Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-09-07

| zion 10 do Justice TO an achievement which
| he had heard SO often without coptradic-
! tion. which we have heard repeated IN all
the accounts Of praise from our very boy
hood and thousands have wondered at
and believed for thirty years. We saw,
foo, that the picture on the face of it
carries no censure upon the memory
of Mr.. Ward. il IL not calculated 20
wound the feelings If the dearest of his
friends. Let the controversy go as II will,
the beauties Of the picture are left un-
touched. The magic Of genius still
breathes upon tho canvas"
WHO Mr.. wABREIL WAS.
Tet me digress here to say q word about
Mr.. Narrell. He was q distinguished citi-
zen Of Richmond ia the early part
of this century, and has now living
in our city many worthy descendants.
In connection with Mr.. Richard Lorton
he established the Virginia Museum. IL
was located at the foot Of the Capitol
Square. near the gate which opens on
Franklin street, Just above the now Davis
Hotel. II remained q source of enjoy
ment. pleasure, and instruction TO our
fathers and mothers for many years.
until finally. like all things in this
world. II went down 10 furnish a site
for the courthouse. which our ante
hellum people VINO still survive dis
tinctly remember. where the Court OF
Appeals. the Circuit Courts of Richmond
and Henrico county held their sessions.
and whore Virginia's greatest lawyers often
met IN fierce forensic fight II. too, has
gone the way Of all the earth, and not a
yestige OF II remains, as II was destroyed
by the terrible confagration which ensued
upon the surrender Of Richmond in 1865,
and with il was also destroyed all the re-
cords OF the old General Court, which
contained much valuable information
about Virginia's early history. Mr.. Richie
speaks in terms OF highest praise of this
museum, and bestows upon Mcssrs. War
rell and Lorton the strongest encomiums
for their diligence and public spirit in
making IL a success. He SAYS: ut is an
ornament TO the Public Square and an
ornament TO the State which contains it--a
building which already presents us with "a
great variety of curiosities and large
fund OF amusement and instruction"
A PERTINENT QUERY.
Would IL be out of place hero TO ask a
question which Is suggested to my mind
Why don't some Of our rich citizens unite
and establish III our city some such instl-
tuition now Z 1t is natural for oil men
TO desire that after they are dead their
there to accomplish this object than for
our wealthy men in their lifetime to invest
their money IN manner that will give
enjoyment, instruction, and happiness
to the general public now and for ali
coming timer Louis Gintefs beautiful
boulevard and his palatial mansion on
Franklin street, which, II is said. he means
10 dedicate TO some worthy charitable use
at his death. will give pleasure and enjoy
ment 10 all the people for years after he is
gone, and will keep his memory fresh and
IN, 4hafr hoo ri ~ IN n III Tho fnfI1ra
A word TO the wise is sufficient.
But must return to Peter. He IL too
interesting q subject to be left too long
alone. For many years after the Revolu-
ton he lived in Cumberland county, where
he was respected and loved by his neigh
bors. In 1881 he presented TO the Leglsla-
ture of Virginia petition to recompense
him for a horse be had lost in the Revolu-
ton, and for his services in that war. which
was acted on favorably by that body. He
was elected Sergeant-at-Arms OF the House
of Delegates. and served in that capacity
until the 10th day of January, 1881. when
be died. The following proceedings took
place in the House on Monday, January
II, 1891:
DEATH OF PETER FRANCISCAN.
Mr.. Yancey said that he had the painful
duty to perform of announcing to the
House the death of Peter Francisco. late
sergeant-at-arms of that body. he had
Yesterday received a message from him as
his dying request, a wish TO be buried with
military honors. Mr.. Yancey had prepared
two or three resolutions for the occasion
which he would now submit
Resolred, unanimously. as testimony Of re-
qref for the death, and a token Of resDect for the
memory Of Peter Francisco. Serged,t-dt- arms
Of his House, That the members OF TINS
House will form procession and attend
the place of his interment. -,
Resolved. also, That in consideration, OF
the distinguished military services render
ed by the said Peter Francisco during the
Revolutionary War that the Governor OF
this Commonwealth cause the remains OF
the said Peter Francisco to be inferred
with military honors and at the public eX-
pense. 3,
Resolued, That committee be appointed
TO consist of five members to superlntend
the funeral. arrange the order of process
sion and interment of Peter Francisco. de-
ceased. and that the committee invite the
attendance of the Governor and Council.
the Speaker, and members OF the Senate
and their officers.
Mr.. Barbour rose to second the resolu.
tions presented 10 the House. The loss OF
anv citizen who was an officer of the House
could not be but deeply regretted. But
Francisco was no common man, and he
was happy that some record was 10 De
loft of his merits and his memory. In an
clent times monuments were erected TO
men who had performed worthy services;
but in modern times their worth
was inscribed on our records, and by
the aid of the press were sent far and vide.
He had said Francisco was no common
man. BY nature be had been endowed
with extraordinary strength, the most de-
termined intrepdity, and the warmest
patriotism. Ii was not his lot to be adj
vanced during our Revolutionary struggle !;
but as private soldier he gave striking
example Of bravery and performed ex-
ploits that have ever scarcely been eX-
celled. Not only in the North but IN
the South he displayed his heroism, and
the achievements he performed IN tir-
ginia-overcoming three or four or the
enemy and causing them TO fly, leaving
their property in his possesslon-has sell
dom been eQualled. Let us then perform
due honors to the memory OF Francisco.
Such opportunities of honorlng the brave
would not occur very often, for the ranks
of the Revolutionary heroes were fast de-
caying. BY the arms OF such men the
liberty of our country was achleved-an
achievement of great interest to the whoie
world. for it had not been confined to TINS
country. 1t had gone across the water 10
the shores of Europe, where nations
were following the example OF America;
To such men, then, honor was due, and
he Joined most heartily in the respect pro-
posed TO be paid TO the remains OF Peter
Francisco.
The resolutions were UNANIMOUSLY
adonted and a committee was APP