The weekly Anglo-African. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1859-1861, 1859-10-08
OUR WILLIAMSBURG LETTER.

Mr.. EDIroR:-W What great place is Will
liamsburg But a short time ago-even
within the memory of your correspondent
Williamsburgh was little community
of villainous fences and vacant lots. To
day she stands forth splendid example of
progress and enterprise, glorying in the
possession of splendid edifces, political
strength, and social responsibility. Among
the class of her citizens claiming our admi-
ration, your attention must turn with pride
to our colored acknowledgements
tives in science, literature, trade, wealth,
wealth, and those general qualifications ne
cessary to aid the progress of young COM
munity. The colored people having bought
and settled here when land was cheap, have
grown up with the place, and, 1 am proud
to say, have kept admirable pace with the
whites lin proportion to their numbers.
They have splendid drug-stores, practicing
physicians, grocers, tailors, clothiers, school
teachers, music teachers, and masons. 1
say naasoasS-no humbugs, but Simon-pure,
who can make good mortar and better men.
Had you been in the Burg on Thursday,
the 29th ult., during the parade of Stone
Square Lodge, you would have no doubt
of this, for finer turnout Williamsburg
has scarcely seen. The procession formed
at their beautiful hall, Grand street, be-
tween Tenth and Eleventh, under the
marshalship of Mr.. Jas. R. W. Leonard, a
young gentleman of soldierly bearing, as
sisted by Gen. George w. Hilton, regu-
lar officer of the Haytien army, now Grand
Master of Ceremonies of the United Grand
Lodge (This Leonard | understand to
be well versed in military tactics, having
fought and covered himself with glory up
| on that bloodless field of the far-famed bat
tie of No1,eataty, from which he is now an
exile.) The procession proceeded to Fourth
street, through Fourth to South 18th, through
South 9TH to First, and from thence to
Myrtle-avenue Park, where, according to
the programme, the presentation of a beau
tiful gold keystone was made, in a neat,
pretty little speech, by DR.. P. W. Ray,
(Worshipful Master of Stone Square
LODGE to his Secretary, Mr.. Abraham
j. Trower, who, in graceful manner, re-
sponded as follows:
Ladies and gentlemen, and brothers of
the Stone Square Lodge-IfI were to say
l thank you, I would not be using single
word that would convey my feelings in &C
cepting this, which you in your modesty
term slight token of esteem and regard.
l accept it, conscious of the fact that it is
presented by my brothers for humble SER
vices rendered as acting Secretary of Stone
Square Lodge, in which capacity it has
ever been great pleasure for me to serve.
Brothers, my feelings are indescribable
You have overwhelmed me with favors
that shall be forgotten only when | cease
to exist Accept this feeble effort to re-
spond; it is my maiden effort.
The day was spent right merrily in
Terpsichorean exercises, eating the good
things, and scupping the pretty girls. b.
quets were pretty freely showered upon
the hero commanding, causing water to
spring to the eyes of more than one poor
unfortunate who did not get any.
The United Grand Lodge (Ramsom F.
Wake G. M } was represented by the Dep
uty G. NJ, John r. Porter.
At o'clock P. NJ, the craft were called
on, the band struck up, and in obedience
to the command of the Marshal, from the
park back to the hall they kept step to the
sound Of the bugle and the drum.
CHARLEY.