Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-04-13

ein 1860 there was transported 295, 600 tons OF
coal. This is only one item, but it is in fact
the principal business to be done on the canal.
In 1861 the Government took possession the
Aqueduct, and has held it until this time, but
in 1865 there was transported over the Chesa-
peake and Ohio Canal, 343, 900 tons of coal,
800, 600 tons of which would have passed over
the Aqueduct, if it had not been in the posses
Sion of the Government, end at cents per ton,
would have paid $4,000 in tolls. How, then,
can it be said that s'the project has proved to
be abortive p ,.,..-,,.'
The statement that it cannot be restored to
its original US without "a heavy outlay of mon
ey by Congress-, is also totally unfounded, for
prior to the introduction of this BILL PROPOSE
ton was submitted by responsible parties, to
the Canal Company, to lease the Alexandra
Canal, including the Aqueduct, for ninety nine
years, the parties binding themselves to repair
the whole work, including the Aqueduct, and
have it ready for the transaction of the usual
business of the Canal, by the 1st OF April, 1867,
and maintain and keep.it 10 that condition per-
petually. This proposal is now under consid-
Grafton, and has been for some weeks, and will
be accepted unless another more favorable is
offered -
The placing of draw in the Aqueduct will
destroy the Canal, and its only other effect will
be seriously to cripple it not destroy the, trade
Of rival city, for it is not easy to see, though
so stated by the memorial, how the proposed
draw bridge will yield to the Government rev.
enue from customs paid by commerce. The
amount OF coal or other tonnage certainly will
not be increased by the mere change of ship
ping on vessels above, instead of below the
Aqueduct, but it is true, however, that by
again opening the Alexandria Canal, and thus
{boo al tn hot horh
deeper water, at Alexandria, the cost of coal
will be reduced, and the quantity shipped by
vessels be increased.
Independent Of these considerations, there is
another, so broad and decisive as not to be
overlooked tits this: The Alexandria Canal
Company, private corporation, chartered by
the Congress of the United States, is the owner
of the Aqueduct and among its most valuable
franchises, the one in fact on which the value
of all others depend, is the right to maintain
and use the Aqueduct for the purposes of the
Canal. TO pass the bill in question is not only
to impair the force of, but totally destroy the
contract, and take from the stockholders their
property without compensation.
The completion of the Canal and Aqueduct
was deemed to be of such general importance to
the three cities of Washington, Georgetown and
Alexandria, as we'll as to the whole District,
thatafter perpetual succession was granted to
the Company, the work continued to be foster
dby theGovernment In May, 1880, it was made
penal offence for any one not navigating the
Canal, or in the employ Of the Company, to
use the Aqueduct in any manner whatever
In.June, 1882, the Treasurer OF the United
States was required to pay to the President of
the Canal Company 100000 to aid in the con-
struction. of the Aqueduct, as the work pro-.
crossed, in March, 1887, Congress author
lied the Treasurer Of the United States to ad-
vance $500, 600 to the Canal Company, upon
the stock held by the city Alexandra; to aid
in the completion OF the whole Canal, and upon
what principle can Congress now be asked BY
this special legislation not only. to undo what
has been done, but to totally destroy the prop
ertyzof the stockholders, and render the work
yalueless at the very time when first relieved
from the hard necessities imposed by the wants
Of the Government, it was to be made-valua
bic and productive? That legislation is asked
for because the Aqueductis out of repair, and