The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-01-25
The YORK R,yer-Its Route, SO. :

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The York River-Its Route, &o.
This very remarkable and very grand
tidalr river is destined to figure largely in
the commerce of Virginia. From it's head
to it's mouth it is almost straight, and the
vessel which sails from West Point, where
the Mattaponi and Pamunkey, that form it,
unite, may sail in direct line out through
the Chesapeake and between the Capes
Charles and Henry into the sea, the whole
distance being only fifty miles. So COM
modious o river with 30 straight a. course
and 30 deep channel must become high
way of very active commerce in time to
come.
This noble river is graced by very beau
tiful shores, indented with covcs and estu-
aries, that heightcn its beauty with their
variety, with here and there along either
shore very bold bluffs and graceful land
scapes adorned with happy-looking country
mansions and farm buildings. They, pos
sibly, may be more picturesque in the dis
lance than from nearer point of observa-
ton. But, nevertheless, they seem topos-
sess architectural dignity as well MS domes-
tic enchantment; and if not really what
they seem, they occupy situations that are
admirably adapted to fine residences and ar
tistic surroundings; and these they will
have in time, and that not q very long time.
There are on either side some of richest
lands in Virginia. They are all susceptible
of the highest Improvement, and will be-
come much sought after.
Already some of the finest estates on
both sides are owned by northern men.
Several wealthy gentlemen engaged in the
oyster trade, and others who are not, have
purchased large and fertile farms skirt'ng
the river. Their residences occupy eleYa-
ted sites, and they must be delightful Tor
the grand view that is stretched out before
them.
On the north bank is Gloucester, one OF
the richest counties in the State. King ana
Queen, which borders the York near its
head, is also n very rich county. On the
south side are New Kent, James City, and
York-all counties famed in days past for
abundance, comfort, and hospitality, and,
above all, for that admirable society which
prevailed also on the north side. These
counties are not only endowed with kind and
fruitful soils, but with an underlying stra-
tum of mari, easily accessible, and which
furnishes the means of maintaining per-
petual fertility of the lands themselves.
And yet the happy posscssors OF
lands in these famed counties are blessed
with another source of wealth and luxury
which is self-producing and inexhaustible-
that is, the produce of the waters the fish,
oysters, and game. From the head to the
mouth of the York the water is dotted over
with hundreds of fishermen, oystermen,
and duckcrs. All the chief Atlantic cities
luxuriate upon the excellent contributions
thus gathered from the York, while the i'm
mediate inhabitants of the shores subsist
in great degree from that source. The
farmers Of the shores have their planta-
tons of oysters regularly stakcd off, and
rent the privilege of taking oysters from
them. Fortune after fortune has been
made by the cnterprsing packers and deal
ers of Baltimore and New York upon the
yield of the York and other streams of the
Virginia "oyster fundum," and in recent
trip down the York We saw handsome
schooners belonging to- some Of these wealthy
persons at anchor receiving their freight,
fshed up by the Industrious oystermen with
their tongs. 1t was busy scene upon the
waters.
Yorktown the world no doubt takes to be a
hamlet situated near the end of the PENN
sula upon lowland slightly elevated
above the water. On the contrary, the
shore is bold and the land high above the
water. The sight is commanding, the land
good, the water deep and broad, and vessels
of the deepest draught can lie close to the
shore. But that Virginia had SO many deep
waters suitable for shipping and for COM
merce, and Yorktown was isolated upon
u narrow peninsula, cut off from the
great interior by wide tidal rivers,
it would have been o great city. Thus,
it has stood still, with q country
tavern and country neighborhood custom
supporting few stores, while it had an
harbor wherein the nayies of the world
could ride.
But so fine site and such water must
| come to be better used in time. The shores
of the York and the peninsula on both
sides must become garden spots of Virgil
MIA. The admirable communication they
will have with the principal markets of the
Union, their adaptability to fruits and We
getables, as we'll as all descriptions of grain,
will soon fill them with live and enter
prising population, and there will be such
scene of going and coming, of freighting
to and fro, and tillng and gathering fruits,
as the people dwelling within the richly
endowed land now hardly dream of.
We need hardly add that this city is
deeply interested in the prosperity of this
superb section of Virginia. BY rail we are
only forty miles from the York, and nearer
still to one of its rich tributaries. We are
now in daily communication with it, and
time will greatly increase our trade with
it's prosperous inhabitants.
The York River route, too, is becoming
more and more famed. In it's relations to