Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1835-01-23
COMMUNICATION.
ALEXANDRIA CANAL.

TO the Members offhe House Of Representatives.
of the United States:
The following letter, addressed originally to
a member Of your body, contains some iacts-and
arguments which the writer is induced TO De-
lieve might give some information to others, and
hence its publication in this form is thought pro-
per and your attention to its contents respect
fully soIicited-W Without further preface the let
is subjoined:-
You politely consented to receive my further
communications regarding the Alexandra Ca
nall respectfully offer them in writing, before
| again have the honor TO see you. II | correct.
" understood your objections to grant the aid
asked of Congress to that object, they were to
this effect. viz-that The Canal is not necessary
to the trade of Alexandria, as 1t has better
means Of connection with the Chesapeake and
Ohio Canal at Georgetown by the river potomac:
that, if not so, the cost of such Canal would lar
exceed any advantages to be derived from 1t
that Alexandria is so fallen to decay, that any
attempts to revive its trade would be irultless,
as Georgetown and Baltimore, the latter es-
pecially, by means Of the great improvements
and superior capital it possesses, will command
the entire trade OF the surrounding country, eX-
cept a small space, for small retail business IN
our immediate neighborhood; and that the fate
Of Alexandria is not of such public Importance
as demands or justlties the pecuniary aid ofCon-
gress 10 uphold her. SO have understo d your
objections. ! ask permission TO answer them
I'm proof that the Alexandria Canal has been
deemed necessary and advantageous, not only
TO Alexandria, but TO the Chesapeake and Ohio
Canal and all the bordering upper country on
both sides OF the Potomac, | rest upon the gene
raj sense of all the engineers who have viewed
the country from the Allegheny to tide water,
whose opinions have been given. Gen. Ber-
ar1 .bn N onl off hat rro Inc-
sion, expressed his decided opinion, that the pro-
per termination of the Chesapeake and Ohio
Canal would be at Alexandria, the only port in
the District capable Of receiving ships of heavy
burden. That the Potomac river is totally use
less to Alexandria, as connected with the upper
country trade, is proved by the following nara
tive of facts undeniable:-The greatest part Of
the produce Of the Shenandoah Valley, fifty
years since, withiR mig knowledge, came to Alex
andra. Several years since turnpike road
was formed the principal distance between Bal
timore and Harper's Ferry, which drew to the
former much Virginia produce from Jefferson,
Berkeley, and Frederick counties with return
trade OF course, TO which Baltimore owes con-
siderable part OF her early progress to mpOr-
lance. The State of Virginia was not then dis
posed TO promote a similar road hence to Jef1cr-
son county, by taking part in it. Alexandria,
having expended largely Of her means on the
Little River Turnpike, was not competent to
undertake such an enterprise alone thus great
part of that trade fell into the possession of Bal
timore, for which Alexandria had no remedy
Soon after Congress assembled at Washington,
the Corporation Of Georgetown asked for and
obtained a loan to make a causeway from Ma
sons Island to the western bank of the Potomac
in Alexandria county. Through the channel
then so unjustifiably closed by that causeway,
the boats, with upper country produce, had pre-
viously passed, and under the Virginia shore
made the port of Alexandria, their proper mar
ket, in safety. Since that causeway was made
seldom, indeed, has boat with country pro-
duce reached Alexandria, and then only under
circumstances not in the control Of Georgetown.
The real truth Of that affair, however masked
by other pretenceS, was ths:-Georgetown ask
ed and obtained Il lar 10 rob die.randria of The
rirer boat Hdde; while the then Common Coun-
Gil Of Alexandria, to their everlasting reproach
and shame, took no steps to prevent the passage
ofthat law. by representing. as they ought, to
Congress its runous effect upon an important
branch Of the trade of Alexandria George
town has reaped the due reward OF premeditat-
ed wrong 10 her neighbor. Fifty years since
saw at her wharves ships Of 600 to 800 hhds. to-
bacco burthen-twO Of these London traders
What is the state Of that harbor now? That
causeway closed up the best ship channel, and
it has caused the remaining one to be so filled
up and impeded below Georgetown, that yes
sells drawing over ten TO twelve feet water, at
most, cannot go there; and it must, at no remote
day, become inaccessible to the smallest sea yes.
sci, unless the Government, to favor George
town, keeps it open at continued expense, by
machinery, such as is now in use for that purpose.
have stated the two most material causes
(DreriouS 10 the still more important one nou in
operation, the Chesapeake and Ohio CanaD Of
the temporary decline of Alexandria, | call il
temporary, because it is the evident consequence
Of the improved road from Baltimore to Har-
pers Ferry, in the first place; to The act Of Con
gress which stripped Alexandria of the river
boat trade. and gave it to Georgetown. in the
second; and, finally, the opening of the Chesa-
pcake and Ohio Canal to Georgetown, and the
Rail Road TO Baltimore; both being thereby
connected with the Shenandoah Valley, whilst
Alexandria, having no improvements to give
equal facilities to her intercourse with the upper
country, suffers a heavy dimnution of her &C
customed business. Alexandria has sustained
with fortitude great disadvantages, not caused
by her fault; she perceves but one remedy for
her suferings, and has moral conviction that
it will, if attained, reinstate her just interests
She would deserve the ruin that awaits her if
she omits any fair means to complete her Canal
Sir il is the rock of her salvation Wban tho