Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-07-14
Letter from the Northern Neck.

Correspondence Of the Alexandria Gazette.
WEsTMoRELAND COUNTY, Va, July IL
A run up the Rappahannock on one of the
two fine steamers that ply on that stream from
Baltimore to Fredericksburg is Il pleasant and
instructive one, and calculated to impress one
much in favor of your noble Potomac. The
valley of the Rappahannock is or was one Of the
finest in the State, but is now sadly damaged by
neglect. There are, however, still many hue
farms 10 excellent cultivation and some most
substantial and even elegant mansions IN view
as we pass up the river Toward its mouth the
Rappahannuck develops into u broad and deep
stream, but for about fifty miles below" Fred
cricksburg it becomes very narrow and tortuous,
rendering its navigation difficult, &c; to any
other than very light draft vessels impossible.
notced 10 one place that it was difficult for the
steamer to pass schooner laden with coal, on
account Of the uarrOwncss Of the chanuel, and
we ouly got past by running very slowly; this
too with draft oil only eight and one half feet.
The bar just below Frederick burg is difficult 10
gel ever, and is only passable at high water.
The removal Of the Instructions By the govern
ment does not seem to have accomplished much
in the way OF rendering navigation more easy,
US what was done is but tytLc of what reulalnsto
be done. At nlauy points on the river are seen
shutcs TO facilitate the loading Of vessels with
grain, many AIN sorry to say, bearing evidence
OF being long disuscd The time surely is not
far distant when the great natural advantages
of this section will attract the attention OF capt.
talists and Others aud this valley rich in natural
res Jurccs restored 20 its late productlvencss anu
wealth.
Fredericksburg appears soundly asleep, if not
dead. There are but two wharves here though
believe others formerly existed, which are
now gone. judging from the way the steamer
maueuvred to get along side the landing the
depth OF water is smal The stream is crossed
here By two wagon bridges and railroad bridge.
The old tOWu stands much as it did when the
war closed, with the ruins of burnt houses here
aud there and quictncsS almost uudisturbcd
seems to pervade the air. 1t has almost 1000
less POI u!atiun than before the war There is
an iron foundry here, said to &c turning out good
work, and the people are anxiousy working for
the completion of the railroad from GordonS-
Vile to this place. When they look for revival
OF business. There is an unlimited supply of
water power here equal to ~ 900 horse power
il is stated, and there are several mills in sue
cc<siul operation The town is supplied with an
excellent quality of drlnklng water, and proviSi-
ous are cheap aud abundant. They do not hold
regular market, but produce is hawked about
tile streets from door to door As might be
supposed living is cheap aud house rent low,
should think this last not more than half
what is paid 10 Alexandria. There are some
handsome residences here and number Of
houses of worship | saw six churches u my
early morning stroll, in the course Of which
stumbled over the church yard in which the
remains Of the mother Of George Washington
reposc, and near here, am reliably Informed,
stood the Identical cherry tree he cut with his
little Ratchet | did not see the tree, but
looked with interest over the plain and to the
hills where u few years ago had the pleasure
Of standing and helping to scorch Burnside
1t is hard to realize that this was so recently
the theatre where grim visaged war; held
carnival, so quiet and tranquil is the scene
now. ii.