Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1898-06-04
ANECDOTAL LITERATURE.
Contributed to the Independent
by W. G.

wHsHINGroN's VISIT TO THE SOUTH.
Washington had so endeared him.
self to bic country, both by his
achievement OF cur liberty and his
just administration as the first
president OF the young Republic,
that he found an enthusiastic well
come and greeting wherever he
went, and the people of all sections
were anxious to have the great hero
and benefactor visit them.
In the spring of 1871, at the ur.
gent invitation of prominent charac-
tiers of the Southern States, he be-
gan long journey to this part of
the United States, where he was
most cordially and enthusiastically
welcomed, received and entertained.
He travelled in his own carriage.
This carriage was built by Mr..
Clarke, and was carefully preserved
in house built especially for its re-
ception, where it remained for half
a century. 1t is described as "a
most satisfactory exhibition of the
progress of American manufac.
turers.
1t was drawn by six horses, care
fully selected for their hand some ap
pearance and endurance. He start
ed on the 2lst of March, 1871. He
arrived at Annapolis on March 20,
thence he proceeded to Georgetown,
and then to Mt. Vernon, then TO
Fredericksburg, delaying few days
at each place. The party arrived at
Richmond, April 18th, where, as at
other places he was greeted with &C.
carnations, and public illumina.
tions. They visited Halifax, New
bern, Wilmington and other places
in North Carolina. Leaving Will
mington, Washington was rowed
across Cape Far River in an Gle.
gantly decorated barge. He arriy-
ed at Charleston, South Carolina, on
May 3D.. Charleston was then the
gayest OF cities. Milliners and tai
lors, correspondents direct with in
ventors Of fashion and dress in Lon
don and Paris. Women preferred
French fashions. Gentlemen were
partial to blue. Pantaloons had
been introduced, and were worn by
some Of the younger men, but in a
few years were entirely laid aside
and brooches resumed. Daels were
frequent. drunkenness, !" Gays DR..
Ramsey, twas the endemic vice.
There we're periodical races, hunt.
ing and fishing and luxurious din
ners, followed by dancing and mu-
sic. The inhabitants had acquired
great knowledgesof European man.
ners, and q stronger partially for
them than was found in New York.
Here the President had royal
greeting. A twelve-oared barge,
commanded by thirteen captains OF
American ships conveyed him with
several distinguished gentleman,
from Hadrill's Point, surrounded
by feet containing an instrument.
al band and a choir of singers,
which greeted him with triumphant
airs and songs on his way to the
city, where he was received by the
Governor, the society of the Cincin-
natl, and the military, amid ringing
of bells, firing of cannon and public
acclamations. At the corporation
hall two hundred and City ladies
wore sashes decorated with his like
ness. A part OF their head-dress
was fillet or bandeau, with the in.
scription In gilt letters, "Long live
the President" A committee from
Savannah escorted him down the
river to that city. The boat, richly
decorated, was rowed by nine sea
captains, dressed in light-blue, silk
jackets, black satin breeches, white
silk stockings, and round hats with
black ribbons, inscribed, @Long live
the President" in gilt letters. Ten
miles from Savannah they were met
by other barges, In one OF which the
gentlemen sung the popular air "He
comes, the Hero comes" There
new honors and festivities awarded
him. He passed on to Augusta, re-
turned TO South Carolina, visited
Columbia, Camden, Charlotte, Sails.
burg, Salem, Guilford and other
towns on the route, and arrived at
Mt. Vernon June 18th. Thence on
the last Of June he started for Phila.
delpbia, by way Of Frederick, York
and Lancaster, and arrived atsthe
Presidential residence on July eth,
having been absent nearly three
months, during which period he
| performed a journey OF one thou
sand, eight hundred land eighty
miles.