The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1823-08-25
FREDERICKTOwN MEETING.

the late meeting at Fredericktown,on the |
subject Of the Potomac canal. Nat lar.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. NIB AUG. IS.-The |
meeting OF the people of Frederick coun-
ty was fixed Tor Tuesday afternoon, at q
O'Clock, to receive the report of their
appointed at the meeting in
June. In the morning, this committee
invited the delegations from other places
to meet them, 20 hear the report and re-
solutions they had prepared, and to sug.
gest any amendment or modificatioD.-
On hearing this report, we found that
the committee had taken up the idea
OF the cross-cut to Baltimore, was un.
doubtedly practicable, and that it meri.
ted full as much Of their notice, in their
representations to the legislature, as the
main canal. In fact, adopting the opin-
ion that Its execution was of settled prac.
ticability, and within the means Of the
state, the resolution they had prepared
embraced both canals, placed them on
an equal footing, and actually recon-
mended that they should be "commencea
Simultaneously A proposition OF this
kind to the legislature, from a county
so large and respectable as Frederick,
which seemed to convey desire that
the two works should stand or fall togeth.
err, justly excited the surprise of all the
delegates from the district Of Columbia,
and called forth very animated remon-
stanstrances from two Of them, Messrs.
Key and fancy. The resolution was
justified by the chairman of the Frede-
rick committee, and was supported with
great zeal by gen. Winder, from Bali
more. The resolution was such as would
have been extremely palatabie to Balti-
more, because, if it should be found Gas
is believed 10 be the case by many well
informed on The subjecD that the cross
cut TO Baltimore is imhracticabLr, except
at an expense too great to be thought oil,
the recommendation from Frederick
would hang like dead weight around the
neck of the Potomac canal, and retard,
IT not defeat, any measures towards the
latter at the next session of the legisla.
ture. The district delegates had not the
slightest objection to recommending in
separate resolution, the cross-cut canal,
should it be found, by the survey now
making, to be practicable work. But
this separation, and this distinction be-
tween the ascertained and obvious prac-
,icability OF the main canal, and the GER
tainly nnGScertained, if not improbable
mpracticability OF the lateral canal, was
not agreeable to the gentlemen repre-
senting Baltimore. Indeed, general
Winder proposed substitute, in which
the lateral branch was first pressed, and
the Potomac canal brought in as Sc
condary object! The debate was very
earnest, and, l may say, able; and after
1t had continued two or three hours, the
Frederick committee retired to consult
on their report. In the afternoon they
presented it TO the public meeting, so
modified as to stand in the form in which
it was adopted, and has been published
"The debate il the conference of The
delegates was occasionally more warm
than you could have anticipated from the
nature of the meeting. This warmth
grew out Of some frank remarks which
one of the delegates from the dis,ric,
made on the corrse pursued by Balli-
more, during tie last session Of The legis-
lature.-Also, in her newspaper publica-
tons, &C.. in opposition to the Potomac
canal General WiDder defended his
city against all impuialions of hostility TO
the work, and all feelings of jealousy of
the district, &c. sc. But all the debate
on these points, (and there was great
deal ofit0 appeared to me very unneces
sary, to say the least OF it-because COM
mercial jealousy exists, inevitably, where.
ever there are commercial cities. Self.
ishhess, or, which is the same thing
self interest, will actuate all commercial
communicate is the essence of the
spirits which directs the effortsof all cities
and all indiyiduals,to enrich & aggrandize
themselves, and it is in vain to deny it,
This spirit, in fact, is salutary to a certain
eStent-it is sometimes carried too far
all we can ask ofit,is to avoid absolute in.
justice to others-generosity it never
feels, and never exhibits. individuals
show generosity, bur commercial COM
munity, towards a rival community,
never.
"Do not understand me, in any thing
have said, as speaking with the slightest
disrespect, or feeling such a sentiment,
towards the gentlemen from Baltimore.
They performed their duty, and doubtless
acted conscieDiiously in what they did,
They are too worthy and well known to
be suspected of any thing disiDgenuous.
BY the way, became acquainted with
that respectable member Of their delega-
ton whom | had not seen before, Mr..