Running eight miles from the Little I arrived before the Big Sciota, a fine river on the righthand shore, and dropped under Alexandria, a small town situated on the lower point, formed by the junction of the two rivers. Having secured the boat, I went up to the town, intending to make from it some few excursions. I give you their result, without fatiguing you with their detail. 1
Alexandria contains about forty houses and three hundred inhabitants, Dutch, Germans, Scotch, and Irish. While it was the seat of justice, and only place of deposit for the merchandize of the extensive settlements of the upper parts of the Sciota, it rose with great rapidity, and held out such demonstrations of success, that numbers settled in the town and neighbourhood, and bought town lots at such an extravagant price and rash avidity, that none remained on the hands of the original proprietors. The building of a courthouse augmented the spirit of speculation and settlement, and all went on to admiration, till the state legislature decreed, that the courts, offices, &c. should be removed across the mouth of the Sciota to a new town called Portsmouth, being a situation more eligible for that purpose, and as a depot for merchandize and produce. In this manner did a stroke of the pen sign the ruin of Alexandria, and all the speculating forestallers of its adjacent lands and lots. A Dutchman, who had purchased a number of excellent building grounds, proposed very seriously to “give me my choice for a strong pair of shoes.” So sudden a fall is felt severely by the inhabitants in general; they sunk their means in giving the town a phlethoric rise, and are now without the capacity of removing. They disclaim sadly against the decree of the State Legislature, and say it was ordained to flatter General Massey, who is a member of the State, and proprietor of the township of Portsmouth. On passing over to Portsmouth in my canoe, I heard a more honest and probable story. Alexandria is insulated every spring, and from lying below the mouth of the river, is not calculated for a place of depot or business.
