From the New York Times, 10/8/1860, p. 4

THE PRINCE AT RICHMOND.

The Trip from Washington – Character of the Country – Reception by the F. F. V.’s – Extraordinary Experiences of Southern Life and Manners – The Prince goes to Church, Visits a Plantation and Breaks the Sabbath.

Special Dispatch to the New-York Times.

RICHMOND, Sunday, Oct. 7.

Having bidden farewell to Mr. BUCHANAN, the Prince and his suite, accompanied by the members of the Cabinet and the sons-in-law of Mr. CASS, took passage in that Government convenience, the Harriet Lane, and steamed toward the terminus of the railway at Acquia Creek. Her departure was the signal for the firing of royal salutes, both from the Yard and the Arsenal. At the station the party found the special train and several officials in readiness.

The country through which the railway is laid is remarkable for its poor soil and its meager cultivation. The contrast drawn by the party between the inhabitants, the soil and the general appearance of this portion of Virginia, with the visited parts of the Western States, was decidedly favorable to the latter. At the stations the crowds were composed of dirty, shiftless darkies, a few shouting boys, and occasionally a group of ladies.

The Richmond reception Committee met the Prince at the Fair grounds, and drove him into the city in carriages. The most elegant rooms yet occupied by the party were provided at Ballard’s Hotel, and into them crowds of people had been flocking all day before the Prince arrived. So dirty had the pillow-coverings become from handling, that the “old auntie” was compelled to change them. No Police guarded the entrance, and the Prince declined a military escort. Vast crowds blocked up the street and the doorway. As the Prince alighted, the crowd rushed towards him; he struggled; bystanders aided him, and, mussed and soiled, he managed to gain his room, when, flushed and panting, he reclined upon a lounge, refusing peremptorily to exhibit himself at the window.

The Ballard and Exchange Hotels are on opposite sides of the street, but connected by a corridor; and the Prince’s apartments being on the first floor front, are visible with their occupants to the crowds at the Exchange. Presentations were made. The Prince bowed – the presented bowed, and the presenter bowed – at each and all of which occurrences the observant multitudes cheered, hurrahed and shouted. The dinner of the Royal party was taken in the same public way. The night was warm, the windows open, and the crowd curious.

The manager of the Cooper Opera Troupe had announced the certain presence of the Prince at the performance of the “Child of the Regiment.” The consequences were – a crowded house, no Prince, a disappointed, angry and demonstrative audience, who with the uptearing of benches, hisses and cat-yells, made the manager utter a most abject apology, and caused the singers the most continual mortification. The Prince was serenaded at 11 o’clock.

Invitations were sent for him to attend at least a dozen churches. He decided to go to St. Paul’s. He went – it was densely packed – so was the square in front. He was met at the door by the Vestry; he walked up the aisle, and the people irreverently rose while he did it. The text may be found by the curious in such matters in the seventh and eighth verses of First Corinthians. The preacher was Dr. MINNEGERODE – a good man, with a marked German accent. Much curiosity was manifested to see the prince partake of the communion, but he, with a proper appreciation of the sacredness of the occasion, declined to remain and be gaped at.

I hardly dare give you a faithful resume o f to-day’s proceedings, so improbable will it appear. For the first time the Prince has departed from his meritorious resolve of doing nothing in violation of the ordinary observance of the Sabbath. After service he went with the Mayor, the Duke of Newcastle and Gen. BRUCE to visit the Capitol. There being no police, the rude, ill-bred crowd pushed in, and allowed the party, who were joined by GOV. LETCHER, no privacy whatever. While examining the Houdon statue of WASHINGTON, the crowd surrounded the Royal party, and annoyed them beyond endurance, while they insulted them with such remarks as he (WASHINGTON) “socked it into you at the Revolution;” “He gave you English squirts the colic!” “We reckon you do love WASHINGTON, - oh, certain!” – until young DAVIS, the artist, turned upon them, and aided by two reporters, managed to stop their insolence for awhile. But as the party walked towards the Senate Chamber, the crowd started a run, and actually pushed them inside of the door.

The old-fashioned stove, with British coat of arms; the portrait of JEFFERSON; the portrait of CHATHAM, painted for Westmoreland County, England, and by it given to Virginia; the statue of LAFAYETTE, and CRAWFORD’S statue of CLAY, were shown and explained to the Prince, who, with the Duke, was very much interested I them all, and would have been glad to stay longer, had they not felt insulted by the mob.

They walked, still followed by the rude populace to the Governor’s house, where the closed doors enabled them to breathe freely and be presented to the ladies. There their carriages slipped unobserved around the corner, and eluding their tormentors, the party rode back to the hotel, only to find another crowd pregnant with similar ideas of hospitality.

At Saint John’s Church they saw the table, now used for the communion service, over which HENRY and LEE delivered their famous speeches. This afternoon they drove to the Hollywood Cemetery to see the Monroe monument; also, to Mayo’s Place, Powhatan, where POCAHONTAS saved a life and gained a lover. The cupola of the Exchange afforded a fine view of the City and surrounding country, and the Prince availed himself of it. He also drove down the plank road about two and a half miles to Mr. HAXHALL’S plantation, where, without getting out of the carriage, he saw “the system” in its most favorable aspect – the negroes in their Sunday garments, and the place in its Sabbath-day trim.

Great crowds attended the African Church this afternoon in hopes of seeing the Prince. After service had commenced and the Minister was reading, a carriage drove up, and the excited congregation rose, saying, all over the house, “He’s come,” “He’s come.” Dr. ACKLEY, Lord HINCHENBROOK and Hon. Mr. RIVES squeezed through the mass of amalgamationists, all of whom imagined HINCHENBROOK to be the Prince. The Preacher endeavored to quiet them, but in vain. Said he, will the people so far honor themselves as to keep order in the house of God and listen to His Word? Dr. ACKLEY and the rest were much embarrassed, and wished to retire, but were urged and consented to remain. A drunken man forced his way up to young HINCHENBROOK, and in an audible voice assented to every proposition of the speaker, greatly to the annoyance and amusement of all around. The singing and praying, and the popular choruses to each, caused the party an infinite fund of wonder and astonishment. After service they were presented to the preacher, and apologized for the disturbance.

The Prince said this afternoon that he has no chance to see anything. He is crowded, and he hopes they won’t deem it necessary in New-York to parade him through all their institutions. He would like a review, a ball, a torchlight procession, and an observed seat in Mr. BEECHER’S Church next Sunday evening. He desires to review the troops in his uniform, and to attend the ball in a plain suit.

Ascertaining that he would be obliged to sleep on a steamboat if he should go as intended, he has concluded to retrace his steps to Baltimore via Washington, spending no time at the Capital and but one night at Baltimore. He has consented to stand en group for BRADY. Col. COLT has sent the Prince an invitation to visit the famous factory, and if time can be found he will go.

Thus you see this day has not been well or profitably spent. The Prince has broken a good resolution, and has paid the penalty.                                                             HOWARD.

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