Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-08-26
Latter from Alexandria.

f,rr,suondence OF the Richmond Dlspatcn.
!! NrxASpRlA, Aug. -, lS73.-l have not
,,rod time to speak OF this goodly old city,
,bo>a hospitality | have been enjoying for sew
.,1 DAYS Alexandria is one Of the Oldest cities
n ,be country, having been originally incorpo-
,,,.l in l1779, chang Ing its name from Belle
,,,,, 10 that which it has Siuce borne. Stu
,,,l >ix miles below Washington at point
,.b.r, the Potomac is one mile wide and from
.,;r,y.tour 10 tity-two feet deep in the channel,
,,;,:.I washes the shore, connected by its rail
''.i, with some Of the finest country 10 Nir
.,,,, and with the river aud the canal as addi-
;;Y feeders, Alexandria ought, by all OF the
i,w> Of trade, Cat least, as interpreted by its
lends. J. 10 have been great city But from
,,r,, cause these expectations have not been
.s.I.,aL. The population in 1900 was 1, 1876
= so. Sis; III 1910, S,459 aud at present
,g,v about l5.UOO.
The city is beautifully laid out on the Phila-
IL rha plan, and (abeit some of the houses
..,.y The marks Of age and are in fearful need
=. the paint brush) gu the whole presents
yery pleasing appearance.
Tine Whole city and ueighborhood abound
with "Reminiscences of Washington, who was
rrw- holder in Christ church and member of
Washington Lodge, No. %, of Ancient, Free
AMI Accepted MaSonS, and who was frequently
!, he ely OH business or social visits.
Uuc of the old Inhabitants will entertain you
II, the hour with anecdotes Of the great men OF
RI, I, pubic who were wont to pay frequent
visits 10 Alexandria. He Will be sure to tell OF
inw ayuung man here ouce pulled the nose OF
A,|rcw Jackson for some tancled grievance !;
and he will, with even greater certainty, recall
,I,, ;.ct that Robert II. Lee Spent I; large part
# h;> boy hood here, relate incidents Of his early
III. and tell of how attached the people were
10 the youth who was SO attentive to the every
wan. of his mother aud the noble Christian
Gentleman who went forth from their midst to
win imp4riShable fame in defending the land of
his birtil, the State of his love. [ have heard
wo anecdotes worth preserving:
When Colonel Washington was stationed IN
Alexandria ip 1884 he had an animated poti-
ca discussion with Mr.. W. Payne, in which he
said something so offensive to that gentleman
that he resented it with blow that telled
Washington TO the ground. His regiment hear
ing that their beloved Colonel had been at
tackled by Il mob Of citizens started from their
barracks, with arms in their hands, determined
10 have revenge Washington met them, cooled
their anger, and persuaded them to return to
,l:ir quarters The ucXt day he sent for Mr..
payue to meet him ut the hotel, aud he came
tnv expecting duel, when, to his surprise,
le found vine aud glasses instead of pistols As
Washington rose to meet him with pleasant
>nir. he said in offering his hand: MIR.
rlvne, to err is nature to rectify errori glory.
h.leye | was wrong yesterday lou have
already had some satisfaction, and if you deem
tat sufficient, here is my hand-let US be
trirud,." And from heuceforth they we're firm
friends.
I',an one occasion a gentleman had incurred
t,ru,ya! Lees displYaSure and after expressing
his feelings to u friend ia very emphatic terms
the cd hero said: Now, sir, | will read you
via; have written to this man, aud proceed,
81 to read letter which man of proper SEN
,t!li;ir, would kccnly feel, but which the gen
t.g.pau kacw would be utterly lost on the one
80. whom it was intended. Accordingly he
sid: why, General, he will not appreciate
tnqt. He will take il As rather an approval OF
Ii, course" With very perplexed look Gen
rml LIE replied: "WelI, am sorry, but |
really caan"t help it. fla gentleman caunot
understand the language of gentleman he
must remain in Ignorance, for Il gentleman can.
not speak any other way
General Ice, too was member Of Christ
church, where he was !confrmed, and siuce
ii> death they have erected there 4 mural tab
1T tn his IucmnTy.
Alexandria is great fish, oyster, and vegc-
raIi. market, and from the vessel loads OF
mrt,ns Que sees at the wharvcs or piled along
the streets, we infer that watermelons and can
talop.> flourish in these regions Apples,
l~achcS pears, grapes, &c, are abundant and
very fine, and, Indeed, Il walk through the mar
hct showed great variety and abundance OF
aImo>, every luxury for the table that you could
'hnk of or desire. Certainly We have rarely
Jared 50 well, not even at Baptist association.
There is now IL very large amount OF ship
ping in the harbor the vessels seeming to be
loaded chi, fly with coal brought by the canal or
the Loudouu and Hampshire railroad.
The "Washington City, Virginia Midland
ant Great Southern Railroad las the old Or
an-c and Alexandria road is now callcd) does
nj rua across the Long bridge now, but
through newly constructed tunnel to their
wEa,vcs III Alexandria, where they connect
with steamer for Washington. By the way,
his road has greatly improved 10 its road bed,
coaches, &c. 1t retains its old officers, who
have always been noted for combined urbanity
AID talthiulneSs in the discharge Of duty.
EIATOR.