Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1835-01-03
CONIMUNTCATION.
TO THE EDITOR OF TIE ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE.

The writer of the letter to Mr.. Caihoun HUE
dreamed, when so employed, that ne wonio
thereby draw upon him such a food OF INK as
has since been discharged. A plain statement
Of the condition of the town, in which all MS
hopes are centered, and where he expects his
bones will rest was addressed to man eminent
for his talents and his virtues, with view to al
tract his attention from the momentous affairs
of great nation, to what was considered the
fair claims of small community, under the es'
pecial care of the legislature of which ne was
distinguished member. This was done with q
hope, that, when possessed of facts connected
with matter of vital interest, which he could
not be expected to search out, he might lend the
aid of his powerful mind and great influence to
the interests of alexandria, buried, as they have
always been, and as was stated in that letter
under matters Of greater moment, or more
pressing urgency.
These were the views which eiiicted that letter
that it should be attacked, and the sentiments
therein contained msconstrued misinterpreteo
or perverted, by such, here, as have diiec
and personal interest in the present posture y
things, was to be expected: such attacks were
deemed unworthy Of reply.
The writer of that letter was willing that hi:
fellow-citzens and the gentleman to whom il
was addressed, should compare the text ano
commentary together, and judge OF both; ano
here he had hoped the matter would rest: his
occupations and temperament have not fitted
him for newspaper controversy, and the la
Dor of The pen is not to him pleasant recrea
ton, whatever it may be- TO others. But an edl
torial article Of the Baltimore American of the
30lh ultimo, which he has just seen, induces him
once more, and he hopes for the last time, to OBJ
trude himself upon your columns.
The editor sets forth, fairly, the facts and SEN
timents OF the letter generally. The writer
however, by no means meant to say, that the do.
nation by Virginia to Congress "was intended
for the benefit of Virginia herself" though he
humbly conceives, that, in cedng her people,
and giving with them handsome 'wer, she
might have expected some advantage would
accrue to herself as we'll as to them. Nor can
he see how this would, in any wise, detract from
her high minded liberality and devotion to the
great interests of the Union at large, for which
SuC udS oSSii 81 ~ "i'N ~ NV
contemplation of which, none OF her sons have
felt a prouder satisfaction, than the humble in
dvidual who now addresses you.
The grant is said to be unconditional, except
as to the location OF the Seat of Government
somewhere on the banks Of the Potomac" and
that :'Virgnia has no just claim" upon Con-
gress, "much less Alexandria," Did any one
set up such a claim for Virginia? Virginia
would scorn it. Did the writer of that letter set
IN anv claim for Alexandria, further than the
"neril" of this liberal act Of her parent STATED
When Virginia made this donation, she was rich
and powerful: the General Government was but
in its infancy-its means were Iimited-lts Gre
dit not established, and the very act of cession,
and the Notwithstanding that she looked for
ward to her interests being remotely or contin-
gently Acknowledgement that she felt she was
able to "aid and foster" the mighty giant, then
in his cradle.
Part of this identical pecuniary aid was con-
tributed by the town Of Alexandria, (then, and
for several years afterwards, taxable by the
State) and though the retrospect may be plea
SAINT, yet it is mournfu to the heart, that Alex
dnQria, at tldt Uine, SlOOu loItuoSt III TIC ilSl
of the commercial cities of Virginia. and was
then considered, by her now powerful and
wealthy" neigbbor, Baltimore, in the light of
rival. Was it unfair, then, was it presuming
too much upon the good deeds of her parent
that Alexandria, fallen from her high estate, hav'
ing suffered under the weight Of her taxes and
burthens for years, and sustained her credit and
good faith without blot, should, in her emer
gency, remind the General Government (now
almost all-powerful, and, but lately, almost over
whelmed with the abundance ofits rches) ofthe
aid granted it in its youth, and ask return Of
the bounty of its parent2
have said that Alexandria is suffering under
the weight of her burthens-she is, and has been
for the last FIVE years, and perhaps unconscious
", and all unknown to the worthy Editor Of the
American, himself and his feIlow-citizens, thro'
the fundamentally of their Rail Road Compa-
ny, protracted their sufferngs for three years,
by that most unfortunate controversy with the
Canal for the right Of way along the Potomac.
All this may be right-the opinion of the writ