The times., 1899-07-16

greSsiyenesS OF the present day. AleNan-
dria is but seven miles from the National
Capital yet there are many living here
who think 1t a city of past age and that
its only worth lies in the association of
former times. ANY one of the many pro-
gressiye citizens who dream of her brill
liant future as a manufacturing centre and
who realize the magnitude of her present
industries would resent this idea, although
the citizens are so uniformly courteous
and hospitable that the rufiied state OF
their feelings would be almost impercep-
tble.
The modern Alexandrian does not live
upon the glories OF the past but bends ev-
cry energy TO make his city an important
factor in the business world, and his ef-
forts in this direction are fast reaping
bountiful reward. Alexandria is now
thriving business city, and the hustle, es-
pecially near the wharves. contrasts
strangely with the old-f2shioned colonial
style OF architecture 10 be seen on all
sides IN the streets further back from
the business portion OF the city one could
easily imagine himself transplanted from
the rush and whirl Of modern life back 10
the days of the city's youth, when Wash
iugton was accustomed to take an active
when wealthy shipowners engaged in Alex
andria's foreign trade made their homes
there Outwardly. al least, so Times re-
porter was informed, the residential por-
ton Of the city has not changed radically
within the past fifty years. The streets
have been improved and many new build
ings erected, but the many old structures
still standing tend to paint the general ap-
pearance with a color OF antiqueness which
is most attractive to one who seeks va
riety in architectural beauty. There Is a
charm about the whole upper section OF
the city which reflects the hospitality for
which Alexandria is noted. II is no Won
der that a stranger visiting the city leaves
it with the impression that II is pleas
ant place and nothing more, for the al
most rural quiet SO foreign to the average
active city is very deceptive. But let the
same stranger once get down near the
wharyes among the large warehouses ana
manufacturing establishments. The sense
of village surroundings disappears and the
observer finds himself wondering at the
contrast between two sections in close
proximity which create such widely dlVerg-
ing impressions.
incidents of OIden Days.
The town of Alexandria is known
throughout the country by reason OF some
of the incidents which have taken place
within its limits Probably the first of i'm
portance. but not as generally known as
some of the later ones, was the WISH IN
1908, of Capt. John Smith, accompanied
nv fourteen companions TO the place where
the city now stands. These We're the hrst
white men. of whom there is any record,
who visited that section of Virginia. The
land was then inhabited by band lndi-
ans called the Toags. The history OF the
trip is very brief, and Captain Smith sum
med 1t up in the following words: AT
Toags. they did their best to content US.
In 1863. Robert Howison having in his
possession the patent for the land on which
the city now stands sold it to John Alex
ander, OF Stafford, for 5000 pounds of to-
bacco the then common medium OF eX-
change In 1895 Thomas Pearson made
the first known settlement upon the land.
At this time the cultivation OF tobacco was
the leading industry and all the land now
lying within the town limits produced its
hundred weight of oronoko tobacco. The
cultivation OF the staple reached such pro-
portions as time passed that it became
necessary TO erect warehouse in which
to store the tobacco and in 113l, the au-
thorities OF Prince William county built
on the high cliffs, that then overlooked
the river near where the gas works now
stands the first warehouse. Around il was
built the hamlet of Belhaven which existed
until 1749. without a municipal OrganiZa-
ton. In that year on July 49, the mu-
nicipal government of Alexandria was
formed and the following were named di-
rectors and trustees: The Right Hon.
Thomas, Lord Fairfax, the Hon. William
Fairfax, esq, George Fairfax, Richard os-
lorne, Lawrence Washington, William
Ramsey. John Carlyle, John Ragan. Cen
eral Alexander, Hugh West, of Fairfax
county, and Philip Alexander of Stafford
county. The Jurisdiction of the corpora
tion at that time extended over sixty half
acre lots. comprising nine squares and two
public buildings. From this small begin
ming the town grew in size and wealth.
The shipping. although oppressed by the
burdensome laws Of England, grew each
year and previous 10 1865. Alexandria was
a dangerous rival of all the cities, such as
Baltimore. Philadelphia, New York, and
Boston. which since have come TO be the
largest ports in the United States. She
had a greater foreign eomerce than any OF
these cities, and the river of the town
was the anchorage grounds for ships bear
ing the flags Of all the commercial nations
In spite of the burdensome laws i'm
posed by England the citizens did not OBJ
sect. They were hemmed in on the west
by the Indians, and as the French were
still TO be feared they did not consider the
price paid the crown for their protection
great. But when General Braddock was
campaign against Fort Duquesne and the
colonists were forced to protect the royal
troops instead OF being protected, they be-
gan to fnurmur under the burden.
II was in Alexandria that the plans OF
Braddoclf's disastrous campaign were dis
cussed and determined upon The house
IN which the general and his aides met
while in Alexandria is still standing al
though IL Is sadly in need of repair 1t
stands in the rear of the Braddock House
which is located at the corner OF Cameron
and Fairfax Streets. having been erected
in 1892, by John S Carlyle. on the brow
OF a hill the base of which when the
house was built was washed by the Poto-
mac Freestone OF light color was used
exclusively In its construction, and from
a veranda in front originally a pair Of
steps of the same quality and color Of
stone led in the direction of Fairfax
Street, and fronting a beautiful walk,
passing through beautiful lawn shaded
by sixteen tall Lombardy poplars, planted
in four rows The old arrangement Of the
grounds has long since been marred by the
construction of the Braddock House, a ho-
tel visited by many famous people years
ago. When General Braddock was plan
ming his campaign, the governors of New
York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia
and North Carolina were present In the
Carlyle house in attendance upon several
conferences
After the enforcement of the Stamp act
In November, I765, the representative citi-
zens of Alexandria took as prominent a
part in condemning that measure and tax
ing action which ultimately created the re-
public as those OF any other part of the
colonies The town was then represented
IN the House of Burgesses by George John