The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-12-30
A. PLEASANT JAUNT OVER THE N
c. RAILROAD.
Correspondence Of the Petersburg Express.
Near the Agricultural Farm,
Petersburg, Dec. is.

numerous other friends, with whom had
spent several pleasant days in the great
commercial emporium of the Empire State
of the South. at Branchville, | was soon
landed at Kingsville, the Southern terminus
of the Wilmington and Manchester Rail
road, where, again changing cars, | pro-
ceeded on to Columbia, the seat of govern
ment of South Carolina. Before arriving at
the latter place the country changes, and
instead of low, fat swamp and pine barrens,
it is gently undulating and the soil is more
| productive. Here commences another
railroad, known as the Columbia and Char
lotte Railroad, terminating at the latter
place, in Mecklenburg county, \. c. This
road is nearly all in South Carolina, only
about nine miles being in the Old North
still, its President is a North Carolinian, re-
siding in Charlotte. l had the pleasure of
forming his acquaintance, and found him to
be an intelligent and polite gentleman,
whose praise was in every ones mouth. He
is devoted to the interests of the work over
which he presides and gives it his whole
time, and is now actively employed in hav-
ing relaid with heavy iron the track of his
road-having secured the services of the
! interchangeable Rhodes, so long in the service
of the Raleigh and CASTOR, and more
Gently in the North Carolina Central Road.
had almost forgotten to tell you that his
name is johnson, and of the numerous fam
lily bearing that appellation, it has never
| been my fortune to meet with one whom |
regard as his superior.
We arrived in Charlotte, n. c., the birth
P. NJ, and after securing lodgings et first
rate hotel, which everywhere abound within
the limits of the Old North State; accompa-
MED by several gentlemen of the place,
who kindly volunteered to show us the sights
among whom was our friend Parks, who
had the honor of sitting as the Vice Presi-
dent of his State in the Commercial Con-
yention at Savannah, and is also the Mayor
of Charlotte, / sauntered forth in quest of
adventure.
| First, was shown the spot upon which
the old Court House formerly stood, under
whose roof was first proclaimed the NJ OK
lenburg Declaration of independence, which
preceded that of the United States by 45
days, beirg promulgated on the Goth May,
1776, signed by IS of the patriot citizens of
that county, whose names and characters
deserve, and will receive throughout all
time, the respect and generation of every
loyal son of North Carolina. Many of their
descendants are still living in the State, and
are among her most honcred sons, of whom
may be named the Hon. VIM. A. Graham.
The goth May is annually celebrated in
North Corolna, and efforts are being made
to erect a suitable monument upon the site
of the old Court House, to hand down to
postcrity the memory of the event which
there occurred. The language of this de-
claration is so similar to the one of the U.
States that many persons suppose that Mr..
Jefferson must have seen it, and adopted
not only the sentiment but the language
Proceeding farther, I was shown the site
of Queens College, not vestige of which
now remains; but in it's place is large pri-
waite mansion, shaded by grove of beaut-
full oaks, occupied until recently by
grandson of one of the immortal %, whose
house was the seat of refined and princely
hospitality, which will long be remembered
by these whose good fortune it was to enter
its open doors.
1t was in Charlotte that Gen. Gates last
order was issued as commander of the
Southern army, when he was superseded by
Gen. Greene. That order was dated Bird
December, 1880.
Here, also, is a Branch Mint of the u.
States, erected during the administration of
Gen. Jackson and Mr.. Van Buren,, of which |
Col. Wheeler was appointed first superin- |
tendent. 1t was here that lie first made
himself famous by the display of his exqui- |
site taste and ingenuity in embellishing and |
adjoining the MINT his paidtiaL residence,
which no doubt caused his merits to become
more prominent, and ultimately made him |
an envoy extraordinary and minister pleni-
potentiary to Nicaragua, under the present |
administration. Proceeding farther, was !
shown by the polite owner. DR.. Andrews, |
his valuable cabinet of minerals and fossils. |
1t is the most extensive and valuable one in |
the South, and does great credit to its own
er, who has been at great pains and expense !
in collecting the materials. / understand |
that Davidson College wishes to buy it, and |
| should suppose would not hesitate, as the |
price asked by the DR.. is, think, hardly |
one half its value
The country around Charlotte is remark
ably healthy and the lands rich as indeed |
is the case with almost the whole country |
through which the Central Railroad runs
On the morning of the 18th inst, at o.
clock, having enjoyed good nights rest,
at the sound of the whistle l was again
seated in one of the elegant coaches of the
North Carolina Railroad of North Carolina,
presided over at present by Mr.. Fisher, and |