The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-09-09
Correspondence OF the Richmond Disnatcb 7

eXcursionists would return to this nIoce
that afternoon or early in the night but
alas the uncertainties of "wind and tide l,'
1t was not till the close of the third dav
that our trip came to an end.
The party consisted of two charming
widow ladies, three prominent Republican
leaders of the peninsula district, youna
Republican appointee at this place, two
officers of the craft on which we were EN-.
barked, and your correspondent. The
mode of conveyance Wasa fine yacht.ripped
schooner belonging to Col. DeBarry and
son, which had been politely rendered to
us for merely nominal figure, and COM
mandcd by the Junior owner. OF the ladies
and the writer of this letter it may be said
there WAS no earthly political sympathy
with the e-referred-to Radical quar-.
tcttc; but socially the intercourse between
us could not have been more pleasant. In
fact, politics was but little talked of, and
what was said on that topic savored of the
most unqualified abuse of the Radical
leaders, and especially the junta at Rich
mond, who were almost to man eXcoriated
and denounced. 1t was truly refreshing to
q Conservative to listen to these gentlemen,
three of whom have represented the party
in The Legislature of Virginia, and all four,
I believe, now holding office under the
Government, denounclng rs unscrupulous
and 'unprincipIed their own fellows, and
invoking the gallows for some of the most
active and Jealous in the State.
With light breeze and beautiful sky
overhead we made the trip most delight
fully in three hours from West Point to
Cappahoosic wharf, in Gloucester county,
about sixteen miles distant, where the Ia
dies were landed, and we then proceeded
on our journey, arriving at Yorktown at
~ o'clock on the morning after our de-
parture. This delay was caused by dead
calm and head winds, which succeeded u
heavy gale of wind and rain that came
upon us when about ten miles from York
town. After few hours repose and q
1irst-rate breakfast at DaWson's Yorktown
Hotel, we separated-the Radical politi-
clans, and projectors, OF the trip, to ma
nipulatc their plans for the next campaign
in this section, III conference with the two
Nortons, prominent colored partisans re-
siding here, whom they had previously
sent for; and your correspondent to
take 4 stroll through the ancient village
of Yorktown and its historic environs.
The town itself is situated, as your readers
ure already aware, on most commanding
cminence overlooking the York river,
while away in the distance Il beautiful view
can be had of Chesapeake bay. Most Of the
houses here are OF u most insignificant one
story, dlapidated character, though there
are many exceptions in favor of comforta-
bic and spacious business and dwelling
houses. Amongst its historical features
may be mentioned the grand old brick man.
sion known as the residence of Lord Mel
son, and the famous old importing brick
warehouse, in which a century ago the
heaviest importing business was done in
this country. These buildings are still ia
u remarkable state OF preservation, quite
commanding in appearance, and are the
objects Of curiosity to all visitors to York
town. The latter building, we are in
formed. was years agone owned and used
by the Government as Il cuStom-houSe- the
Oldest in the country-Where all goods
shipped from Europe were first registered,
previous to their delivery to the merchants
of New York city, there being at that time
no custom-house there. The Nelson man
from the contendiug armies during the
struggles Of the Revolution.
Outside the town the stranger is edited
by a visit to the mysterious " CornWalls
Cave" the ancient burying-ground of the
Lord Nelson family, and he fast-disappear-
ing ruins of the old building in which, it is
said, the terms of capitulation were con-
cuded between General Washington and
CORVALLIS. Besides these scenes Of attrac-
ton, the remnants of the massive fortifca-
tions thrown up by the Southern troops
during the late war for the protection of
the peninsula country, form no inconsidera-
BILE object Of interest. These earthworks
have been pronounced TO be among the
most formidable andsuperior erected dur
ing the war.
While at Yorktown, we learned that q
most deplorable state of affairs existed
there among the owners otlanded property.
In many instances farmers are deprived of
houses to live in, because OF their occu-
pancy by negroes, who by hundreds take
possession of the many huts built there
abouts by the armies during the late war,
and defy the laws of Virginia by openly re-
naming in possession thereof. One gentle
man (whose name we suppress lest the Yen-
geance OF the negroes may be visited upon
him), leading lawyer, and to the manor
born, assured us that there were at this
time seventy-odd negro squatters upon
his property, whom it is impossible to
dispOssess. He has appealed to the law,
obtained processes of cjectlnent, but the
officers of the county find it futile to at.
tempt to execute them, and the return of
the sheriff as made to him was: "Attempt-
ed to execute the law of dispossesslon, but
met with resistance. Believe that any fur
ther attempt will cause bloodshed and
murder" This same gentleman informed
us that neighbor of his, upon whose plan
tetion were one hundred negro squatters,
had spent 500 in his efforts to recover his
property from these worthless intruders,
but that they had detied the sheriff, and
not one negro had yet left his place. Ap
peals have been made to the authorities ut
Washington and the Governor Of Virginia,
and assistance promised from the latter; but
as yet no steps have been taken to help the
distressed people of this section. How long
the laws of this ancient Commonwealth are
10 be set at defiance by these hordes OF law
less blacks remains, Is yet, an unSolyed
problem.
On arriving at Yorktown almost the first
thing that greeted our ears was the inform
ton that the smallpox had broken out
among the negroes there. Several deaths
had already taken place in the crowded
huts in the squatter precincts and others
were still stricken down with this loath-
some plague. Singularly to relate, Messrs.
Editors, is the fact that the unfortunate
annearance of the disease among the blacks
has been turned into political question.
Upon the best white medical authority we
have it that the disease Is real smallpox,
while, on the other hand, II Is sald thae
we'll known Radical physician anu polti-
clan contends that it IS nothing more IMAM
what is known as the black measles,
and that the report of smallpox was only
started as Conservative trick, IN ORDER 10
alarm the negroes and drive them away, so
that the Radical party might lose their Yotes
at the next election and also the controi OF
| the county offices. Strange Us THIS may
seem, yet there are the strongest assur-