National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-03-26
DELAWARE DOTS.
4 SPICY LETTER FROM A VISITOR.
Bob Ingersolrs Opinion Of the Little State-JOhn
II. ClaytOn's Old HOme-Christiana Greek
A Walk Around WilmingtOn-Seens
in the Early Morning.
Special 10 The Republicdn.

Special 10 The Republican.
WILMINGTON, DEL, March 25.-The
Bayards and the Saulsburys have represented Del
aware so long in the National Congress that many
persons think there are no other families OF
any account in the State but this is very far from
the truth for there not only many able but some
very brilliant men here and it would not do to
collect too much intellect upon so small an area,
for there would be danger of it tipping up, and
somebody might get hurt, and that might please
Colonel Bob Ingersoll; for if there is anything he
holds in deteStatOn it is this little State He
could not be induced to look with favor upon
anything pertaining to it-not even haSketful OF
her most lucious peaches. Senator Bayard is very
popular in this his native place, and although
many are politically opposed to him. socially they
are his warm friends. About eight or ten miles
south of this city is the old home of one of Del
awares most brilliant statesmen,
THE LATE JOHN NJ. CLAYTON.
The mansion is very large, and is built of brick.
1t is surrounded with extensive grounds filed with
handsome shrubbery, peach, plum pear. and apple
trees. There is afne barn, with every convenience
for storing grain and the care of stock. Before ne
built this house, Mr.. Clayton occupied an old
fashioned mansion upon the adjoining farm,
which he afterward sold: it was during the excite
ment of the Mexican war, and the euphonious
names ofthe Mexican battle-felds were pleasant
to his ear, so he named the old place I" Buena
Vista, and when he built the new house he called
it Palo Alto" by which name 1t Is still known.
Mr.. Claytan left no children, and the homestead
became the property of his nephew, who survived
him but a few years 1t is now the home
of his grand-niece, who is very pretty and very
charming young lady. Mr.. Clayton belonged to
the old Wing party, and was a capital stump
speaker. During the Taylor campaign he was an
nOunced TO speak at O mass meeting held at the
Brandywine Springs. As no building large enough
could be obtained, it was decided to hold the
meeting in a ravine, the speaker standing in the
valley and his audience ranged in seats upon the
hill-sides. People focked from all parts of the
surrounding country to hear him, some on horse
back, some in wagons, on foot on mule back, and
even ox-carts were pressed into the service. His
speech abounded with wit and anecdote, which
kept his hearers in
ROARS OF LAUGHTER;
and when he told the story of the Yorkshireman
and the shilling" in his inimitablc way it brought
down the house, Or rather, the hills. The old
Swedes' Church, in this city, Is object of great
interest 1t built by the Swedish settlers of the
State in $685. is very quaint in appearance and in
the grave yard attached are buried the ancestors
of many of the oldest families here. On Chris
tiana Creek, and within the present limits of the
city, there is a small rocky promontory,
upon which the first Swedish colony
in America landed april, 1851, and around which
was planted the first permanent European settle
ment in the valley of the Delaware. Wilmington
is a manufacturing city, and the place where iron
ship building was first carried on in this country,
and is still leading seat of that industry. walk
around the ship yards is both instructive and en-
teTtaining. There are also carriage factories, mo-
rocco factories foundries and extensive works for
the manufacture of cars
TWO OR THREE MILES NORTH OF THE CITY
there are extensive powder works. The country
in the vicinity is very beautiful with pretty little
streams, shady drives, and grassy slopes; but It's
dangerous ground. There is no knowing at what
moment an explosion may occur, and what the
result may be- There are quite number of hand
some residences near the works belonging to the
different members of the well-known family,
originally from France, and who established the
manufacture of powder in Delaware. The sensa-
ton is not pleasant one-to be in one of these
houses, and while indulging in the luxury of
an afternoon nap, to be suddenly awakened by
clap of thunder, as it were, and in a moment have
the house rock from cellar to garnet and every
window in it shattered; or some bright, pleasant
morning, when seated upon the piazza enjoying
an interesting book, to be startled by something,
you hardly know what and, looking UP, perceive
heads, arms, and limbs flying up in the air like
feathers. With the venerable Mrs. Darlington,
some of the residents would much prefer being
upon 'visa-versa." Notwithstanding the danger,
it is said men can always be obtained to work in
the mills. One reason of this Is the
HIGH WAGES PAID,
and another there is some provision made for the
widows and orphans in case of accident There
was an explosion Monday morning, but they are
not so frequent in these mills as they were a few
years since. Every precaution Is taken to guard
against them, and the buildings are very slightly
built. When one does occur very often the roof
only is lifted, leaving the walls intact but at the
same time for one would rather not run any risks
in that line. Although Wilmington is large and
thorough business city, yet the primitive style Of
market is still in vogue The country wagons,
some of them very old and forlorn too, are backed
up close to the sidewalk on the sunny side in
winter and the shady side in summer. The horses
are removed, and the vender stands near the back
OF the wagon with his wares for sale.
THE SCENE EARLY IN THE MORNING
is novel one, and one not soon forgotten. The
chatter of the buxom market women whose only
opportunity for gossip is upon market day the
eager crowd of purchasers with basket In hand
old men, young men, hOusekeepers, pretty girls:
the osing, the crowding, the display of fruits and
vegetables rolls of golden butter, and baskets full
of fresh eggs are n curious sight; and strange to
say, all this, until within very few years past,
was upon Market street, the principal
business street of the city. At pres
ent the market wagons are confined
to an unimportant street. There are a number of
Quakers. or Friends, here, and the sweet "thee"
and " thou" is almost as common as "you" and
your" Some of the most substantial farmers in
New Castle County belong TO this sect, and their
houses and farms are perfect patterns of neatness
and thrift Much interest Is felt here in the new
railroad to be built this spring, and it is expected
to have part of it completed by June.
VISITOR