The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-24
VICTORIA REGINA.


vIEGISIAN CELEBRATION or THE ROYAL
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. MEETING or
BRITISH SETTLERS AND CITIZENS AT
Observation-Disclosures OF CONCENTRATION
SENT TO LORD DERBY.
PETERSBURG, Va, May Is, 1874
Victoria l., by the Grace Of God Queen OF Great
Britain and ireland. Defender OF tho Faith and En-
press Of India is popular parsonage In old Virginia
Tho native vIrginians. AFTER century Of
independence, preserve many ancient Gus
toms and forms OF speech derived from
the old country. They are still essentially English in
thought feeling and sympathy. and the majority ofthe
educated classes look upon the British government
the true model OF all good governments, There has
always been close bond OF union between Old Eng
land and OH Virginia spenscr, in his "Facrie
.Queene," addressed Queen Elizabeth az EN-
pressc' OF Virginia, among other realms and
Charles IL was styled liking OF England.
Ireland, Scotland, Franco and Virginia" This was
Indeed. the only OF the American colonies which
can be said 10 have had king Of its been
kingdom TO ITSELF After the Revolution the chival-
ric cavaliers OF Virginia republicans and
theory but arsiocrats and royalists prac
tice They blamed King George for forcing them to
revolt, but they loved him the less and jealousy
preserved their prcrogatives lords OF the soil
and mobiles among tho Commonaity.
Tho short livcd Confederacy brought many changes,
but 1t did alter the love virg,nians bore to Eng
land Then after the there came TO Virginia a
crowd OF English gentlemen, who bought estates,
founded colonies, built churches and generally madc
themselves at home We have now thousands OF such
British settlers scattered all over tho State who
agree In sentiment with virginians far better
than with any other class OF Americans. They
are mostly men OF education and refinement,
moderate fortune and conservative Idcas and thcy
apparently choose Virginia locate In because In this
State they mover hear England spoken OF with disre-
spect or Engands royal family sncercd at
For several years II has been the custom OF tho
British settlers to celebrate tho birthday OF Queen Vic
toria with great magnlnccnce Fsfes banquc,s balls
and marked the natal week OF tho Queen
rcgnant Of tho British Empire and the
leading statesmen OF the South have cordially
given their coupcnance and support tho festivities
This year the annual British celebration was fixed
10 take place in Petersburg city which was the
theatre OF the hottest conflicts during the slate
plcasantncss" There are many scenes Of interest
around this "cockado city, so denominato.i
from incident which occurred during the
Mexican war in relation to the "cockades'i
OF the Petersburg volunteers Old Dlandiord
church. mile from town, Is an ivy-covered
ruin of colonial days. second only in tho
cattle OF ST. Augustine in Florida The celebrated
cratcr Is only TWO miles away and localities famous
during the war abound in every direction
THE British Association OF Virginia fixed Pctors-
burg for tho British celebration Of 1876 response
special invitation from the Mayor Of the city and
numerous prominent citizens and the arrangements
have been gotten up by mixed committee OF citizens
and settlers, comprising the most solid and substan-
Tho Committee Of Invitation issued tho following
address fortnight ago.
To BnrrIsn SETTLERS VIRGINIA RESI-
The undsrsignsd rsprsssnng tho citizens Of Petersburg,
pose Of arranging for grand celebration Queen vetoras
G sS hs
and TO British residents In other States 10 participate In
The s'assp..l yer afford: splendid spD.:.un,.y for
tersburg historically and appropriately mark the gori
brotherhood which century been
81 With and
during means OF regeneration vrinans love tie old coua
Try the dear old home Of their the birth place
deeply those noble virtues and graees which
'so when invite so x &c
ehsraessTssd bv the hs.rtnss. and enthusiasm which
The British celebration. heretofore hold in inia have
on beha Of our native and adopted csiaens that the ces
bration Of 1875 will lack nothing that
We: therefore you and all to Join honcr.ng
one more link to the golden chain Of affection which binds
together citizens Of the United States and the British
signed at Petersburg. Va. this nth day May 1875
B. faSSASf f1:.d nsS' Of the @s' cssSrson
Tho British settlers arc now arriving by every train
where else outside OF England Along tho streets wo
buriy specimens of tho fox hunting squire, tho
agsterial country gentleman, the city merchant tho
farmer, the cockney and hundred other variety OF
British character Quite a number OF charming ladies
also among the arrivals Tonight there Is TO BIO
welcome meeting and to- morrow grand banquet ssV-
vat Regina will be shouted with all tho power OF Brit
| ish lungs. and champagne will How In continuous
stream down British tnroats 10 the glory OF Her
Imperial and Royal Majesty.
The welcome meeting to British settlers o-night
OF a most enthusiastic character, d. b. remnant, a
wealthy merchant, presided, and eloquent addresses
were delivered by Hon. W. y. e. Gregory, Mayor OF
Petersburg; the Rev. Giles g. Cooke (Episcopa) the
| Rev. John Bayey (Mcthodst; Dr. Whitehead and
others. Responses behalf OF the British ASSOCIATION
Virginia were made by Mossrs. Charles Bugg, Prcs-
dent OF the English and American Bank, Farmville
I Henry Jacob f. Allan and others.
Major Gregory, in his speech referring to Americans
| and Engshmen, said, 1--WE all British" HIS
Honor said this celebration "a glorious event in
tho Centennial year. "
On motion OF the Chair the following message to tho
Earl OF Derby for presentation to Queen Victoria
adopted
In tho centennial OF American Inde pendence the
British
grand banquet In Petersburg. unite congratulate
Queen Victoria her birthday The which opened
ginin the Revolution,
has crowned the Centennial Exhibition with success
America and England this join hands forever.
gether. with hearty enthusiasm. pray ytccf Rsgina
w. Y. q. GRE9ORY. Mayor If Petersburg.
d. y. TENNANT, President of British Celebration.
Tho banquet tomorrow will be unprecedented
scale of magnincencc Letters Of sympathy have
received from the Governor General OF Canada, tho
British Ambassador at Washington, Consul General
| Archibald. Governor kcmper aud other eminent per-