Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-09-01

daily al a. N. Arrive at colchester
in Virei ia the same evening before
dark, 66 miles. Leave Colchester 8.
M, arrive al White Oh mneys, Hanover
county, bafore dark, 20 miles. Leave
White Cbimneys 8 3. m. and arrive at
Richmo d by 10a. m. 30miles. Return
ing leave Richmond q. M, arrive at
Bowling Green same evening AZ
N les. Leave Bowling Green 3 a. IN.
and arrive at Alexandria by dark-72
miles. Leave Alexandria at 8 a. u.
and arrive at Baltimore by 3 p. m
Ia 1854 Nathaniel Twining YVES by
an &c. of the general assembly granted
the sole aud exclusive right of convey
ing passengers between Alexandria aud
Rchmonf; for each passenger FIVE
pence per mile and fv, pence for every
l50 pounds of baggage exceeding IA
pounds conveyed in stage coach In
1887 john Hoomes was granted the ex-
@ usive right for the same service at 3
p-nce 8 farthines ptr passei ger and
same charge for $50 pounds OF baggage.
Washington in one of / is diari' thus
records one Of his experiences at the
Colchester ferry. in attempting 10
cross tt e Occoquau, April, 1871, with
the four horse attached to my chariot,
by neglect of the person who stood be-
.ore them, one Of the leaders got over
board, when the boat Was in swimming
water fifty yards from jhe shore With
much difficulty he escaped drowning
neiore be could be disengaged His
struggling frightened the others in
such manner that one after another
in quick succession they all got over
board, harnessed and fastened as they
wee, and with the utmost difficulty
they were saved, and the carriage ts-
capped being dragged after them as the
whole of it happened in swimming
water and eu Instance from the
shore, providentially, indeed miracu
lously by the exertions of persons who
went of in boats and jumped into ths
river as soon as the batteau was forced
into wading water. No damage was
sustained by the horses, carriage or
harness" The first President had just
started out that morning from Mount
Vernon eight miles above to make q
friendly tour, the frat after his election,
through the States OF the South. 1t
was not very suspicious beginning,
but as he was not q superstitious man
he kept on, according 10 his diary, few
extracts of which we give to show bis
way of travelling
Proceeded on to Dumfries where |
diued, after which l visited and drank
tea with my niece, Mrs. Thomas Lee.
Friday Stn. set out about & o'clock
breakfasied at Stafford Courthouse
and dined at my sister Lewis's in Fred
ericksburg.
".5a urday 9th, dined at an entertain
ment given by the citizens OF the town
r :ceived and answered an address
from the corporation. Sunday, 19,h,
left Fredericksburg about 6 O'Clock
myself, Major Jackson aud one ser
want breakfssted at Gen. Spotswood's-
the rest of my servants continued on to
T odds ordinary where they also break.
tasted. Dined at Bowling Green, and
lodged at Kenner's tavern II miles far
ther, in ell 50 miles"
A wide contrast we perceive between
the primitive and cumbrous way of
chief magistrate making his official
rounds among his people with coach
and four century ago and the rapid
luxurious ways of transit which he
may have at his disposal in our day and
generate n.
Ten years before this experience
Washington had crossed the Occoquan
by this same ferry with his ragged and
battered army, going down to check
mate the movements of Lord Corn wallis
at Yorktown. General Lafayette also
passed down by the same way. The
troops of both commands were quarter
ed at Colchester for several days to re
cruis for the long march before them,
and ample comnissary supplies were
laid in from the stores and mills of the
neighborhood.
The county lieutenants had been in
structed by Washington, "to order out
all the local militia to repair the roads
by which the troops were to march, and
make them psssable for wagons, as
the baggage trains OF the American
forces, and the infantry, artillery and
cavalry and the beef cattle were all to
take that route" and Washington also
wrote to prominent citizens of the differ
ent neighborhoods through which the
armies were to pass "as pleasing
mark of attention" to assist the French
officers, Lafayette, Rochambeau, Chas-
teloux, and others with their carriages
from point to point. W. H. s.
Continued.