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

WAsHnaros, March ., 1852.
Messrs. EDIroRs: PresumiDg that a bseI
notice OF few places through which passed
in recent Southern tour would not be unac'
ceptable to your readers, | herewith communi.
| cate it,
/ took passage from this city on the steam
boat Mount Vernon, at 9 o'clock, A. M, the gen
tlemanly attention Of whose commander, with
the beautiful scenery of the Potomac, made the
trip to AQUA Creek, where we arrived in three
hours, quite agreeable There taking the Rich.
mond railroad, we reached the pretty little town
Of Fredericksburg, fourteen miles from the Po-
tomac, in less than an hour Five o'clock found
us ut the State capitol, Richmond. A portion
of the territory traversed by this road b 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
ulation of 10000. Several large rolling and
Touring mills and cotton factories are in opera
ton here, all of which are driven by water, of
which motive power a 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 the canal. Tobacco and wheat
are its principal staples of trade, both Of which,
after being manufactured, are exported to other
parts. The blu mess part OF the city lies along
| the river. The interior Of the place, which oc-
cupies an elevated plain, and is built up with
| rich and tasteful private dwellings,, greatly re-
sembles tho beautiful heights of our neighbor
city Georgetown. The State capitol, Il fine
structure, modelled upon the maison carree at
| Nismes, oveslooks the city and river. In u 9
rotundo of this building is statue of Wash
ington, represented to be the most perfect ke-
ness of that iustrious 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
ediiice.
The natural advantages of this place give
promise that it will hereafter occupy promi-
nent position among tho 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 rs water power, are prac-
tically inexhaustible; but her citizens have
hitherto been somewhat deficient in enterprise,
30 that they have not been largely developed.
A railroad of twenty-five miles takes you to
Petersburg,a beautiful city, with population
of fifteen thousand souls. Its energetic citi
zens are pushing railroads into every section of
the State, with view to concentrate tho 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 favorable position, owing to
it's fine water-power and easy access to the
ocean. Being situated in tobaccO-growing
region, large amounts of this staple are brought
to its market, to be nufactured and shipped 10
other ports. 1t has within its limits large cot.
ton factories and -four mills, driven by water
power, of which there is an abundant supply
for many more:
At eight o'clock, P. NJ, we took the cars for
Weldon, North Carolina, and Wilmington. AT.
ter nights ride we came, at seven A. NJ, on the
following day, to Goldsborough. This road is
well constructed, has but few curves, and is
almost level, 80 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. M. where we were transferred to
substantial steamer bound to Charleston, South
Carolina. Our passage down the Cape Fear river
andthe ocean was pleasant A beautiful moonlight
night and cal n 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 80 to that
'hI-louCO aiIu bOopteaOIC Clty. AUo uppIOaCu
to Charleston reminds one Of that into New
York by the Narrows. This place is clearly
destined to become the commercial emporium of
the South eastern portion of the Union. 1t is
connected with the ocean by Il beautiful bay of
nine miles in width. 1t is now large depot for
the principal staple of the State-cotton-
which it ships to the Northern cities and Eu.
rope. The appearance of the buildings is not
especially inviting, 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-
cient to command respect. A reverence for
religious institutions is conspicuous among the
citizens of this refined and intelligent city. The
Sabbath is strictly observed, and the various
churches we'll attended SulIivan's, and other
smaller islands in.erspersed through the bay,
crowned with forte, present captivating pros
pect. The churches, particularly the chief
Episcopal one, of costly order. | was told
one of the steeples of that edifice cost 100000
On the south side of the city is the Battery, to
WHICH tll0 CttIZeHS TeSOTt Ill VIC evening 10 0NJOy
the sea breeze, and which is really refreshing
spot. A large military school, State institu.
ton, is located in this city.
took passage from this agreeable town in a
magnificent steamer for Savannah There are
two wa.erroutes between these cities, one fol-
lowing the sounds that are formed by the nu-
merous islands along the coast, the other by the
ocean direct. A nights sail brought us in view
of the Savannah river, and at seven A. M. we
were at the city. The land bordering that
river is low, and subject to inundation. Savan-
nah lies about eighteen miles from the ocean,
on high bluff, and is beautifully laid out The
streets of great width, intersecting each
other at right angles. AT intervals of every
four squares is public square, an arrangement
which contributes greatly to the health Of its
citizens. The population of the place is about
ifteen thousand. 1t 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 exiensi ely, as
the article commands the best prices in the
West Indies and Sou h American markets.
The railroad thence to Macon reflects great