The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-07-01
Our Riohmead Corresp.udsnes.
RICHMOND. (vA.) June 28, 1853.
Trip from Nsso York in the Steamship yamestown-
Virginia Hospitality.

RICHMOND. VA.) June 28, 1858.
Trip from Nsso York tn the Steamship yamestown-
Virginia Hospitality.
Having composed one Of the party who came on
from New York in the magnificent steamship James
town. and thinking some Of the incidents of our voy-
age may not be undressing to you, send you
herewith an extract from the log book kept on
board and ashore from tho time of cur leaving New
York till our arrival at Richmond We left New
York few minutes after four o'clock on Saturday
afternoon, in company with the steamships Florida
and Marion, with whom we kept company until mid
night, and at breakfast time the next morning were
in sight of the shores of Virginia. The sea was as
smooth as mirror. and our noble steamer was walk
ing the water at the rate Of fifteen miles per hour
which brought us to Old Point Comfort at two O'clock
and at bafpast three o'clock we were alongside the
wharf in Norfolk-having performed distance of
$40 miles in twenty-three hours and half,
averaging nearly fifteen miles per hour, which at sea
is considered fast. We could have been in an hour
or two earlier had our engineer put the jamestown
up to the speed; but we came under low steam all
the way. At Norfolk large concourse Of people
had assembled to the ship We left at daylight
the next morning, and as soon as we entered James
river Capt. Parrish ordered the English ensign with
just two hundred and forty-six years ago. had gone
up that river for the first time, with Capt. John
Smith, and the first English settlers who founded
the colony Of jamestown. On arriving at James
town, q large party disembarked, and went on shore
to look at the beautiful ruins, overgrown with
moss and ivy After looking at the church and examn
ing the cid tombstones took shelter the shade
ofone of those rugged elms and drank to the memory
of Capt John Smith in bumper Of iced Hcidsick
and clicquot. None Of the Smith family being pre-
sent to respond to the toast, we each took brick
from the old church, (none of US carried them
in our hats, howeverD and went on board the
steamer. In another hour we were at Clare
mont, the residence of William Allen, ESQ.,,
the owner Of the jamestown estate, and some three
or four others on James river, in all about thr-
~ thousand acres. Mr.. Aliens beautiful yacht
Breeze, was anchored in the 0ffing, dressed out
in all her colors, and fred salute we came up,
which was promptly returned FROM steamer. Mr..
Allen then came of in his cutter rowed by six color
ed seamen, portion of his five hundred slaves and
was received at the gangway by Captain Parrish,
who introduced him to the company, whom he in
vited on shore. Mr.. Allen is a young man of some
twenty three or four years Of age of progressing
appearance, modest and retiring in his manner but
at the same time exceedingly cordial. In few
moments we felt acquainted with him. and our
company to the number of seventy eighty accept
ed his invitation to go on Shore After landing on
the beach we had to ascend q slight hill, which
brought us in view OF the mansion and from the nu-
merous awnings in sight soon discovered we were
to have q fete chompetre. We were escorted to the
house and introduced to the fair hostess and her
numerous vsiters, the ladies of the neighborhood,
and after looking at the old family portraits
and some beautiful statuary, we scattered in
every direction the plantation some going to
the negro quarters, others to the harvest fields,
and others to the woods to gather wild flowers and
blackberries, &C. At two o'clock several carriages
were seen approaching the house, and upon looking
at them they drove up discovered my old friend
| Father Rltchie who had driven over with his family
from Brandon, neighborng estate belonging to his
| daughter, Mrs. Harrison who had kindly sent an
invitation to stop at Brandon, on our way up the
| river, which were compelled to decline rs our
time so limited We were then invited to artake
of the deicacies provided by our host spread upon
four large tables on the lawn; but as have already
tired you doubt with this prosy letter, will not
attempt to give description Of the tables, but will
only mention few OF the ornamental dishes, such
| apricots and cherries, raspberries and ices, pyra
| mids OF cakes champagne grape, &c, and leave
you TO imagine the substantias, such as Virginia
| hams, sheephead, &c At four o'clock we embarked
again and after giving three times three cheers were
happier party, you never saw. At City Point we met
another delegation inviting to Petersburg, but as
| the tide was falling on the Constitutional bar
| below Richmond, We had only time to breach few
more bottles OF champagne toll the bell, and take
| hasty adieu. We reached Richmond about ten
| o'clock last night, AID to day the New York ship
has been thronged with admirng visiters. | had
intended giving you description of this ship. but
must refer you to Capt VIM. Skiddy, her architect
for her dimensions and interior arrangements Suf-
flee il to say that she has excited universal admra
ton, and AZ sea steamer is regarded the per-
lection OF strength, convenience, comfort and beauty
N. N.