Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-01-30
MONDAY, JANUARY so, 1882.
COMMUNICATED.

The impediments raised by the Baltimore and
Ohio Rail Road Company to the progress OF the
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, are removed by the
recent decision Of the Court of Appeals in Mary
land While the prosecution Of that Canal was,
in some essential parts, suspended IN uncertainty,
the Alexandra Canal seemed not to demand our
jealous attention.; because its utility and value
depend entirely upon the other. These two Ca
nails are now IN circumstances totally different
The whole Eastern section OF the Chesapeake ana
OHIO Canal will be soon under contract Tor COM
pletion. 1t is the general opinion here, that the
Alexandria Canal ought TO be open precisely by
the day that the other Canal is finished to Har-
per's Ferry. Otherwise it must commence un-
der great disadvantages, that will require long
and continued exertions ON our part. and the
Town of Alexandria also, to overcome, it to be
overcome at all. Therefore the general interest,
as well as that of the Stockholders, requires the
immediate and unremitted prosecution OF the
Alexandria Canal, upon which depends hot the
future prosperity of Alexandria only, but ITS fu-
ture existence as place of commerce. The last
vear's prouress of the work was SO limited as to
,.,use much doubt and concern to the Stockhold-
ers and the public, many Of whom aPprehended
that the undertaking would be defeated 10y the
strange and unaccountable inactivity Of the Di-
rection. | trust those apprehensions were pre-
mature, and will hope that the present year may
shew to US the work in successful operation, so as
TO give assurance Of its completion without more
loss Of time. Some are of opinion that it is Pru-
den, to Wait the result OF our application to Con-
sress for ppcuniary aid, before engaging more
deeply IN the work. dissent from that opinion.
II is true We did from the first believe, and we
had fair ground for that belief that the United
States Government would essentially aid US IN
accomplishing our object. think that aid would
not be given with less good will and liberality if
we we're seen to be resolutely engaged to make
the Canal in any event Of our application. The
subscription was made generally under certain
conviction that the Canal was necessary to US,
and that therefore we would eEdeavor to make ii
whether aided by Congress or not While pa
tiently waiting the result Of our memorial to Con-
gress Of the last session, think we should nave
given no room for the suggestion that the tate Of
our Canal rested upon the success Of that nemo-
rial; but have proceeded onward, firmly, in con-
6Jepce that the aid we asked for would be grant
ed: which, for the reasons given in our memorial,
we may reasonably hope for. IL disappointed in
that hope, think We should steadily proceed IN
the work; being convinced that Alexandra, if
left to it's own unaided exertion, will be found
able to accomplish this grea, object. and become
thereby possessed of a STOCK yielding better in
terest than the Main Canal stock can ever do
am aware Of the supposed disproportion between
the cost of this Canal and our means to cope with
l.: | consider that as mischievous error. With
a real estate assessed at about three millions of
dollars in this town, and legal power in the
Council to tax without limit for any object Of i'm
provement to it, there can be no doubt that the
Council may, by issue Of stock, obtain whatever
sum may be necessary, in addition to the private
subscriptions, to cover the amount of the highest
estimate for completing the Canal; which will
then itself be an ample security for all principal
and interest Of the money it may cost. | do
therefore earnestly wish, that those appointed to
conduct this work, will forthwith, if not already
done, prepare a plan of vigorous operation in
readiness for the first day Of the working season.
here take the liberty to suggest to them the pro-
pretty Of rendering to the Stockholders some re,
port Of their past proceedings. The second year
Of their appointment is fast passing away, with
out any account being yet rendered Of the money
sxpended-~hich do not consider right. Al
though l do think they ought to have expended
more than they are said to have done. because
be ,eve the Canal must be made, md ought to be
made Nth aapracticabie expedition. yet, accord
ing 20 usage in such cases. report OF expendi.
ture and progress is due to the parties concern
ed, and ought not longer to be delayed.
A STOCKHOLDER