Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-04-14

Alax.niria and Georgetown, but thought the
bridue could be SO constructed as 10 ahoru ho
obstacle to the navigation OF the river.
Mr. Washington said it was due to majority
IF tho Committee on the District, as well as
bimsef to recommend the rejection OF the bill
Fro,n The Senate and the proposed amendment
On a full hearing before the Committee, all, ex-
cepting the Chairman, were IN favor OF rejecting
the bill He had the interests Of the city OF
Washington at heart, but was constrained BY du-
ty to oppose the measure. The whole country,
bordering on the Potomac, were interested in its
free navigation from the fallsto the ocean. Here
vas large commercial place above the bridge
No steamboat had been able to reach George
town until, by an act of Providence, the bridge
was swept away. Nature had given us one OF
the noblest rivers in the world, upon which tree
navigation and intercourse should not be dcs-
troyed unless the paramount interests OF the coun-
try require it to be done No parallel Is TO DC
found in the world Of permanent bridge erect
ed between a great commercial town and inc
ocean. When the charter Of the bridge compa-
nv was before Congress, in 1907, the ablest
statesmen in the country protested against the
grant upon the ground that Congress had no
bower TO restrict this navigation. The original
grant of MARYLAND to the Calvert family, went
to the Virginia shore Of the river. Dficu liIes
arose between Virginia and MARYLAND on the sub
iect which were finally settled in 17s5, when
each State guaranteed to the other the free ma
veaton OF the river. This guarantee was not
impaired BY the cess,un vi the Districtof CO'um-
ba to the United States. Mr.. w. quoted the
terms of the acts Of cession. The erection OF
the bridge had greatly increased the expenses OF
business at Georgetown-of which the CONNER.
cial Importance was rapidly increasing. TRIAD
al # af mi Ia
rel extra upon all their -four, and 25 cents per
cord upon all wood brought by water for the
consumption of the town. Congress had no
right to impose this tax, which was enormous in
ITS amount, upon the inhabitants of that place.
But that was not all. The bridge had kept that
town blocked up by the ice for weeks after the
river below was clear. He had been an eye wit
ness of that fact for 90 years. He trusted this
House, after the Inconvenience of this bridge had
been so amply tested by experience, would not
again iniict this grievance upon people under
their protection. He was unable to perceive an,
imperious necessity for this Bridge. Its useful
ness had been rested on two points-the trans.
portation of the mails, and the supply OF the
Washington markets. But the mails, for eleven
months in the year, are transported with greater
speed and economy in the Steamboats,. The
bridge, if built, would be only used for three or
four weeks-and during that time the river is
scarcely closed more than few days. The in
creased distance by Georgetown is only the dis
lance from the Post Office to the Ferry, about
one and half or two miles. As to the supply Of
the marx et, very little comes from the sterile re-
sion to which the bridge leads. The marketing
comes from above-from the counties OF Fairfax
and Loudoun. These trifling matters should not
he placed in competition with the commercial
3 - ne Its fire
! last year were more than $40, O00-and its
coastw ise exports more than million. He was
friendly to all the interests in the District-was
in favor of the Canal to the Eastern Brancli-Of
the aqueduct across the river at GeOrgetown-
and was willing that every part of the District
should participate in the advantages to be deri-
ed from the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal-but
opposed to the destruction Of the natural advan-
tages enjoyed by any part. and was anxious to
preserve the commercial privileges of George
town
Mr.. Jenifer said the question of right, argued
by his colleague, (Mr. Washington was settled
in 1907, and did not now come up. He thought
the best course to be grant of money to the
bridge company, on condition that the draw on
the Virginia side be made 66 feet wide, and that
on the Maryland side So feet. This would give
Georgetown all she had right to expect-which
was suitable and convenient navigation. 1t
would enable Steamboats, to go there without
difficulty. Ships of burthen do not go to that
place. with or without the bridge. on account Of
the shalowness Of the river He thought the propo-
siton of the gentleman from Connecticut, (Mr.
Ellsworth would equally benefit all the int.
rests involved; that of the bridge company, as
we'll as of Washington and Alexandra.
Mr.. Grenne was satisfied the bridge ought to
be rebuilt. The objection against the right Of
building it came too late. Congress had alrea-
DIV vested this franchise in the bridge company,
after an ample discussion, and this franchise
cannot be Invested by legislation. II the rights
of any other corporation or of individuals, were
infringed, and the bridge was a nuisance, they
had their remedy before the proper tribunals
But sill parties had acquIesced for nearly so
years. The bridge was essential for secure
passage across the river. Steamboats, would not
answer the purpose at all times and for all occa-
sions. Mr.. &. then went into a detailed argu-
ment in support Of the amendment.
Mr.. Doddrdge held in his hand, list of the