Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-06-04
ALEXANDRIA IN THE 0LDEN
TIME.

|
The William and Mary College Quar-
t.rly, Virginia historical magazine,
brings to light in iisissueo Of April, 1904,
the iournaleof voyage in a trading ves-
sci from this city to West India waters,
which gives some interesting expert
enees Of one engaged 10 the. commerce
of the period, aud of life on shipboard.
The journal covers the period from Sep
tember 10, 1896, to December Is, 1896,
when land was sighted, on. the return
voyage, 60 miles to the southwark OF
Cape Henry.
The writer of the journal was Cuth-
bert Powell, then a youth only IL years
\ old. who Went out as supefcarge, a
common mercantile Office in those days
and a necessary one in atrdding vessel
which took out the produce Of the col
onies both before and for a long time
after the achievement of their indepen-
dehce, and after selling or trading TO
Isuperintend the selection OF the reiufn
cargo and bring it back to the home
port.
Cuthbert Powell was born in Middle
burg, Loudoun county. He settled III
Alexandria aud engaged in merchandiz-
ing. He beca ne the Mayor Of Alexan-
dria and served number Of terms IN
that capacity. He WAS a man OF broad
culture and s8cquiJed considerable
fortune in his merclniile busine'', rnt
suffered very heavily, both from French
/ snoI1ation during the NapOeouic wars
land l.om ;he al o. AieXand.a before
The Draish in 1914, when the wa E.
/ houses Here were broke open and the
stores Of. four and other merchandise
were scattered knee deep in the
streets and destoyed. He retired
Esocn G.ter tie relun OF peace 20
his country seat in LOuioun county
and became planter, n member OF the
General Assembly aud justice Of the
peace. THIS later Office in those days
| had about it an the dignity and lfnPor-
tance which English gentlemen were
accustomed to impart TO the function IN
the o.den time. lie entertained La
fiyette at his couatry seat, Llangol 'en,
in1S27. and in 1912 was a member Of
the United States House of Representa-
tircs.
1t should be borne in mind that for
all the period of Cdihoert Powol's mei-
camille life and for dsyade or two after
he became member OF Congress, Alex
andria was an important port aud largely
~Eoncaced in trade with the West Indies.
1kThis trade was pursued under many
difficulties and hazards incident to the
period iust-atterIhc revolutionary wal
and du.og the war To resist the fright
of search" against Great Britain in 1872
AZ EAsEswGre many daagers OF the
SCI ilY.-tis7se days, including French
!, pfiraFscfs. Br,.ish insoetce presumed
To impress peaceful American sailors en-
: gagged Ia commerce aud drag them from
theirships to do duty on board of YES
sells of wax. There were many other
drawbacks 10 commerce Of which the
losses sustained by Cathbert Powell
> furnish the Illustration. Yet, in spite
J. of il all. the commerce Of Alexandrli
continued vigorous for over half
;. century.
The bulk OF this trade was with th'
r West Indies. The wheat grown in Nir
c.nia and Maryland produced iloui
i which stood the West Indian climai
better than that grown anywhere else
K The cargOes going out included -four
;, bread, biscaiis, crackers, ttliow candle
e and mary other manufactured articles
|. The return cargoes were largely Of sugar
: rum, wines, etc.
4 Many comfortable fortunes were ac
cumulated by commerce in those day
'e when the merchants owned their vessels
Sometimes the sailing masters were par
= owners and supefcargoes were interests
In the business. Personal privileges 9
no small value for trading were also &C
: corded 10 master, mate and supercargo
The voyages were loag, but the relufu
ic were generally handsome, bOlh for ou'
g going and incoming caryoes. The mel
"a chant had leisure Tor culture. Cuthbei
h Powell vas a type OF the class In thI
Mt respect. Wealth was devoted to SUI
h, rounding life with real and satisiyln
rs . comfort, pleasures and adoromen
). Commerce itself tended to broaden th
mar by widening his field of observatio
: and bringing him in close touch wit
the larger world outside of his couut;n
room. There are still extant IN A!exaI
andr!a the descendants Of May OF I'll
Old merchant princes who-hourshed
their own day and at the sane time gay
generous encouragement to edueauo
/ and the arts.
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