The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-01-13
A Special Committee Visits Richmond.

A n comic companion 10 an editorial In 10
day 'sDIsPArcH, we publish the following, from
the Cincinnati CVmmercjol. 1t is from the
Washington correspondent of that paper, and
is Il fair burlesque of the special reports upon
the condition of the South. The hit is both
good and humorous:
THE REPoRT OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE.
The Special Radical Committee on Recon
struction intend, il is said, 10 visit the South
ern States TO investigate their condition, ana
report whether they are fit for admission into
full communion in the sisterhood OF Onloh.
As most of the gentlemen composing the com
mittee have already made up their minds on
the subject, don't seSthe use OF the contem-
plated tour, especially as their report has been
agreed upon. As the document Will be looked
for with considerable interest, have procured
a copy of il, for the publication OF winch |
trust l will not be accused of breach ut good
faith. Here ii is;
WAsHISGToN, January, 1850.
T0 tie AODoraJie S,n0te ami
HouSs ~ Representatives.
Your committee, appointed 10 visit the
States lately in rebellion, and investigate ana
report upon their condition ~ 10 loyalty ana
fitness for re- admission into the Union, have
performed the duty assigned TO them, anu beg
leave 10 make the following report
Naturally, the first place visited by your
committee was Richmond, Va, the capital OF
the late Confederacy. Our coming had been
heralded in the newspapers there, ana the
demonstration At the railroad depot on our ar
rival may be taken as, in some degree, lndica-
tive of the popular sentiment III that Guy.
We found large concourse OF cltlzens OF
African descent awaiting us, and rs we aus
embarked from the cars, they hailed us win
shouts of welcome, mingled Win ms way ~, 10
the Spotswood House. Here's yer buss FOR the
Exchange, Here's yer cab for any part OF the
city, Baggage TO the hotel, gents, etc. IL was
grateful TO the heart of loyal men 10 be mus mus
welcomed in city so lately the headquarters
of rebellion, while At the same time We began
10 feel convinced already that the only truly
loyal people of the South were OF the colored
race. We could not decline the hospltllltles
so generously rendered us, and accordingly we
selected two carriages from the large number
placed al our disposal. We We're driven 10
the Spotswood by our hospitable friends, VINO
charged us two dollars apiece, and hali 4 doi
lar extra for baggage. After so much KIND
ness from the colored race, we were unpre-
pared for the harsh treatment we subsequently
received from the white oigarchS OF Rlcil'
mond. The propretors of the Spotswood gave
us rooms in the fifth story, back, saying 10 ms
clerk, as we have been informed by faithful
African who blacked our boots for quarter a
pair, that they We're good enough tor anKee
Radicals. The same spirit OF disloyal nate
was manifested 10 us in the dining room,
where, in response 10 our repeated cans LOT
goldfish and pumpkin pie we We're served with
nothing hut bacon and hot cakes Neasked why
this was done, ard %sora told by loyal waiter
10 whom We had just given postal half dol.
lar. that Mr.. Spotswood said he dlon Keep
hotel for the accommodation of Yankees,
and therefore persistently excluded codis h
and pumpkin pies from the bill OF fare. your
committee do not deem IL necessary 10 owen
upon this evidence of smoulderlnS uisioyaiiy
nor 10 compare ii with the hastily formed
opinion of General'Grant respecting Southern
sentiment Our object was 10 get Deneath lhe
surface of things in the South, 10 hnd the true
character of the sub stratum we remained
in Richmond few days, 10 study the charac,
ter of the people. On all hands we lo9na
evidences of distinctions on account OF coior'
except in a freedmens colony, where the
hI,cks received the whites on an equal footing
with themselves We also noticed dlsioyai
disposition 10 speak Of Stonewail jackson anu
General Lee in terms of praise and commen- J.
dation, while General Buffers name was only
mentioned in contemptuons connection WIN aI
ware and he himself seemed 10 be better
known as the Bottle Imp OF Bermuda nun
dred than in any other way