Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1803-10-13

doubt it and act as if they most certainly
would not take place, would equal the mad-
ness ola man running over precipice with
his eyes open.
Considering the navigation of those RI
yers effected to the extent above contended
for, let us examine where is the body Of
people to be benefited by the road, and
from what source a toll is to be produced to
compensate for the heavy expence of max
ing it. The navigation Of the Shenandoah
will cut off almost every thing from above
the Blue Ridge. The navigation of the
Potomac will cut off every thing within a
days driving to it (say ten miles, as far
down as the mouth OF Goose Greek, then
what remains the distance between Bull
Run and Potomac does not exceed twenty
miles, one half that scope will transport
their commodities by the river; of the re-
manning half, should the road be conducted
by the Court House, a large proportion
will, at all seasons, be obliged, from situa-
ton and the difficulty of getting into the
Courthouse road, to make use OF the old
road, and in dry weather nearly the whole
will take that rout to avoid the toll. But,
fora moment, suppose that the navigation
ofthose rivers should not be effected to the
extent herein contended. Yet it is not
doubted that those rivers will take down a
great quantity of the produce within reach
of them, ifthe fact is doubted let an enqui-
ry be made among those living within ten
miles of Potomac, and hear their answer.
The writer has, and is we'll assured that the
most of them will have recourse to the RI
yer. Another light, as it respects the
Courthouse rout, this subject may be
placed in the Centerville and Leesburg
roads, from the Blue Ridge, run in a paral-
lei direction not more than twelve miles
apart; what will be the certain consequence
of opening another road between the two,
subject to tax, and leaving the other two
open CAN'T be any other than the oldroads
being constantly resorted to, IN dry wea-
Their, to avoid the tax? This will destroy to
the foundation every prospect of compen-
sation to the Subscribers. The result in
taking the road by the Courthouse, the
writer is assured, will be no other than
grievous disappointment both to the public
and the Stockholders. The writer is fur
Their of opinion, that the taking the road
from Centerville to the ford upon Little
River, is not the rout to produce the great
est good to the public, and suitable COM
pensation to the Subscribers, From view
Of the subject as here represented, even in
that direction, the body of people benefited
will be truly small. ItapPears to the writer,
that the road, at or near Centervile, should
diverge, cross Bull Run and direct its
course towards the Gap in the Bull Run
Mountain, called Graham's Mil Gap, this
would lead to the body of people under the
Ridge, about Ashby's & Manasseh's Gaps,
would be equally convenient as the present
road by Centerville (Which, it is presumed,
will be always kept open) to those about
Smokers Gap and Middleburgh.
This rout would draw into the Turnpike
a great body of people, would open an ex,
tensive new trade to the Town Of Alexan-
dria, at present cut off from it through the
want of roads, subject well worth reflect
ing on, as full four-6fths OF the burden of
the road will fall upon the inhabitants of
that Town. 1t will not cost more to take
the road to the Gap jim the Bull Run noun
tain, than to the Ford Of Little River. It
is hoped, that some person better acquaint-
ed with the geography of the country than
the writer, will come forward and more
fully explain the subject. Hitherto it has
been altogether confined within the limits of
Potomac and Bull Run, too contracted
field, which cannot possibly yield benefits
proportioned to the expence. The writer
recommends is to the subscribers, to con-
slider the subject well, before they take
sten which cannot be afterwards recti6ed.