Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-06-05
,,bc Ncw steamer ",yest po1nt.u

About - NJ on Thursday, We were kindly
invited BY John Purcell, Esq, acting President
Of the York river railroad, to take run to the
Pamunky. to visit the new steamer, which con-
meets with that road. \ party Of about twea-
ty gentlemen was collected and the tram .elt the
depot at i P. NJ In about m hour they we're
landed on the wharf AZ white House." some
81 miles distant. Tn" locomotive and cars arc
of the. best character; the road very smooth,
being laid with solid r rail- tic bridge and tres
scl-work over the Chirliahominy river substan-
tial and strong; and the whole road admirably
managed by Mr.. Thomas Sharpe, Superintend-
ent. The excursion is \ .!easant one, >m-
bracin. Il view Of several fine farms. The
bridge over the pamunky river will be fine
STRUCTURE being completed, with the exception
of the "draw" in the centre From the King
William side to the island in the middle Of the
river, the tract; is already laid on an cmbank-
mcnt in the shallow water. Some seven miles
Of tic track bctwccn White House and West
Point remain tn be laid, and it is confidently
expected that by the Ist Of July tho bridge
and railroad will be finished and the cars run
through from Richmond to West Point. The
river is very tortnous-thc distance from
White House to West Point being II miles by
land and .J6rty miles by water.
While awaiting the arriva Of tho steamer,
We strolcd over the picturesque grounds, made
classic by the fact that there Washington wooed
and won and married Ills fair bride. The epresent
house stands on the site of the house in which
Washington was married, and which was burned
thirty years ago. The two white chimneys in
the present building belonged to the old house.
We were curious TO see the black-wa!nut claw
footed table, on which Washington took his
bridal suppcr-butit was locked mp in one OF
the neero-cauins and the sooty occupant OF the
cabin was absent. What will the abolitionists
say, when they hear that SO precious relic is
in the kcepins OF Il I.rsty slave: We were
most happy to meet y IL (. Lee, Esq, the pre-
sent youthful owner OF the beautiful estate
His striking appearance, simple and cordial
manners, fayorably impressed the visiters to so
interesting place He has resigned the glory
and hard<hips Of military life, and is now
engaged in the honorable, pleasant and truly
responsible :iutv Of managing splendid farm
Of 4, 300 acres. The house is very much i'm
proved Ly tl.c addition OF piazzas bow
windows. &c. and will soon be most lovely
spot
Soon the steamer "Wrst Point was Ie-
scricd some sever. miles oft, across bend OF
this most twisting Of ri"rrs--and she rapidly
rcachcrl her wharf, and WAS greatly admired
BY the large number of visitors, Of both sexes
and MI agcs, who had congrcgated from the
nei.l,borhon,l. She is 4 beautiful and most
comnodous boat the ladies cabin and the
long cabin, on the promenade deck, supcrbly
furnished. She was built this year at keyport,
y. J.. near the Narrows, is lS5 ieet long, and
cost $40 OGn in cash It required about 81 900
additional, to cnmpleie her equipment. She IS
one Of the ino=t comfortable and appropriate
boats for the purpose that we know. Her speed
will Lc acknowledged, when it IS stated that
she steamed from New York to Norfolk in 224
hours. When The railroad is finished to West
Point, passengers can reach Norfolk in six
hours from Richmond, and the route is full Of
agreeable variety Tho West Point is COM
mandcd by Capt. Rowe, the popular and etfi-
cicnt commander oI the ''Sca-Bird," formerly
on the same route.
We were cordially welcomed by Alexander
Dudley, Esq, the energetic President of the
Richmond and York River Railroad, and made
delightful excursion ifteer miles down the
river, during which everybody enjoyed an
abundant and excellent dinner, extemporized
for the occasion. We reached Richmond at s
P. NJ, after a short but highly interesting and
agreeable trip.
On the "Wess Point there were several
hogsheads of tobacco, produced on the King
William farm Of VIM. ?. Taylor, Esq, near
West Point, and destined for the Richmond
market.