The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-06-25

c.use. in the appor,ionment OF the Distric
mxes, they had been, 10 measure, overlooked
| They dreaded the Virginia tax gatherer, not re-
] aec,;us that tho separation from The District
would necessarily induce the extension of the
Improvement system. and thereby enhance the
value of their property an hundred fold. We
hone they are convinced now that the view OPP.
posite 10 theirs was the right view. We learn
i from Gen. Richardson that Alexandria, and It's
dependent country, enter fully into the spirit
| OF the agricultural movement. and as the latter
has been somewhat celebrated OF late years
| for i,s improvements in agriculture, we hope
TO see it we'll represented here next TALL.
| Petersburg has also entered into the cause
| with s,nch spirit, and we learn that her sub
scription has been liberal one. Her depen'
dent country is noble one, and we trust It
| will not fall below the expectations which are
widely and generally formed.
Gen. R. has yet to visit the most famous OF
all the cattle raising districts OF Virginia. We
mean the great valley of the Allegheny, an
empire almost within itself. What the result
ia TO be, we have yet to learn; but the spirit is
fairly up. and we hope for brilliant finale.
RICHMOND, June Is, 1858.
DEAR SIR-I have been SO constantly on
the wing of late, that it has not been prac,i
cable to keep you "posted up" in the pro,
ceedipgs of the State Agricultural Society.
| Ii may be truly said that this Society has now
| for the first time, an organized and vigorous
existence. "rhe union of the" farmers "for
the sake of the farmers, being of vial im..
pertance, the Society has taken measures for
| canvassng the State as thoroughly as prac,-
cable with that view, and also for uniting with
il the mercantile and industrial classes as in>
cidentally interested in the cause. Ii has
made the terms of membership low enough to
enable all to become members, and has re
ceiyed prompt and liberal subscription from
| the merchants and mechanics SO far as they
have yet been applied to.
| The executive committee has determined
upon holding the first great cattle show ana
| fair in the city Of Richmond early in Novem-
Der, Immediately succeeding that al Baltimore,
and we have ascertained that there is within
convenient access TO this place, as much fine
stock 0vned in Virginia, as can be produced
any where-and which If sent forward as is
promised, will do credit to the State. But
the Society is anxious also TO have the contri-
buttons of our working mechanics from every
section of the State, and thereby to show, as
we think can be shown, that Virginia is unne
cessarily and culpabIy tributary TO other
States for what her own artisans can supply
as cheap and as good as any in the world.
We not only do not appear TO know what
we can debut we do not know what is actu
allv doing in the State. Our cities are in
stinct with enterprise-have each of them
their great lines Of Railroad in prOgress-pO-
pulaiion rapidly increasing, commerce and the
mechanic arts thrvDg-life, energy and acti-
witty pervading every thing. Yop are familiar
with the state of things in Richmond. and
therefore L need not stop TO speak OF it--but
in Petersburg-in Norfolk and in Alexandria
the evidences of enterprise, industry and pros.
perty meet one at every step. In Norfolk
saw among other things some OF the hand
soonest specimens of coach making in the ex.
tensive establishment of MIR. Thomas A
Mayer-and upon jocularly remarking to him
that an amphibious population had not, |
supposed, much occasion for riding carriages,
was surprised to learn, that in addition TO the
local demand, he had several depots for the
sale of carriages, one OF them in Richmond.
saw there also, as in other cities, beautiful
specimens of saddlery and other branches ofthe
mechanic arts.
Petersburg-the gallant Cockade city-al
ways in the van, appears TO be IN rapid
and healthful state of improvement. She has
made strong impression upon the subscrip-
ton list of the Society, and need not-will not
| am sure, fall below any Of her sister cities
| in the exhibition.
had not until last week, been in Alexan
dra for more than 90 years-of course not
since she got back to our old Mother--and so
great has been the improvement there, that
should never have known the place. The old
church was the only object recognized, and
even that bears the impress OF an Improvement
| b,o,s he
one of the streets. saw just ready to be run
on board vessel at the wharf near by, the
largest locomotive engine ha6 ever seen, ust
completed at the extensive establishment OF
Smith g. Perkins, in Alexandria, for the
Hudson Rirer Railroad. 1t weighs was
told, $4,000 lbs-cost $l0,5OO, and is con-
structed for burning coal instead of wood. A
friend introduced me to the public spirited
and intelligent propretors Of this gigantIc es.
tablishment, which far surpasses my power Of
description. | therefore send you as far bet
ter than any thing could give, slip cut
from the Alexandria Gazette. 1t is worthy a
place in every paper in this and the States
South, and hope you will find room for it.
Extensive additions are in progress by Messrs.
Smith & Perkins-and another large factory
of the same character will ere long be in
operation under the direction of Mr.. janet
, son, native of that city. In addition TO this,
a large steam mill is building on one Of the
; wharves-which will, when completed, be
: equal to or 800 barrels of -four per day. |
also saw the extensive cabinet factory of
Messrs. James Green & Son, which employs
from 140 TO $50 hands, and turns out as
beautiful furniture as the hand of man can
produce. Indeed Alexandria seems destined
! TO be great city, and by means of her Rail
roads and fine harbor. cannot fail, should
think, to command large trade which here
tofore has gone out of the State.
t As regards the state of agricultural improve
e ment, il seems to have awakened to a new
life. So far as | have yet had opportunities
> of observing, especially on the South side Of
: james River, it is great and growing-moving
steadily onward to a point of excellence
e never before reached, or even dreamed of.
. have seen this spring, in the course of nv ex.
- cursions, some of the best cultivation ever
le met with any where, and much regret thai
&, want of time put il out of my power to collect
be agricultural statistics, which in some places.
., especially in the country above Norfolk. INNS,
9 be seen TO be believed. The farmers there one.
a. rate upon quick and kindly soil easily cultiya.
he ted with the markets of Baltimore, Phiadelnh;a
is. and N. York, by means of the lines Of frs,
class steamefs-now at their very doors. The
''' amount returned to Norfolk for snr;ro an5