The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

To the NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER

The late reference to a committee of Congress of a petition presented two or three years ago, for a bridge over Potomac river, somewhere between the mouth of the Eastern Branch, and George Town, excited no alarm among those whose interest would be most affected by it; because it was not believed that such a petition could find a respectable advocate in either House of Congress. But within the last two or three days, some of the petitioners have appeared to exult in the certainty of success-one, indeed, has gone so far as to advise his friend to sell without delay his property in George Town-and names of high authority are quoted as favorers of this project. A few observations therefore on the subject may not be improper.

Many years ago the people of Boston and Charlestown, united to throw a bridge across the river that separates these two towns. No injury was apprehended to the navigation, as their bridge like the one now in projection, was to have a draw in it for the passage of ships, and those therefore who held property above the bridge in the towns, were as desirous of its erection, as the more fortunate owners of property below it. But mark the result! Of the few large vessels that attempted to pass the draw, none escaped without injury, and one or two were sunk: all attempts to pass the bridge, were soon abandoned; and the owners of the wharves and other property above it, discovered too late that they were ruined.

The river here is wider and more turbulent than that between Boston and Charlestown: Our gusts of wind are as sudden; and our current is at times infinitely more violent. Of course a large vessel would be less governable here, than at Boston, in the delicate and dangerous operation of passing the draw-After one or two unsuccessful efforts no more ships would attempt to pass the bridge, and the property depending or its value on the navigation above it, would be as effectually destroyed as if nature had closed the river.

Against a project thus pregnant with mischief it cannot be needful to multiply objections-for that would imply, that apprehensions were seriously entertained, that Congress would deliberately commit the grossest, and most palpable injustice, and that too without a motive. No such apprehensions are entertained, and I will not therefore dwell upon the danger of silting up the river by stoppages of trees and collections of mud about the pillars of the bridge-nor of the danger to the navigation below, as well as above by the overthrow of the bridge itself by the ice towards spring, sometimes borne along with a force that twenty times the strength of a wooden bridge, could not for a moment resist.

It was almost a matter of surprise and must forever remain a matter of regret, that a petition should be presented to Congress, by American citizens, praying for the destruction of their neighbours property, or the chance of benefitting their own. Charity will suppose, that many of the petitioners, were themselves ignorant of the evils certainly to follow a compliance with their petition. But it is on record, and cannot be forgotten that Congress have been solicited to commit an act of open flagrant injustice. It is for congress by their marked disapprobation of this petition, to assert their own dignity, and to check the growth of that kind of spirit in the district, which could dictate the insult. A people without political rights are apt to forget that there are moral duties. The citizens of Columbia cannot be too soon instructed, that though congress have the power of exclusive legislation, they have no more right than inclination, to violate private property. Unless we are taught this lesson, congress may soon expect to have their tables crowded with petitions for the division among the humble petitioners, of the unwieldy estates of Robert Peter, D. Carroll, and other wealthy men. The reason assigned may be as in the case before us, public convenience, or public good, and it will not be difficult to shew, that a million of dollars in the hands of fifty men, will probably produce more enterprise, more improvement in the city, and more public good than twice that sum remaining in the lands of an individual.

A CITIZEN OF COLUMBIA.