Until 1779 the Town of Alexandria had had no formal government, being managed by a Board of Trustees whose interest was primarily in the sale of land. In that year, however, the Town was incorporated by the General Assembly with provision for a Mayor, Council, and other officials. The charter[36] made no mention of boundaries except to give the town authorities jurisdiction over the territory within a half mile of the town limits. Another Act[37] adopted at the same session stated that lots had been laid off by John Alexander adjacent to the town in 1774 and sold with the stipulation that they be built on within two years. Because of the difficulty of obtaining building materials due to wartime conditions not all the purchasers had been able to meet this requirement. The Act extended the period within which building on these lots was required to two years "after the end of the present war ... and the same are hereby annexed to and made part of the said town of Alexandria." [36] Hening, Vol. x, p. 172. "An Act for incorporating the town of Alexandria in the County of Fairfax." [37] Hening, Vol. x, p. 192. Acts of Assembly, 1779, Chapter XXXI: "An Act to confirm certain sales and leases by the trustees of the town of Alexandria and to enlarge said town...." The width and direction of the streets to be laid off in the area surrounding the Town was regulated by an Act of 1785,[38] but this did not extend the actual town limits. The area affected was described as: "Beginning at Great Hunting Creek and running parallel with Fairfax street to four mile run or creek so as to intersect King street when extended one mile west of the courthouse, thence eastwardly down the said creek or run to its confluence with the Potomac river, thence southwardly down the said river to the mouth of Great Hunting Creek...." [38] Acts of Assembly, October 1785, Chapter XCI. Hening, Vol. xii, p. 205. In the next year, however, the Legislature provided "That the limits of the town of Alexandria shall extend to and include as well the lots formerly composing the said town, as those adjoining thereto which have been and are improved."[39] [39] Acts of Assembly, October 1786, Chapter LXXIII. Hening, Vol. xii, p. 362. The town was still growing, and ten years later the General Assembly again extended its legal limits.