The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1879-04-23
1rrrER FROM NATcHEz.
rHE CHARITABLE INSTRUCTIONS OF SATcHEz-
VISIT TO col. J F. H.CLAIBoRxE-HIs HISTORY
OF NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. INDUsrRT AND En-
TERFRrsE-THE RAILROAD, ETC.
NArcHEz, April 10, 1879.

L
here NAV be of interest to your readers TAX
ing passage with Capt. feathers on Tuesday
evening last, arrived in Natchez Wednesday
P. NJ. and found my good friend Jno. a.
Dicks Under the Hill" waiting for me. On
the day following, attended the sixty-thlrd an
niversary OF the Protestant Orphan Asylum,
which is delightfully."- situated in the outskirts
Of the CITY. The friends of the institution
had assembled in large numbers. The Ma
sons had marched out in a body. The exer-
cises begun at noon. The orphan children
sang kind words can never die" Rev Il. ..
Woodward offered a most appropriate, tervent
PRAYER. your correspondent delivered the an
niversary address, and the children sang
beautiful anniversary poem, written Tor the
occasion by Mr.. JAS. 5. Archer. The reports
of the Secretary and Treasurer showed that
the Asylum was accomplishing great good,
having about forty orphans in its care, and
with sufficient funds for present needs.
Though not Masonic institution, the Grand
Lodge has of late years, been extending 1t
liberal and timely aid Several orphans OF
Masons are among its inmates, and it is un-
tlerstood that this class of unfortunates will be
received whenever offered. The building Will
not comfortably accommodate more than its
present number. 1t is to be hoped the day is
not distant when its capacity can be increased
to meet the demands upon it. Your cores
pondent was as much surprised as delighted
by love-token from the children, in the
shape OF a large and handsome patchwork
quilt, the work of their hands. After
the Benediction by Rev. DIR. Stratton, all sat
down to a table most bountifully supplied
with good things, contributed by friends of
the Asylum in the City. 1t was truly en-
ioyable occasion, and has been the means, l
have no doubt of intensfying the sympathy
and zeal of the friends of the institution. 1t
is one of the oldest orphan Asylums i'll the
United States, and during the sixty-three
years OF its existence has contributed to So
cietv scores OF useful men and women. 1t is
maintained entirely by the voluntary offerings
OF the charitably disposed, and the burthen of
its support has fallen mainly upon the people
of Natchez. The managers will gratefully ac-
cept help from any quarter. Mrs. John Flem-
ing is the Treasurer, and if any reader of
these notes wants to invest fifty or a hundred
dollars where it will do the most good, send it
to this good lady and it will be as treasure
laid up in heaven.
In company with Messrs Botto and Grafton
of the Democrat, and Messrs. f. Geo. DeLap
and Jno A. Dicks, l visited the Catholic
Orphan Asylum,-St. Mary's and D'Evereux
Hall. At the first named we were very kindly
received by Sister Bogia, who took us through
every part OF the establishment. Eighty girls
greeted Us with a welcome song, and then
dozen little Ones from two and half to four
years old, gave us a sweet specimen of their
vocal powers. The dormitores, the kitchen,
the wash-room, the sewingroom the chapel
and societyrooms, are all models of neatness
and order. Nine Sisters are in charge
The children seemed happy, and the sisters
devoted to the work to which they have dedi-
Gated their lives. The Asylum enjoys re-
health. We found only one patient
in the intirmary-a wee one only two years
Did, who had light case of pneumonia
She was sleeping as we approached the bed, |
and as Major Grafton removed the cover
10 see her face, she said, There's papa"
Col. d. thereupon bent down to the little |
sufferer, aud giving it fatherly kiss, turned
aside to give vent to the emotions of his gem
erous and tender heart. 1t was an affecting |
'cene-a picture that will long live in the |
The child's name is Martha Converse |
Its father is living, somewhere, but its mother |
lied Of yellow fever at Vicksburg 1t was sent |
mere, where it will never know want. Nav
he good Lord send his choicest blessings on |
hose who thus care for the unfortunate, and |
may He incite the prosperous to give of their
substance when these noble charities appeal
o them for help
ID Evereux Hall, conducted by the Brothers,
las fifty-three boys under its care. The in
titution is made nearly self-supporting from
| large garden. Although well managed the
absence OF woman's thrift and care is noticea-
Die IN all the surroundings, especially in the
lormitories. The Brother in charge told us
he boys were having holiday but on going to
he rear, we found about thirty Of them with
loes working like beavers, Ieveling future
'lay ground-'just little exercise" Quite
IN extensive addition is being made to the
building.
\ courteous note from Col J. F. II. Clai-
'orne, who resides at "Dunbarton," ten miles
rom Natchez, informed me that his carriage
vas at my service during my sojourn in Adams
ounty. Immediately after the exercises at
Protestant Orphan Asylum, and accompanied
y Judge j. d. Shields and VIM. II. Dunbar
$50. drove to the old and classic grounds of
)unbarton, where we received an old.time
learty welcome from the Colonel, his good
lie and accomplished daughter Here was
where the immortal S. s. Prentiss spent the
econd year of his school-teacher's life-a
Dom on the grounds having been occupied by
I'M Tor that period, just prior to his going to
>afchez Tor the study and practice of law.
We remained at Dunbarton until late in the
fternoon following, and it was rich treat to
sten to the Colonel as he discussed the mon
nd scenes OF the olden time. His recollec-
ION OF names and dates is wonderful. and We
stened to his narratives until after midnight
neonscious OF the lateness of the hour. The
Dom that Prentiss occupied is used as hi.
fhee, and there, in chests, and trunks, and on
nelves, are rich treasures that for MANY wears
e has been accumulating for his History of
Mississippi. Great volumes of manuscrints
nd correspondence, pertaining to the early
iStory OF the State have been carefully ex-
mined, and the abundance, rather than the
'arcity OF materials, has been his chief diff
nilty IN arranging facts for the narrative. ,
he history will make two or more volumes
ne Isl volume is now ready for the press. It
axes over thousand pages of manuscript ]
IVlded into thirty chapters. The modest
We page OF the work reads as follows;
mississippi, as Province, Territory and State {
ith Biographical Notices of Eminent Citi-
MS BY J. T. II. Claiborne" It's dedication
ad thus ''To the voung mo-, e