Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-12-10
Prom ae "frirdts Correspendeaesef Ddnisi Webster
MR.. WEBSTER IN VIRGINIA.
STEAMBOAT CURTIS PEck, JANIS RIVER,
Forty miles below Richmond,

fofty miles below Richmond,
April 81, 1852 o'clock A. NJ
Dear Mrs. Paige: We left Washington yesterday
morning Tor home, commencing journey by a little
trip through the lower part OF Virginia But we have
constantly regretted that had postponed our de-
parture till spring. We find winter travelling in these
parts very dsagrceabc The clear and bright to-
day, but the weather quite cod aud all the
from the saloon OF the boat because il ought be
weather. Nc. Seaon and Mr.. William A. Bradley accom-.
panied u.s. and Mary Scott as far as Richmond.
James River IS u fine stream for steamboats,; have
never been IL before. Ii is crooked like all other
rivers which creep through meadows level countries
and the alluvia lands its banks rich Further
they grow thinner and poorer. Here were the ancient
arisocatc families planted from which the saving
still in use and always laughed at "Frst Families in
Virginia. az. r. "" These great estates were brok-
up by the abolition Of the right Of prinogenure which
took place aer the Revolution. The great houses
remain many of them but half deserted and dcsoa the
estates divided sold horscracng and hunting done
WITH fallen into vulgar hands and the ancient and
afluent hospitality Of Virginia known no more
In the meantime the preverse practice OF tobacco PLAN
ting out and impoverished the lands and they
only recovering under the better husbandy OF
wheat growing At the moment Of writing this the boat
is passing the handsome house and large estate OF Mr. Hill
Carter Ii the of the ancient family OF that name
distinguished in Virginia The original proprietor it is
said possessed of fifty thousand Of rich land in
body SO much has been retained that the present
owner is independent and aiucnt He is a good farmer
planter sensible and thrifty man. prosperous gen
teman, and witha one Of the best Wings in the State
The place is called shirley" Mr.. Garter has ten chill
dren that shirley of the last great landed prop.
critics long, probably be laid of in parcels for
sale, or for separate properties
The law OF pHmogeniture never prevailed fully in the
northern colonies Yet there resemblances OF
it. In some OF the States the oldest entitled 70
double portion of the estate. The last instance re-
member of this Mr. Jabez Smith, whom Mr.. Paige rc
members and who had double share in the high and
handsome hill farm, two miles from "Ems Farm" aud
which you passed over when drove up the South
Road to give Mrs Worcester alias Pettingae the pleas
ure Of seeing "Swevt William" once more
No wealth. but wealth in land he from,
generation TO generation for any length tme and that
species OF wealth cannot be transmitted it is evident
in country where estates divided equally among chill
dren both and daughters have one effect ve-
obvious and prominent resulting from the former state
of things in Virginia and which is still quite dscernble
II is an uncommon and eager appetite for employment
the army and navy Every young man so provided for
another subdivision of the pstrmonia property and
as young men in this region bred business so
generally with this be of the chief re.
sources Tor maintaining the cadet of old and decayng
lies Virginia has always had and has now VASTLY more
than her just proportion OF officers ia the AID navy
and as she has ha' through great part Of the last If
years the Executive Government in her hands she has
taken good care OF herself in this well in other res
poets.
While writing this pass "Burkeley" the seat Of the
Harrison family Benjamin Harrison, OF the gner OF
the declaration OF Independence lived here; aud here
President Harrison was born. Henry HARRISON desccn-
dant now lives in the family mansion. LADY, who sits
in the saloon with u.s. aud who showed Us the house OBJ
served that great many pieces OF the old had been
sold.
The first settlers of Virginia were cavaliers adyentur
abroad for fortune. They cared little for trade or
commerce their objects immense grants of land
aud large plantations. Their boau ideal OF human hap
pness landed arsocracy though it rere an untitled
aristocracy. Mechanic and employment they utter
y despsed The nature of the labor employed on their
estates led 10 this, well other Traits in their
character. Their workshops were in England and Mr.
Jefferson IN ono of his earlier publications exhors bis
countymen to let their work shops remain in Europe"
Every gentlcmlns wardrobe supplied by the semi.
annual arrival Of ships iTGm England We even find
General Washington unfrequeny writing to give Or
ders Tor blue coats, buff waistcoats, and dcerskin
breeches."
Something Of this sort Of pride has been transmitted
om father to son. when there longer houses or lands
to transmit with. And here let my dsquisi,ion on Yr-
GINA stop.
We pass Westover, the residence Of the BIRD FAM
ny lately sold 10 pay debts and which brought nearly or
quite one hundred thousand dollars Five minutes later
We stop at Canons'" landing place. from which Mr.
Tylers house is two miles Off good house and fair
estate lately purchased twenty-five minutes alter ten
o'clock, ten miles below City Point" to which and no
higher large ships from the sea- IL i ut the
mouth OF the Appomattox.
II tomorrow were not Sunday, should land and 20
to Mr. Tylers and pass the day With no more approba
ton OF his public conduct in the latter part Of his admin
Straton than other Wings have yet softer feel
hgs towards MIN lie always showed me great kindness
ana especially, shall not forget the promptude with
which he came 10 Washington and put down edectualy
Mr. Z. j. lngersolTs attempt at defamation Nor shall I
cease to remember his in the tariff of 1912
or his steady and really able cooperation in as well as his
official sanction Of my poor labors in the treaty Of
washington. We send ashore civil note 10 Mr. and
Mrs Tyler Ere long shall pass old Jamestown the
Plymouth rock Of the South
But here will give both you and myself n respite
Mrs Webster sends great deal OF love and so does Cor
uea and hearing this Mr. Seaton adds his. we expect
to be in Norfolk at 4 o'clock. Adieu
ours, ancCtiOnatcly. DANfI WEngTEP