Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-01-07
Southern Correspondence.

speaking oil the Wiue-spieau "o'"'''''o"
of armies. &C., it makes me little nerv-
Gus TO see it in print. Again, when l was
speakinp of the States from which the
settlers here came-I wrote H.. for Hi
nois-your types say; Philadelphia; also
it makes me say, it is 81 miles from Alex
andria to Manassas, when wrote 81.
Washington is 30, and Alexandria is s
miles by rail or boat, below. One OF the
most splendid views is to bcscen leaving
the Capitol 10y boat for Alexandria, on the
broad Potomac, which is mile wide-the
MARYLAND shore on the left, Virginia on
the right, the Capitol buildings, with its
massive wall, and dome in the rear,
looming up in the distance. surrounded
by the great city. founded by our fathers.
The old, but beautiful city of Alexandria
noars YOU in front; it is located on the
right bank of the Potomac, on a swell, or
nearly level plain, with broad straight
streets running back from the river which
are crossed by about dozen at right
angles, giving the town q fine appearance,
Washington street is located in about the
centre of the town, and runs parallel with
the river; the ground gradually descends
each way from this street, to and from
the river, which readily drains the town.
A special accommodation train runs
several times day to AMI from Washing
ton. This is fine city to do business
in, though they are short Of banks TO do it
with; il is so all through the Southern
States. While the Government properly
limited the number OF banks, and the
amount of currency to be put in circula-
ton, the bank charters were largely taken
up before the Southern States were re-
constructed; they were not in situation
to take them to much extent; they are
suffering for want OF more currency and
banks to ID business with. This Is one
reason why real estate i 50 low here. =.
Virginia, so centrally located, with her
mild. genial climate and her navigablc
waters. ought, and will yet be one of the
first States in the Union. Look at her
payirlblc waters-thc broad Potomac.
the James and AppomaitpN, her great
through lines of Railroads; the Orange,
Alexandria and ManaS Sas. The Chesapeake
and Ohio-AQuja creek and Richmond,
south side.-Manassas Gap, the Londcn
and Hampshire road up towards the Val
lev. with other roads to be built. The
war made many of her inhabitants poor;
it stripped them Of everything but their
lands their slave labovcr, are gonc-and
many of their houses were destroyed, and
they have not the means Ia rebuild. and
work their lands; they own large tracts.
and must sell part, or all. They have
too much land for free labor. There IS 4
vast amount of land for sale, all over the
State. What is wanted here, is capital,
and Yankee enterprise Saw and grist-
Mills must Toe built, Factories for the
manufacturing of everything conceivable
arc wanted; Foundries are wanted; the
State ahouud> in minerals. Capitalists
are coming from all parts of The country,
seeking investment. believe whoever
will invest here now in land. will double
if not treble their money in four or five
Years The average price Of land and
farms, is so per acre the size of farms
usually is from one hundred 10 five hun.
bred acres, some farms have much more,
while a few have less. Much of the land
here i - good, but not So we'll cultivated
a, they are in the Middle States, where
they sell for from so 10 $500 per acre.
With climate requiring about half rs
long a time 10 iced >tock-and with about
double the length of time for farmers 10
prepare crops and take care of them, rs
they have in the Northern States, what
reason * there that l"nds will not bc
worth (Nith free labor and yankee skill to
manage them) much more than they are
in the New England States
We are having very nice weather. On
The lst of December, had two acres of
grass land ploughed, near my house, for
fruit garden, &c, and from nursery
in Georgetown, have been setting out
apple, peaT, peach, and plum trees also
grapes, goo>ebcrries, and strawberries,
up to the 18th inst.
There has been but very little snow;
about half an inch has fallen two or three
times, and the ground freezes a little,
some nights. but readily thaws ont be-
fore noon the next day. Stock has not
been led but little yet.
The war history of my farm, and the
adjoining farms, is to be told, and many
Il soldier who served in the army of the
Potomac, will vouch for what | may
relate. Early in the war the rebels took
possession OF Manassas and fortified the
town. One third OF mile south OF me,
on a rise OF ground, are the remains OF
Fort Beauregsrd (where we are in hopes
to locate our County buildings, in a few
years. and all around the town the re-
mains OF Notifications are to be seen.
Ny farm IS known rs the Lewis B. Butler
farm, and was formerly large one. Adj
Joining me on the west, is the large VIM.
Wier farm, Of more than enc thousand
acres it has nice large brick house on
it, with many out buildings, and slave
cabins near by. On the east and joining
me, is the large L. Ii. Hove farm. These