Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-04-19
TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 1925.

Internal improvements. interesting com
municatisn is copied into the Marfinsdurg Ga
-si,e, from the Farmers Repository, on the sub
;ect of the National Road, from the seat OF 60
xsrnment to Fort Cumberland. The writer
confidently believes that the government will
at some period not far distant, take up this
important subject; and he recommends that
the citizens of jefferson invite those Of Berk-
lev and Hampshire, to unite with them in ma
king an accurate survey from the Loudon line,
through Keys Gap to the Cumberland Road,
which he contends is the shortest practical
route to Carter's, at the foot Of the Allegheny
mountain.
The citizens of Loudon have already deter
mined on examining the routes from Leesburg
both to Keys's and Snickers's Gaps the firs'
st the Jefferson and the last at the Frederick
line. The citizens of Winchester are exert
ing themselves to secure the location OF the
road through their town, but the writer thinks
that the distance saved by crossing the Blue
Ridge at Keys's Gap, must weigh down all O.
ther considerations.
He states the important facts, that, from
the General Post Office, BY Fredericktownln
MARYLAND, to Cumberland, is 1S5 miles; and
TO Carter's at the foot of the Allegheny, 40
while a road through Leesburg, Keys's Gap,
Jefferson and Berkeley counties, to Carriers,
would be less than 10 miles; making saving
in that short distance gilmore than 80 miles
We call the attention of the citizens Of Alex
andria to this subject. 1t is intimately con-
nected with their best interests, and should,
We think, stimulate them to complete the road
to Leesburg, as speedily as possible.
The benefit likely to result to our country
from the great rise Of Cotton in Europe, IS
more important than is generally supposed:
the gain of the city Of New-York alone, is es-
timated at something like four millions ofdol-
lars,-and the Petersburg Intelhgencer thinks
that the merchants of that place hold, in store,
afloat and in Europe, $4,000 bales, which,
counting $40 per bale profit, will realise
MILLION OF DOLLARS. 1t is asserted that the
merchants, planters, and other citizens of the
United States, still hold 500,0 bales, on
which they may reasonably count upon max
ing from fifteen to twenty millions.
Not many days ago we copied an article
from the Rhode-Island American, purporting
70 be an extract of a letter from gentleman
in Washington to the Editor of that paper
The article related to the misunderstanding
between Messrs. Randolph and Webster, and
protested to give correct account OF the man.
ner in which the affair terminated. Having
heard nothing before but vague, conflicting,
and we may say, ridiculous rumors touching
the matter, We briefly expressed disposition
to confde in the statement of the writer, as
the only one We had SEN in which probabih-
ty was kept in view. For this, We have drawn
upon ourselves left handed compliment from
the Norfolk Herald, which, although we do
not regret, we certainly did not intend to me-
rit; nor should we have thought oft again, but
for reading communication in the Richmond
Enquirer, wherein the subject is treated still
more seriously, but at the same time, more
decorously. The obnoxious extract is insert
ed in the ESauIREH, preceded by our intro
,iuctory notice of it; and en,phaticaliy marked
as having been taken from the "Alexandria
Gazette" To this we do not object, but are
at a loss to see the point. We annex the CON-
muncaton, and turn the whole matter over
to the Editor of the Rhode.Island American
and his correspondent.
For the En9uirer.1
We have read the above with not
little surprise as we'll as indignation.
Whether it be really what it purports to
be. an Extract of letter from WASH
ington" to the Editor of the Rhode-Isl-
and American, we neither know nor
care. tits circulating as every thing
of the kind will circulate: and we re-
publish it, for the purpose Of correct
ing the misrepresentation or fabrica-
ton it contains; for Misrepresentation
it is, if the writer had any knowledge OF
the transaction of which he undertakes
to give account: and fabrication, If
he was ignorant Of it. We have had
no communication with Mr.. Randolph
on the subject; but we undertake to
vouch the following state Of facts, on
authority perfectly unquestionable; and
we are very sure, that neither Mr.. Web
ster, nor any real friend he has, will
ever deny its accuracy.
1t is true, that Mr.. Randolph did
send challenge (direct, unconditional
and peremptory) to MIR. Webster, by
Mr.Benton; and it is true, that the chai-
Ienge was afterwards Withdrawn. 1t
was Withdrawn after MIR. Webster had
prepared an answer to it. tho its pur-
port is not known, for i, was never
communicated to Mr.. Randolph or Mr..
Benton: it was destroyed by Mr.. Web
xfer In Mr. Renton'S presence. But