Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-01-22
ALEXANDRIA.

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We have received copy, in pamphlet form
of the preliminary report on the Physical Sur
vey of Virginia, by Com. Maury, Professor OF
Physics in the Virginia Military Institute at
Lexington. 1t contains ninety pages, and is
accompanied by three maps, one of Virginia,
one of the United Statesf and the other of the
steam line between Norfolk aud Flushing, and
showing the back country geographically tribu-
tary to each, and the improvements connected
Herewith Chesapeake Bay, and its geogra
phical and trade relations with the people of
the West of Europe, and of the world, are
the principal points of the author. He de-
scribes the various thoroughfares in existence
or in contemplation, connecting Herewith, and
contends that the day must come when, by
means of them, Norfolk, which he pronounces
the most commanding commercial position
along the whole Atlantic seaboard Of the Uni
ted States must realize that high CONNER
cia destiny which is appointed to her,
Through Virginia, he says, lie the highways
t. the sea, and in the Chesapeake Bay the
ports.of the West"
We perceive that the Radical papers are now
all putting the Radical leaders in Congress
endeavoring to make them out great men. !"
1t is fam There isn't great man" among
them. The biggest of the batch" are mere
inferior politicians. None OF them are states
men, In the proper sense Of that word 1t Is
labor lost 10 attempt to place them In the tenn
pie of fame. History will deny them a niche
there. Some have bad pre- eminence above
others, in ultraism, but beyond that, there is
hardly one of them who will be remembered
fifty years hence.
Some of the English papers are expressing
themselves in favor of giving Gibraltar up to
Spain. 1t costs Great Britain .e300, 600 year
to support that rock for military purposes
alone, and Admiral Grey, in letter to the
London Times, points out 1.-THE utter useless
ness OF Gibraltar In q military, naval, and pc
iitical point of view; and urges that for every
practical purpose. as harbor of re6t, coalipg,
and refuge, the Spanish possession of Ceuts
offers superior advantages. But Gibraltar. it
is most likely, will not be given up.
There was large convention of dealers and
manufacturers of tobacco held in Washington,
yesterday. Geo. Y. De Ford, esq, of Balti-
more, was unanimously elected President. Res
olutions asking Congress to repeal the present
law in relation to tax paid goods; urgiog Con-
gress to furnish stamps, gratis, for the same;
also resolution opposed to the further extern
sion of time for the disposal of tax-paid tobac-
co, were passed unanimously.
Several inventions now in operation in Eu.
rope have yielded immense fortunes. The pat
entee Of device for dressing millstones with
revolving diamond, an American invention, has
realized over one million dollars the first year
of the patent The exclusive right In England
Cor ten years is estimated at S., 900. 1t is
said that Mr.. Bessemer derives an annual in
come Of 50, 600, 900 from his British steel pat
ents.
We request our friends In the neighboring
counties to furnish us particularly with all mat
ters OF interest, which will contribute to pro-
mote the prosperity of their respective neigh
5orhoods and which will assist them in their
various industrial pursuits, or 10 enhancing
the value of their lands, or in increasing their
trade.
Gen. Grants reception in Baltimore, was
entirely informal, but he was warmly greeted
by the citizens who had assembled at the depot,
L. bae ba oil
&<isited, yesterday, large tobacco factory,
and other business establishments, and was
entertained by several gentlemen at their resi-.
desces.
Our readers will recolIect that few days
ago We published an article giving an account
OF the robbing of a man at a New YOrk hotel,
by administering to him chlOrotorm &c. 1t
now turns out that be was not robbed at all -
He supplied his own chOroform, and played
the game to excuse the non payment of debts.
The gay and festive are delighted with the
numerous receptions in Washington -
tempting refreshments" according to the re-
ports 10 the newspapers, being prominent
feature in the evening" entertainments. There
is, therefore, "a good time, generally"
Mr.. Boutwell,, of the House of Representa-
tives, is said, generally to approve Of the
new movement" and is reported to BE- in ia
vor OF compliance with, at least some portions
of the proposition of the Committee of nine. "
"Some portions lis very indefinite.
If one quarter Of what the New York Radi
cal papers themselves say about the recent
election for u. S. Senator from that State
be true, corruption and viainy must be the
order of the day" among the politicians of the
dominant partv af lhanv