The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-08-03
PETERSBURG LETTER.
Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
fmmiuation-FdUorajle ProspectS-lfo.
posed Radical Newspaper. ..
prTERSRITRG A1Irust I.

FL bRSbthu, 1Soo' o.
Though the subject of immigration has
worn rather an unpromising aspect hith-
crto, there is good reason to believe that it
will receive an impulse at no distant day
which will lead to gratifying results. A
land agency in this city-a branch of q
= New York irm-has for some time been
engaged in an extensive correspondence,
both with private individuals and repre-
sentatives of larger numbers wishing to
colombo; and it is confidently expect
cd that as the cool weather comes ON
there will be hundreds if not
thousands of visitors arriving to in
spect our lands. The agency referred to
is known us the American Land and Nine
raj Agency. There is a~branch-~of~the
same establishment in Richmand, but their
respective operations are not only in sepa-
rate fields, but conducted on principles that
do not conflict At present the visible
activities of the Petersburg branch extend
only to the selling of farms to northern
men, several of which are disposed of
every week. l hear Of three sales that
have been made during the present week.
Thus far purchasers are indisposed to 60
far into the. country-not further than
from ten to fifteen, or ut most twenty
miles. X But it may reasonably be ex-
pected that each one Of these, if pleased,
will induce one or two Of his neigh
bsrs to follow his example and thus,
if in no other way, the country may gradu-
ally fill up. 1t is we'll understood that q
great number of northern people are turn
ing their eyes in this direction. In the
Z more crowded parts Of the North lands are
too high to make farming as profitable as
). it ought to be. Then the length of the win
> ters-not less than from Ave to six months
diminishes very much from the comforts Of
rural life. 1t is natural, therefore, that
many persons should have their attention
attracted to q temperate climate and
cheaper lands, where they may provide
literally for their children at comparatively
small cost. That Virginia offers greater
advantages than any other State on the At
lantic coast is, q fact that will not be con-
troverted. But the world at large, includ-
/, ing even our northern neighbors, is igno-
working long and patiently to diffuse the
necessary information. An enterprise of
30 much magnitude cannot be carried into
successful operation in a month or a year.
But it is destined to succeed finally; and
probably in the courseiof few years our
2 now unoccupied lands will be covered with
golden harvests. :, y. .s' '~., -.
From the amount of ignorance displayed
: IN much Of the correspondence above re-
ferred to, OF everything regarding Virginia,
one might almost suppose it was q terra
lacognsta. The inquiries pye almost end
iess-not only about the lands. but the peo-
pie. Our reputation abroad as peaceful
and law-abiding citizens is not enviabie
and indeed some persons who have visited
US have manifested a reluctance, not to saw
timidity, in yenturing beyond the limits Of
the city and from under the protection of
the police. But all such feelings will be
removed on acquaintance and we tlatter
J ourselves that strangers will find the white
population here torbe rs orderly and well
disposed, as any in the werld. i.eSs So
= An the course Of q few lays I expect to be
able to furnish some information on this
subject Of an interesting character, which
it would be premature to refer to in aspe-
cific manner at present. u z.seit4. az ~
Several efforts have been made from, time
to time tostart Radical paper in thiscity,
but all have failed, whether from the want
of funds, or from the Indifferent prospect
of patronage, or both, is not known. An!
other attempt is now said to be on foot, but
the probability is that it will end like the
others. Counting the negroes, there are
Radicals enough in the city of Petersburg
to give it q hearty support, but no one
would be weak enough TO rely on such a |