Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-08-22
VIRGINIA NEWS.

The Richmond Wing says I'VE learn
from our exchanges, that the refreshing rains
by which we have been recently visited extend
ed far and wide and we hope to hear of good
results from them to the growing crops. We
wish we could have some of these refreshing
rains in this section OF the State.
A party Of Western members Of Congress:
says the Lynchburg Virginian, Il few days ago,
in Baltimore, said the West was all alive to the
importance of completing the Watcr-line, and
is determined it shall be done.
Among the late arrivals at the White Sui
phur Springs are Generals Fitzhugh Lee, and
NJ. D. Corse; John Goole, Va; Generals ".
w. Gary, James Conner and Governor Jacobs,
of West Virginia.
The firemen from Portsmouth We're hand
somely received and entertained in Richmond,
yesterday.
The Fredericksburg Herald says there has
been plenty OF rain in that locality.
NATIONAL JUNCTION RAILwAY.-On the
Goth of March, 1869, Congress- By appropriate
| legisation granted Il charter to a body OF m
corporators for the building and equipping OF
a railroad to run through the city Of Washing
ton, to be designated as the National Junction
| railway. The main object Of the incorporators
in seeking this franchise was to connect the
| Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company with
the Orange and Alexandria railroad, thus
supplying a link heretofore wanting, and making
| grand chain Of railroad connection between
New York and New Orleans.
| For some cause, after securing the franchise
| no active steps We're taken To 20 on with the
| Improvement, when, stimulated no doubt BY
the progress Of the work OH the Baltimore and
Potomac railroad, which makes Il connection
from Harrisburg to New Orleans by the Sea
board route, the iucorporators resolved to
| hasten the project to an early completion, anu
in July applied to the Territorial Legislature
for certain amendments to their original
charter, which were considered essential for
the success Of the enterprise. 1t will be relnem
bereI that the property. holders on S street
| (the original line Of routcl held meetings and
protested againts the tllnnclling OF that
| street for railroad purpose and to avoid any
| delay from that quarter, i route was proposed
! which diverted the track from that thorough
| fare
Accordingly, about ten days since, The House
| Committee on Railroads presented 4 bill amenda-
tory to TIE original charter which passed both
! Houses Of the Legislature, and was, lew days
AGO approved by Governor Cook The act, a
amended. whilst compelling the company TO
tunnel the greater portion Of the road pre-
scribes the route as follows To commence 1T
the northern TERMINUS Of the Aqucduct Bridge
in GEORGETOWN; thence by an underground cx-
cavation or tunnel to Prospect street, and along
that street in direct line to Olive street to
Rock creek, crossing Rock creek by an improved
iron bridge, and curying northcrly and south
erly through Squares thirteen and thlrty-SlX to
a point on n street, near It's intersection with
| Twenty third street; thence by tunnel along
| the centre Of that street to New ork avenue,
and passing through the centre OF that avenue
to junction with the Metropolitan Branch OF
the Baltimore and Ohio railroad.
The work of the road will be commenced III
about four weeks, and be under the charge OF
| John s. Randolph, the chief engineer OF the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad. 1t has not yet
been decided at what point ground will first be
broken though it is thought that when opera
tons commence, workmen will be placed at
several different points on the proposed line, to
insure its more rapid completion. The work,
as is seen by the proposed route: will Involve
great labor. Over one-half the distance
through which it passes will require tunnelllng.
| A bridge will have to be constructed over Rock
creek, and one over the Potomac, at George
town, which will be built on the piers now
standing, the property Of the Alexandria Canal
and Bridge Company.
The entire distance Of the road will be about
ten miles, four through the city and George
town, and six on the Virginia side Of the, river
1t is intended to use the old bermc-bank sur
veys for that portion in Virginia to the point
of its connection with the Orange and Alexan
dria railroad Ifwork commences next month,
it will be fully two years before the company
expect to have the line III running order, us
the tunnelling Of \ street, and that portion
which passes through Georgetown, will require
great care and skilled labor, and much time
The location for a depot and workshops OF
the company has not yet been decided upon
1t was at one time determined TO select some
favorable site on S street, and commence olc-
ratons on these buildings this winter; but the
proposed route at that time having been sub;
sequently Diverted under the ended bill, all
plans in that direction have been aband oned.
The capital stock Of the company was also IN
creased by the amended bill to sSoo00O, the
company having the privilege TO issue bonds IN
sum not to exceed that amount Wash.
PntifDt