Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-05-29
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE ENQUIRER.
WASHINGTON, May 10Th 1866.

ENaO1n6us
WASHINGTON, May 10Th 1866.
Aessrs. Miller & Melton.
GENTLEMEN:-Since my last letter, dated ut
Petersburg Virginia, have spent several days
very pleasantly in that place and in Richmond, and
have, in strolling around, collected together a
multitude of new things which, were to dot them
down, would doubtless be of interest to your many
readers. But feel little inclined to the task this
evening, and will write only to fulfill promise.
Petersburg is growing very rapidly. The popu-
laton of the city now numbers $4,000; and the
munication with sections Of the country at every
point of the compass, bringing wealth to CONNER
cinl men and activity and life to all interests prom
ise to it far greater expansion in the future
You will perhaps be surprised to learn that large
amount of cotton is shipped to that market every
year, and at times the extensive warehouses ore
filled with the great staple to repletion. It is also
the mart for the varied productions of middle and
southern Virginia, the Northwestern portion of
North Carolina, and large tract of country to
the west. The city derives not an iuconsiderable
Importance too, from its manufacturing interests,
of which it has large variety in the shape Of
glass works, Touring mills, machine-shops, and
cotton establishments, oil Of which are conducted
on an extensive scale. There are several fine
churches in Petersburg, the Presbyterian, Meth
odist, Baptist and Episcopalian. The first named
church, am told, cost near $50, 900; and the
Episcopalian, now in process of erection, will
reach an expense of at least $4,000. To US sim
pie backwoodsmen, these amounts seem to be al
most fabulous. The people are hospitable, high
toned, moral and thrifty and the city bids fair to
become place Of abiding Importance.
At FIVE o'clock in the afternoon, We left on the
cars for the city of Richmond, distance Of about
20 miles, where we again made pause in our
journey. In this metropolis there are many at
tractive sights to be seeu not the least interesting
of which are the magnificent public grounds and
the venerable Capitol, which yet tells much for
the elevated taste of the age which saw its founda-
tions laid, and which could not now, after lapse
of si1ty-fve years.. be greatly improved upon
Every apartment is commodious and appears to
have been built for convenience, and yet not
whit is tletracted from the fine appearance Of the
whole. The Capitol is adorned by the statuary
of Virginias most distinguished and bestowed
sons, the noble Washington and the eloquent Hen
ry, who with their compeers launched the ship
upon an untried waste of waters, and combating
ignorance, prejudice and biting necessity, met
and conquered the most powerful energy on earth.
Well may the good old mother of States and states
men seek thus to preserve the memory of such
her children, from whom the fire of true eloquence
and the genuine glow Of heaven-born patriotism
may be caught and reflected down to the latest
generation. Richmond is a noble city. The memo
ries which invest her ore sufficient to impart an
ever-endurng and resplendent beauty, which is not
diminished by the gay, intelligent and wealthy
throng THAT crowds her streets, or her many
and high toned institutions, the best guarantee Of
future prosperity and success. We were kindly
welcomed to genial, pleasant and hospitable
home and after most agreeable season left the
capitol of the Old Dominion with real regret.
A swift ride brought US to the Potomac, where
We embarked on o steamboat at about eleven
o'clock P. NJ, and after few hours, unmarked