The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-03-02

uuu il OtOoC piOAibuf 10 u " |
thrifty Northern farmers who will cordially
extend the right hand of welcome and fra
ternity to all who desire to cooperate
with them in the work Of establishing
a prosperous community. On our
way again, we glided under the frowning
b%attlements Of old Fort Washington, and
were soon abreast of the heights Of the
ancient homestead Of Mount Vernon. We
gazed reverently upon the sacred spot
where sleeps the '~'conquering hero" and
rekindled our patriotism and renewed our
VOWS of loyalty as we remembered his
great public services, his many sacrifices
and peril for the land he SO dearly loved.
Further on we passed the site of "Bel-
voiro mansion, once the home of Sir Will
liam Fairfax, cousin of Thomas, Lord
Fairfax, Baron of Cameron, who owned
all that vast tract of land lying between
the waters of the Rappahannock and the
Potomac. In this mansion, said to have
been quite grand and pretentious for
the time, our Washington, when a
youth of sixteen, was a frequent
guest, and it was here in contact with the
bewitching glances of Miss Carey" that
he felt for the second time in his life the
wounding dart OF Cupid. just beyond ''Bel-
voir" we again rounded in to the beautiful
bay which receives the waters Of the Pohick
and Accotink creeks. Here rose the mag
nifcent bluffs and woof-crowned heights of
Gunston, the once renowned estate of
George Mason, of Revolutionary fame.
The old mansion, restored from partial
rum and dilapidation, is now owned by
Colonel Daniels, of the Richmond STATE
. JOURNAL, and is one of the most noted of
the old homes of Virginia. Col. j. M. Lewis
late of Wisconsin, has just erected a splen-
; did house, with all modern improvements,
} on q bold headland, which commands one
| Of the finest views on the river. His
: place is called Ben Venue. This beautiful
| bay, protected on three sides by lofty
hills, surmounted by noble forests, is to be
b the terminus of the. new steamboat route.
I, The boat is to be here every night, afford
r ing to the weary denizens Of the city. a
s temporary escape from the tolls OF the
Q day during the summer. On all sides OF
6 it there are charming sites for villas, with
J, every advantage that can tempt a man
d to rural enioyments. Up the creek, q
few minutes run, we reached the ~ship-yard
at Accotink, where we were greeted by the
sight of the prospective steamer rapidly
If progressing to completion under the labors
IS of q large and efficient body of builders.
II did not matter that the Keel had been
IS laid long before-we laid it over again in
.e imagination and had our celebration al
le the same. Our company was largely in.
d creased by the addition Of the villagers and
l. many of the inhabitants Of the surrounding
d country. We had some appropriate music
r by the glee club and an ode by ID. Z
Smith esquire.
Z William Ell. Snowdon, esq.,, of Colling
Is wood, then delivered the regular address
re which was listened to by the assembled
multitude with frequent demonstrations o
3, approval.
" On the conclusion of the address, tn
III large ~assemblage repaired, upon invitation
OFF. II. Froth, president ofthe steamboa
ct company, to his beautiful home, wher'
le his good wife, a charming and noble matron
Or dispensed a generous hospitality which sup
or Piled all wants of the hungry, and mad
Sc everybody EEL as if they wanted to joi
ID the Woodlawn Farm IS cub aud live in
We country blessed with such good neigh
bors.
tn After the bountiful repast the compan.
er gathered in the ample parlors, halls an
d, porches and grounds about to listen to ad
CHI dresses by Colonel e. Daniels, Mr.. Hazle
its ton, Judge Barbour of Wisconsin, Dot
bins of New Jersey, and Cannon of |
to linOis.
IS. The remarks of all the speakers wei
k pertinent, sound and practical. Will
ny they deplored the unfortunate circum
nd stances which had retarded the successfl
in progress of useful industries in Virgini.
,m they confidently anticipated for her a gres
III, and prosperous future.
to Colonel Chase, Mrs. Daniels, Mr.. Woo
The and others OF the glee club. entertained IL
to folks between the speeches. All wei
ich surprised at what they saw in the way {
ro- progress, and delighted with the people an
lay the country. The wonderful success of Il
kill the colony of Northern families here !
nal Gated, was accepted as a guarantee OF WIKI
are they would ere long accomplish for tn
as long-neglected region of the upper Pot
md mac.
'sel 1t was toward evening Of the pleasaI
her May-hk TX day when the excursionists 7
the luctantly babe adieu to the good people
by Accotink and vicinity, carrying with the
Of most pleasant membranes Of their Co
,ity diality, their fragrant coffee, fresh milk al
try other good things, and the healthy, hapr
es- faces Of those who dispensed them so ge
ing erously. Three parting cheers were give
ing and three more for the prospective steame
ing and then all were re-embarked and on the
ade way back to the metropolis.
lis The return trip was marked by maj
ons enjoyable social Incidents. The glee eli
us, sang songs with happy effect, some of Il
emit party gave readings, and Mr.. Cannon.
ant Illinois, and others of the Oongressm'
ord made entertaining speeches. Pots
smoking Java and the contents Of maj
ample lu~nch-baskets satisfied all appetite
and all confessed that they had not oft
passed a day so pleasantly, and that thu
should never regret the excursion tn
made down the river on the 23d OF Febr
lh- airy, 1874, to participate with the Upp
AP Potomac Steamboat company in the int
HE esting ceremonies. With the unanimo
M consent of everybody the new steam
A will bear the revered and honored name
a0- the mother of our illustrious Washingto
y
JUDGE r. W. HUaHEs.-Since tl
oopt1amap,c sa1avofinn IN tho hanph Z