Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-10-13
-fwRIrrES FoR THE STAR.
EXCURSION FROM WASHINGTON, ID. C

!" !.
STA a GOIse OF BOARD. r1af
We went on board the brig Rodney Carr
lying at the wharf ss Georgetown, July g, at
2 p. m, about aa hour before she had her
Implement Of coal. The arrangements for
loading coal at this place are very perfect,
and the channel of the Potomsc having been
deepened TO Is feet, quite large vessels are
now employed in the Cumberland coal trade,
and this city Of about IA, 900 Inhabitants is be-
ginning to have a commercial importance. At
no distant day it will become an important
ward OF the city Of Washington. Hr1
= SEARCH FOR "NIGGERs"
We left this city at o'clock, bound for New
Bedford, Macs, in company with two schoon-
era, and were tugged to Alexandria, seven
miles, By one OF the Coal company's steam
tugs. On passing this place we were boarded
by State official, with authority ''to search
for niggersh He was q gentlemanly appear
ing man, inquired the name Of the brig, the
captain, her owners, cargo, and where bound.
He then commenced the search, and being
asked il it was not a formal matter, replied
not, as far as he was concerned; 80 I accom-
panied him, 30 ascertain what kind of a search
was TO be made. It occupied about 10 min
utes, and if there had been forty negroes on
board, he would not have found one of them
The search being concluded, he presented
certificate to the captain demanding two dol
lars; but on account of some joking in regard
20 his business, would take no fee. The prac-
teal working Of this law is, I am told, in favor
of the escape Of the slave; for after the ship is
once searched she can take on as many negroes
as she pleases, and is not liable to a second
search The only benefit derived from the
law is, the fear Of being detected prevents
slaves from secreting themselves on board 1t
however supports several oficials.
MoUSr VERNON.
With fair wind, we passed Fort Washing
ten on the left bank, and Mount Vernon a
balOW a IA IN ho lirhf fnfo
beautiful sunset. Mount Vernon Is beginning
to throw of its dilapidated appearance. and
under the hands Of the daughters of America
is undergoing an sdornment, reviving and ex-
hibiting to the present generation its virgin
beauties, which under the charge of Washing
ton greeted aud glsddened every guest of the
Father of his Country" Mount Vernon Is
beautifully and pleasantly situated at bend
of the Potomac, and is about 200 feet above
the water. The mansion of Washington, sur.
founded by half dozen servants houses,
crowns the summit, and commands fine view
Of the river, both above aud below Alto
gether it is a most desirable residence 1t is
surrounded by dense forest, which has en-
croaehed on its grounds even to the gardens
This is now being cut away from the imme-
diate vicinity of the grounds Of the house.
The PoroMAc.
We anchored of Aquia Greek sometime in
the night, and, IN the early morn, when the
first blush Of the East was seen, were enjoying
all the poetic beauties Of the Potomac SO we'll
described by Moore while partaking of the
hospitalities of Mr.. Van Ness, former owner
of part Of Washington city. We feel there
Is no better way TO be freed from the scorch-
ing sun, binding dust, and suffJcsting air of
summer city, than by trip at sea. One day
on board our brig is worth weeks at Saratogs
White Sulphur, Cape May, or Newport. Cars,
heat, dust, porters, baggage, hotels, and rooms
by in the fourth story, may give health,
the deck Of a Doble brig, with half dozen
select companions, and the pure air, clear blue
sky, and green ses, for enjoyment None of
your market poultry and pastry had we for
breakfast; but fresh fish, caught with our own
lines and nets. The ladies, for We are not q
bachelor party, fshed crabs to the surface and
"hunored them" until more muscular hand
could net them. ..-
WEsrMoRELAND
Westmoreland, the birthplace Of Washing-
ton, is on the southwest side Of the Potomse,
about 30 miles from its mouth. From the river
the land 10 undulating, rather low, and ap-
pears quite barren, although covered with
small trees The country around seems to
possess no striking features. The precise place
Of his birth cannot be seen from the brig but
the hills and vallies, woods and lawns, over
(which the youthful hero rosmed, were scanned
with eagerness. Sabbath morning found us at
anchor in calm of Piney Point. The wind
and tho waves seemed to obey the quiet infu-
ksaces Of this holy Sabbath morn, lust su,h an
one as might have inspired Coleridge when be
described the "silence of the ssah But we
were not long z
.-. .- GAS idle as painted ship
Upon painted sea ),
For a cold northeast wind came over land
and sea, making no small stir. At D. M
our brig plunged into the waves of the Chesa.
peake, mountain high, and nearly all bowling
our heads, respectfully paid tribute to Old
Nept1ne. AS the thick clouds dsrkened a
mOOnless night, and the lighthouses one by
one gave evidence Of the vigilance of their
keepers, the bay became sea Of liquid ere,
foaming and sursing like gigantic csuldron.
Nothing can excel in beauty, sublimity and
grandeur, phosphorescent sea in a storm.
In the evening the wind changed TO the south,
and became more violent, which soon brought
on sharp cross ses. did not suppose old
Chesapeake could make such a commotion.
.-- WIGHrIcoMco SHOALS.
Monday morning, at 4 o'clock, on a very
high tide, we wero driven on to the shoals on
the west side OF Chesapeake, about midway
between the Potomac and Rappahannock riv-
ers, and about six miles from land The brig
was making about IL miles per hour, and was
driven on a slopiDg hard sand bottom. II was
evident that she would soon 20 to pieces If the
wind increased, oreven continued; but as we
had staunch boat, neither the passengers or
crew exhibited the least fear The wind lulIed.
but the waves combed fearfully over the decks
Between and 10 o'clock. a. IN, some fisher.
men informed Us that We might obtain lighters
A. from the shore, and the "signal Of distressp
being hoisted, several lighters came alongside.
These lighters are owned and manned by hardy
Virginis fishermen. They are a noble set Of
fellows, and did all that could bs done under
: the circumstances. A cargo Of coal is not
easily discharged on Q dangerous shoal six
miles from land The work Of discharging-
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
wS frequently interrupted by high seas maxi
ing IL too dangerous; but on Thursday, at high
. tide, p. M, the brig lifted from her bed, and
with our ridge and lower anchors We warped
her about 20 yards, when We were obliged to
let her remain, As a high east Wind set in,
blowing US directly on shore. Our anchors
held nObly, although they dragged about %
feet. At O'Clock, a. m, Friday, the wind
blew on shore, and we were soon clear of the
shesl- The process Of relosding commenced
with lighter on each side, and at p. m. we
were under full sail down the Bay. -r-
50 DEsERfER.