Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-06-13
For the Standard.
For the StanualU'
FORTUNES FORK, MADISON PARISH, La, :
NV ord 1877

MAY 28d, 1857. .
MEssRs EDIroRs wrote to you last from Huo?,
in this parish. On Wednesday last, 1 came to this
place, settled and named by the then owner and
proprietor but now lamented, Junius Amis, FORM
erly of Northampton county, North. Carolina. His
estimable and accomplished relict, the daughter Of
the late Governor Hawkins of our good old State,
succeeds to the inheritance and the management OF
this prncey estate, which consists Of what is called
the Banner Place" situated on the Walnut bayou,
and occupied by about ninety slaves, and of For
tunes Fork so>called because the Brushy and Wal
nut bayous here come together and containing about
one hundred and ninety slaves. These are about
the most fertile and valuable plantations in this
ceedingly productive region, yielding for their intel
ligent and accomplished proprietress, upwards of
$500 bales of cotton besides an abundance of corn,
pork, &C., every year. When Mrs. Amis was obIs-
ed, by lamentable dispensation of Providence, to
the charge of this immense estate, its iab'l-
tiles amounted to more than 500 900, which by her
superior skill and extraordinary judgment she has
already lquidated, and is prepared to purchase
another farm. She presides at the mansion with
queen-ke dignity, and dspenses its elegant hospi-
taties with a gracefulness and ease which would do
honor to the White House at w Washington. For my
SELF know not whether have enjoyed more the
luxurics and delcacies of the table or the refine
ment and conversation of the domestic society. 1t
has been to me the most pleasant visit that have
made since left the "Old North-State." Ny stay
here, for several days. has proven indeed, "a feast
of reason and flow of soul" to the care-worn and
ay.wOrn traveller.
On yesterday ] paid mournful visit to the tomb
of my excellent and lamentcd friend, Junius Amis.
He was esteemed in this country for those rare vr-
tues and endowments which SO greatly endeared him
to the people of his native State. You knew him,
did l. possess one of the finest inteects that
fourished in North Carolina, which, united to
an excellent heart and most sprightly disposition,
made him the very soul and life of society wherever
he moved. There could be no dizziness or inanity
where he enliven ed the social circle with his refined
wit and intellectual converse. He was, too, CHAIR
table to the poor, as well as hospitable to all.
have frequently almost envied him his inimitable
powers of entertainment, which enabled him to
throw halo of enchantment around the festive
board and rendered him one of the most universal
ly popular that I knew His deeds of
benevoence and his example of charity can never
cease to exert salutary influence upon the minds
and hearts of those with whom he was associated
whilst upon earth, and the circumference of them
can never die.
"These shall resist the empire of decay,
When time is DER and worlds have passed away;
Cold in the dust the per shed heart may lie,
But that which warmed it once can never die
On Monday last, went over to Vcksburg, for the
purpose of participating in the dinner compliment.
tary to the Hon. Jefferson Davis The day was I'M
proptous but the crowd immense, and the
feast gorgeous and luxurious. 1t was, indeed, ga
welcome home," worthy of Mississippans, and wor.
thy of their distinguished guest. felt a strang.
err unit: the Usage of Br;erfield as he is termed
here, arose to speak, when l was at home and in
the right pew" 1t was of the best speeches
that ever listened to, comprising as it did com
plete and triumphant vindication of the policy and
measures of the late administration, and breathing
throughout spirit of true Southern feeling and
manly independence which commended it and its
author to my heartfelt sympathy and highest re.
gard His eulogy of Calhoun was one of the finest
tributes to the memory of that illustrous statesman
that ever heard and pierced my very soul. Itsl,
at home moD for "a fellow Wheeling makes US ~on
drous kind" But refer you to The papers for 9
report of the admirable speech and of the sayings
and doings this interesting occasion
| Yours truly, BEAUMARCHAIS.