Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-03-29

casions TO their own resources" To extend to Us
the like benefits it will be necessary to construct
lateral branch of the canal extending to town:
towards this object-now all important and ne
cessary, the town has literally subscribed. We
ask Of Congress only aid to complete what we
have commenced and we ask this in the confidence
that our request cannot be disregarded.
That this lateral Canal is indispensably neces-
sary, will be perceived by rejecting but mo-
ment upon our situation. Alexandra is me sea-
port for the District Its fine wharves, commo-
dious warehouses, deep water, and go'd harbor it
we had fair play put US beyond competition. Of
what avail however is all this, if the produce is
stopped far above Us, and there landed? We are
in reality, if this state of things should continue,
ruined by the very work, we have 50 largely con-
tributed to make. Formerly we received con-
siderable part Of our supplies, through the navi-
CATION of the Potomac by boats which "hovering
along the shore of the river and protected BY the
Virginia hills in its shallow margin, securely de-
scended to our market" A committee OF Con-
gress has already explained this fact to that no
norabe body, and stated in addition, that BY the
construction of the causeway between Analoston
island and the former shore of Virginia. across
what was prior thereto the best ship channel OF
the Potomac, the canal boats have been disabled
frQm reaching this place. and the commerce which
we derived frem that source has been consequent
ly lost to US Besides, Canal boats could not live
in stormy weather on the Potomac, where they
would nov be compelled to go. We recollect,
in conversation with one Of our worthy inspec-
tors of Flour some time since, he mentioned that
to his own knowledge many farmers bringing down
produce we're compelled to stop and unload above,
though it was their interest & desire to come here,
where thevcoud have obtained better prices. Hun
dreds Of certificates confirming this, we have no
doubt could be readily obtained from the farmers
in the upper country.
| For general and correct statement OF the
importance of TIE Alexandra Canal, and the
claims OF the town upoa the justice OF Congress,
we would refer to the Memorial Of the Directors,
and the Report of the Committee on Internal
! Improvements. Jan. 81. 1881 The application
to the General Government is in these documents
enforced BY arguments which must be deemed
conclusive.
This application is still before Congress. and
we are in daily expectation of seeing bill, IN
accordance Herewith. reported by the Commit
tee 20 which it has been referred. As tins mat
ter stands on its own foundation, we trust 1t will
receive immediate attention. 1t Involves no
constitutional queston-no political vews--n"
national interest. We ask of Congress. as our
local legislature. to put US upon ialr heIa OF
competition with our sister cilies-as part OF
the District of Columbia. to extend to US a moi
ety of that which has been literally disbufsed in
Washington We surely cannot make such a
request in vain. That body cannot turn deal
ear to people situated as we are-mak'ng the
exertions that we do, and having the claims that
we certainly have upon its sense Of justice
We respectfully submit these remarks to the
attention Of the members of Congress.
.9ouei,tct. copied Yesterday, from the
Georgetown Gazette, an article recommending
the location Of the contemplated aqueduct over
the Potomac at particular spot, merely 10 show
the wishes Of our neighbours the subject. The
following extract from the report of Gen. Ma
} comb to the Secretary of War, will set the mat
ter right
From measurements and soundngs Of the
Potomac. made in pursuance of directions of the
Corporation Of Georgetown, the place called the
Three Sisters" is shown to be Ucry ooisuiia.
Bile one for bridge ofany kind There is dis
lance of 262 feet which is over 90 feet deep
deepest part Is feet. In this deep water the
bottom is reported "s9ff,' and the depth to so,
lid foundation unknoun."
, Our friends in Georgetown must, therefore,
let US "try again." before we can consent tc
throw our aqueduct over the river, at a place
with 80 few recommendations.