Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-12-27
COMMUNICATIONS.
70 rHE EDITOR OF rHE ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE.

upon by your correspondent, A Virginian;"
and from which conclusion is drawn, by him,
that, had we been under the prudent and eau.
tious legislation of Virginia, instead Of the le-
gislation of Congress,-all the evils complained
Of would have been prevented. Here is ano-
Their discovery after the evil has occurred; and
the only objection which have, or can have, to
these discoveries being made public, is, that
they offer no security against their future recur
renee.
Had those who dealt 1oih Bunks, and those
who managed Banks, had the fear of God before
their eyes, these evils never would, and never
could, have arisen;-but Congress is neverthe-
less, most charitably indeed held responsible, as
endorsers for the integrity of all the good people
of the District of Columbia who had dealings
and transactions with the Banks!-a fearful re-
sponsbity, this, and one which, apprehend,
Congress never intended to assume.
Banks are, like all things else, good to GER
tain extent-beyond that an evil and no posi-
BILE evil is, or can be, apprehended from the
number now in operation here; neither can
their entire soundness be questioned, having sus-
tanned their credit and high standing unimpair
ed. through good and through evil report: and
50 far from Virginia essening, as intimated by
your correspondent, she is evidently about to
augment the number Of Banks in the State, if
any reliance can be placed upon the statements
made in her public journals.
Again, it is asserted by your correspondent,
that, had we been under the jurisdiction of
Virginia, we should have been saved from the
unfortunate subscription to the Chesapeake and
Ohio Canal."-Here, again, must be permitted
to ask for the proof Of this assertion.
When we took Stock in the main Canal, we
expected Virginia would do so. as well as the
United States,-and SO they both did; and the
same thing, and nc more, would have been done
had We belonged to the State. We were deeply
interested, and so was Virgina;-we exercised
our best judgment, and so we presume she did
and neither her nor us foresaw the opposition
/ from neighboring and powerful city, until We
had become too deeply involved I, retreat
Would retrocession have prevented this opposi-
tion7-and if it would not, what have we lost7
and if it would not, what would have been the
gain from merely retroceding? | confess my
entire inability 10 see through the matter further
than to know, that difficulties were thrown in
the way; hut that they are now happily remov.
ed, and that all we have to do and all we can
do, is to unite in perfect singeness of heart and
purpose, and. in the language of the Immortal
Col. Crockett, ego ahead" But says "a Vir.
ginan," give us our $4,000, and we will &c
home. He forgets, however, that before we are
received at home, in the manner which his vi
vid and glowing imagination portrays, our old
Parent will be inquisitve to know how stands
the Dutch loan; and apprehend, if We tell hel
that we have $3.50 600 to pay off debt of $4OO.
600, that the old lady will not hail our return
with that parental affection which we are so af
fectingly told was extended to the prodigal SON
neither would this reception, however cordial
however afftctionate, release us from the pay.
ment Of a just debt, or the responsibility which
it imposes upon us as moral and upright peo
pie.
In conclusion, Mr.. Editor, if "a Virginian'
will give us unioubted euidence that Virginia will
pay off our entire debt, provided we can get
Congress to retrocede us, think may safely
say, that he will find no difficulty i'm effecting his
object;-but if on the contrary, he merely writes
| for his amusement, or to excite our anguish by
reminding us of our present difficulties, think
he will find but few to participate in his sorrow.
ings, if sorrow he really feels, and still fewer
who will be willing to be guided by his counsels
| VALERIUs.