The New York herald., 1868-10-23
THE NORFOLK COMMERCIAL CONVENTION.

Closing Scenes-The Fire Parade-Tbe Ball
The Excursion to the Capes-Incidents mt
the Fort-CarrOll Hall and Davis Casemate
Visited-The Torchiight Procession.
NORFOLK, Oct. IT, 1885,
The last hours OF the Commercial Convention here
were marked by the utmost harmony and good feel
ing among the representatives OF SO many interests
that 1t would be supposed might have conflicting
tendency, and would consequently create division
Of opinion upon the important subjects under con-
siderati0n. Such, however, was not the case. As o
distinguished journalist remarked, though it was a
sad commentary upon the present condition OF the
South to witness the representatives OF several Of its
States vainy striving to subscribe the spot the
pitiful sum OF $500, ,000-a sum that q single
New York capitalist could lend without the slightest
inconvenience About one-half, however OF the re-
quired capital stock was then and there subscribed
and the following resolutions, offered by General Ma
hone and passed. 1t is presumed will secure the re-
mainder at an early day.
Resolved Tha. the several delegations to this Convention
tive the subject Of subscription to the enterprise
gres provisional shall be made q the
International Company q the city Of Norfolk
quested exercise his able influence in such direction he
may seem deem proper for obtaining material aid In behalf
T6st commissioners named the charter q
be and they are hereby cali meeting the sub
w e.
70 the end that effective be had for securing the
footing.
Besides sumptuous collation. prepared daily in q
large hail. parade Of fire companies, grand torch
light procession bali at the Ocean House, Ports
mouth, and an excursion to the capes were the
amusements provided for the commercial visitors.
The fire parade was very creditable. Five companies
turned out In full uniform with their engines, hose
carriages and oil the appointments Of such depart
march through the principal streets the different
companies repaired to Market Han, where COLA
ZION na6 o oeeG speca v oe e ea qhe
hail. and, consequently, not first at the table. They
refused to partake OF the 'scrapsn and Indignantly
mnSeS with s was
by rival company, and later in the after
in the street, fight ensued, which was soon brought
to close by the prompt interference OF some citizens
This was why the Mayor Thought it proper to pre-
vent the companies parading In the torchlight pro-
cession the following night.
Portsmouth generously got up a grand ball at the
Ocean House In honor to the delegates to the Con-
beautifully and handsomely decorated with festoons
of evergreens, the choicest Mowers OF the sunny
ra a ANU mottoes The yonth and
Of both cities thronged the ballroom The festivities
were kept up until the small hours OF the morning.
when the guests were conducted into an adjoining
apartment, where supper that was sunptuous
greetedthe sharpened appetites OF the party. The
managers OF the affair, satisfied the people
pIeased and the guests were charmed and delighted
At nearly four A. N. the ball broke up.
The grand event OF the occasion, however, was the
excursion to the capes The steamers Lady OF the
Lake, the George Leary the Eolus, Gazele and
others, crowded with delegates and citizens, left
their wharyes at about ten A. NJ. on Friday morning.
The day was cloudy and the atmosphere little
murky, which preluded the possibility OF good
look at the many points OF historic interest that were
passed. The wharves and shipping are soon left In
the distance and In quick succession the feet glides
past Pinner's Point and Boushs Bluff two old rebel
batteres Tanners creek and Lamberts Point the
one forming the other and the latter also an old
earthwork, are next in view. Then comes Craney
Island, the history Of which Is familiar to nearly
1872 against the British by the soldiers OF Norfolk,
and Its subsequent occupation by the Coniederates
during the first year OF the war ana afterwards BY
the Union armies. Newport News then looms up,
and as the place is mentioned rush Is made to that
side Of the boats aordng the best view OF the spot
where the memorable encounter occurred between
the Merrimac and the Congress and Cumberland.
Seweil's Point comes next in order, the place from
which the first gun was fired when the Monticello
made her appearance In Norfolk harbor.
Passing between the Rip Raps, which slowly but
steadily rises from the water, and Fortress Monroe
the feet headed for the capes, one OF the vessels
touching at the tort to take on board General Barry
and star but that being the day for general review
and inspection the General courteousy declined In
the following note:-
roEr noSnor, Va, Oct Is, 1865
DEAr SIR / beg 10 thank you the OF the officers
and ladies for polite Invitation to the excursion ths
War Department for the ssmann eIamnaton At the ar;
Saoo your M endy Invitation have however
apart for the review and drill, with which
s s s Ss
wharf at that hour with my stat to receive you and your
ssTs ssTysn dsa
with the immense crowd on board, some OF whom
had never such wide expanse OF water before,
and who had never experienced the sad realities OF
ride the rolling deep, the feet soon were Off the
capes where the swell was heavy and sea sickness
1 ludfCrOfis enacted.
one Individual asking the captain to put him or and
he would walk back. After considerable exhi-
Spit lightshp passed, the feet poutcd and made
again for the fort. Az it neared the visitors were
the grim r ramparts of the fortress. General Barry,
accompanied by his stalf received the visitors at
the wharf, and offering his arm TO Mr. Geo. W. Boiling,
President Of the Commercial Convention, escorted
them to the fort AS before stated In the HERALD an
points OF interest were visited, the troops reviewed,
the rapid dismounting OF guns and caissons, the
putting OF monster fiiteennch gun In battery and
loading IL, the ball weighing 1000 pounds and the
charge being 450 pounds OF power and all sorts OF
Barry and stan were assiduous in their attentions to
| the numerous crowd and c0urteously explained the
Of the ns arms the o o 9pods 81
was matter of intense surprise TO the VISITORS,
| many OF whom expected second sumter or Moui,
the handsomest buildings In the fort excited good
deal OF interest," and many remarked that they would
object to Se prisoners IN sncn sngears T
Davis casemate was next rushed to. and the good
impression produced by Carroll Hall was at once
| banshed as the crowd looked into the gloomy dun
l geons.
The hour for leaving having arrived General Barry
escorted the crowd to the wharf, ana after general
farewell, the visitors giving him parting cneer the
boats cast or and LETT for Norf0lk, wnich they
i reached about four O'Clock r. M.
In session that evening and prior 70 adjournment
| the Convention unanimously passed tne following
resolutions:
Resolved That the thanks OF the Convention be returned
10 the corporate authorities OF the cities OF Norfolk and Ports
mouth and 10 the private citizens thereof for the munihcen
hospitality extended 10 the members OF the Convention
Second That the Convention likewise desires 20 express w
OF the courtesy extended It's members by the owner
and officers OF the steamboats, engaged IN The excursion toa
and 70 General Barry, commanding Fortress Monroe.
/ The torchlight procession was very brilliant al
fair and though there was q great deal OF tptop-
not pinetop-whiskey drank no disturbances matre'
the pleasure OF the OCCASION and the neNt morning