“FREE BURGHS" IN THE UNITED STATES 
117 
of the Capitol has been that known as “ outlaAv racing ” — that 
is, with horses or with jockeys not in good standing Avith the regu- 
lar racing associations. Just below St. Asaph is the city of Alex- 
andria, which is })opularly regarded as a part of Alexandria 
county, to share whatever of good or l)ad repute attaches to it. 
At the census of 1790 all this A’icinity Avas part of Fairfax 
county, except that Alexandria already had a sc*i)arate court and 
Avas exempt from county taxes. For the organization of the 
Di.strict of Columbia, Virginia ceded to the General Government 
the jurisdiction* over a tract l)ounded by tbe line extending ten 
miles northAvest from the mouth of Hunting creek, a line north- 
east from the terminus of the first, and the river, containing an 
area said to be thirty-tAvo square miles. In 1801 Congress erected 
the area ceded b}’- Virginia into a county, to be called Alexandria 
county, but expressly retaining for Alexandria all existing char- 
tered rights. In 1846 the United States re-ceded the tract to 
Virginia, Avhich has continued to be generally knoAvn as Alex- 
andria county, though the policy of separation of city and county, 
suspended for half a century, has been reneAved. The combined 
population of city and county in 1890 Avas 18,597, of Avhich 14,339 
])ersons Avere in the city of Alexandria, Avhich is not a part of 
Alexandria county, although its name, its vicinity, its recent 
affinity with the county, and the presence of the county Imild- 
ings t Avith most persons to make the residents municipally 
responsible for the unlaAvful conduct near b}". Many persons, 
while rejoicing in the measure of success attained, do not see Avhy 
the energetic governor of Virginia sent officers to break u}) dis- 
rejmtalde j)ractices in the county. They do not ai)preciate the 
Aveakness of the real Alexandria county Avhen the gambling ele- 
ments of the neighboring cities floAV out upon it. It has but a 
little over 4,0W population (1890), of Avhom, after deducting 164 
on the military reservation, over one-half (2,123) are of negro 
descent, and not yet of much proi)rietary responsibility. 
Alexandria is but an example of the cities of Virginia from the 
earliest days. James City, better knoAvn as JamestoAvn, and now 
extinct, was established as the chief city in 1639. W’illiamsburg 
Avns set apart as a city, to l)c used for no other i>ur])Ose Avhatever, 
aiul (hJined as the ca})ital in 16!)9, and again in 1705, in advance 
<jf population. There Avas a general plan to put in each county 
•The owncTHhlp remaiiioil in the existing proprietors. Certain autliors erroneously 
state tliat tile title or possession was transferreil. 
t A l)ill is iienilin^ for erection of county liuililiuKs outside of tlio city. 
