Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1873-08-08
5eIetteo 1flisfeIlalll,.
w ashington's Love for the Potoma
River.


I hope soon to retire from public life and en-
joy the comforts OF my home on the banks oil
the Potomac - Washington 10 a.Jriend.
A leading thought in the far-rcaching
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 tPotowmack," as far
up as its confluence with the Shenan-
doah river. Above that it was known as
the Cohongaroota. This latter name was
lost about the year 1920, some twelve
years before Washington was born, and
from that date it has been known as the
Potomac its entire length. The starting
point Of this river. which leaves the
capital Of the nation, is humble, indeed,
being little spring pcrcolating through
the earth at the foot of the Allegheny
mountains. At first itmovcs 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 majes-
tic river from the dome Of the Capitol.
Washington was appointed, as one
highly skilled in his profession, sur
yeyor, by William and Mary College !;
and by Lord Thomas Fairfax the Baron
Of Cameron, his private surveyor, when
he was about the age of sixteen. His
lordship was anxious to havo the rich
valley lands lying between the Potomac
and Shenandoah rivers, part of his i'm
mense grant from the British Crown,
laid off by regular survey, as all previous
leases and transfers had been made by
stepping, measuring from the eye, and
blazing the linc-trees with tomahawk
as they proceeded. These were known as
"Tomahawk titles, = and Of course were
very unreliable in respect to calls and
quantities, and were, to save the 4new
Corners" from lawsuits, confirmed by acts
of Assembly. To carry out his lord
ships wishes, Mr.. Borden, his business
agent, directed Master Washington, his
assistant, the Hon. George Fairfax, the
lords nephew, with party Of chain, ak,
and stakemcn, to proceed to the valley
and survey one hundred tracts Of 500
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,
174S, 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" CHOW Harper's Fer
ry,) "and surrey for one Robert Harper,
lands purchased by, and to be patented
to him.
When the lads, Washington and Fair
fax, both named George, aged respec-
lively sixteen and nineteen years, pre-
scented themselves to Mr.. Harper, and
told him their business, he was amazed
to sec two beardlcss boys sent to perform
such important duties, and had his doubts
about Washington's ability to run the
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
United States to attend resurvey of the
Government lands at Harper's Ferry, in
September, 1854. One Of the best sur
vcyors in the State, Mr.. Trotter, Of
Augusta county, was employed. After
he had closed up at .'the point of begin
ming" he turned to the witnesses and
exclaimed, Gentlemen, there never was
better survey than this one made by a
boy 100 years ago. Except by a little
disturbance caused by the buried iron
filings, it il perfect"