Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-05-11
From the Fayetteville Observer
SKETCHES OF EASTERN NORTH-CAROLE

ShElCuES OF EASTERN NORlH-C-AROlIlNA.
During the past few weeks it has been my good
fortune to visit several places interesting TO myself
and it may be to others. Be that as it may, having
few leisure minutes, l propose to jot down some
of the scenes and incidents have so much enjoyed
First, in point of time. While on attendance at
Baden Superior Court, 1 resolved to visit the re-
mains of an old Colonial Palace at Brompton about
i miles above ElMabethtOwn. Judge Heath con-
scented to accompany me; DIR. Ii. II. Robinson kind
ly furnished carriage and horses, and Duncan
Cromartic and Thos. Norman Esqs the owners of
Brompton, acted as companions and guides.
The Palace was situated between the road leading
from Fayetteville to ElizabethtoWn and the Cape
Fear River On walking towards Brompton from
the road we crossed the old road, long since dscon
timed, but doubtless the same down which the
troops of CORVALLIS marched from Fayetteville to
Wilmington after the Battle of Guilford Court
House. We crossed the road at what ! conceive to
he the point where Col. Webster was last seen
alive--when next seen few miles below Elizabeth
town he was dead. His remains now rest on the
Belfont Estate formerly Waddelrs lately General
Mckay's and by him devised to Bladen county,
The old road of which we began to speak is now
desi gnated as the Kings road.
On approaching the river, came to the ruil.s
Of silk-worn house. erected by Gov Gabriel John
ston for the culture Of silk from the mulberry, an
enterprise which it is said he first inaugurated on
the Cape Fear. Leaving the ruins We crossed a
ravne and came upon the ruins of Brompton Palace,
and traced its foundation walls and dimensions by
the brick still standing. The Palace beautifully
located so as to command view of the Cape Fear
in front and up and down the river for some dis
lance. In its rear We found well said to be "a
feet deep; fact we could not determine, having
neither line nor plummet along with us. This much
we say, we could not see the bottom The
we'll is curbed with rock, upon which grows the
greenest and most luxuriant moss ever behe}d.-
We looked down into the deep well, out upon the
broad river and up the ravine Iefore mentioned as
well as up the valley of Bakers Creek, and came
to the conclusion that Brompton Palace was design
ed to stand in of the lovolest places North Caro-
lima can boast. The elevation is upwards Of hun,
dred feet from the river; the foliage is gorgeous,
and the creek and ravine lead one to imagine that
the spot itself is an island, inaccessible save by
drawbridge or portcullis. Why Gov. Gabriel John
ston failed to complete Brompton" must ever re.
main 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
tingseveral walking from the groves of Bromp
ton Palace, we babe adeu to the enchanting scenery
regretting that the business of Court would not
permit to indulge ourselves over the vagaries and
phantasies Of the past.
The week after Bladen 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 peregrinations
visited Newborn; but as scarce year has elapsed
since wrote from there must not again essay tc
do So found my visit to the Lodge one of much
and deep interest There found relics of the past
things venerable for their antiquity and valuable fo
their worth, all Of which hope to weave into ma
sonic history. From Newborn went to Kinston
long tae home of Caswcl, and two miles west O
which his remains repose Through the kindness
OF my friend, Walter Dunn, Jr, Editor of tn
American Adrocate, was enabled to ride out to tn
grave of Caswell, On the. Desmond plantation. H
is buried between his two wives, surrounded by hi
descendants. The white and red oaks, persimmo1
and cedar trees wave their branches above him;
stalwart oak grows right out of his grave, and will
palmetto bushes ara Sprinsing up all around.
gentle breeze was blowing, and the setting SUI
bathed the evergreen pines and spring foliage in it
own golden tints The slope towards his love
Neuse is gentle, with gradual ascent in the oppc
site direction towards the railroad Nature ha
been munificent in adjoining the grave of one {
North Cardinals first Governors, but to our sham
be it said. neither private friendship nor publ
gratitude has done aught to mark the spot of hi
repose. There is not even fence of any kin
around Caswels grave, and yet in his will which
read in the County Court office, he devises tw
graveyards for the benefit of his friends and rex
tons, one at the "Hll the other at the Red Hous