Alexandria Gazette

ALEXANDRIA—ITS IMPROVEMENTS.

We had occasion, a few days since, while en-route from the Metropolis to Winchester, to pay a short visit to the "old city" of Alexandria. There were evident marks of improvement in that place, and it was to us quite a source of gratification to see the Alexandrians, determined by their renewed exertions, to restore their city to its former active and flourishing condition. That the completion of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, to Cumberland, will give new life to the business of the District, there can be but little doubt. The increased amount of Flour and other produce which has already found its way to Alexandria, by means of the Canal, augurs well for future prospects, in that branch of business to the merchants. In conversing with some of our friends of the District, we found them expressing strong faith in the ultimate completion of the Canal, when they would feel themselves, in many respects, able to rival the City of Baltimore, in the inducements which they seemed determined to hold out for farmers and others to consign their Tobacco, Flour and Grain to Alexandria. Indeed, if we mistake not, we heard a merchant state, that the price of flour, during nearly the whole of last year, was fully equal in Alexandria to the rate in Baltimore. Many thousand barrels from Winchester, were transported by way of the Canal, during the past year; and it is expected that our merchants here will find it to their interest to make still larger consignments in future. Alexandria, we all know, is one of the best harbors for shipping, in the country, and it only needs proper exertions to make it one of the most desirable markets for Valley produce that can be found. The cheap rate of transportation on the Canal, enables the farmer to get his Flour and Grain into market at but little expense, comparatively, whilst, at the same time, he is enabled to bring Plaister in return to enrich his soil. These things should be looked to, with an eye to economy, as it is only by strict economy, now-a-days, that the Agriculturist is sure of reaping a benefit from his labors. There are many seasons of the year when the farmers, bordering on the Canal, can employ their hands and horses more profitably, in carrying their produce to the District, than in any other way. In addition to the handsome buildings recently put up in Alexandria, for private residences, we noticed a number of new ware houses and stores. Among the latter, the extensive building now in course of erection, by the Messrs. McVeigh, deserves particular notice. The whole appearance of this edifice gives evidence of superior workmanship, and will reflect credit alike on the artizans and the enterprising projectors. We had curiosity to inquire the extent of this fine store-house, and found it to be 115 feet in depth, 44 in width, and three stories high, to be covered with tin. It will be really an ornament to the part of the city in which it is built.—Winchester Republican.