Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-07-05
Washington's Love for the Potomac
IFrom the WASHINGTON Chronicle.

From the w aSnl0gtOn Cnronlcle
hone soon to retire from public life and en-
ioy the comforts of my home on the banks of the
Potomac Washington to Friend.
A leading thought in the far reaching mind
of America S first citizen was the utilization Of
the waters of the Potomac for the purpose OF
advancing commerce and manufactures. The
name of this grand river, called after a power
full Indian chief, was always "Potowmac, as
far up as its confluence with the Shenandoah
river. Above that point it was known as the
Cohongaroota. This latter name was lost about
the year 1920 some twelve years before Wash
ington was born, ard from that date it has been
known as the Potomac It's entire length. The
starting point of this river which laves the shore
of the capital of the nation, is humble indeed,
being little spring percoatlng through the
earth at the foot of the Allegheny mountains.
At first it moves on slowly, making not the least
noise in the world, but gaining strength as 1t
goes from the liberal contributions OF one hun
dred aud seventy tributaries, and giving US the
splendid view we have Of this majestic river
from the dome Of the Capitol.
Washington was appointed, as one highly
skilled 10 his profession, surveyor by William
and Mary College, and by Lord Thomas Fair
fax, the Baron Of Cameron, his private survey
or, when he was but sixteen years OF age. His
lordshp was anxious to have the rich val
lev lands lying between the Potomac and
Shenandoah rivers part OF his immense
grant from the British Grown, laid off By regu-
lar survey as all previous leases and transfers
had been made by stepping, measuring from
the eye and blazing the line trees with a toma-
hawk as they proceeded. These were known
US ''Tomahawk titles" and of course we're very
unreliable in respect to calls and quantities,
ant! we're, to save the new comers" from law
suits confirmed by acts of Assembly To carry
out his lordship's wishes, Mr.. Burden, his
business agent, directed Master Washington,
his assistant, the Hon. George Fairfax, the
lords nephew, with party Of chain, ak, and
stake men, to proceed to the valley and survey
one hundred tracts of 500 acres each, for i'm
mediate sale and entry, as the fame of the. val
ley lands was spreading far and vide, particu-
larly Throughout Germany. -....s
This order of survey was In March, l74S, and
about the time of the greatest food ever known
in the Potomac. For an account, see London
Magazine.
Master Washington and party were further
directed to stop on their way at 'Shenandoah
Falls, +" (now Harper's Ferry,) land survey for
one Robert Harper lands purchased by, aud to
be patented to- him."
When the lads, Washington and Fairfax,
both named George, aged respectively sixteen
and nineteen years. presented themselves to
Mr.. Harper, and told him their business, he
was amazed to see two beardless boys sent to
perform such important duties, and bad bis
doubts about Washington's ability to ruu the
lines accurately. However, the survey was
made and the party passed on up the Valley.
The writer bcgs leave here to state that be
was summoned on the part OF the United
States to attend a resurvey of the Government
lands at Harper's Ferry, in September, 1854.
One of the best surveyors in the State, Mr..
Trottcr, Of Augusta county, was employed.
After he had closed up at s'the point Of begin
ning he turned to the witnesses and exclaimed
''Gentlemen, there never was better survey
than this one made by boy l06 years ago.
Except by little disturbance caused by the
buried iron filings, it is perfect.
Of all the compliments ever paid Washing
ton. think Mr. Trotter's was the greatest.
Washington, years after this, although still
young man, tcok up the idea Of making navi-
gable the Potomac and Shenandoah. Having
examined those rivers, frequently surveying
their meanderings, he pronounced the water
power at two points unsurpassed In any coun--
try. The first at the Great Falls, the second
at what is now Harper's Ferry.
life he found the Potomac and Shenandoah
Navigation Company in very crippled condi-
ton. 1t was without money or credit; but
his nevcr-tiriDg zeal in every duty gave 1t, 10
the course of year, new start. Its credit
was improving. and it was yielding some rev
enue, when its last hope was cut short by the
death of Washington, December IA, 1899.
This work never was completed !; still It must
be confessed that, by the blasting of many
dangerous rocks and building locks at the
Great Falls and at Harper's Ferry, great in-
provements on the former navigation of these
rugged rivers were effected.
Remaining in this halffuished state tor so
many years, another Virginian General Charles
I. Mercer, who was we'll acquainted with Wash
ington and his views, brought this subject be-
tore Congress in another form. The result was
acharter to build the Chesapeake and Ohio
referring the reader to its presidents annual
reports. This, however, We are bold to say,
that if the wise men of the world ever complete
this great work to the Ohio river, it will surpass
In usefulness, profits, and emoluments,> any
similar enterprise on the face of the globe.
Washington, always sparing of his words,
would talk for hours on the subject of the i'm
menSe water power at the Great Falls. His
prophetic remark that Yin the course of time
:" would be great manufacturing point may
loou oe realized, as popular newspapers are
pprlnslDg that valuable property to the notice OF
BUSINESS men aud capitalists.
Our country is yet in its infancy. There are
al this time 400O0O,0O0 acres of land to be
peopled. and the boy is born who will see be-
lore II, ne has a gray hair on his head this city
OF Oh Washington numbering a population of
ooo,OOO inhabitants He will also see large
manufacturing town at the Great Falls, with
araroad to it, and dwelling houses for the
business men of the capital Of the nation in
every direction
Reader, do not laugh at this until the lst
January 1900 HARPER