Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-02-17


tty. Previously to the interruption of the nav.
CATION from the falls above. by the causeway from
AnaIostan island to the Virginia shore, there
were received BY boats, through the locks of tho
Potomac Company, lin addition to considerable
quantity Of whiskey, hemp. bacon. and other ar.
ticle., from so to $4,000 barrels of -four per an.
NUN: this quantity has been reduced to less than
an average Of 5000 barrels. This arises from
the great difficulty and danger attending the mas.
sage of the river boats; aud the risk, expense
aud detention Of transhipment, are negative Ia
its finding its way there by any other means. In
losing this direct navigation from above. AIeyar.
dra is not only deprived of the receipt of laroe
quantity of flour and other produce. but the spn.
plying of salt, plaster fish, groceries. &c. reouir.
ed by thos. bringing or sending that produc. to
market.
of coal, the present consumption Is comna,,
lively small. Ii is received from Europe and
James River, and is, under present circums,,n
ces. mors expensive fuel than wood: but when
supply can lie received through the canal. at
less cost, ITS consumption will not only icerc,s.
but il will becom,, an article OF extensive eynor,
presnming. however, that it can be brought 10 or
market without the expense OF tranship,rent
the necessity Uf whi,h would deprive US Of am
advantage from the article. 1t could not he
brought from the main canal at less than tlreS
cents per bu,he, besides the waste incidental 10
its change from one conveyance TO another, while
it can be sent to an eastern market at an averso
of six cents. The rate OF Transportation is not
regulated by distance: the expense of LOADING
and discharging is most important, and must be
incurred, whether it be carried six or six hundred
miles The same remarks apply to all bulky ar
ticles; and unless they can be brought to marke,
By the conveyance in which they are first for.
warded. and those required for interior consump.
ton return in thesSame way. Alexandra cannot
expect to receive the one or supply the other.
The importance Of the fisheries below Aeyap
d:ia is generally known. Although, for want Of |
market, they are now comparatively small should |
the demand authorize it, they can be carried 10
any extent There are at present from ffv 70
seventy thousand barrels Of slad and heriiHg
annually packed in the month Of April and part |
of May. besides las stated by the proprietor of&e
fish wharf, about one million shad and five mil.
lions of herrings bronot in boats from the land.
inss. The principal portion of these last are ia.
ken from the wharf by wagons into the interior:
and if the greater facility and chcapncss Of canal
boats, with the increased demand aud extended
market, could be added, this quantity would soon e
arrive at double or threelod what it nowis.
The receipt of plaster of paris at The Alezar
dria market has amounted to upwards Of 10000 z;
tons per annum. 1t does not at this time, how b
ever. exceed to 5000. The use OF this article Is
is regulated, in considerable degree, By the pr F.
ces of produce: To the low rates OF which, and
the circumstance of there being no other than /
land conveyance into the interior. NAV be mpat
ed the falling off of the quantity now imported
The importation of salt amounts. on an aver
age, to about 200 bushels per annum. llp
CONSUMED by the fisheries and in the country 70
the interior. it can now only be taken BY land;
Its bulk, and the consequent waste, forbid !,
being transhipped: could it be taken by brh
into the interior, the quantity required would
greatly increased. Z
The foregoing remarks are merely lntenda@
invite attention to the articles most immediate!
connected with the desired canal; it will fs,hI'
be perceived, by reference 10 them, the Hy'I
which Alexandria now sustains for want Ofd'A
water ConnexiOn with the river aDoye-sun
connection as will enable the boats 10 proceedE
their option to that or any other market 10 O'
District. Under existing circumstances. sneh
deprived Of all advantage resulting from the n''
trade, either in receiving produce or iurnl'A'n;
su pplies. The injury now sustained on '"s
scale will be greatly extended as the Che'apE'I
and Ohio Canal progresses-a work from |'E
Alexandria will derive no benefit, although "
has contributed largely towards IT'S comPet%fn
Herewith is statement OF The receipts '"
rious articles, products of the country al ID.
or less connected with the canal. particularly
article of slaves; of lime. several Thousand ''f
are now annually received from the ea'"l
which could be procured through the cana .
less expense. either prepared or IN the Io'S H..
which the adjacent country abound'' lo"p
may he added tobacco, wheat, corn, and rye
receipts of all OF which would be increased D.
canal. The export Of Maryland tobacco d e
the past year, to Europe, has amounted 70 :.
ho.sheads, hGpg about oneiourh the crop
State: that ofsyheat and corn has also Oee'
tensive.
Statement oflumber, stnres, SC. bro"sh'""
andria IN The gear 1880
S,40O. 900 feet of boards and plank
els, $50 laihs for plasterns
100000 shingles
12.4l5 cords of wood and baIA
500 900 slaves