Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-08-06
The Northern Neck DIVA.

Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
PoToMAc RIVER August 2, lS72.-I have
visited Lancaster, Richmond, and Northum-
berand and have touched at various wharves in
Westmoreland aud King George, 50 that have
gotten much better idea OF the Neck than
| ever had before.
There are some splendid farms in this region
in very high state of improvement, and al
though the drought has been long protracted
and very distressing (nearly ali of the mills be-
ing compelled to cease grlpding,) l saw some
6ne fields of corn and many evidences OF pros:
perity among the people.
The fact that the ladies of Lancaster took in
over on, thousand dollars at their Confederate
monument fair shows that there is at least some
money in that county.
articles which before the war they suffered to
waste on the farm, aud they do not now de-
pend on Cufee (he goes GShing) aud the ordi
nary products ofthe farm Railroad cro>s-ics,
ivy root, shingles. barrel staves cord wood tau
bark, timber Of all kinds, fish. oysters, fruit.
fowls, eggs. aud truck generally are sent off
in great quantities. and afford most protita
bic trade to the steamers on both rivers and
the number of sioops that ply from thr
wlarves of the Neck to Baltimore and Phil
adephia.
In Lancaster county alone there are nine diff
terent wharyes where the steamers touch, and
the trade during the year Is very large. In
Old times the ivy was considered BY the farm
ers great NUISANCE. but a good hand can now
make from FIVE to eight dollars dag digging
ivy root whlck commands ready sale and d
high price
Some idea Of the extensive huckstering done
in his section may be gathered from the fact
that during the past year Sl2,nop worth Of
eggs were sold at one single whari-L dgc s.
in Northumberland county.
\ number Of northern men have settled in
this region. and SOM. Of them have done well
But many Others cane down with the idea thar
the natives knew nothing about farming. and
that they would teach them new aud paying
SYSTEMS aui the natural result has been utter
taure-som" of them giving up thelr i.ruls
and losing the first payment 80 them.
\ ltl. exception u these latter III .anireth
/ the celebrated seed man OF i'hl'adejpha> who
! has bought place in Lancaster county which
seeking ana Adopting the advice Of the natives
! he is making profitable. and is proposing u
! convert INTO >eeutarm.
| These counties abound with historic .>soca-
! tons and traditions of the Old cpou!aI and rev.
oluiouary days. The records in the c'.'rk :
/ "ffi,e of Lancaster county run back As Tar as
/ l;:,1 and ,rc>cr: much that Is curious and III
! teic>tug. =,
! +. a. There are orders of court fnIng men
! for failure to attend the colonial church. and
one forbidiing the erection ola house OF wOr-
ship by the PRESBYTERIAN. Church OF which DR..
Wadde the blind preacher whom Writ
immortalzcd was then pastor
| There is also an order Of court giving Mon
! asknn." an Indian chief. martcriai suit ~e
presume suit # cloth is meant} fer kiiiiog a
| wolf Which had long been very troublesome TO
| the settlers
The wharf of;Mr. Carter, frner represent
tative of the county. Is named ''Moua>kon
after this chief. and there are many Lingering
traditions concerning him.
AS We steam up the Potomac to day we pass
the birth place Of Washington and "Stratturd
where r E:Jce was born, aud are reminded OF
other aud brighter days a. We gaze on the his
tofic shores Of c>tmoreland, and think Of the
mahy great men she, gave,to the; oonptry:.
+ But as we steamed nut of the focomico to
Tie broad Potomac We saw 10 the distance on
the opposite shore, Point Lookout, where SO
many Of our brave boys suffered aud died in
| prison during the wal