Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-10-29

FRENCH IMNIIGRANTS.-As everything con-
nected with the subject of the proposed French
immigration to this section of country is in.
teresting, the following extract from the
Washington Chronicle Of yesterday is re-
published in the Gazette: THE allotted time
set aside by the German Government for the
people of Alsace and Lorraine to choose wheth
er they will remain and become German citi-
zens or emigrate having expired with last
month, the question arises in view of the exc.
dus already taken place, where these people
will choose their future homes. As already
announced in the Chronicle ofa previous issue,
agents have made advances for the purchase OF
land contiguous to Alexandria, with view to
form colony. Yesterday reporter Of the
Chronicle visited our sister city to ascertain the
definite facts, as far as possible, in relation to
the proposed settlement.
1T seems that, soon after the conquest of war
gave to the German authorities Asace and
inc real estate firm iu Alexandria, dispatched
an agent to those places to fully set forth the
advantages of the climate, natural resources,
and attractions of land in Virginia bordering
along the line of the Orange and Alexandria
railroad So impressed became the determin-
ed emigrants that, upon the representations OF
the agent a stock company was formed, with a
cash capital covering 100000 and four joint
agents of the proposed colonists were dispatch
ed to America to visit the lands offered near AL
exandria and at other points in Virginia.
These agents were chosen with view to their
intelligence, and among those selected is a
priest; an eminent medical practitioner, and
two to represent such Swiss emigraDts as desr-
ed to enter into the colonization scheme.
They act for two hundred families DESTROYS of
colonizing at once, and upon their report will
they be governed. About ten days ago
the first visit was made to tract of land
containing thirteen acres on the Middle
burg, or what is known as the upper pike, lead
ing from Alexandria, owned by j. w. Green,
esq. The land was offered at rates even lower
than taxation prices, as an 'inducement to in
vite the colony. 1t was carefully inspected and
proved satisfactory, and it is thought the tract
will be purchased for the first colony of two
hundred families
IF the settlement is here made,a proposed,
the Orange and Alexandria railroad have at
their disposal one hundred thousand acres of
land which they will sell to such emigrants as
may hereafter come, for ten per cent. cash, and
the deferred payments upon optional terms.
tlsans and sprinkling Of professional pursuits.
The priest, the doctor, and the lawyer propose
to cast their lots with those who, rather than
live under German rule, prefer to find home
under the mantle of the Stars and Stripes.
The colonists will engage in the manufacture
OF lace, toys, lat which they are quite adopts,
besides other branches of skilled labor It is
thought that those representing the colonists
will return to Alexandria on Tuesday and de-
eide whether or not they will accept the tract
of land offered. If they do, and the expert
ment proves successful, We may expect ere
many years to find the railroad between Alex
andria and. Gordonsvie dotted with French
and Swiss settlements. The great State of
Virginia is broad. and if her corners are re-
ceived in the right spirit it may tend to de-
velop the natural resources of her borders. As
it is, many other States will receive them
both Texas and Pennsylvania have offered in
ducements, which even now are under serious
consideration. -