The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-10-16

In the South from the earliest settle
ments tobacco raising was q profitable
very important one England UNDER
took to supply this demand, and great
numbers of people were sent over
from the mother country. Convicted
criminals were transported here, as
later they were sent to Botany Bay.
Others from the lower classes who
were unable to pay their transporta-
ton. were also sent to this country. A
protest from the Colonies against the
criminal class was sent over to Eng
land. and their transportation grad
ually ceased. Boys and girls were
kidnapped In the streets of London
and shipped to America to be inden-
tured to farmers. The cry for cheap
+. labor was still heard in the land and
they brought negroes from the jungles
of Africa, until the South was filled
with people that has caused untold
suffering and sorrow to this goodly
land. And now the cry has been going
UP from the manufacturers. especially
of the North, for cheap labor and a
class of undesirable citizens has been
pouring in there, which Will give this
country trouble again unless some
thing is done to check It.
About the year 1868 an English yes
sci landed at City Point, on the James
River. In Virginia. and among other
things brought to that colony was
little boy six or seven years old with
keen black eyes dark complexion, with
a stock of black hair covering his
well-shaped head He was too small
to be of any service to any one, and
so this kidnapped waif was loft upon
the wharf when the ship sailed, and
there he stayed for several days with
out a friend. his wistful eyes often
turned down the river in vain search
for some one. His cry might have
been heard at midnight as the wall Of
q child for lost mother. The sailors
fed him to keep him from starving.
There. thousands OF miles from those
who loved and might have cared for
him, alone, friendless and penniless,
was little Peter FRANCISCO. He who
does not let sparrow fall without
His notice did not forsake Peter, and
finally kind-hearted, sympathetic,
benevolent man 1--WE have a goodly
number of the same sort with us to-
day. took the little fellow to his
home oh. MOI Not to his home, but to
the poorhouse of Prince George county.
whert you may be sure he was clothed
in fine linen or Jared sumptuously
every day-just as they do now. es-
pecially in those counties where the
poor are put up to the lowest bidder;
that is the man that will keep them
the most scrimpingly. Peter remained
in the poorhouse until he was large
enough to be Of service to man, and
then he was bound out to Antony Win
ston. of Buckingham county, Va. Mr.
Winston lived In the country between
the historic AppoMattox 5nd tho
magnificent James River. in beauti-
full home known as Hunting Tower"
Mr.. Winston was an uncle to Patrick
Henry. and young Peter was brought
up TO his sixteenth year In a family
full OF patriotism and love OF liberty,
and In an old country home which Is
as near the mansion in the skies as
any place on earth. This brave. in
telligent boy imbibed the spirit Of the
times and became enthusiastic for the
American cause. He was noted at an
early age for his physical strength. He
was born athlete. He could throw
down outrun or whip any boy in
Buckingham county. and the wonderful
ifeats performed by him won for him
the respect, admiration and confidence
OF the whole community, The war
spirit was strong In him. and at the
age of sixteen he obtained permission
from Mr.. Winston to join the army as
volunteer. and from that day to the
surrender of CORVALLIS at yorktown
his strong right arm and his undaunt-
ed courage were used In behalf OF
American independence.
A Modern Hercules.
Peter Francisco was modern Her
cules. and his personal appearance was
most striking. He was the kind of a
man that people turn to look at when
he passes by. Over six feet high and
weighing go pounds. without an ounce
of superfuous flesh. an extremely
handsome face with black hair and
piercing black eyes-no wonder people
looked again at him. An ordinary
sword was entirely too short and light
for him to use effectually. and Cen
eral Washington had one made for
him in blacksmith shop six feet
long. which he could WELD as a
feather veritable giant, with an
eye like a hawk, the spirit of a king
eagle a breast like Hon. strong as
a buffalo. and with the breath of a
hound. he could keep pace with the
Kings horsemen in their fiery rides
He was a typical American soldier. De-
voted passionately to the cause which
he had made his own. there was no
such picturesque figure In the whole
Continental army as Peter Francisco.
He entered most heartily upon the
duties of soldier, and received his
baptism of fire at the battle of Brandy
wine under the gallant Lafayette. In