The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-02-12
PORTSMOUTH,, Va, Feb. 9, 1859.

IURTSNbCli, Az GU. - 1Iu'.
This section certainly il one of the most
desirable portions Of Virginia. ltposscsses
delightful cllmate-comparat!vel mild
in winter, and bracing ami delightful III
summer. The market, too, is supplied with
every luxury that one could ask, or that
can be found in this country and these
are sold, for the most part, st compare
lively low figure. True, fowls sell high,
except wild fowls; these are abundant,
both ducks and geese, and sell low enough.
Wild ducks can be bought for Coo. pair.
TURKEYS, however, sell enormously high,
the price demanded being from $l.50 to
$3.50 apiece, according TO size. Beef can
he obtained from II TO TIC. per pound ana
pork for 2Oc. per pound. But oysters OF
the finest quality, just from the shell, cun
be bought for SOC. per gallon. And fish,
fresh and fine, in any quantity, can be OBJ
tanned for 10 or l5c. per bunch-one bunch
being sufficient for dish for good-slzed
family.
The vegetables of this country, too, are
excellent, and are produced in large guam
titles These are sold not only Ill the
Portsmouth and Norfolk markets, but are
sent in very large quantities to the North.
The strawberry crop alone suppose brlngs
in hundreds Of thousands Of dollars. Mo
ney is now scarce, but after few months
il will be abundant, If nothing unforeseen
should destroy the crops. 1t Is wonderful
TO me that every foot Of arabic land near
Portsmouth and Norfolk Is not eagerly
sought after, but it is not SO. There ls much
land in sight of this city that Is producing
only weeds.
The City Council is pursuing very
suicidal course towards the prosperity OF
the city. They have put most unheard
of tax upon almost everything, and Will
drive capital and business away. They
have even determined to tax the Roanoke
and Seaboard railroad for every passenger
brought through its streets; and there Is
rumor that the authorities Of the railroad
will turn it away from Portsmouth and run
il into Norfolk; which would be most dis
astrous event to this town. A vast amount
of business is now done by this road, and
am informed that handsome dividend viii
soon be declared upon the stock Of the
company.
A revival of religion Of great power and
extent is now progressing at Dlnwlddle
street Methodist church-Rey. W. ii. Chris
;ian pastor. The authorities of the church
are contemplating the erection of a new
building-the one they now have not being
large enough to hold the ordinary congre
cation.
Portsmouth is in great need of o good
male school. There are II great many
schools here, but there is not one Of the
highest order, and in which boys can bt
prepared for college. If any young mar
among your numerous readers would come
here, with evidences of full qualification
for such work, he would most unquestion'
ably succeed in securing q good patronage
The people seem determined to give them
selves no concern in regard 10 politics. They
cay they can do nothing, and they need not
trouble themselves about public affairs. The
negroes are polite and respectful here but,
for the most part, they are in great destitu-
ton. Some few have purchased little homes
for themselves and families; but these art
oystermen, aud draymen, and hackmen.
These, however, are only exceptional cases
the most of them will not work, and there
fore must suffer. VoX.