Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-12-24
COMMUNICATIONS.


tentiOn or desire OF entering into an angry news
paper controversy of this old and oft discusssa
subject; to wt-Our Corporation debt and =,
panacea-retrocession If the expectation was
originally entertained, that the Chesapeake and
Ohio Canal, could and would be finished n ,bo
Coal Banks in two or three years, it certan,v
was an unreasonable expectation, and one which
was not generally entertained;-bu suppose !,
was; is the great utility Of the work lessened be.
cause it is now ascertained that longer time il
required for its completion? The time necessa.
ry to effect works of such magnitude rests in
the mere speculative opinions of the Engineers
who may be called upon TO survey the route as
to the difficulties over which and through which
it must pass, and these difficulties are not nei.
Their can they be, entirely foreseen or accurately
estimated, even by the most skillul and practised
Engineer, before the work is completed
That the Canal will be completed, and that
too within less than three years to come. to the
Coal Pits, but little doubt is entertained except
by those who predicted its failure at its rery IN.
ception, and who for consistency and still more
for "opinion sake" still continue OF that mind.
But suppose we. were re!ioceded to Virginia
would the work progress more rapidly? Has
not the Baltimore Convention, composed of
some OF the first men in the Country invoked
the aid Of Virginia, as well as Maryland, Penn.
sylyania and Baltimore, and also the Congress
Of the United States? and so have We, in like
manner, asked the aid of Congress, and when
it shall refuse, it will then be time enough TO
complain. Now, therefore, if hard begging and
general begging can complete the work, We have
right to conclude, that it will not and cannot
stand still; and if it u.s. as no doubt il is matter
Of deep and abiding interest to Virginia, she has
ears to hear, eyes to perceive, and public spirit
enough to promote its completion, whether Al.
exandria is part of her Dominion, or part
of the federal Territory. But we are gravely
told, that Virginia expected great advantages
from the location Of the Seat of the general Go.
yernmcnt, where it now is and that she coded
US, with $4,000 in the bargain, but that in this
expectation, she, as well as the people ceded,
have been greatly disappointed. What advan-
tages did Virginia expect, beyond what she has
received? Has she not been from that time
down 10 the present moment, first in the hearts
and first in the confidence Of the phoie peoplel
Aud what did we expect beyond what has been
given? Are not our whole Judiciary generally
speaking, paid by the United States? Are We
not now. and have we not been for the last
twenty years. exempt from direct taxation ard
from all other taxes, except such as We volunta.
rily impose upon ourselves2 And are We not
safe in our ersons,property and lives? And live
still live under /" barbarous and uncertain laws"
who can be blamed but ourselves2 Surely not
Congress-fnr no law, however insignificant or
unimportantc can be offered for the consideration
or action Of Congress, that will not meet with
opposition, more or less And tits this very diver
sity Of sentiment, feeling and interest which We
ny properly induces Congress to withhold Itsac-
ton And hence, a divided and discontened
people, will forever fail in every attempt TO bel
ter their moral and political condition.
But where is the evidence that Virginia Geo.
ed us from selfish motives?-in the eXpectallch
of particular State benefits and advantages
Where, | ask, is the evidence Of such expecta-
tions?-no where; and God forbid! that it ever
should appear: f its presence would fdrnisn'
while its absence tends only to brighten ana eH.
alt still more highly, the disinerestedness anu
the well earned fame Of this enlightened ana
patriotic Safe. Let it not, then, be said or III
simulated that she had any motives in making
the cession, or any objects whatever in con'em-
plation, incompatible with her high character
and standing for patriotism. What did she eA-
pect and what did she ask, when she ceded 70
the United States her immense possessions III
the Northwestern county2 Nothing but the no.
nor and the welfare Of the nation;-and yet We
are told of her disappoinments touchingth the tes-
sion Of the little Town Of Aexandra, including
that rarhke tribe, the "Cooneys"H Can me w.
telIigent people Of Alexandria listen 10 SUI"
statements and assertions7 If am not grea'P
mistaken, they will not-they cannot-and 'heS
ought not.
Next, in order, is an attack upon the JUDGES
OF the District, who are roundy charged WIN
being "careless Of the interests OF TINS poI"oh
OF the District" Here again, is ano'her e"
dence of bold and gratutous assertlon-ah %
sertiOn rs unWarranted as il is unmer ted;-uu'