Alexandria Gazette & Advertiser

A Letter from a gentleman, to the Editor of the Alexandria Gazette, dated, Salem, Fauquier County, Va. June 30, 1822.

Dear Sir,

I have just returned from Milan, where I spent the best part of the day—most agreeably indeed, with some charming young ladies and several gentlemen. Thither I went more for the pleasure of riding, than from any curiosity respecting the place, belief or reports about it; for thank Heaven, I am in the enjoyment of perfect health, or expectation of uniting with society; but so happy did I find myself in the company I there met with, and so much faith did my visit give me in all I had previously heard relative to the medicinal efficacy of the water, that I remained there until late in the afternoon, and resolved to repeat my visits as often as my avocations will allow.—But what and where you will ask, is this Milan? It is not a city like its namesake, nor a town, nor even a village, but a spring, which is pleasantly situated on the land of Mr. Edwin Carter, near Goose Creek, distant one mile from the little village of Rectortown, and which from the miraculous cures that have been effected in pulmonary cases by the use of the water, may be ranked perhaps, the first of those invaluable treasures with which this upper country so much abounds. I forbear to enumerate or describe the benefits that have been derived by those who have resorted to it, as a fountain of health; but, I confidently believe, that more has been done by this water, taking into consideration the few experiments that have been made, than by any other with which I am acquainted; & I as confidently hope that every other that may be made will tend to prove the value of it. Some will be surprised to learn that altho' it is so highly valued by the gentleman who owns it, and whose nearest relatives have been more than any other persons restored from the most wretched state of emaciation to perfect health by using the water—it has never been submitted to any chemical analysis, and that the properties are unascertained only by conjecture. I saw at the place a medical gentleman, who supposes that it partakes of iron and sulphur, & contains a great deal of fixed air. I am told that a gentleman who resides near the place, is determined to send some of the water to Baltimore, for the purpose of having chemical experiments performed on it, with a view to the ascertainment of its precise properties. Desirous that this water should be known, I will drop you, when I have leisure, a few more remarks relative to it.

Yours Respectfully,

FAUQUIER.