Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-01-08
yf(istellaneors,
CHARLOTTE, N. C.

~
press, travelling over the N. G. Railroad,
writes thus about Charlotte
Mr.. Editor: Having parted with you
and 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 Railroad,
where, again changing cars, l proceeded on
to Colombia, the seat Of government of South
Carolina. Before arriving at the latter place
the country changes, and instead of low, fiat
swamp and pine barrens, it is gently undula-
ting and the soil is more productive. Here
commences another railroad, known as the
Columbia and Charlotte Railroad, termina-
ting at the latter place, in Mecklenburg
county, y. c. This road is nearly all in
South Carolina, only about nine miles being
in the Old North; still, its President is
North .Carolinian, residing in Charlotte. /
had the pleasure of forming his acquaintance,
and found him to be au intelligent and po-
lite gentleman, whose praise was in every
ones mouth. He is devoted to the interests
of the work over which he presides, and
gives it lis whole time, and is now actively
employed in having relaid with heavy iron
the track of his road-haviDg secured the
services of the indefatigable Rhodes, so long
in the service of the Raleigh and Castor,
and more recently in the North Carolina
Central Road [ had almost forgotten to
tell you that his name is johnson, and Of
the numerous family bearing that appellation,
it has never been my fortune to meet with
one of whom regard as his superior.
We arrived in Charlotte, N. c., the birth
place of American Independence, about +,
P. NJ, and after securing lodgings at first
rate hotel which everywhere abound within
the limits of the Old North State accompa-
uied by several gentlemen of the place, who
kindly volunteered to show US the sights, a.
mong whom was our friend Parks, who had
the honor of sitting as the Vice President
of his State in the Commercial Convention
at Savannah, and is also the Mayor of Char
lotte, sauntc.ed forth in quest Of adven-
ture.
First. was shown the spot upon which
the old Court House formerly stood, under
whose roof was first proclaimed the Neck
lenburg Declaration of Independence, which
preceded that of the United States by 45
days, being promulgated on the 10Th May,
1776, signed by 25 of the patriot citizens of
that county, whose names and characters de-
serve, and will receive throughout all time,
the respect and veneration of every loyal
son of North Carolina. Many of their de-
scendants are still living in the State, and
are among her most honored sops, Of whom
may be named the Hon. VIM. A. Graham.
The 2Oth May is annually celebratedin North
Carolina, and efforts are being made to erect
suitable monument upon the site of the old
Court House, to hand down to posterlty the
memory of the event which there occurred.
The language of this declaration is so similar
to the one of the U. States that many per-
SONS suppose that MIR. Jefferson must have
seen it, and adopted not only the sentiment
but the language.
Proceeding farther, was shown the site
of Queens College, not vestige of which
now remains but in its place is large prl-
vate mansion, shaded by a grove of beautiful
oaks, occupied until recently by grandson
of one of the immortal 25, whose house was
the seat of the refined and princely hospitali-
ty, which will long be remembered by those
whose good fortune it was to enter Its open
doors.
1t was in Charlotte that Gen, Gates last
eraer MAS issued a. commander Of the South