Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-06-17
Letter from New York.

NEW DIRK, u uDe IL lily l1SI gave you
history Of New York from the date of its
foundation, to lS4S I will now write of the
places of interest to strangers visiting the city,
and its present and future prospects. L will first
mention few of the historic places of the city,
as there are some who have still veneratlon
for the past. First, l will direct them to the
corner Of Franklin Square and Pearl street,
where stood the old Town Mansion of Washing
ton. Then 20 to Brooklyn and tread the sod OF
Fort Green, the battle ground OF the martyrs OF
liberty, who little antci pated then that we would
have again to contend for the same rights with.
portion of our own people, without the same
success. Now start at the Battery, the first OBJ
iect of historic interest is the old Kennedy house,
No, | Broadway, once the fashionable house
of the city. During the war for independence,
(which has since been lost to some of us, it
was the residence of Lord Corvallis General
Clinton, Lord Howe, and Gen. Washington,
and was erected in 1850 by Capt. Kennedy,
who afterwards returned to England, his native
home. Near here is the spot where stood the
house where Fultun died, aud which was also
the Headquarters of Arnold, where he concoct-
ed his REASONABLE project with Andre. Arnold
also occupied the third house (pow standing)
from the Battery in Broadway. In 1897 an or
der was passed by the Council OF the city, that
a lantern, with candle in it, be hung from
! every seventh house, of the dark time OF the
moon, to give light to the inhabitants. The site
Of the old Government house is aoW occupied by
a row of dwelling houses on the south side OF
the inolosure, called Bowling Green, once the
grand park of the city. At the corner OF Wall
aud William streets once stood the statue or
VIM Penn; now the ground is used by the
Rank of New York On the present site Of the
n S. Treasury, was situated Town or Con-
gress Hall, in front Of which we're the stocks, a
nillory and whipping post The building was
was afterwards turned into the hall OF Legls-
lature. and it was in its gallery in April 1889
that Washington was inaugurated the first
President of the u. S. Washington farewell
interview with his officers took place at France
Tavern. corner of Pearl aud Broad streets
Where the Bowery now stands, Was then the
outskirts of the town, and divided into farms
/ called by the Dutch, Bowerys; from this the
Bowery derived its uaue When Hamilton aot-
ed as Secretary of the Treasury he wrote the
Federalist at house in Wall street between
ROYAL and William now occupied by the Me-
chauics Bank The location where his hapless
: duel with Burr near Weehawken, Is pointed out
to visitors 4 stone now marks the spot where
r he fell Where Catherine street now stands
was the spot where, at the dead hour OF the
night the stamps were burned by the citizens
These are only few of the hundreds, l might
say, places of interest The most attractive OF
. the new places is the great Central Park and
this alone is worth visit, covering, as 1t does,
many acres of ground with shade trees OF al
most every description. great variety OF tloWers
it's beautiful hot houses filled with rare plants,
its serpentine drives extending for miles, its
lakes filled with fish and water fowls OF rare
species, it's museum with thousands of specl-
mems collected from every quarter OF the globe,
its wild animals and birds of every plumage.
Thousands visit Central Park every day, and
the Door especially seem to enjoy the privileges
there afforded them. Another place OF interest
is Trinity Church, which is probably the larg-
est church edifce in this country; from the top
of its lofty steeple you have complete view of
New York and its surroundings; the people be-
low passing up and down Broadway, look like
liliputians, so diminuitive. The old grave yard
around the church will interest many. In looking
over the old tombs will be found many names
familiar with the early history Of this country
One of the oldest is that of VIM. Bradford, a
printer, died May 18th, 1852, aged 90 years
Born in Leiscestershire, England, in 1860
came to America in 1852, before the city of
Philadelphia was laid out. and was printer
for the Government for more than fifty
years. Notwithstanding the present size of New
York, it continues to expand more and more
each year, in greater ratio than the previous
and will in less than half century, be double
its present population. The most wealthy
men of New York have made their money by
the advance in real estate. Money invested now
in any part of the city, will, IN few years,
rapid increase, will mention that lot near
the corner of Chamber and Broadway was pur-
chased by gentleman in 1858 for ST 900; it is
now estimated the lot alone to be worth $685.,
600. The lot on which stands the new Herald
building, Is years lease was purchased from
P. 7. Barnum by j. G. Bennett for $40O, and
the next lot to it, 60 feet on Broadway, sold at
auction for 100000 short time since just
imagine, that two centuries ago the site of this
grand city was purchased from the Indians for
about $24, and it is now estimated to be worth
ten and half billions. And why should not our
old town make start and go ahead. | am con.
WINGED we have good location. The more
compare her advantages with those OF other
places, the better | am satisfied that we have a
good point to build town blot out New York
and Alexandria and give each start with the
same amount Of capital, and the same enter
prising citizens, and | firmly believe we would
beat her; our climate is better, and the mineral
| HCdlLu vi buC OtdGC StSoISi. w nav ~ AA'Si
as one of the oldest sea captains of our port, who
has sailed to every port of the world, told me,
he never had seen one more beautiful, with
water accommodation for ships of the largest
class giving access to the ports of every ma
ton. With railroads now branching from us in
every direction, enabling us to reach any part
of our own country, with all the material, water
power, &C., for enabling manufacturers to
compete with those of any part of our country,
and when the Chesapeake and Ohio aud Wash
ington and Ohio Railroads are ompleted to
the Ohio river, it will bring the trade OF the
West nearer to US and to tide water by 223
miles than to New York Starting from Gin
cinnati it is 69S to New York by rail, and it
will be but ATS from Cincinnati to Alexandria
by the w. & O. r. R. when completed. Let
our people realize the fact and go to work, de-
ternlined to make our old town what she ought
to be, possessing all the advantages she does of
location, and We will succeed. VIRGINIAN.