Alexandria Gazette

Latham's Omnibus Line.

The Washington Star pays a high compliment to the energy and good management of Mr. Hugh Latham, the director of the Omnibus line between Alexandria and the depot of the Baltimore Railroad at Washington, which we have had occasion to know is richly deserved. We were among the number of passengers who, arrived at the Long Bridge, on Sunday afternoon, the 8th inst., just fifteen minutes after it had given way. We returned, disappointed, to Alexandria, and next morning the question very naturally arose-how are we to get on?- Some more impatient than the rest, hired hacks, at an enormous price, to take them to the Georgetown Aqueduct, whence they footed it across to that city having no baggage to encumber them. But with those who had heavy baggage the case seemed hopeless. In this emergency Latham was sent for, and with him to will is to do. The roads were in horrible order, so he hitched six of his best horses to an omnibus, (being a whole team of himself) and some twelve or fifteen of us were rapidly driven to the Long Bridge, and by means of a little row boat soon safely landed, baggage and all, on the District side. Returning, after a few days, the river still unopened, we found the indomitable Latham, with his Omnibuses and baggage wagon, at the Washington depot, up for Alexandria, and in a short time we were safely set down at Newton's, our anxieties all at an end. If any one should ever be caught in Alexandria by ice or flood, or any accident, and desirous of going on, he has only to send for Latham and the thing is possible he will be put through. But Latham is liberal as well as energetic. On the trip up, first alluded to, the Omnibus was nearly filled with gentlemen belonging to the "South Carolina Committee," on their way to Washington to take charge of the remains of the lamented Brooks. He refused to receive a cent from them though he had made the trip at great risk to his horses and vehicle. This called forth the South Carolinians. "We are now," said one of them, "through Virginia, and from the time of entering the State, till this moment, we have been overwhelmed with attentions and hospitality. Not one farthing have we been permitted to pay, under any circumstances, or at any place. Private courtesies, too, have been extended to us wherever our arrival was known. Truly, Virginia is the land of the generous and the brave." We were the only Virginian in company, entirely unknown to them however, and our feelings, under this spontaneous tribute to the people of the Old Dominion, may be better imagined than described.--Blue Ridge Republican.