Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-01-26
From the Political Arena.

BREAKING GROUND ON THE CANAL.
We witnessed the day before Yesterday
fWednes day the 2lst) one of The most interest,"
ING and imposing spectacles which has ever
been exhibited in or town, except perhaps, o"
Gen. Lafaye,,e's arrival among Us.
II had been intimate to some oil our citizens
day or two before, that the President Of the
Rappahanuock Company, Col. Storrow' VINO
was then in Richmond, would break ground up
on the canal on "Wednesday morning, ana u
was thought advisable on an occasion so impor-
tan, 10 the interests Of our Town, that some
manifestation of our feelings should be shewn.
A committee was accordingly appointed VINO
met on the Monday preceding, and after snort
delibera,ion. announced the order 81 procession
already published. Although the notice was
so short, we were much grati6ed to see our ei'
tizens, at the hour appointed, Hooking with
aIacrity to the place Of rendezvous. At about
II o'clock. the procession being completely
formed, notice thereof was given, by the ring !.
ing of the church bell. The band, composed
Of number Of respectable gentlemen OF the
Town, who kindly volunteered their services
on the occasion, struck up "dail Columbia;
and the procession moved at the firing oil q
cannon, stationed ON the ground where the work
was TO commence. 1t moved on through the
streets previously designated ,and on Its arrival
al the ground was greeted by the discharge Of
second gun, and formed into a hollow square
by the m arshals-The masonic Brethren ihen
left their place in the procession, and forming
the selves into a circle, the master with the
usual ceremonies, which upon this occasion,
were highly appropriate and impressive, pro
ceeded 10 deposite in the monumental stone,
previously prepared the pla:e, upon which was
engraved the following inscription
On the alst day of January, A. D. 1899, A. L:
1929, and in the year Of the independence OF
the United States the SD,
THIS STONE,
| In memory of :he FIRST EFFoRTs TO OPEN,
IMPROVE, AND EXTEND THE NAVIGATION OF
THE R.ppAHANxocK, was laid in due form by
Fredericksburg Lodge, No. =, the Worsh'p-
full Samuel Howison, Master.
Notice of the termination Of the masonic
ceremonies was given by the wavin. Of flag.
and announced to the assembled multitude by
the discharge Of 3rd Gun, when the band
again struck up Hail Columbia. Whilst the
music continued, the Brethren resumed their
former station in the procession, and the presi-
dent Of The company, supported BY the Seere-
| tary and Treasurer, and attended by the Clergy
| and Judge Coaler, proceeded to the'cenlfe oil
The square, and with much feeling, delivered q
highly appropriate and interesting address,
which we hope hereafter to be able to lay be-
fore our readers-at the termination Of the adj.
dress, fourth gup was Observation-Disclosures
Doodle was played with much spirit and ami
nation by the Band, and the procession moved
to the point where the work was 10 commence
whilst the ceremonies, already described,
were progressing, the Laborers amounting to
near 100, were brought on the ground by the
superintendent with their respective imple-
men,s, and ranged in order on one side OF the
line marked out for The canal. The procession
then advanced 10 the head Of the'line OF Iabour-
ers, and the Presideot, assisted by Judge Coal
| ter, proceeded to break ground; all the flags
| were waved In the air, and the event annunnced
by the firing Of a fifth gun, the band striking
in with the much admired air Of the Benny
Boat" The animation and excitement dis
played at this point Of the ceremonies, were in
The highest degree gratifying: many Of the La.
dies, who had attended the procession through
| out il, whole movements, and who were near
on this interesting occasion, relieved the Presi-
dent and Judge Coalter Of their spades, and
proceeded, with good effect TOO, to assist them
in their Iabours. This manifestation OF the spi
rit Of internal improvement by the fair sex,
was greeted with three cheers by the surround.
ing multitude.