Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1858-08-14


At 81 p. NJ. we left Baltimore and pr ocesded
as far as Washington that day, taking the
steamer next morning for Alexandria, A miles
up the Potomac. From this point a new
and substantial road hos been constructed.
extending to Gordonsville, 80 miles, where it
intersects the great Virginia Central road,
76 miles from Richmond. The country be-
tween Alexandra and the Rappahannock,
distance of 81 miles. indicates anything but o
high degree Of cultivation. The corn crop,
with very few exceptions, is very thin and
mengre. This, however is the case nearly
all through western Virginia, on account oil
the droutb and what was new to me, ihe
oats crop has been, in some places, entirely
destroyed by rust. At Gordonsvllle We took
the cars OF the Virginia Central road, and
81 miles through fine agricultural country
brought US to Charlottesville, a handsome
town, containing about $500 inhabitants.
About one mile west Of the town is located
the University OF Virginia, established mainly
| through the influence of Mr.. Jefferson, the
great apostle Of Democracy, who took great
| interest in this institution to the close of bis
! life Could that eminent statesman rise from
the grave, and behold the perversion Of those
! principles he so dearly cherished, by some OF
our leading politicians, who profess to be his
followers, he would not fail to rebuke the
demngogucism by which men are raised to
posts of honor and profit, who, if tried with
the test originated by him, namely. ais be
honest is he capable {" would sink so low
that the hand Of resurrection would never
reach them. The main building Of the Uni
versity is surmouuted with handsome dome,
and the numerous other buildings for the
students and others, surrounded with numer.
Gus shade trees lends TO it an air Of comfort
and neatness most refreshing, especially du-
ring the heat of the summer solstce.
Abouta mils cast Of Charlottesville thereis or
eminence, of some two or three hundred feet
in height, rising almost like dome, which
upon inquiry, was pointed out to us, by
tall, muscular gentleman, about GO years o
age, plain and unassuming in his manner!
and dress, who had taken bis seat near us, u!
Monticello the home OF Jefferson, anC
almos. as sacred in the eyes Of Americans a
Mount Vernon" the home Of Washington
IN reply to our inquiry whether any of th'
descendants of Jefferson were now in posses
sion, he replied that it was owned aud occu
pied by au officer OF the Navy that Mr. Jei
, ferson had spent his whole estate in th
, service Of bis country, and that his descend
! 60 of IN choca
c the home of their immortal ancestor. IL
then stated that he, himself, might have pur
chased the property, which, with its fir
scenery and refreshing breezes was one Q
D the most delightful spots in Virginia, bu
: had not sufficient means to occupy il as b
: should like, in entertaining the numerous Wis
itors attracted thither, and added that b
- was Mr.. Randolph, the eldest grandson IN
!. executor of Mr.. Jefferson. In passing o
h old mill near the road, Mr. Randolph re
marked There is the mill about which
+ story had been got up, saying that after NJ
Jefferson had built it, he could not get th
:. water TO it," which he stated was not correc
h as it had been running many years. ! II
e uIuI heu tuut 1 WAC pieuseu W see TIE CuaEu'
l. ter Of Mr.. Jefferson indicated in regard I
-e his infdelity by Mr. Randall, in bis late Ii
% Of Jefferson. He remarked that Mr.. RAJ
is dall's book delineated the character and Ii
a. OF Mr.. Jefferson more truly aud correct,
fl than any other work published, and that NJ
Jefferson always had a deep veaeration f
y, the christian religion, and manifested gre
y regard for the principles it taught.
al About 20 miles west of Charlottesville '
lie found the speed Of the engine was GROWN
Il less ard less, on account Of the ascendir
" grade, which continued for ten or twel
miles as We neared the approaches of Il
famous Blue Ridge Tunnel. There are sc
;, ersl small tunnels on each side, before Il
', large tunnel is reached, which perforates Il
~ mountain probably 400 or 500 feet below
" summit. The approaches to the tunnel e
V hibt o series of the heaviest embankmeu
= and deep cuts that have ever seen. I'll
tunnel is over 1000 feet long. and was on
:, finished about year since, and was Gig
- years in building. 1t was constructed by Z
a | @'e'S " a. eh ca pSuSo pl' P'i hu
a million and half Of dollars. The mou
= tains here iuterlock each other in brok
,h order and the scenery is bold and grand |
:. yond description. Before the completion
= the tunnel the track was laid over the mou
- tain, with grades of 800 feet to the mi
:. Once through the mountain, you enter in
- western Virginia A few miles west Of t
, tunnel brought US 10 Staunton, ono of t
Oldest aud largest OF the towns in that pr
of the State. The population is about 3,5(
The town contains several handsome pub
institutions-the State Lunatic Asylum, q
ed the Asylum for the blind aud the deaf, /
lie shows no outward signs Of prosperity. T
lie road ia completed from Staunton, Gj mi
ed wes, to Jackson's river station almost
10. wilderness From that point / 0 miles
raj Coyington, the western terminus, the road
bis not yet completed. Here, the passens
ng for Covington aud the springs. were ira
he ferred into fourteen stage coaches, with 81
] piles OF baggage in the boot aud on the I
of as would have shocked our forefathers W