed by the nu.
mcrous islands along the coast, the other by the
ocean direct. a nights sail brought Us ia view
Of The Savannah river, and at seven A. NJ. We
were al the city. The land bordering that
river is low, and subject to inundaiion. Sasan.
nah lies about eighteen miles from the ocean.
on a high bluff, aud is beautifully hid out The
streets are of great width, intersecting each
other at right angles. AZ intervals Of every
four squares Is public square, an arrangement
which contributes greatly 70 The health OF It's
citizens. The population OF the place is about
ffecn thousand. II is a large depot for cotton
and lumber from the interior, arriving by the
river and railroad for foreign expectation. The
lumber milling Is carried on very extensively. as
the article commands the best prices in the
Wet lnd,oa and San 4. Arnr,can market.