Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-01-10
LETTER FROM VIRGINIA.
WEST PoINT, King William CO., Va.
LIST month, 2nd. 1870.

and James City counties, looking after the
school interest on the Peninsula, and was
never in place where was made so fully to
realize that the 'World is a barber-shop and
every body is shaving" The charges were
exorbitant and conveyance poor at that. The
hotel bills were larger and more comfortable
to take, than their bills of fare. l notified the
morning at o'clock, and was assured that
would be. called in ample time; no can was
received, but was up in time, and then was
informed by the bOotblack that it did not stop
at Yorktown, and this was the first trip since
the change, ample notice having been given
that passengers must cross and take the boat
at Gloucester Point just opposite. This was
scheme to keep me spell-bound there two days;
but it did not work on Yankee. Irushed up
some negroes who seemed slower than death,
and pushed off in a small boat, and by strong
signals induced the steamer to stop in the
channel TO take me on; and here l am. lFhe
storm has ceased and am off in private sail
boat, to King and Queen county, where an APP
pointment has been made to meet the people
at Tolliver Church this p. NJ. 1t is warm
and pleasant, and 1 noticed the people plow
ing yesterday as l rode from Williamsburg to
Yorktown. Many of the people hold in affec-
tomato remembrance, our friend James Van
Blareom of China, whose last labors in this
life were spent here, all uniting in the opinion
that he did much good. .... ...
There is yet large redundancy of colored
people on the Peninsula, and positive necessity
alone will scatter them, and to my mind it is
justice to let it come to compel these poor
creatures to do as they ought to do--go where
they can be useful and earn good living.
If you have snow storm to spare please
send it down here for it would be refreshing
to us to have just one
1t is said the longevity of the people here is
greater than in New England, and judge the
reason of it is they more SO slow it takes
them longer to get through the world A live
Yankee often gets out of patience with their
slow movements and apparent indifference
ones having their due, and the white people,
Of this State, get theirs when l call them a
lazy, mem,- contemplate set, and not fit asso
ciatcs for any one except inebriates, gamblers
and libertines of the land;-this will admit of
honorable exceptions but viii hold good as
rule Human Slavery, ''the sum of all viii
lanies," has done its work of devastation and
ruin upon the land and hearts of the people of
the South, and time alone will fully recon-
struct it to prosperity and happiness. l saw
at Yorktown the old warehouse used at one
time by the greatest importers of goods in
America. New York and Philadelphia mer-
chants purchased their supplies at Yorktown,
or Old York. Gas it was then called,9 New
York took its name from the fact that it had
become as celebrated as old York. Presi-
dent Elwell informed me that it was clear,
had it not been for slavery Yorktown at this
day would have been the metropolis of the
region is, susceptible of great improvement,
but it win be a long time before the dogs will
get out of the Manager and allow improvements
to be made. $3.50
The scenery and topography of the country
on either side of the York river are delight
full and the climate very desirable, and in
time will invite immigration from all parts of
the world. Lands are selling at about $40
per acre, but the trouble is to obtain safe
title, everything of this kind is SO in the dark
the records having been burned during the
war and property falling to heirs by sudden
changes the war made. $50
Before closing, as a high wind prevents my
contemplated trip to day, must give you an
account of my visit to the Lunatic Asylum at
Williamsburg. 1t was built in 1863, or at
least the first building, and here, were the iron
CRATES through which the patients had their
food given them, and the straight jackets in
method of treatment. They are not in use at
all now, the Superintendent DR.. Brown, be-
ing very humane man. uses the law of kind
ness to its fullest extent, and all appeared hap
py and comfortable as could be with their de-
lusions upon them. There are 200 patients,
the number being larger than ever before.
owing to loss of friends and property. incident
to the late war. The buildings are very fine
and all is in apple-pie order. From the top
of the tower, the noble james ON one hand is
clearly seen, and the majestic York on the
other. The sight twas really delightful Part
ing from my kind friend DR.. Brown, Twas imr
pressed tina, one Northern manwas in his right
place, and that this Asylum was second to none
in my knowledge. tuI
/ repaired to our coach or cart (;,'Keat," y
to leave, and just as We we're leaving the
place we met band of hunters with eight
deers on their shoulder as the reward of their
days labor Deer being plenty;here it is found
to be fine sport TO hunt them. In kindness to
you Twili close. 1893, l' With respect,
,E-a-JA -.sllS S.H. JONES.
The Washington correspondent of the
New York Tribune, says the President
aud Cacratarv of the TrpaSury have dpciu-