Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-04-28
Alexandria and her Commerce.


Among the many thousands Of people from
all parts of the Uncn, who; yearly visit TIT
National Capital, how few there are who seen
to be aware Of the tact, that, within sever
miles of Washington, there reposes, iu almos
suburban quietude, city, which, at one time
babe fair to rival the proudest 10 the country
10 commerce and manufactures.
And as these same visitors glide down the
beautiful Potomac, on pilgrimage to The
tomb of the Father Of his country, they look
with somewhat curious eyes at the nearly de
serted wharves, aud grass-grown streets OF The
old town, which, with her air Of antiquity, still
evidences in her imposing business structures
an intimation of what she might have been, il
her advantages had been properly developed
In her earlier days, when her prosperity
seemed certain, she was named Belle Haven
but her more modern title Of Alexandria more
consistently expresses the Egyptian darkness
of her later career.
Prior to 1900, she ranked among the princi
pal commercial emporiums of America; bel
ship-building was an important Industry, aud
her position seemed to Indicate prosperous
future. It is difficult to state exactly the causes
of her decline 10 these interests, while her com.
peers both North and South were taking mag,
nifceDt strides forward.
The Importance of her location as CONNER.
cial point has always been claimed by her citi.
zens, but unfortunately for her success, there
has generally been spirit OF conservatism ex
listing among her men Of means, which has To-
duced them to rest contented with small trans
actions, while, at the same time, they have ex-
pressed their very great wonder that strangers
did not discover and develop the great faGili.
ties of the place..
The fable of the wagner appealing to Her,
cules for aid, was never more applicable than
to the Inhabitants Of this quiet old burgh, and
wholesome fact, that to receive help from out.
side capital, they must first show their faith by
commencing the good work themselves -
Alexandria possesses fine river front of two
miles, channel q it. deep at low tide; it is
the natural shipping point for an extensive aud
fertile agricultural region on both sides Of the
Potomac river, which, especially on the Vir-
giDia side, is yearly receiving large accessioos
of enterprising farmers and mechanics from the
North aud elsewhere, who will soon be de-
maoding increased facilities for shipping their
produce.
1t is the terminus of two important lines of
railroad, and principal depot of third. 1t is
within easy access of wonderfully rich miner
al region, from which az abundant supply of
excellent iron ore can be- furnished with trlhDg
cost, while coal Of the best quality is brought
by canal at lower rate than any other port 10
the country. Recently some of her more en-
terprising merchants, awaking from the extend
ed lehargy which has so long depressed the
place. have determined to develop her natural
resources, and have already taken steps to re-
vive her ship building interests. 1t is lamen-
table fact that vessels trading up the Potomac
are compelled to 60 elsewhere for any repairs
they may need, and these gentlemen have de.
termiued to establish first class ship-yard at
Alexandria, and public opinion being now
awakened to the advantage of such scheme,
il urged forward to tender aid and encourage
ment towards its contamination Several meet
ings have already been held, ground offered
free of cost, officers temporarily selected, of
whom VIM. A. Smcot, esq , is President, and
there seems to be every reason to believe that
before long Alexandra may again have the
sounds of progressive ship. building echoing
along her wharves. This, together with the
almost certain establishment of an iron furnace
upon an extensive scale, portends for the town
q revival of her commercial spirit, which may