Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-12-26

A->--
&C.. &C., &c.
A friend has furnished us copy of the |
Belfast, ireland, "Whig." of December |
;th, which contains highly interesting |
etter from Mr.. VIM. H. Bingham, of
Belfast, who recently made short So
ourn in Augusta county, and who made a
most excellent impression on those of our
,iLizens who met him. He came to Au-
yusta in company with Mr.. M. N. Brad
lev, of this city. Like every other per-
ION from Europe who visits our county.
he has word of censure for our bad roads.
AS it is matter of pleasant curiosity to
know how our land and people strike q
foreigner, and especially one OF class o.
whom we hope to have many among us
sooner or later, We copy goodly portion
Of his letter, substituting a blank where
the names of private gentlemen occur:
Hearing that some planters wished to
sell lands short distance from Staunton,
I drove out into the country on the morn
ing of the 9Th inst. After dismounting
from the wagon and leaving my black
I river in charge, walked over bad, dusty
roads and through beautiful woods. where.
every few minutes. the prospect was mag
nlicent. as the whole district is gentle
hill and dale. I did not believe there was
any place in the world SO beautiful. No
gentleman's park have ever seen can
compare with it. What was more impor-
tant, the further got the cleared lands
looked more like home. AS there is little
underbrush in the ancient forest, a con-
siderable distance can be seen. At length
r oboorvo1 fun r nt1nmQn nm hnrcphno k
On asking my way to Colonel -, the
old gentleman said he was Colonel -,
and that the other gentleman was his son.
On my saying had come from Ireland to
look over the valley, the young man i'm
mediately dismOnnted and made me take
his horse, and the Colonel and rode over
all his plantation and through the grand
old woods. The Colonel was one of the
purest specimens Of natures nobility l
have ever met with. He had been Colonel
of the 32nd Regiment of Militia before the
war, owned great number of slaves and
very extensive plantation of splendid
magnificent woods, a substantial brick
residence, good fences, fine. ,out-houses,
and every convenience.
l asked the old gentleman how he could
think of leaving such place. Hisanswer
was that it was matter OF necessity. The
contending armies ravaged his district.
and everything that was not hidden was
taken. For four years his place had been
laid waste. During the war also his ex-
penditure was excessive, even for calico
dress not worth eight cents yard Mrs.
- had to pay from SO to rs dollars, and
barrel OF flour cost from 50 to 100 dol
Colonel - was left without anything
and greatly in debt. Still he could not
bear to part with his beautiful home, and
sold part Of his plantation for the most
pressing needs. Now he can hold on no lon
ger. If he does not sell the. property
others will sell it for him, and he has divi-
ded the remaining part of his plantation
into three farms for sale. There is moth.
ing private in this: he speaks of it openly.
1t is well known; and state the facts to
show why there is so much land for sale in
this valley.
His case is only one of many. Proprie-
tors have held on as long as they can. but
can do SO no longer. AS Colonel - says
his children were raised at an unfortunate
time, they were used to every attendance
and every luxury, slaves were at their call
and they are not suited for roughing it on
large farm. To be slave to such man
has not been hard burden. The negroes
stuck to him to the last; and was speak
ing this morning to one of them who was
still with him (although free MANI, for
whom the Colonel paid $50 dollars when
he was eighteen years of age. He is now
fine strong man in his prime. and W hen
saw him he was husking Indian corn with
will. One OF the Colonel's domestic fe.
males slaves is as anxious about her old
masters griefs aud joys as member Of
| his own family. ~ - s.
ca r1a uffHrr aoAinn his
place, was leaving, when the old gentle
man said, No, sir; am still emperor
here l have entertained from ten to for
| tY guests here at a time; my table seldom
wants a visitor, and will insist that you
remain until Monday" Mrs. - inter
ested me very much by her descriptions Of
| the terrible scenes she had come through
| during the war. when all her male rela
tions were fighting. Colonel - is {
leading man in the next Presbyterian con
| gregation, and on Sunday he asked me tc
accompany him to church. About ter
| O'Clock we started, the old gentleman OF
horseback, son on another horse, two O
the family in a buggy, and the remainder
and myself in the old family carriage
which had seen better days.
A drive of three Or four miles brough
us to very good brick church in the mid
die of the woods, where, tied to the tree
around, were about 200 horses. Everyone
rides, and such tying in open air is tn
case all the year round. AS the minister
was absent assisting another at commun
ION, Colonel - acted in his place. The
congregation numbered from $50 to 400
nearly all the settlers around being Pres
byterians. There was excellent singing
accompanied by good harmonium, ant
the church was very comfortable. AL
though it was the 9th of November, thu
windows were down, and the ladies wer
using fans. Every seat had large wood
en- spittoon, filled with some absorbent
as everyone here appears to chew, although
not many smoke.
Colonel - has divided the remaining
part of his plantation into three farms, al
| of which have good permanent running
water, and are all first class lands. TIL,
first has 100 acres. with acres of grapes
in full bearing, but has only caretakeri
house on it. The price is Az dollars pc
acre. No. 2 I'LL acres) will cost IS dollar
per acre. The third lot-283 acres, will
mansion house and offices ard all improve
ments-is to be sold at 60 dollars per acre
| The last place is good enough for any gen
tleman. Nearly the whole population herr
are abstainers from intoxicating drink
and in this Presbyterian settlement NJ
Elquor saloon could live. It has been triet
| three times but failed. AS Colonel -
said, 1T died because it was let alone.
send you these particulars about Colonel
plantation, as there are many others
| in similar position.
| In the house where am now writing
| although the people do not want to sell
| they received me hospitality, asked me tc
| remain all night, placed food before me
much better than could get at home
and left great basket OF fruit for me tC