The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-07-17
ahe Uiroinia State yourllal
THURSDAY EVENING, JULY II, 1879

Westinghouse Love for the Potomac.
hope soon to retire from public life
and enjoy the comforts of my home on the
banks of the Potomac Washington to a
Friend.
A leading thought in the FAR reaching
mind of Americas 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 powerful 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 Washington was born-from
that date it has been known as the Poto-
mac its entire length. The starting point
of this river, which laves the shore of the
capital of the nation, is humble, indeed,
being little spring percolating 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 it goes from the
liberal contributions of one hundred and
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 high
ly skilled in his profession, surveyor by
William and Mary college, and by Lord
Thomas Fairfax, the Baron of Cameron,
his private surveyor, when he was but l6
years of age. His lordship was anxious to
have the rich valley lands lying between
the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, a
part of his immense grant from the Brit
ish Crown, laid off by regular survey, as
all previous leases and transfers had been
made by stepping, measuring from the
eye, and blazing the line trees with a
tomahawk as they proceeded. These
were known as I" Tomahawk ttles,o and
of course were very unreliable in respect
to calls and quantities, and were, to save
the" new corners - from lawsuits, con-
firmed by acts of Assembly. To carry
out his lordshIp's wishes, Mr.. Burden, his
business agent, directed Master Washing
ton, his assistant, the Hon. George Fairfax,
the lords nephew. with party of chain,
axe, and stake-men, to proceed to the val
ley and survey one hundred tracts OF five
hundred acres each, for immediate sale
and entry, as the fame of the valley lands
was spreading far. and wide, particularly
throughout Germany.
This order of survey was in March, l74S,
about the time Of the greatest flood ever
known in the Potomac. For an account
see London Magazine.
Master Washington and party were fur
Their directed to stop on their way at
Shenandoah Falls" now Harper's Fer
ryD"and survey for one Robert Harper
lands purchased by, and to be patented to
him."
When the lads, Washington and Fairfax
both named George, aged respectively six
teen and nineteen years, presented them
selves to Mr.. Harper, and told him their
business, he was amazed to see two beard
less boys sent to perform such important
duties, and had his doubts about Washing
TOMS ability to run his lines accurately.
However, the survey was made, and the
party passed on up the valley.
The writer begs leave here to state that
he was summoned on the part of the Uni
ted States to attend resurvey Of the Gov
eminent lands at Harper's Ferry, in Sep
TENDER, 1854. One of the best surveyors
in the state, Mr.. Trotter, of Augusta
county, was employed. After he had
closed up at ''the point of beginning" he
turned to the witnesses and exclaimed
Gentlemen, there never was better
survey than this one made by boy LOG
years ago. Except by little disturbance
caused by the buried iron filings, it is per-
tect.o
OF all the compliments ever paid Wash
ington. think Mr.. Trotter's was the great
est Washington Chronicle.