Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-02-06
ANNEXATION NEAR AT HoMEl

Our readers must have observed mat a move
ment has been made in our Legislature: to re-an-
mex the Town and county of Alexandria 10 the
State Of Virginia. The Senate Committee ICE
neral Wallace chairman) have reported unani-
mously in favor Of The measure, and The House
Committee (Mr. Edmunds chairman) have, with
equal unanimity, brought in a bill for the retro
c%ession, in case Congress should give its consent.
The unanimity Of action here, in these days OF
local and sectional jealousies, furnishes the best
evidence, that The remuneration will meet with
no serious opposition from the Virginia Legs
la,ure. If Congress ratifes The contract, We may
safely declare, that Alexandria will soon be, once
more, a valuable integral part OF the Old Doniin-
ion.
We have examined, with some little pains,
this interesting question. We can see no reason
why Virginia should refuse The rendered boom
Alexandria, with her fine population, her fertile
lands, her vast commercial advantages, soon 10 De
swollen by The rich mineral treasures OF Mary
land and Virginia foated down the Chesapeake
Canal, asks The simple legislative protection oil
Virginia, and, in return, presents herself 10 De
taxed for the benefit of her mother State. Can
we, in Justice or in prudence, reject the iair pet-
toner for our proteclion-particularly when she
brings with her a rich endowment, 10 meet the
expenses OF the State Government? Alexandra
complains, and Justly We have no doubt, oil the
ouasi-colonial vassalage nnder which she at pre-
sent labors. She is not only deprived Of the bless
ines tina, flow from the fountain Of Federal pa
rronase, but, from her remoteness, receives
scarcely the least consideration IRON Con.
eress, whose members are wholly pre-occu-
MED with the concerns Of their own imme-
diale constituents. The laws necessary to her
well.being are refused her, and she asks to be
restored 10 her old position, and to be enabled
10 share the responsibilities and the fortunes, Tor
good or for i'll, of this old Commonwealth. Her
citizens, unable, from their position, TO have their
wants represented on The floor of Congress, seek
10 enioy The inestimable blessings OF the right OF
suffrage, of which they are uow entirely stripped,
wi,noa., at The same time, enjoying any cores
ponding advantage. On his question, We under
stand there is but one feeling. All parties, sexes
and ages are animated by one anxious desire TO
be re-anne1ed to Virginia.
From the evidences we have already referred
10. we cannot doubt that our Legislature will
lend lis aid 10 the contamination OF the measure,
in case Congress should, in its wisdom, rclinquish
irs claims 10 the town and county Of Alexandria
The following report 10 the Senate OF Virginia
gives a brief though lucid view OF some Of the
merits Of the question:
REPORT
Of he Select Committee d the Scnate on The Pei
zion Of The T0,cn and County Of Alexandria, in
the District of Columbia, to be admitted into me
State of Virginia on The passage Of an Act By
Congress retroeeding the same.
The Committee TO whom was referred the pc
tition Of a large majority of the citizens of the
town and county ofAlexandria, in the District OF
Columbia, praying the passage of an Act OF The
General Assembly, by which all that part of the
said District lying west and south of the Potomac
river, may be admitted and declared to be an in
teeral part Of lhi. Commonwealth, on the pas
sage OF an Act, BY the Congress of the United
States, relroceding The same 10 Virginia have,
according 10 order, had the same under consider.
alton, and report:
That the town and county Of Alexandria were
formerly a part Of this State, and that, by an ac'
ofthe General Assembly, passed on the Sd day oil
December, 1889, The same was coded 10 the U,
States. Your committee, on a full view OF all
the interests embraced BY this subject, are sails
fed, that il will be advantageous to the State a;
large, and especially to the inhabitants of The ad.
iacent country, 10 extend our jurisdiction and
laws over them.
1t appears, thatthe number of inhabitants with.
in the limits of Alexandria, is upwards of eight
thousand; that there is an extensive trade carried
on between il and a large potion OF the northern
and eastern counties ofthe State, and with many
of the State Of Maryland; as also by means O
+ navigation with the Ailantlc States, The Yves
! Indies, and Europe. The terminus Of the Chesa'
r peake and Ohio Canal, which is conducted ovel
the Potomac by a magnificent aqueduct, is at tha
3 place, which must make ii the mart Tor The i'm
mense trade destined TO be conveyed upon its DO
som 10 the ocean. The value Of the property now
subjectto municipal taxation, is between three
!, and four millions OF dollars, and The port is repre-
scented 10 be one of the best In the Union. beins
7 CAPABLE OF affording ready access and a gooe
and capacious harbor for ships of all classes
e The area of The country is shout forty square
8 miles; The soil is generally fertile, and in a higl
= state Of cultivation. The number OF its inhabi
u tanls is about fifteen hundred, making in th'
n tow and county a population OF about l0, 600.
The large and growing region of Virginia Dor
: dering on the Potomac, above Alexandria, ant
watered by it and its tributaries, has a deep in
y terest in the prosperity OF tina, town, as the prin
cipal port whose commerce connects it with III
S ocean. Thus situated, every consideration o
duty and Of policy urges the Commonwealth
apart from the influence of affection and sympa
thies which bind US to a people who are bone c
o our bone and flesh Of our flesh, to receive wit
8 favor the prayer of the petitioners.
Your Committee deem it proper TO say, tia
thare Is no impediment interpoeed BY either III
. Constitution Of the Uaitsd States 10 make the csl