Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1835-01-02

and which had been filling up from the time tbs
dam across the other channel was built, and
obtained it. But not being satisfied with the In.
Jury they had already done to Alexandra, they
inflicted further injury upon her, by including
in the appropriation, sum sufficient TO make
the Bridge at the Little Falls and the Turnpike
Road into Virginia, free Road and Bridge,
for the purpose OF drawing of our trade to that
section of the country, heretofore exclusively
trading with us, and which they have effected,
inasmuch as we have not been able to make our
Turnpike Road to the same section Of country
also free. Now, sir, if Georgetown was entitled
TO an appropriation Of one hundred and ffty
thousand dollars to repair an injury inflicted
upon herself, and to aid her in doing fur
Their injury TO u.s. how much stronger is our claim
upon Congress for an appropriation to complete
our Canal, when it is to repair these injuries,
inflicted upon us by means OF the acts OF Con-
gress ITSELF II must, ii seems to me, be ire
sistibe; and it, after an acquaintance with
your public character for many years past,
shall not hereafter find you so far convinced OF
its Justice, as to advocate il, | shall, confess,
be greatly disappointed.
But sir, 1 would now ask you, if the Canal
boats are unable to navigate The river, as have
shewn they could not, how can that river be the
best Canal which could be wished for, when Il
does not answer the purpose of Canal at ALT
II il had however, ansW cred the purpose for the
old Canal boats, il will certainly not answer for
the Chesapeake and Ohio Canalboats, not one OF
which has ever attempted To navigate the river,
and never will. because they cannot These
boats carrying one hundred barrels each, are
navigated on the Canal by one man, one boy,
and one horse, force entirely insuhcent to
manage such boat on the river under the cir
cumstances before stated; and, therefore, the
river will not ba the best Canal which could be
wished for. nv the people Of Alexandria. And
if any thing further was necessary, to prove that
il will not, il will be found in the conduct OF the
people Of Washington on this subject SO well
swer the purposes of Canal. and that II the
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal should be extend
ed no farther to the east than the head OF tide
water two miles above Georgetown, as was
originally intended, that the Canal boats would
not reach the city, but would stop at Georgetown,
and that they would derive no beneht from the
Canal: and although they subscribed million
of dollars to that stock, on the condition that II
should not be brought below the head OF tide
water.-and although they knew Alexandria
would not have subscribed TO that stock upon
anv other condition, yet in violation Of their So
| lemn compact, thus entered into with the other
subscribers, they refused to pay their subscrip-
ton, and declared by way OF avoiding the pay.
ment of it, they would transfer their stock 10
pauper and thus defeat the whole scheme, unless
the Canal was continued to Washington ont Of
the Joint fund, and having, induced the Secre-
tary of the Treasury to enter into their views,
finally succeeded in having the Canal brought
into their city. Thus forcing Alexandria to
contribute two hundred and fifty thousand dol
| lars TO the benefit of Georgetown and Washing.
ton. TO the total and absolute ruin OF herself;
and in despite of the engagement, entered into
with her, upon the faith of which she made
her subscription.
Now, sir, if Congress shall under all these cir
cumstances, withhold an appropriation Tor our
Canal, and thereby consigne US TO inevitable ru.
in. we must submit, as best we may; and In
that event. We may as well do as one OF our
friends in Congress once suggested, burn our
town and seek living in some more favored re-
gion; for il is beyond a doubt, unless Congress
does make our Canal, and that speedily, total
and inevitable ruin must come upon Us, AZ we
are without the means of doing it ourselves.
| There is one other view Of this subject which
1,-.I -..hn,it tn unnr consideration, as strength.
ening our claims to an approprIauon, ana h.ve
done.
It would seem to he rational rule. that those
he entitled to the largest share OF those favors.
Now, how stands the case with the cities Of the
District, in relation to this matter. Alexandra
has contributed to the revenue ofgovernment In
money, the enormous sum Of four millions OF
dollars: Georgetown and Washington, together,
not more than one million Of dollars; and yet,
| what proportion does that bear TO what each
has received from that government
This is plain matter, and requires no CON-
ment. AN ALExANDRlAN.
AIernndrin IAN. 1st 1885.