In 1785, Alexandrians were concerned about pirates of Algiers; changing trade and navigation regulations, especially those of Great Britain and France; commercial ties with the Caribbean, the British Isles and Europe; tensions between Austria, Prussia, France, England, the Republic of Holland, Turkey, and Russia; frontier settlement and conflict between Indians and whites; and, disputes with Great Britain over frontier posts of the North West.

As did other Americans, Alexandrians wondered if the states, newly united, could act in concert but remain separate. Alexandria was founded, shaped, and lived or died based on trade and transportation. It could not survive in the 1785 world – let alone prosper – by itself.

All news, both foreign and local, which appeared in the newspaper for this period is abstracted or transcribed. Full text and original woodcuts present a wide range of items from fabrics and other goods imported by captain and ship listed, to property for sale with description of the buildings and terrain. Every noun, place name and proper name is indexed.