The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-10-05
GOV. JOHNsON's PLANTATION.
The Home of Hon. Herschel v. John.
son. the Democratic Candidate for
Vice President.

The Home of Hon. Herschel v. john
son. the Democratic Candidate for
Vice President.
! Correspondence of the New York Herald
SPEIR's TURNOUT, JEFFERSON Co., GA,
September 18th, 1860.
Eligibly situated on a rising point OF
land, about five miles south of this little
stopping place, on the Augusta and Macon
Railroad, are the plantation, mansion, and
residence of the Hon. Herschel V. johnson,
Democratic candidate for the Vice Presi-
dency of the United States. The house
faces the northeast, is large and commodlous,
and admirably adapted-as most residences
in the country are-for the free circulation
of air. 1t has lately been enlarged, by the
addition OF couple of wings, which have
added much to its appearance and conveni>
ence. In front are number of high trees
oak and hickory-and large flower gar
den, laid out in walks, which will in due
time furnish agreeable objects of view from
the front piazzas, and at the same time af.
ford an appearance Of lovllness to the ap.
proach to the mansion, which is not now to
be observed. Surrounding the house are
large groves of oak, vocal at times with the
voices of the songsters of nature and the
ringing laugh and merry cries of the Jolly
little black imps, who have nothing in the
world to do but have their fun and grow
fat, if except to listen to the Scriptural
teachings of their beloved mistress.
GOVERNOR JoHNsoN's PLANTATION
consists of 1862 acres of land. 1t is pecu-
liarly adapted to the growth of the products
of this latitude, particularly cotton. In the
aggregate the land is valued at 1925, 900.
There are upon the plantation III negroes
as likely set of boys and girls as you will
see south of Mason and Dixon's line, valued
at $93,600. The increase of negroes in
twenty-five years has been 200 per cent.
The number of mules and horses is thirty
eight, valued at Ss3,S00; value of cattle and
implements about 81 900. This will make
the aggregate value of the farm and stock
$l23,500. From this investment there will
be raised this year 25O bales of cotton, val
ued at $l2,5O0; bushels of corn, 1900, val
ued at $4,000; giving clear income of
$4,000, besides supporting on the fat of the
land, and in sumptuous style, about $50
persons, and raising any amount of sweet
potatoes and garden truck generally. The
plantation is under the immediate direction
of the eldest son of the Governor, Emmett
R. johnson, Esq, who with his brother,
Windor p. johnson, Esq, are among the
most promising young men in the State of
Georgia.
THE FAMILY OF GOV. JOHNSON-THEIR HOS
PITALITY TO STRANGER.
The family OF Governor johnson consists
of bis wife, who is blood relation of the
late ex-President Polk, two younger sons,
besides those above named, and three daugh.
tiers, one just budding into womauhood, and
the others, two pretty damses, Southern
young ladies who are destined to figure with
brilliancy in Washington or any dstin>
guished society. The Governor is now ab-
sent on a Northern political tour, but his
family is we'll presided over by his lady,
who, of all the ladies l have seen, possess
ing varied political knowledge, is the no.
blest of them all. Her information in re-
gard to political events in the north is as
clear and profound as that of the most noted
northern politician. In regard to southern
politics, the fountain of information pos
sessed by the wife of the democratic candi-
date for the Vice Presidency, is overfowing.
And united with this large amount of inter
esting and valuable information is degree
of high toned intelligence, mind and reso-
luteness seldom found even in the most
prominent public man. Her hospitality
and that of her family is unbounded, as your
correspondent has had ample personal and
recent reasons to judge. As an evidence of
great moral, social and christianIike prin-
ciple, the bounteous hospitality of Southern
ers can be initiated to advantage by those
in the north, who prate so much about the
"barbarism OF slavery"
THE HABITS OF GOV. JOHNSON,
at home and abroad, are of pious and the
most temperate description. The story that
be was nominated for the Vice Presidency
over bottle of wine in bar room, in his
presence, is as void of foundation as The as
sertion is calumnious and unjust. He does
not drink intoxicating liquors, nor does be
encourage their use at home or elsewhere
and so far from wine having anything to do
with his nomination, it may not be generally
known, but was rendered to him before
Judge Fitzpatrick was selected. Judge F.
declining, the executive committee urged in
the most earnest manner Governor johnson
to accept it, and he threw himself into the
breach for the purpose, and l have it from
undoubted authority, Of arresting the storm
of disunion which threatened to overspread
the whole south, and destroy the social rela.
tiOns existing in his native state. In this
effort be has had to encounter the most in
tense opposition. Some of the Georgia
politicians, in order to be in at the death oil
the democratic party, repudiated their for.
mer ground in favor Of Douglas and non.
Intervention, hoping thereby to secure the
favor of the southern party that would, in
such an event, rally for the protection Of
southern rights, and place in power those