Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-07-21
THE EVENING STAR.
LOCAL NEWS.

BOARD OF TRADE Last night the Board of
Trade held it's regular quarterly meeting at
the rooms, in Clagett's Building, No.4 Market
Space.
About the hour for assembling q heavy
shower came up, and the rain continued long
enough TO prevent many OF the members from
attending.
The meeting was called to order by ]. T.
Mitchell, Esq, vice president
Mr.. Clagett regretted the meagre attendance,
but would not blame absentees, as he was
aware that many who are absent would have
been present Were IL not for the rain. He de-
sired 10 let the members know and the citizens
know that the Board of Trade still possesses
an influence by which good has been and much
more may be accomplished The Information
had reached him that the Alexandra and
Fredericksburg Railroad Company has COM
pleted Its organization, and the Board would
be pleased to know that it is acknowledged by
the stock owners that they are indebted to this
Board for the suggestion of the plan, and they
have complrmented the Board by making one
OfIis members a director of the railroad Mr..
Clsgett then offered the following resolution,
which was unanimously adopted:
Whereas the citizens of Washington, George
town, and Alexandra acknowledge the i'm
pOrtance of Intercommunication by railroad
river and canal routes, for the concentration
OF trade by the opening mp Of the fertile and
pIoouclng regions OF Maryland and Virginia;
Rssolred By the Board of Trade of the District of
C0trnbfd, That we regard the project of the
construction of a railroad from Alexandria to
fredericksburg, Va, as of great commercial
importance, and WILL if successfully pro se-
cuted, be conducive to the in terests of the Dis
trlet OF Columbia, and eminently entitled to the
favor and announcement of the mercantile
communities of Washington, Georgetown and
Alexandra.
The resolution having been disposed of, a
conversation ensued between the members
upon the prospects of the Potomac railroad,
and the difficulty of obtaining supplies from
the North or South by reason of the Baltimore
and Ohio railroad, which seems to control all
Legislation relative to the mercantile interests
OF Washington Mr.. Clagett illustrated the
position of the District by the statement of
fact During the time that butter in our mar
ket was sixty cents per pound, he was in
portion OF Virginia where fresh butter shipped
on railroad (if any beside the Baltimore and
OHIO had been there) on the evening of one
day, would have been on the table of the mar
ket dealer for sale early next morning 1t was
selling for Is cents per pound. Making inquiry
about the opportunity for sending produce TO
Washington by the Baltimore and Ohio rail-
road, he ascertained that the delay attending
The transmission of any goods, except those di-
rect from Baltimore to Washington, is great
that butter would all spoil, chickens starye to
death, for where they are detained the owner
cannot get TO them to feed them.
Mr.. j. W. Thompson agreed with Mr. Cla-
sett that the District needs Just such an outlet
from the District as would be secured by the
building OF the Potomac Railroad TO put the
cities in direct communication with the dis
1ant ports and markets of the country, and
cited instances of actual occurrences coafirm-
ing the views of Mr.. Clagett. Mr.. Thompson
thought by energetic and persistent appeals to
the Legislature OF Maryland a charter for the
Potomac Railroad Company might be obtained:
probably not within year. If the MARYLAND
Legislature refuses, let us appeal to Congress
MI Mitchell, who had served with the com
mlttee In trying to induce the Legislature of
maryland TO grant a charter for new road
for the benefit of this District thought that
nothing could be accomplished through the
Maryland Legislature, that was even appar-
emily against the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Mr. Thompson thought that if the people
here-the monied men of the District-wonId
combine and earnestly cooperate, the thing
might be accomplished.
Mr. Mitchell said he was in favor of a com
bInation of the merchants of the District again AZ
The purchase OF nything in Baltimore that can
be obtained elsewhere.
The conversation was continued, Messrs
Elyans, Bacon and Metzerott participating.
until near 10 O'Clock, when the Board adj
JOurned without further action.