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Letter to Editor
January 20, 1832
Phenix Gazette
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
A letter reports a discussion at the Commercial Reading Room about the Chain Bridge Company reducing tolls by half (announced November 19, 1831), while the Little River Turnpike Company has raised rates, increasing costs for traders and contributing to declining local trade in the town. Signed January 18, 1832.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Thursday.
AS WE ARE.
[COMMUNICATED.]
Mr. Snowden--I yesterday made my daily call at the 'Commercial Reading Room,' where I met with a fellow-citizen, one who feels a deep interest in the welfare of our Town. He called my attention to an advertisement in the Leesburg 'Washingtonian,' signed by the Directors of the Chain Bridge Company, dated 'Georgetown, November 19, 1831,' announcing to the public that the Toll over the Bridge was Reduced ONE HALF.
The advertisement was read aloud, when another citizen, of equal worth and respectability, said, in substance, 'That is as it should be; our enterprising neighbors of Georgetown are awake to their interest.' 'But,' said he, 'have you heard that the Little River Turnpike Company have Advanced their rates of toll?'-- 'No,' said one; 'No,' responded another. 'It is even so,' said he, and added, 'A gentleman of Virginia, who trades largely to our town, told me, within a few days, the advance was a pretty severe one, as he well knew, for the toll which he had to pay was seven and a half dollars per month, or ninety dollars per year, more than formerly.'
Mr. Editor, comment upon this is unnecessary. We cannot longer be at a loss to know why our trade has sickened and languished.
January 18, 1832.
ISAAC W.
AS WE ARE.
[COMMUNICATED.]
Mr. Snowden--I yesterday made my daily call at the 'Commercial Reading Room,' where I met with a fellow-citizen, one who feels a deep interest in the welfare of our Town. He called my attention to an advertisement in the Leesburg 'Washingtonian,' signed by the Directors of the Chain Bridge Company, dated 'Georgetown, November 19, 1831,' announcing to the public that the Toll over the Bridge was Reduced ONE HALF.
The advertisement was read aloud, when another citizen, of equal worth and respectability, said, in substance, 'That is as it should be; our enterprising neighbors of Georgetown are awake to their interest.' 'But,' said he, 'have you heard that the Little River Turnpike Company have Advanced their rates of toll?'-- 'No,' said one; 'No,' responded another. 'It is even so,' said he, and added, 'A gentleman of Virginia, who trades largely to our town, told me, within a few days, the advance was a pretty severe one, as he well knew, for the toll which he had to pay was seven and a half dollars per month, or ninety dollars per year, more than formerly.'
Mr. Editor, comment upon this is unnecessary. We cannot longer be at a loss to know why our trade has sickened and languished.
January 18, 1832.
ISAAC W.
What sub-type of article is it?
Informative
Persuasive
Social Critique
What themes does it cover?
Infrastructure
Commerce Trade
Economic Policy
What keywords are associated?
Toll Rates
Chain Bridge Company
Little River Turnpike
Trade Decline
Georgetown
Commercial Reading Room
What entities or persons were involved?
Isaac W.
Mr. Snowden
Letter to Editor Details
Author
Isaac W.
Recipient
Mr. Snowden
Main Argument
the little river turnpike company's toll increase is severely harming local trade, in contrast to the beneficial toll reduction by the chain bridge company.
Notable Details
Advertisement In Leesburg 'Washingtonian' Dated Georgetown, November 19, 1831
Toll Reduced One Half By Chain Bridge Company
Toll Advance Example: $7.50 Per Month Or $90 Per Year More For A Virginia Trader