The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-09-30
A Richmonder's Trip Down the Poto'
mac and Up the Rappahnnnock.
Poetic and Practical Reheetions- Rich
mond's Natural Business Territory Mono
polized by BaItimore-The succuient BIZ
valve and True Patriots.
correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.I
RICHMOND COUNTY, VA.,1

Washington TO Nomini. which Is over 120
miles, land then the frequent crossing the
Potomac from landing to landing increases
greatly the length OF the voyage on this
wide rIyer,) for the small sum OF twenty
five cents-a policy no doubt the fruit OF
bitter opposition that too often arises in
trade. am reminded OF rivalry that was
displayed in my young days between the
Thomas Jefferson and "Patrick
Henryv two-side-whecl river boats that
ran about the years 1887 and 1888 on James
river between Richmond and Norfolk.
Many OF your old citizens will remember
the feats Of enterprising rivalry which these
boats performed. The regular fare then
to Norfolk was five dollars. The spirit OF
opposition soon brought about reduction
TO "a, and sharp retaliation on this brought
it down to SO, and down, down il went,
the public applauding and huzzahing all
the while. At last il reached twenty-five
cents, meals thrown in; and then, to cap
the climax, one of the boats advertised
free passage and free meals and bottle OF
wine to each passenger that would come
on board. This wound up the ball, and |
reckon you will admit that il has hardly
been excelled before or since in any direc-
ton. Verify cold Virgins" Il hard to
beat. much a. is said about wonders in en-
terprise in some other parts OF the coun-
try.
just here | would say we have on board
the Thompson. the craft on which | sail,
a valuable, ofl-hand colored minister, from
Washington, on his way to Tappahannock.
He was not long in making himself known
among his colOred brethren, who are now
well represented on all the lines OF travel.
After discussing the merits of religion and
the capabilities Of his associates in the
work of the ministry, he said Of all the CO.
lored ministers at Washington and every
where else he had been. those that came
out OF Virginia were the smartest in every
way. That even in doctrine, claws got
all the boys on doctrine" The old
man was original and ardent, and
drew around him 4 number OF listeners.
He said he was born in Caroline, Va,
and that God had called him to His work
when he was twenty-one years old, and
that he obeyed the command. Being asked
what he thought OF old Virginia and her
people since he had gone to Washington,
All" said he, Virginia people, espe-
ciallv the old stock, would stand by what
they said, and would speak the plain
truth: and as TO the old mother, nobody
that ever knew her was gwine TO 90 back
on her." Save Judas Mahone," said
bystander, turning his voice away and in
an undertone. evidently to avoid injecting
politics into the reyerendminister's disser-
tatiye talk.
By-and-by, daylight was on the wane,
and we had slipped away from the Poto-
mac up creek called "Nomini." The
gloomy twilight settled over the waters
around us, while the chilling breath Of the
approaching night air gave sad sensation
TO our feelings. On both sides the dark
foliage OF the landscapes that fringed the
narrow stream drew nearer and nearer TO
us I'D the tortuOus channel, and, as day
dlsappeared, darkness closed the scene.
Soon the whistle for Mount Holly was
sounded, and here we landed. a beautiful
name, but neither mountain nor holly were
visible, and il is matter OF lively imagina-
ton that of mountains in this section,
though the holies may be here. The dis
lance from Nomni to Warsaw, the county
seat of Richmond county, is thirteen miles,
which, on dsembarking, we made In an
omen buggy, accompanied by an obliging
gentleman who furnishes cOnyeyances from
Nomini and Mount Holly. After getting
n few hours rest at Warsaw, arose early
and took walk about the veneer
able village. Time had been kind to
IFS mansions. but our hotel that fur
nished a breakfast tit for lord was pune
tured here and there with decay, and would
nlease an ANTIQUARIAN who could yenerate
an aged pile, an architectural structure OF
the fine OF Captain John Smith-Occupied,
however. by a most obligIng host and host
ess OF the old Virginia type. | saw here
the most abundant and beautiful display OF
barn-yard fowls | ever beheld-ducks,
geese, chickens. and turkeys. Seeing so
many hundreds spread out over ten-acre
grass lawn, that itself was feast to the eye
OF fastidious lover OF green sward. a
horse and buggy soon brought me
to Emmerton, and next to Sharp's
wharf. All along the route the
dwellings and farm-houses looked neat,
comfortable, and consecrated TO civiliza-
ton. in spite of the rayages OF a cruel and
devastating war. At Sharp's wharf there
are three large stores and large stocks OF
| Goods. and number of comfortable dwell
| inps near by. On the margin Of the Rap
| nahannock (the location OF this wharf
a. nds steam fruit-cannery Of considera-
HE size. A large fleet Of oyster-boats had
| anchored along shore from the now threat
| ening easterly storm. Here | went on
board the Mason l.. Weems, which came
up the river on her voyage from Baltimore
TO Fredericksburg.
Only think how Baltimore is tapping
this country by its enterprising trade up
| Virginia rivers with lis large as well a.
small steamers. The Weems Is larger
than ANYTHING we have on james river save
the New York boats, and they do not serve
| the landings and trade on our river. Now,
IL seems quite as practicable for Richmond
10 appropriate this trade as Baltimore, II
not more so. The distance from Baltimore
| TO Fredericksburg by water is not less than
$50 miles, while from Richmond to Frede-
| ricksburg by water is only about 800
miles. and the voyage from Rich
| mond to Fredericksburg would give
| TO steamboat trade two rivers and
their landings for traffic and passengers,
| whereas Baltimore steamers have only one
! river to Fredericksburg on this route, for
the Chesapeake bay is too much OF sea for
| steamboat landings. OF course the yoy-
| ages from Richmond could be made in the
| same time. or less, and with even more
safety. as the navigation OF the James and
Rannahannock rivers is less perilOus than
the bay in storms, and then the voyages
from Richmond down and up the James and
down and up these Virginia rivers would
be freer from ice than the colder regions al
the head OF Chesapeake bay. But mans
weakness is in stunning toll and
arduous enterprise. The quickly pro.
| missing and easy undertakings are
the more fascinating to him, but they
are nevertheless more ephemeral n well
The mastery and enduring works thai
battle competition are those that demand
Hong toll and wonderful perseverance.
cannot but think there Is some way by
which Richmond can fairly draw the trade
OF all this country TO her, and not In any
l srtv,t of anvv of BALTIMORE a sister civ N