The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-07-31
What Sort of Lands and People a
Pennsylvania Saw III Virginia.
Letter to the Hanover t1'a.) Herald.J
A TRIP TO VIRGINIA., .cJ

our pref ludiccS go bev0nQ aHu inciuuc WnaC
we in this pait are wont to term the rebel
States; and that this has been great bar
and hindrance to the settling and develop
ING Of the country there can be no doubt.
We left Hanover on the morning OF the
18th instant, and as the excursion part OF
the programme by rail to Richmond was a
failure, owing to not having the required
number (ten) OF eXcursionists, we unani-
motlsly concluded to take the York River
steamboat line down the bay from Balli.
more and up the York river to West Point,
thence by rail forty miles to Richmond.
The regular fare by this line is 50 from Bal
timore to Richmond, but through the efforts
Of Mr.. Hause, who was instrumental in get
ting UP the party, the rate was reduced to
S4.25. The Journey was all that could have
been desired for interest and pleasure. Leav-
ing the wharf as early as 2. NJ. gave US an
opportunity to see the bay in sl its spen-
dor. We passed Forts McHenry and Car
roll, and Annapolis, before supper; and
such supper as we partook OF was enough
to make glad the heart OF the most eXacflng
epicurean. AS the evening was very plea
SAINT one, we remained on deck enjoying the
moonlight scene until near midnight, when
we retired for the night. Having rested
well, we found ourselves next morning
Sn1eIN HlOOTSu ILL lue UlU UlSlSI ~ ioNH VI
Yorktown. Passing from thence to G!ou-
cester Point and few other landings, we
arrived at West Point at O'Clock A. NJ.
Our impression, derived from this part OF
The Journey, OF the quality and productive
ness Of the soil, was anything but favorable.
though dare say that even here the indus
try and perseverance OF many Of our Penn
syIyania farmers would find living and re-
ward from the soil for their labor.
We were safely ensconsed at the st. Claire
Hotel in Richmond by 10 O'Clock in the
morning, and with the aid of brush and
water were in a short time ready for sight
seeing. The hotel facing on the city park
gave US the opportunity at once OF doing
so; but to describe the park and its differ
ent monuments would require all and more
space than your paper would admit OF.
The park is situated on high ground, and
contains the State-housc, a fountain, mag
nitcent monument OF Washington on horse
back-sad to be tie finest piece OF work in
this country il not in the World-and a
r!lonument to "Stonewall Jackson" on
which are inscribed these words:
Presented by English Gentlemen
AS q tribute of admiration for the
Soldier and Patriot,
THOMAS j. JACKSON,
And gratefully accepted by Virginia
in the name OF the Southern people.
Done A. D. 1875,
In the hundredth year OF the Common
wealth.
"Look there is jackson standing like a
stone wall"
The ground also contains monument OF
Henry Clay, very life-like. AS there Is
quite sulfciency OF stately trees and set
thn llnnS Sln n =
watching the different groups Of loungers,
squirrels, of which latter we counted no
less than dozen.
In the afternoon we visited one Of the
large tobacco. manufacturing houses, which
is well worthy OF visit from anyone who
may happen in this city. l suppose there
were at least 800 hands employed, mostly
colored, quite Il large percentage being chill
dren, all working with a will and light
ening their labors by singing their quaint
and stirring songs.
Having previously had the pleasure OF an
introduction to the popular firm OF MeSsrs.
Chaffin, Staples e Co., real estate agents,
we visited their office, Il short distance from
the hotel, where we were received in most
cordial manner. Our company here sepa-
rated, part of them accompanying Mr.
Chatiin on 4 drive down the river 10 see
some farms lying in that direction. The
rest of us remained in the city, and through
the kindness OF Mr.. Staples, we were soon
assured OF rich treat in the shape OF a
drive through some OF the finest parts OF
the city.
At 6 O'Clock in the evening he called with
q splendid team, as per appointment, and
of we started for the reservoir, from Which
q good view of the country can be had.
From this we went to Hollywood Cemetery,
4 place OF exquisite beauty and grandeur.
Here is the restlug-place OF President Mon
roe and many other distinguished persons.
1t also contains q monument OF uncut stone,
OF the style of the Egyptian Pyramids,
probably seventy or eighty feet in height,
which was erected to the. memory OF the
Confederate dead. But not to costly monu-
ments alone. or to their immediate surround
ings, need this place look for beauty; but
to the variety of its landscape, the grandeur
Of its mighty trees, commingling the beauty
of nature with the finest of art. We re-
turned to the hotel with the conviction that
although the city with its 10000 inhabitants
had no city halls or other public buildings
costing millions OF dollars, it had something
of much more Importance to its people in
the way OF fine and tasty dwellings, flour
ing mills OF great capacity, iron-werks OF
scarcely surprising magnitude, and water
power sufficient for all present and future
growth.
Early the following morning found us on
our way up the south side Of the James
river. Our company was again rednited,
and we now required the four-in-hand team
Of the firm. Ofthe horses aud fine wagon,
with its irrepressible and most gentlemanly
driver, Mr. Chaftn, we can only say that
there was harmony in it all; and that the
master was worthy Of the team, and knew
loW TO care for as well as handle them. We
soon 'eit Richmond in the distance, and
,ame to the lands which we were asked to
and long before the day was spent
We were astonished at the fertility OF the
oil, and its wonderful cheapness, COM
Jared to our neighborhood. Lands can be
fought at an average price Of $40 or
'l2 per acre. Some with large teds of
coal, some developed and work
d, others partly so; and again Others show
hat they need nothing but capital TO de-
elep them. Right here, however, we must
livest ourselves OF all our former ideas OF
oal.mines, for the country, instead OF be-
ng rugged and mountainous. as is the case
With us, is level, and can be farmed to the /
cry mouth Of the mines.
Night found us about twenty-five miles
rom Richmond, and q few miles from the
ames river, on d plantation OF 1.f00 acres
nd upward, which is also for sale. Here !
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