The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-02-19
LOCAL MATTERS.

at least, began then. The good people OF Nor
folk were anxious to bring the legislators to
their midst, and show them It's great natural
advantages as a commercial emporium, Its
superb harbor and wharfage, and the energy
and hospitality Of Its people. Actuated by
this beautiful and touching impulse, they
sent to their guests free tickets over the roads
leading thither, knowing that legislators,
although occasionally on pleasure bent, are
usually Of frugal mind. At o'clock p. NJ.
might have been seen omnibuses and other
vehicles Gathering up the hill through Man
chester, and on to the crossing where the train
waited, with the engine at its head, snorting
and putting with impatience. With the dis
mounting from the carriages the hilarity of
the scene began. Honorable gentlemen greeted
each other with the reciprocal surprise and
cordial warmth Of friends long parted and
brought together by mysterious concur
renee of fortuitous events. Pipes were lit,
jokes and slaps on the shoulder exchanged,
and men felt that now, indeed, the
EXCURSION WAS BEGUN.
We are all aboard, and find that beside the
Legislature we have good company. Governor
Peirpoint Judge Camden, and Colonel French
are aboard. The whistle sounds and off we
60, roaring through the cuts and rattling over
the embankments. Skirts Of wood land and
fields of brown stubble glide by; we go over
Falling creek and don't fall, and over Swift
creek rather slowly. Chester-wood and water,
and whisky and water-the latter bad. Off
again-fences and mile posts sail by. There
are the winter quarters where the gallant
boys baked their corn bread and smoked their
short pipes last winter. There are the brush
@lo Ice, Folo IN
and hungered and shivered. There are the
breastworks that a year ago bristled with
bayonets, and the embrasures where the black
cannon looked sternly through. We catch
glimpse of Buffers tower. 1t sails slowly
along the gray horizon and disappears behind
a clump of trees. Craich- -ch-chl The ash pan
has come partly off and is ploughing up the
roadway and grating across the cross-ties.
Execrations within the cars-skill and energy
outside. Itis repaired, and off we CO. and are
presently at
PETERSBURG,
which is a thriving town on the bank Of the
Appomattox Some of our readers will
remember that there was difficulty there
last year between the adherents of a certain
Grant and those of certain Lee on account
Of GOODNESS existing between them. We are
happy to say that the affair was adjusted,
although some traces of the imbroglo may
still be seen Here we take the Norfolk cars
and are received by
GENERAL MALONE.
Billy looks much as usual. With that rare
forethought and presence of mind that distin-
guished him so often in the dread hour of bat
tie, he had set apart car, where certain
refreshing fluids were waiting for us. 1t is
disposed of, and away we go. Cigars are lit.
1t is impossible to see across the car. Nothing
can be seen but a constellation of burning
cigars moving in orbits eccentric. Loud talk
ing is heard and songs, facetious remarks, and
anecdotes, laughter, mock speeches, and dis
position to romp. Looking out, low, fiat
country, with here and there a clump of trees
seen through veil of smoke and stream of
whirling, delerious sparks, rushes by. We are
going very swiftly, but the track is new, and
we 60 smoothly as pouring oil on oil. Wayerly.
Flora McIvor is not at home. Blackwater
river-black enough now, but with the stars
reflected upon it. Zuni, a small and undesira-
BILE village. It's name has a biblical sound
reminding one of a perverted Zion, whereon
the feet are not beauteous. Suffolk nice
little town which we pass through. Trees,
swamp, Elizabeth river, Dismal Swamp canal,
60 by, and we are at
NORFOLK.
Here we are met and escorted to Peppers,
where supper waits us. In the ante-room
are bowls of fluid too good, alas for this
dull earth. Legislators close around in firm
circle, and, after a preliminary pull, they
listen TO the neat and appropriate
SPEECH OF MAYOR TABB.
cordial rrnatinp aytandad NV Norfnlly
to yirginians from all parts of the State.
Ours is noble city, tenanted by noble people.
Norfolk should be great seaport town; why
is ii not So Ia question which was not an
swered directly. Look at her magnificent
roadstead, her beautiful river, where every
prospect pleases and only man is vile. He
welcomed the Governor and the Legislators,
and recognized in their visit the harbinger of
happier days.
GOVERNOR PRIRPoIyT's REPLY
was short and graceful. He alluded to the
great commercial advantages of Norfolk, and
the magnificent future in store for her.
Nature had marked her out as one Of the great
ports of the world, and such, by their efforts,
she must become. He concluded playfully by
saying that he had not yet dined, in anticipa
ton of good cheer upon his arrival here, for
which he was now ready.
Speaker Baldwin and some Of the gentlemen
of Norfolk made brief addresses /; after which
SUPPER
was announced. What need TO say that 1t
was goodf If there be any one thing in which
Norfolk stands unrivalled and alone, il is an
oyster supper. Everything was in plenty and
the best of its kind, seasoned with Peppers
finest skill. After the pangs of hunger and,
thirst were assuaged, talking began, and
finally speech making. Before this, however,
the Governor and many OF the graver Legis-
lators had left the scene of festiyity. Rein
forcements were, however, received from the
towns people, and the revelry progressed.
Many good things were said, but we have only
room for the
LAST SPEECH OF rHE EVENING.
Mist Speaker-I mean genlum-I feel asseed-
ingly glad t receive the hospalities Of the peo-
pie of Norfk. They're all good fellas, n so
m I. ANY man say otherwise' No! Well,
then, wash you talkin bout. lCheers.l
GenIum, Norf'k k is by nature great c'mer-
cial 'mporium, n railroads leadin 10 1t. s. got
a magnificen arbor. We re goin { make that
harbor blossom like rose-I mean I say, be
full o. ships n things, masts an sails, an Jio-