Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-01-17
O. onl mnnitatf0.
Improvement Of Navigation Of the Potomac.
TO the Edaers Of the Sentinel:

Improvement Of Navigation of the Potomac.
TO the Editars of the Sestinel
With view to familiarize the public eye, and
keep the public mind on the subject of the inn
proyement most vital to the District of Colum-
bia, so as to have some public sentiment def
nitely and generally, and in an unmistakable
manner, expressed during the present session Of
Congress, this communication seeks place in
the columns of the newspapers of the District,
and of Maryland and Virginia.
The present condition of w Washington, George.
town, and Alexandria should be considered,
first, with regard to the Potomac's capacity for
shipments direct from the wharves; and, sec
ondly, to the intimate communication which
they ought to have between each other and the
surrounding country; and, thirdly, also with
regard to the fitness of their locality as the
centre from which railroads should radiate
north, south, and west, as well as terminate
for shipping purposes It is obvious to men
Of enlarged views, intelligence, and disinterest-
ed motives; that the welfare Of Alexandria,
Washington, and Georgetown are too closely
united to admit of separation, without doing
damage to their ability, to take each its proper
part in the great field of action, which their
proximity to the head Of tide water on the Po-
tomac, and the actuality Of one of them being
the national metropolis, necessarily Indicate.
These three cities should therefore Join to-
gether for the purpose Of being what the law Of
the land, the hope of General Washington, and
] the handiwork of nature have so plainly marked
them out to be. Georgetown and Washington
are the most absolutely united, and Alexandria
is entitled to hold her old position in the family
circle. The writer ofthis communication, with
view to the great public good, some time
since caused to be published and circulated, in
d fha ohopa nfa 49, MD IN for
the final improvement of the Potomac river,
and also embodying the idea for the proper
location of the links of railroad which should
connect Washington, Georgetown, Alexandria,
and Harper's Ferry
The permanent improvement of the Potomac
river at the head of tide-water, as suggested,
contemplates opening new channel along the
ravine on the west and the marsh on the east
of the neck Of land leading to Observatory hill.
This involves an outlay for #
lst. The purchase Of the land removed.
3D. The purchase Of the property isolated
from the city.
Sd. Transfer of Observatory to Meridian hill,
or some other suitable location.
4th. Transfer (if desired) of the city canal
from Observatory hill to the city margin Of the
new channel.
The returns of this outlay may be estimated
thus:
lst Sale Of earth removed and applicable for
filing the neighboring marsh and lowlands.
I'd. Wharf property, the result of the new
channel. ls.a
Sd. Reduced cost of maintaining bridge
from the city to Virginia.
4th. Revenue from increase in value of pro-
perty from the aqueduct in Georgetown to the
bridge beyond the navy yard, Washington.
5th. Health for the west-end of Washington