Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-06-19
GCoMMUNICA1ED.
MEMENTO OF THE PAST.

10 looking over package OF old
papers this morning l found copy OF
the Alexandria Gazette dated February
27, 1928, and published by Samuel
Snowdtn on Royal street. The paper
is yellow with the lapse OF the eighty
four syears, and the imprint is dim.
Looking over its twenty columns of
pews items and advertisements, it seems
like a ghost of the long, long ago.
There is among its contents an Grafton
before the "Washington Society,"" COM
memorative of Washington's birthday.
There are the "freshest advices" from
Europe, Asia and South America. A
correspondent complains of the adverse
legislation against the interests OF the
Alexandria people who were then ill.,
cluded within the bounds of the District
of Columbia; and there are the usual
accounts OF storms and floods over the
lands and disasters at sea.
The following items from the "com-
mercial column" will seem odd to the
stroller along the river front today
who sees only deserted landings and
hardly small sloop in the moorings.
"For Amsterdam The superior cop
per fastened brig America, Henry Peter
son, master; to sail about the 10th instant
and will take freight on moderate terms.
Apply to VIM. Fowl & Go.
For Freight. The brig Columbus.
Leonard Msrbury master, burthen 1900
barrels. Also brig Venus, James Kelly,
master, burthen 900 barrels; also the
schooner Thomas, Samuel Miller, master,
burthen 900 barrels; all good vessels,
ready to load, in preference for the
West Indies. Apply to John d. Lsdd
q Co.
For sale, freight or charter-The
brig Hope.
For Freight - the schooner Elizs,
Capt. Dunning master, 500 barrels bur
Arrived. - Ships Boston and Fair
Trader, ships Ulysses and Martha.
That was time when expectations OF
greatness were high with Alexandrians.
The town had a high and commanding
situation. 1t had been steadily growing
into importance since its founding in
l74S, and all the indications we're for a
populous city. It's outlet to the ocean
was by broad, deep river and vast
region of cJunry bordered it with great
nstural resources ready waiting to be ap-
propristed for enterprise and thrift.
Ships aud other square-rigged vessels
OF heavy burthen brought to its mer-
chants valuable cargoes from Europe and
the West Indies, and caravans of wagons
kept up a constant stream of land trans
portation over the great thoroughfares
which had been laid through the will
ern. IS to the mountains and far beyond.
They brought in grains and -four from
mills remote. From the rich valleys
and uplsnds they brought beef, pork and
all other country supplies, and carried
back the imported commodities of the
ships and also the fish and oysters from
the river and bay; also the implements
and accessories for the opening of the
new lands.
Busy days were they along the river
when the merry stevedores unloaded the
cargoes from foreign ports and numbered
the docks with hogsheads and bales. Not
a railroad had yet been constructed in all
the republic, and but for this mode of
transportation which came first into use
FIVE years alter, beginning with the road
to Washington from Philadelphia, the
old town would doubtless have become
a great commercial pOr; aud populous
city. With the coming of railway facil-
tiles all the conditions upon which the
people of the town had relied were rsdi-
cslly changed. By them the commerce
and trade and the growth were diverted
to other points.
Since this paper was printed lapse
covered by the span of many a lifetime,
strange as it may seem, the world has
made more progress in all the depart
ments of the industries and arts, and has
wrought more changes by inventions,
discoveries and appliances than was
made in thousands of years before.
w. H. S.