Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1859-05-11
From The Fayetteville Observer.

SKETCHES OF EASTERN NORTu-CAR0LtNA. |
During the past few weeks it has been my good !
fortune to visit several places interesting 10 myself
and It may be to others. lie that Is it may having
a few leisure minutes, propose to jot down some
of the scenes and incidents have so much enjoyed
First, in point Of time. While on attendance at
Bladen Superior Court, resolved to visit the re-
mains of an old Colonial Palace at Brompton about
miles above Eiizabethtown. Judge Heath con-
scented to accompany me; DR.. II. II. Robinson kind
ly furnished a carriage and horses, and duncan
Cromartie and Thos. Norman, EsqS, the owners Of
BrOmpton, acted as our companions and guides.
The Palace was situated between the ruad leading
from Fayetteville to Elizabcthtown and the Cape
Fear River. On walking towards Brompton from
the road crossed the old road, long since dscon-
tinued, but doubtless the same down which the
troops Of CORVALLIS marched from Fayetteville to
Wilmington after the Battle OF Guilfori Court
House. We crossed the road at what ! conceive to
be the point where Col. Webster was last seen
alive--when next seen a few miles below Elizabeth
town he was dead His remains now rest on the
Bellfont Estate, formerly Waddcrs, lately General
Mckays, and by him devised to Baden county
The old road Of which We began to speak Is now
designated as the King S road.
On approaching the river, We came to the ruins
Of s,lk-worm house. erectedby Gov. Gabriel john
sion for the culture Of silk from the mulberry, an
enterprise which it is said he first inan.ura,cd OF
the Cape Fear. Leaving the ruins We crossed
ravne and came upon the ruins Of Byompton Palace
and traced its foundation walls and dimensions by
the brick still standing The Palace was beautifully
located so as to command view Of shc Cape Fear
in front and up and down the river for some dis
tauce. In its rear We found we'll said to be ~
feet deep; fact We could not determine, having
neither line nor plummct along with us. This much
We can say, we could not see the bottom. The
we'll is curbed with rock, upon which grows the
greenest and most luXuriant moss ] ever bchCh.-
We looked down into the deep well, out upon the
broad river, and up the rayinc before mentioned aS
we'll as up the valley Of Bakers Creek, and came
to the conclusion that Brompton Palace design
ed to stand in Of the lovtest places North
lima can boast. The elevation is upwards Of hun.
dred feet from the river; the foliage is gorgeous,
and the creek and ravnc lead one to imagine that
the spot itself is an island inaccessible save by
drawbrdge or portcullis. Why Gov. Gabriel John.
ston failed to complete Brompton must ever re-
main q mystery. Some say his lady preferred the
banks of the Neuse and Trent, and the society Of
Newbern, to the banks of the Cape Fear and its
solitary wilderness.
After strolling about for an hour or two. and cut.
tngseveral walking canes from the groves Of Bromp
ton Palace bade adieu to the enchanting scenery
regretting that the business Of Court would no,
permit us to indulge ourselves over the va.aries and
phantasies Of the past.
The week after Baden Court, business connected
with history of Masonry in North-Carolina led me
to visit the Lodges which had called into existence
the Grand Lodge Of 1857. In my percgrina.ious
visited Newbern; but rs scarce year has clapscl
since wrote from there, must not again essay e
do So found my visit to the Lodge one Of much
and dOep interest. There found relics Of the past
things venerable for their antiquity and valuable fo
their worth, all of which hope to weave into INA
sonic history. From Newbern I went to kinston
long the home Of Caswcll, and two miles west o
which his remains rcposc. Through the kindness
Of my friend, Walter Dunn, Jr., Editor Of tn
American Adroedts, was enabled to ride out to tn
grave Of Csswell, on the Desmond plantation. II
Is buried between his two wives, surrounded by hi
descendants. The white and rcd oaks, persimmo
and cedar trees wave their branches above him
staiwart oak grows right out Of his grave, and vii
palmetto bushes are sprinsing up all around
gentle breeze was blowing and the setting su
bathed the evergreen pines aud spring foliage in |,
own golden tints. The slope towards his love
Neuse IS gentle, with gradual ascent in the opp
site direction towards the railroad Nature Ia
been mnnificent in adjoining the grave Of enc ,
North-Caro!inas first Governors, but to our sham
be It said. neither private friendship nor publ
gratitude has done aught to mark the spot Of b
repose: There is not even fence Of any kin
around CaswelFs grave, and yet in his will, which
; read in the County Court Office, he devises tw
graveyards for the benefit Of his friends and rol
lions, one at the Hill the other at the Red lious