The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1816-10-23
[RnpupLIsHED ny REQUEST. I
From tie alexandria Gazette.

1hat IL is upon supjeCt OF the hrSt I'M
portance to the town OF Alexandria and
The adjacent country, and with q hope
Of bringing forward some pen which
will paint in glowing coiors the magni-
tude of the object.
That the state Of customs and habits
're susceptible Of progressive improve
ment, is a universal sentiment and
there are few subjects on which the
public mind has undergone more rapid
changes than that of making turnpike
roads and canals. This, therefore, seems
to be the propitious moment for cher
ishing undertakings of that kind. Our
attention has lately been drawn to the
subject Of canal from the Seneca falls
10 the town of Alexandria. It,is of no
| novel date, because petitions for it were
before the legislature Of Virginia some
years ago That it is-prac,icable, at
moderate expense, is admit ed sy cngi.
neers Of high standing and that it
would be OF the iirst importance to the
| town OF Alexandria and the adjacent
| country,i s admitted by all. 1t may Je
objected, by timed, or thopghtiess or
| selfish reasoDers, that we are too young
for the accomplishment Of such an un-
! isrtaking. Such objections. however,
would have been equally applicable,
thirteen yearsago, 10 the enterprise OF
making the Little KiverT turnpike Road,
which is now source of such wealth
and importance to the uahe oil this
place. Let not the expense in,imidate
us-to the cost should be added, what
Twill II produce 1t is the receipt in
| proportion to the expenditure, and no,
he expenditure itself, on which men
who estimate things correctly will
dwell, II in expcnting loO'tol,ars, no
hing is TO be gained, then il had better
not be expended cut it by depending
100 dollars, liOo can be gain, d, surely
1t would be FOLLY to he deferred by the
Icxpense.-Evs,y principle OF public
spirit, OF general and individual int.
resi-, should engage US in the promotion
II 'his canal--no local. policy should
check our enterprise here, because
similar wofa vas not 10 be carried on,
| there a. The SAGE moment; and the
present state of the navigation of the
Potomac from the head of Seneca tails
to the town OF Alexandria, both auuY-
and below tide water, renders this pro-
ject reasonable. lust and beneficial a.
regards the state OF the locks, and Of
the rough waves OF the riv3r On boats
alter they have passed through them
I We are aware that there exists a con-
! pact concerning the navigation OF the
Potomac, between Virginia and Mary
| land, and that there is also n charter
| granted to the Potomac company which
Is about 10 expire. That we shall meet
with opposition, is reasonable to expect
but that part of the subject will be
met at Its proper time and proper place
by jurists and Legislators, who will b.
competent and prepaI ed TO give a fail
and tull view Of conflicting claims and
interests, both public and individual
Il only remains for those who are to
be Immediately benefited, to contribute
their mite In doing what may be neces-
sary to place the subject fairly before
the Legislature Of Virginia at their next
sessfon--nor is it necessary to point out
the great importance and general utiIi-
~ OF a canal from the Seneca falls 10 A
iexaDdria, to the manufacturer, the land
holder or the merchant, when 1t is re.
collected that the navigation of the Po-
tomac, according to late writer, gives
a passage from the southern states to
the western parts Of Virginia, Mary
land, Pennsylvania, and even TO the
lakes from Dctrois, on lake Erie, to the
Town OF Alexandria, on the Potomac, Of
oo7 miles, and there are but two Car
lying places, which together do not ex.
coed 20 miles.
We should reasonably suppose tina,
all doubts OF the expenditure not pro
daciEg competent interest, would Va
nish add 10 which the growing impor-
lance OF Alexandria must a, no distant
day call the attention Of its citizens to
some mode of supplying it with fresh
aud wholesome water: and none can
be better calculated to do it than such a
canal. This source OF revenue, toRe;k
er with the sale Of water for machinery.
would pay competent interest on ore
half the sum required for expenditure.
Suppose, tor example, column Of wa
ter 20 feet wide, by three and half
deep, was taken from the Potomac at
the Seneca Falls, which would no more
iOJure the boat navigation there than
does the canal at the little Falls injure
the sloop and schooner navigation from