Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-03-30
To the Mechanics of Alexandria.

FELLOW CITlZENS-ln tue CuUChsioh VI
nv first number, developed what seem.
ed to me to be the leading causes OF the
.lsgnatirn OF your prosperity, anterior to
the location of the national netropolis.-
To this ever memorable era you may trace
the fountain whence new troubles have
flowed upon you; and il every energy which
your town possesses, IS not called INTO VI
gorous and timely action, the day must
come when you will be swept away.
To prevent this awful catastrophe, is the
ayowed object OF all; and that 1t may be
effected, does not admit oil doubt. Bul
bowls the important inquiry. lmpor'
tant indeed for on the course you adopt
depends your existence.
Let US examine the subject then, with
GOODNESS and candor;-let US dives, our
selves, as far as possible, OF private
views and bigotted opinions; let US see
whether these troubles are really the fruits
OF our political condition, or are bare
combination of the foftutous and natural
results of DER local situation The last pc.
sition, my fellow citizens, hold to be the
,rae one; and solicit your sober reflection
on the proofs offer in its support.
When the seat Of the General Govern.
ment was first placed on the shores Of the
Potomac, no apprehension was entertain
ed OF an injury to Alexandra. either in her
POLITICAL or commercial relations: on The
contrary, her most discerning and enter
prisiRg citizens hailed II as an event pro :
pi,ious 10 her greatness we'll aware OF
the pclitica! construction o. the new form.
ed District, they consented with cheerful.
ness 10 this change of their pollty-hay,
they demonstrated with zeal against an ex-
cusion from IFS privileges, and have rea
lied more than they were led 10 anlici-
pate. But the effects OF too great pro1i-
NIFTY, and too negligent population,
gued, that her advantages were too pow
eriul to be overcome by mere goOsrnmsn.
palronnge-that her harbor, her splendid
wharves, her capital, her commanding po.
sition, and her already established trade,
would forever secure her an undisputed
ascendency; and a, the same time, hatter.
ed themselves that heavy proportion OF
the wealth, diffused through the metropo-
lis by the national treasury, and con.
course Of visitors, would ultimately find its
way into Alexandra, as the natural en-
porium. 1t is true, that for several years
these calculations were realiZed:--but
George town which had hitherto been de-
pendant on Alexandra, al last became her
rival, and drew tom her the principal
part of this lucrative business. TO cer-
tain extent. the good fortune Of George
town was not unforeseen; for it was evil
dent that her locality better fitted her than
Alexandra 10 be the boarding house and
retail shop OF the government while WASH
ington was preparing for its reception
But it was reasonable 10 expect that her
prosperity wunId end with the means
which had directly produced it--ber lucky
star would have disappeared when the sun
of Washington cleared The horizon--y its
glare was not dimmed and that light
which al first was supposed to be merely
ephemerai, became, by The wonderful ex.
ertions OF her inhabitants, a lasting and a
powerful luminsry. Some years were re-
CURED to make the necessary preparations
in Washington, TO enable her to claim her
privileges; during which tine, most OF the
heads of departments, members OF con-
gress, foreign ministers, officers, clerks, ar
tizans, strangers, &c. boarded 10 George
town, and relied on her merchants and
tradesmen for every supply. Her houses
became so desirable for stores, taverns,
&C., that the increasing rents justified the
building OF many more. Her population
increased with Tapidity; and her connex-
ion with the country became more and
more intimate.
For a considerable time, Alexandra
shared in this harvest, both by occasional.
ly supplying the consumers themselves,
and by furnishing at wholesale what was
retailed by others. But these privileges
we're presently denied her. The growing
Importance Of Georgetown increased The
demands on her own merchants; and the
want of sufficient and fashionable assert.
ments 10 our market drove them 10 deal in