Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-07-14
Down the Potomac on the Steamer
Thompson.

Correspondence of the Alexandra Gazette
The steamer got off from Alexandria about
Sis, being detained some time receiving freight
Tor the different landings, the river looking its
prettiest and the breeze refreshing beyond III
parlson to US pour city people who had been
enduring the Intense heat of the past week Oh
two. We are sure more you'd indulge them
selves by trip if they knew how iuVigorst
ing il is, aud how little the expense Tor two
days Tide Oh steamer that will compare mos;
iavorabIy with the Hudson river and Long
Island souod steamers for speed, convenience,
comfort aud elegance, aud everything as clean
and neat as new pin. We noticed the pro
visions for safety three fire pumps, hose al
ready stretched, life prsservers IN every dlrec
ton, two life boats and lite raft; 10 fact every
thing to reassure the most timld. Passing Hot
land Point, it recalled most wildly our 6rsi az
qualat.oce with it, curing the 'ate w.r. 4
boatman agreed to l1ud Us there 10 defiance o:
the order that 40 boat should approach he
shore wthiD the Confederate iioes. No guu
boat belog 10 sight He made 10 urder shelter oi
the point, but when We were atout hty yards
from the shore steamer was heard conllng
aIound the point, and choice was glveo u; OF
going ovcT1oard or back to the Maryland shore.
On the assurance that II was shallow aDd "ur
suui being p.triot'cally fired, eruoard We
went, without a mOmeuts heSltaioo, and
reached the shore in safety only little moist ADD
With no. quite 50 mucn fire. Aud ttusWe enter
ed tie UouitIeracy, bad beginning. and not
much OF a good ending, either. We have
made all our landings al the whsr7eS, except at
! l. 4
up wharf oil the most substantial character
Tor Mr.. 6. 5. HDlester late Of New York, who
purchased the kinsale farm last tall, and Is
rapidly improving it, havlug already built Two
| miles of fencing, aud almost rebuilt the hous",
that had the old fashioned outside chimueys,
| which Mr. H. says !ook as II their oWuerS
built hem first TO see if they would draw we'll,
and afterwards butt the house these lie has
taxed down aud out them up aside, besides
| adding largely to the house. Such settlers a.
Mr. HoIastcr are the sort We need TO make Our
g,vd old State to blossom like the rose Mr..
| Il acocke, OF the same State. ITS purchased
the place adj iuug. and IS So improving. We
went up Mattox Greek to Wirt's wharf, where
| il takes halt ncul's hard work TO turn, as the
water is low and III chanueI barrow. Coming
dywa We touched at MaSsey's wharf. Mr. h.
| {. Massey, the owner Of this place has per
haps the largest peach orchard 10 the State;
| about 100 900 bearing trees, or Woui be II
the tros; had not killed ali The peaches tor this
year. which We hope is not the tate OF al tn"
peach orchards, as We didn't get our share Of
! tie abundance last year, being doWO east where
peaches &c We're about a. scare. a. possible
aud high Accordingly. We ntxt eros. to The
| MARYLAND shore, about ten miles. aud up Wy
com'cn river to Bluff Point, then to Cotton :
wharf, where We lan1, having had ten hour
ride, and icg the better Tor it. We hud THE
! To BE- one OF the most beautiful places on the
! river al which to spend few week II tn.
| heated feru. and where oysters. Gratis and fish
| are caught at the wharf. AT. l:45 d.. III. W
! fnd ourselves again aboard aud heading home
wari, and a. We have already written twice a.
much As We intended We will waste 90 tlme IL
gcttiug there.
We forgot TO mcLtion as We went down thre5
| points Of historic Interest that We suppose are
always meotioDed. We note them az We come
+. up: First, Stratiord the birth place OF our IN
morta LIE; Wakefield, about mile further
up, OF Washlug!op; "nd still further w., 90
! Mo3roe'S Creek, OF President Monroe. Ma.
thas' Poiut r: calls the repuIse OF a gu boat ne
| f Il year the War, by Col Beal'S nl ltla and
the kiog first of suouer GU the gunboat,
| aud th-n Ut he coumauIer, Capt. W ard, WnO
took his place at the quo % cover the retreat
Of boat that had attempted TO land.
The farmers generally Complain of the yield
| Of wheat, out say the quality Is good. Corn Is
luoki1g splendid, aud there could not have been
more seaSonabe weather for it.
| We cannot clIse without, saying a wori for
the officers of the Thompsoo. More Efficient
and courteous geutIemao it would be hard to
| 6pd, particuiirlsry Capt. Wood, aud Mr..
| Hubbard, tue purser The Steamboat Com.
pany are fortunate in having such mcD 10 their
| ewploy.
We reached home safely at p. H., having
| enjoyed our trip exceedingly. GUY