Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1803-10-29
For the alexandria Duly dduertissr.
mr.. .S,sozvds,a,

pointed the flrSC &4sAolaay III -
decide on the rout most proper to De pursu-
ed from Alexandria to the ford OF Little
River. The decision which they are a.
bout to make, will involve very important
interests of the town Of Alexandra, OF the
people connected by trade with that town, as
we'll as of the Stockholders in the company;
it's therefore presumed that the Stoekhol-
ders and Directors are anxious to receive
every light which can be thrown on the sub
rect, more especially as the work intended
fobe executed is one ofthe most uncllange-
able nature--one which, it hoped, will
last as .slong as the grass grows or the wa
tiers fow."
Regarding the subject in this solemn
view, the following remarks are submltted'
with all due Difference, to the consideration.
Sof the parties interested-more particu-
larly the Directors called on to decide.
Let us first enquire which route OF the
two proposed, that pursuing the Old road
by Centerville, or that passing by Fairfax
court house in direct line from the last
place to the ford Of Little Liver, will be
most advantageous to the inhabitants OF the
town ofAlexandria, whether settled there IN
trade, or engaged in the learned or mechanl-
cal profes sions-or whether they be the pro-
prietors of the soil. None can doubt that e.
very circumstance which facilitates the pas
sage ftheproduce ofthe country that mar
ket will be advantageous to the merchants
in furnishing both consumers for imported
articles and materials for the export trade.
In proportion to the wealth brought to A.
lexandria, will the mechanics find employ
ment and purchasers for the articles OF their
fabric and manufacture, and from the m
crease of the trade and the concourse OF
dealers, the extension of the business ofthe
town will give to the lawyers, physicians,
and all other professional men, also their
proportionate benefit. But no class will ex-
perience so much advantage as the propri-
etors of the soil.
The inhabitants Of all descriptions then,
are interested in giving every facility to the
!. introduction Of the produce of the country
| into that market. Nor are the inhabitants
/ of Alexandria alone interested in the growth
| of the town and the extension of It's COM
! merce. Those IN the adjacent country,
/ who supply all the articles of daily consump-
ton, will find their profits gEeatlH a66EEeeda.e
: Under such motives, to an united exertion,
it might have been hoped that one interest
would have dictated but one opinion, name
/ ", that the shortest and most direct
practicable route to that immense fertile
| country beyond the Blue Ridge and ex-
/ tending to the Ohio would have been de-
manded by the universal voice.
It has been already decided by the Direc-
tors, on examining the ground, that, to a.
void very difficult hills in the neighbour
hood of Alexandria, it was necessary to
diverge from the direct course to the ford
of Little River, southwardly, till they reach
ed the Trough EIill-and from this point it
| remains to be determined whether a more
southwardly diversion shall yet be made to
touch Centervilie, or eshether the straight
tract shall be regained as fast as the nature
of the country will permit. It is not deni-
ed that the route by Fairfax courthouse,
and thence straight to the ford of Little
| River is shorter than that by Centerville,
nearly three miles-consequentiy five Or
six miles will be saved by every heavy
loaded Wagon in going to and returning
from Alexandria; which, supposing fifty
trips year, will amount to the saving Of
800 miles, or equivalent to 40 dollars per
annum, for every Wagon which travels
from the Blue Ridge to Alexandria and
supposing 1000 such Wagons, the annual
aggregate saving would be 10000 dollars.
If only half the number be taken as more
correct estimate, the annual saving to the
people, at and beyond the Mountains,
would be 10000 dollars. And why should
the people under and beyond the Blue
Ridge be subjected to this animal +axp Are