American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-12-05
correspondence of the Baltimore Clipperl
WAsBINGToN, Dec, 8, 1916,

The Yam Ness Case Smithsonian Institute
Long Bridge-Retrocession &c.
Public opinion, though suspended at this mo-
ment in reference to the "widow's" suit, still
inclines her way, suppose Saturday next,
will about bring the matter to an issue; people
want TO have it settled one way or the other.
Judge one cause of the favorable disposition
of the public towards the WidOUS side of the
question, apart from the strong suspicion that
foul play was intended her, is the aristocratc
hauteur which not only defendants counsel but
the partizans of his cause have generally dis
played in noticing the controversy, their noses
tips take an upward twist whenever the suppo-
stion is broached that Gen. Van Ness couIdf
possibly dream Of so piebeian an alliance!
Our citizens are "hoping on, hoping ever"
over the Smithsonian Institute; may the Re-
gents make no unnecessary delays in carrying
their great and important charge into effect
Mr.. Owen and our worthy Mayor, q speak by
no means to the disparagement of the other
Regents are doing their part well; may no
unfavorable obstacles intervene to delay a work
already disgracefulIy deferred.
We feel severely the loss Of the Long Bridge,
or rather the means of inter-communication
between town and country, occasioned by the
washing away of a portion Of the trusse-work
of the bridge. The effect is already and will
be yet more, grievouslY felt in the provision
and wood markets, as well as in the loss o
much country custom to our stores and shops.
The Alexandrians no doubt derive advantage
from this breaking up of our communications
with the country, and we hear that our George
town neighbors are agltating the construction
of free pile-bridge below the aqueduct, SO as
to draw the country trade through their town.
This plan would be more feasible, if the Vir-
gina shore were not in the hands of the Alex
andria Canal Company, who would hardly sell
their land there at any price; and besides would
probably be strong enough in the Virginia leg
islature to prevent their Georgetown rivals
from running bridge across the river. Indeed
there is some fear that retTocession has already
done something to delay the repair of the Pc.
tomac bridge; perhaps Congress may think tina,
as half the bridge is in Virginia, Congress i:
discharged from the trouble and cost of keep.
ing that half in repair. Thus it will be seer
that the citizens of Washington were probably
altogether too careless and apathetic in this mat
ter of retrocession. and it will be very we'll i
they have not, before long, to repent of the
short-sighted omission to resist and prevent (fo
they could have done it) the consummation o
an act locally and generally SO injurious. Al
act so obviously unconstitutional as the act dis
membering the Ten Miles Square could hardl,
fail to work great mischief in the long run
though at first sight it might not appear to b.
fraught with any thing particularly dangerous
The citizens of Washington should agtate it
repeal or if that cannot be procured, the
should carry the case before the Supreme Court
where there is very great probability of gettn
a judgment against the act. learn from
, friend who is more conversant than am wit
5 the affairs of Alexandria county that the pee
, pie of part of the county are taking ever
measure to upset retrocession, which they hav
more cause to abominate than even we of tn
t city.
The orators of the rctrocession party used {
urge their measure before the country people
. on the ground that it would nightly cnhanc
the value of their lands; the country poop