Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-11-02
Letters from the Editor.
WILMINGTON, October q.

Letters from the Editor.
WILMINGTON, October q.
We left our sanctum on the morning of the
oath, to attend the Grand Division at Will
mington. We took the Cars for Weldon,
which we reached by 10 O'Clock, ?. NJ, and
after partaking of an excellent Dinner at
Whitfeld's, took the Cars for Wilmington,
arriving there tolerably late in the night. A
friend met us at the Depot, and we soon found
ourselves comfortably CHARTERED in his pri-
vate domicile.
Having a day to spare before the meet
ing of the Grand Division, we busily en-
ployed ourself in looking around our North
Carolina Commercial Emporium, forming the
acquaintance of its enterprising and hospita-
bic citizens, looking at the shipping in port;
riding out on the Plank Roads, &c. There
is an air of activity among the Wilmington
people-busy, stirring, life-like, that infHses
energy into the looker-on despite himself;
and we were delighted to sec the signs of
Commercial prosperity visible all around u.s.
There is quite a large number Of Vessels
in the IIarbor at present, a great portion of
which, however, we were sorry to see IN "a bad
ly wrecked condition-there being now no
less than fifteen Craft that will have to BE re-
paired before ready for service again. The
prevalence of severe gales around she dan
gerous coast of North Carolina, require that
Congress should take immediate steps for
lessening the perils of the lives and property
of our hardy mariners. We we're on a YES
sci from Africa, having on board AN AnaeOn-
da said to be thirty-two feet long.
The Wharves are crowded with Naval
Stores-Turpentine, Rosin, Spirits THrpen-
tine-and not near enough Vessels t. carry
55 to IS cents per barrel being paid foe North
ern freights. The prices paying for Turpen-
tine is 81 for virgin dip, So IS for yelIOw dip,
and other Naval Stores at Corresponding
prices.
This is also a very extensive Lumber Mar
ket. We learn that the S steam mllBs fg OPP
Grafton here, turned out exceeding S0wE nail
lions feet each, making some 80 millions In
all, which at $18 per thousand gives some
thing upwards of five hundred and seventy
odd thousand dollars worth oftimber shipped
from Wilmington, beside the large szRbount
cut by the water mills and brought down the
river. .
Theirs is quite an extensive Machine Shop
and Foundry here, owned 10y Sutton, South
mayd & Co., for building and repair1mg En-
: gines, having in their employ some thjpty
; hands. This establishment is a credit to- the,
: State, and we are pleased to learn that It's
y enterprising Proprietors are driving a shui-
= wing business.
We looked in at the handsome Harness and
Saddlery Establishment of our friend j. J.
Connolly, and found his elegant and very su-
perior set of single Harness which took the
o highest premium at our State Fair, the OBJ
T. served of all observers, as it certainly de-
t. serves to be, for a better specimen of superb,
or skill and ~neatness can scarcely be found
any where in that branch of business. The
,r Harness sold for Sl25 directly after Its re
t turn to Wilmington. Mr.. Connolly Isas 6
n large variety of articles in his line, OF the
st most beautiful and superior character, and il
duly appreciated by the Wilmington puhAic
as a persevering, enterprising citizen.
u There are many other places we would b
- glad to notice, but have not time, except 10
= mention the large China Store of A. McRae
!. jr. 1t is indeed creditable to North Carroll
20 ma to have such an Importing house. w,
sincerely hope he may be literally sustained
Id The Grand Division of the Sons of Temper
ed ance commenced it's sessions in this place @,
en- the evening of the 25th. There is quite
nd large numbero of Representatives present, from
" Counties as far west as Mecklenburg, and ex
tending east to Pasquotank. The officers q
l the Grand Division for the ensuing year ar
as follow:
:. Charles F. Deems, of Greensboro, G. W. P
te Daniel S.. Hill, of Louisburg, G. w. A
to Alex. NJ. German, ofRaleigh, Grand Scribe
M VIM. NJ. johnson, of Alamance Co., G. tt
in Joseph j. Williams, of Pitt county, CIR. Cor
he A. Clark Harris, of Henderson, CIR. Ser
lc' Rev. Sam'l Pearce, of IIillsborough G. Char
~ The work before the Grand Division ha
: been cut out and referred to various Commi
I'd tees to report upon, but up to the time
TX writing this letter, no business Of general il
ow terest, except the election of officers, ha
are transpired.
en- The members of the Grand Division are e
ter t~ertained by the citizens of Wilmington,
P! their private houses, whose inequalities al
q, kindness will long be remembered by the fo
% tunatc recipients.
Rev. Peter Doub delivered an able Addre
:. in the Methodist Church, last night. 1t
Lo cogent and strong, as are all his efforts.
bo To morrow / will send you the later pl
ceedings of the Grand Division.