Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-04-15
washington Correspondence.


to preside over the War Department has lately bee,
guilty OF as arbitrary an abuse Of power was ever prsc
tced in free country Is one which not only invade
private rights but will materially affect the general comfor
Of the community, and particularly the citizens
Virginia.
When Mr.. Conrad was Secretary of War he granted Il
the proprietor Of Old Point Comfort the privilege Of enar
gng the buildings at that place according to specific,
plan This grant made with the full appreciation
General Bankhead the Commandaut Of the post and ae
personal inspection of the premises 6y the Seerstar,
hnnseJ Both OF these gentlemen fully satisfied
that the interests Of the Government would DO al
affected by the proposed enlargement, but the
rsry, that 1t would be highly promove Of the comor,
those stationed at the Fort.
No sooner, however, the regus of power placed
In the hands of Free Soil sympsthising Union hating
Locooco Secessons than the grant revoked
without any regard for the pghted word Of the Govern
men or for the rights of individual parties The princi
pal assigned for this unjust arbitrary
hmsy and contemplate that is impossible to believe
that he not influenced by other motives than
regard for the public interest The revocation defend
cd the ground that the proposed buildings mask the
guns OF the Fort This pretext is perfectly absurd On.
y two three point in that direction and
utterly useless Tor purposes OF defence They have
been mounted and would not be even in time OF war
there is not more than six feet water, aud
vessels OF greater tonnage than the ordinary cra
able to float.
Very strenuous efforts have been made to induce the
Secretary reconsider his action but he persists in
obstibacy and turns deaf the convincing
guneus The entire Virginia deegat both the Sen.
ate aud the House. have, with cvmmendable propriey
united Ill remonsrancc against this urus abuse
hority and have zeiously urged favorable decs.
iou They represented that It a matter OF general
State concern aud conferred mere local benefit But
their united efforts OF avail aud proved insult
Gent TO conquer his pr,udices aud bgo,ed
stinacy.
The effect Of the Secretarys course must oe necessity
be highly pr,judcia TO the interests OF the State. 1t the
contemplated enlargement Of the buildings Old Point
had been authorized that pleasant watering place oud
have been able in future accommodate satisfactorily the
entire travelling public oil the South. As II is however
Southern gentlemen will be forced hereafter their
families the North, where they will be 1posed to The
insults OF inso.nt free negroes aud be compelled TO sit
the table and breathe the with the vest
abolouists. Their purses will be drained build up
and sustain Northern enterprise, and their children be
contaminated by the corrupuug influences of Northern
association II different course bad taken by the
Secretary how different would have been the result A
spacious and delightful summer would have been
provided, where thousands from the various SouthcI
States might annually have met aud exchanged those
courteses of social intercourse delightful in themselves
and generally productive Of good The receipts OF our
railroad and steamboat companies would be greatly in
creased aud the agricultural capacities of the section
country contiguous Old Point be highly stimulated by
the unusual demand for productions of every kind But
owing TO the perverseuess and obstinacy of Southern ~
Secretary all these benefits must be foregone and
must still remsin in pleasures tributary the
North. What his motive for such conduct can read.
ily be conjectured. IL either a disposition to
nuliy the act OF Wing predecessor, it prompted
by desire conciliate still further the free soil party.
There is nothing in this latter supposton all
CANT. few months ago, he thrust himself before the
public in very uudgned manner, for the purpose OF
defending the Brgiders free soil appointments and il is
well known that his sympshies and good wishes with
that class OF politicians. Certainly, his present
shows Southern feeling, and is precisely such
the most bitter antslayey would desire Old Point
the only watering place the Atlantic south Mason
and Dixon's line and if that is destroyed large OF
Southern money must annually be spent the North by
those who are compelled TO seek bathing during the
summer
In another point of view this act Of the Secretary
highly reprebcnsble On the faith of the original grant
OF Mr. Conrad, the proprietor OF the Point entered into
numerous contracts which he will be unable full
ri, and which must necessarily involve him in pecu
mary loss THUS, to all ntents and purposes the Govern
men has repudiated its solemn obligations and inflicted
injustice upon private rights Would any Southern
eitenin OF standing, disconnected with this miserable
administration have thought of perperang SO Ia,
! grant outrageS
The Virginia delegation have acted throughout this
AFFAIR III the most becoming manner. Senator Mason ia
particular, has been earnest in his endeayors
tect the interests OF the State aud the rights of her
zens 10 TO be hoped Eat the subject will be brought
to the attention of Congress aud attempt De made
reouke as shameless abuse OF power ever ptac
ticed under the most despotic dynasty.
In commenting few days ago upon the total disregard
o. the Virginia delegation to the late instructions the
legislature, was led into error which, rs an act Of
The raso proper 10 correct. have since learned that
nv Mr. Fntnaf Assembly were presented to the House
p1opr;,t. Coi;, an his motion, referred to ap
| fF'" - afforded.