Page:Memorials of a Southern Planter.djvu/51

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MARRIAGE AND LIFE AT ELMINGTON.
45

"After the applause which this sentiment elicited had subsided, Colonel Dabney returned his thanks in a feeling and appropriate address, of which we regret we are unable to furnish more than the briefest outline. He expressed himself to be most deeply affected by the kindness manifested towards him. The motive which had led to this assemblage, the sentiment just uttered, and the warm response with which it had met, the organ through whom it had been announced,—all—every thing was calculated to overpower him with sensibility. He stood in the midst of long-tried friends, to whom he was about to bid an atfectionate and perhaps last farewell. He was in the act of leaving his native home, and the land so dear to his affections. Those considerations left him no voice to utter one-half of what he felt. The prospect of bettering, in a worldly point of view, the ultimate condition of his children had induced him to seek a place of abode in another clime; and he would say that if his humble bark, pushed out in what was to him an untried ocean of adventure, could be used as a breakwater by those who were here, or their children's children, when engaged in a similar voyage, he would regard himself as most truly happy. He added many other remarks, and concluded by otfering the following sentiment:

"By Colonel Thos. S. Dabney: 'The citizens of Gloucester County, in the Old Dominion:

"Where'er I roam, whatever realms I see,
My heart, untravelled, fondly turns to thee;
Still to my brothers turns with ceaseless pain,
And drags, at each remove, a lengthened chain."'

"By the Vice-President: 'Our friends emigrating from the County of Gloucester: Health, prosperity, and happiness attend them.'

"By Captain P. E. Tabb: 'Our Guest: May the people destined to be his future associates know his virtues and appreciate his merits, as do the warm hearts met this day to testify their love and respect for him.'

"By the Vice-President: 'Our Guest, Robert Nicholson: A worthy son of the ancient dominion.'

" Mr. Nicholson expressed his grateful thanks for the notice that had been thus taken of him.

"By Mr. Nicholson: 'The State of Virginia—the land of my forefathers. My greatest boast shall ever be that I was born a Virginian.'

"By Colonel Thomas Smith: 'Our friends Thomas Dabney, Richard R. Corbin, and Benj. F. Dabney: They possess our love and respect, and when they move from among us we shall not forget them.'

"By Wade Mosby, Esq.: 'The memory of the late Philip Tabb, one of Gloucester's best benefactors.'

"Mr. Mosby preceded this by remarks expressing his great