-V^ " • • s ^ > •^^ '^ . "-^^:"' /°-^ "-r^K'.- ,^- ■'% --%' .^^ '^'^' -^^ S, c- ^^0^ ^ ^'^ tf fO ''JL'" O ^^ '^". \ ^.■^rt / -^o^ -r-^ /'^" .X^V^^^^^ev'^^^ ^<^^^^%-^. 1 686. 1886. ALBANY BI-CENTENNIAL. Historical Memoirs. :d^ ^ ■•^A A^BLEECKER BANKSo Chairman Printing Committee. Vx\ ^ w 1888. y^S"^ \ >v BANKS & BR0THEI^5>' 0*= A^'A ^ fi ' \ ' Q\ Albany and New York/' ^•,«-«'"^**"> \ ^^ /. 2^^^^' Charles Van Benthuysen & Sons, printers, binders, ic, Albany, N. Y. PREFACE It was only necessary to follow the different statements of the Albany daily newspapers to make the compilation of the facts and give the data of Albany's Bi-Centennary Cele- bration. For the faithful work of doing this and the preparing of the full and complete index, I am under many obligations to Judge Andrew Hamilton. Thanks are due to the ready and graceful pen of Judge Franklin M. Danaher, for the historical review of the Flags and Seals of Albany, the Bi- Centennial Medal and Bi-Cen- tennial Card. A. BLEECKER BANKS. TABLE OF CONTENTS. PAGE. Organization of committee i~° Committee, name of 7 Sub-committees ^~^ ^ Advisory Committee 135 ^4 Former celebrations 14? ^ 5 Meetings of Bi-Centennial i7""29 Historical Pageant report 3°-39 Appropriation for Historical Pageant 39 Meeting of Bi-Centennial, continued 40-46 Monumenting and Decorations 46-55 Bi-Centennial Flag 57-6i Meeting of Bi-Centennial Committee, continued, 61, 62 Committee on Medals 63 Order of Exercises 63-65 Meetings of Bi-Centennial, continued 66-69 Opening of the Bi-Centennial Loan Exhibition . . 69 Chairman King's Introduction 7 ^ Rev. Wesley R. Davis's Prayer 7 ^ Mayor Thacher's Response 7^ William D. Morange's Poem 73-7^ Leonard Kip's Oration 78-86 Managers' Loan Exhibition 86-88 Reception of Caughnawaga Indians 88 Mayor Thacher's Welcome 89, 90 The Celebration 9^ Devotional Day 9^ Rabbi Schlessinger's Sermon 93-95 V Sunday Devotions 9=1-98 Father Walworth's Sermon 98- Rev, David D. Demorest 107- Union services at St. Peter's Bishop Doane's Sermon ^33- State Street Presbyterian Church Rev. Horace C. Stanton's Sermon 155- First Methodist Church Rev. Dr. Mark Trafton's Sermon 16S- Rev. Merritt Hubbard's Sermon 170- First Lutheran Church Rev. George W. Miller's Discourse 178- Clinton Square Presbyterian Church Rev. Dr. E. A. Huntington's remarks State Street Presbyterian Church Rev. Dr. Holmes' Sermon 187, African M. E. Church 188 Rev. Israel Derrick's Sermon 188, First Reformed Church Rev. G. Wilbur Chapman's Sermon Sixth Presbyterian Church Rev. G. D. Countermine's Sermon St. Peter's Church Walton W. Battershall's Sermon 190, First Methodist Church Rev. H. A. Starks' Sermon Trinity Episcopal Church Rev. Dr. C. H. W. Stocking's Sermon 192, Other services Monday, July 19, celebration 194- School Children's Festival Prayer by J. Livingston Reese 198, Historical Tableau 199-202 Award of Prizes 202 The winner of Girls' Prize, Elizabeth G. Davidson, 204 vi 04 32 32 54 54 68 68 70 78 78 86 87 87 87 89 90 90 90 91 92 92 92 93 93 98 98 99 PAGE. The winner of Boys' Prize, George L. Hodgson. 203 Mayor Thacher's Address 205 Prize Essays 207 Girls' Prize 207-219 Boys' Prize 219-224 Grand Parade of Manufacturers 224 Tradesmen and Mechanics 224-247 Governor David B. Hill reviews 247 Unveiling of the Tablets 248 Racing Canoes 248-251 The Evening Concert 251, 252 Tuesday, July 20, Day of All Nations 252 Parade 252-271 Reviewed by Governor Hill 271,272 Hugh Reilly's Oration 273-283 German exercises 284 Planting Memorial Trees 284 Address by Emmanuel Labishina 285 Exercises by Colored Societies 286 Mr. T. H. S. Pennington's Address 286, 287 Mr. Robert G. Mclntyre's Address 287, 288 Scottish Games 288 The Aquatic Carnival 290-295 Fraternal Emblems 295 Imposing secret organization 295-297 Wednesday, July 21, Civic Day 297-327 Reception of the Envoys from Holland 298-301 Dr. Blom Coster's Address 299 Mayor Thacher's Reply 300, 30 1 The Pageant 314-324 Mystery of Momus 324 High Priest's Address (H. C. Staats) 324-326 Thursday, July 22, Bi-Centennial Day 327-394 Exercises at the Rink 340 Prayer by Bishop Doane 341 vii PAGE. Mayor Thacher's Address 342, 343 The Poem, William H. McElroy 340-350 The Oration, Governor Hill 350-3^2 Address, President Cleveland 382 Address, Secretary Bayard 382, 383 Address, Secretary Whitney 383 Legislative Reunion 383 Municipal Reception 387 Reception Fort Orange Club 389 The Guests 390-392 The Departure of the President 392 The Pyrotechnic Display 393, 394 Subscribers to Bi-Centennial Fund 395-400 The Flags of Albany 401-414 The City Seals of Albany 415-422 The Bi-Centennial Medal 423-426 The Bi-Centennial Card 427-429 The Dongan Charter 431-454 General Index . 455-461 VIU ALBANY'S Two-Hundredth Anniversary. 1886. T HE important event which for a long time had been uppermost in the minds of the citizens of Albany, received its first official notice in the resolution offered by Alderman James Lyons, on the 1 6th day of November, 1885, at the meeting of the Common Council, and by it adopted as fol- follows : " Whereas, The Two Hundredth anniversary of Albany's incorporation as a city will occur on the 22d day of July, 1886, an occasion of great historical importance in American municipal history, and of pride to Albany, the oldest city in the Union ; and, " Whereas, It is proper that the occasion be duly honored and celebrated ; therefore, be it " Resolved, That the matter of the celebration of Albany's bi-centennial be referred to the Committee on Public Celebrations and Entertainments of this Board, and that it report back to this Board its views and recommendations in the premises with all due speed." In the estimate of city expenses for the year 1886, in the annual tax budget, as first submitted, no amount was appropriated to defray the expenses of the celebration ; but as finally adopted, it set it well in motion, with the item which it contained, " for celebrating the Bi-centennial of Albany, $10,000." Following this came the Bi-Centennial Proclama- tion by the Hon. A. Bleecker Banks, Mayor of the city of Albany, and which was concurred in by the Committee on Public Celebrations of the Common Council. Bi-Centennial Proclamation. The two hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of the city of Albany will occur on Thursday, July 22, 1886. In conformity with an apparent desire on the part of the citizens of Albany to mark this bi-centennial occasion with public demonstrations expressive of their pride in the honorable history of our city, the Common Council, with the approval of the Mayor, caused the sum of $10,000 to be placed in the city estimates for the ensuing year, to provide for expenditures attendant upon such celebration. It is natural to suppose that the public interest now mani- fested will become intensified as the bi-centennial anniver- sary approaches. It will be perceived that the observance of that day, by suitable forms of public rejoicing is justi- fied, not only in consideration of the past, but also as tending to arouse a general determination to achieve that enlarged prosperity due to the great natural advantages of our city. We shall then review the interesting and honor- able record of nearly three centuries which mark the dura- tion of our history. We shall, likewise, demonstrate our natural and artificial resources as the pledge of a still more glorious future. The Bi-centennial occasion will foster those higher senti- ments which are founded upon love of home and country. This will constitute its real and highest value. The festivi- ties and ceremonials of that anniversary will promote a stronger sentiment of fraternity among our people, and a broader and more efficient public spirit. They will stimu- late a disposition to charitable forbearance and mutual helpfulness. They will attach our hearts more firmly to this city of our birth and of our adoption. For these reasons, private and personal interest in our approaching anniversary is likely even to surpass in the variety, scope and magnitude of its plans those which may properly be contemplated by official authority alone. Therefore, with a view to securing proper official and private co-operation in a celebration which concerns all our people, the undersigned, after due deliberation, invite the citizens of Albany, and especially the various civic and mil- itary organizations, by authorized representatives and other- wise, to attend a public meeting at the Common Council chamber on Wednesday, January 6, 1886, at 7 : 30 p. M., to confer upon the character of the proposed Bicentennial cele- bration, and to appoint such prehminary committee or com- mittees as they shall judge proper, in order to report a plan of organization at such further meeting of citizens as may be deemed necessary. Albany, December 18, 1885. A. Bleecker Banks, Mayor. Galen R. Hitt, Patrick McCann, Jeremiah Kieley, James Thornton, August Whitman, Committee on Public Celebrations. In response to the call contained in this proclama- tion, a large and representative gathering of citizens met at the Common Council chamber in the City Hall, on the evening of January 6, 1886. Aldermen Hitt, McCann, Thornton and Whit- man, of the Committee on Pubhc Celebrations, were present. Among the prominent citizens noticed in the audi- ence were Mayor A. B. Banks, Senator Amasa J. Par- ker, Jr., Recorder Anthony Gould, Supervisor Robert Geer, Surrogate Francis H. Woods, Deputy County Clerk Thos. Dolan, Judge F. M. Danaher, ex-Senator Thacher, ex-Alderman Gorman, ex-Alderman W. H. Dey Ermand, Prof. Lewis Boss, Prof. George E. Oli- ver, Grange Sard, Daniel W. Wemple, Col. Frank Chamberlain, Clinton Ten Eyck, William H. Haskell, Walter Dickson, Col. Wm. E. Fitch, C. E. Wolf, Wm. M. Whitney, Wm. M. Whitney, Jr.. Clerk Mar- tin Delehanty, City Marshal Higgins, Thomas F. W^ilkinson, James W. Eaton, Monroe Crannell, W. W. Crannell, J. L. Van Valkenburgh, H. L. Gladding, Israel Nussbaum, Hugh Reilly, Robert H. Waterman and many others. LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTED. The following gentlemen signified their presence as representatives of local organizations : Captain Oscar Smith, the Burgesses Corps; Adjutant Norton Chase, the Tenth Battalion ; President I. D. F. Lan- sing, the Young Men's Association ; Peter Kinnear, St. Andrew's and the Caledonian Societies ; A. D. Cole, the Masonic fraternity ; Andrew Donner, the Holland Association; A. H. Spierre, Post No. 121, G. A, R. ; Prof. Charles Cole, the public schools of the city. Alderman Hitt called the meeting to order and briefly reviewed the history of the movement. He said that no suggestion had met with so general an approval as that for a proper celebration of the city's Bi-centennial anniversary. On motion, Mayor Banks was chosen Chairman and briefly stated the objects of the meeting, and Mr. Grange Sard was chosen Secretary. At the suggestion of the Chairman, Mr. J. V. Viggers read the following excerpt from the city records concerning the action of the City Council in 1776, when John I. Beekman was Mayor, for the cel- ebration of the city's looth anniversary: ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO. " Resolved, That the 22d instant, being the jubi- lee of the charter of this city, be commemorated by a public feast at the City Hall ; that a committee of five be appointed to procure the materials necessary, and to regulate the same. The committee appointed were Alderman Philip Van Rensselaer, Peter W. Yates, and Assistants John W. Wendell, Richard Lash and Jellis Winne. THE ANCIENT COMMITTEE'S REPORT. " The committee to whom was referred the mode of celebrating the 22d of July instant, being the cen- tury anniversary of this city, do report that in their opinion the Common Council convene in the fore- noon of that day, at 10 o'clock, at the City Hall, and from thence proceed in procession to the hill west- ward of the city, attended by such citizens as shall choose ; that during the procession all the bells of the several churches in this city shall ring, and at the place assigned for the purpose on the hill, thirteen 5 toasts and one for the charter under the discharge of fourteen cannon. A BARREL OF GOOD SPIRITS. " Resolved, That the former committee be a com- mittee to prepare and superintend the said business, who are to purchase a barrel of good spirits for the purpose ; that the order of procession be as follows, viz. : The High Sheriff, the Under Sheriff, the Con- stables with their staffs, the Mayor and Recorder, the Aldermen, the Common Council, the Chamberlain and clerks, the Marshal, the corporations of the sev- eral churches, the Judges of the several courts, the Justices of the Peace, the Members of the Legisla- ture and Attorneys-at-Law, the militia officers, the engine and fire company, the citizens at large." Hon. F, M. Danaher then offered the following resolution, which was adopted, after which the meet- ing adjourned : " Resolved, That the chairman appoint a repre- sentative committee of twenty-five citizens, of which the Mayor shall be chairman, to act in conjunction and in harmony with the Common Council Committee on Public Celebrations, to consider the question of the proper celebration of the bi-centennial anniversary of the 'city and carry the same into effect ; and that Mayor Banks continue as chairman of the committee until the matter is entirely disposed of." Pursuant to this resolution, the following gentle- men were named and served as members of the Citi- zens' Bi-Centennial Committee : >- tt ° o bb f^ a; s -o H S £ S ji: X! O n ti ^• :^ ffi o c M 1— . '^ U n> r, JD c * he (U 'S O 1) - O Q MMMMMMMriN cj fl H rt X Vh >• r^ s 3 s r/; N 3 o n -Si G o ^ ^ l3 ^ n ^ ^ O <3J § r^ f. o fi I « ^^.^- rt C .i= OJ 'ffi < < ^ G '^ (5 rt O -g a & -s •> 3 'Td G rt Pi W -< Q M N ^OT^LD^O r^oo OnO »-i n ^ CO ^ A. Bleecker Robert Lenox Banks, Lewis Boss, Anthony N. Brady, Walter Dickson, Franklin M. Danaher, Douw H. Fonda, Charles E. Jones, Rufus H. King, J. Townsend Lansing, James H. Manning, Archibald McClure, Edward J. Meegan, John C. Nott, Banks, Chairman. Michael N. Nolan, Amasa J. Parker, Jr., Robert C. Pruyn, John H. Quinby, Simon W. Rosendale, Samuel B. Towner, Wm. B. Van Rensselaer, John L. Van Valkenburgh, Daniel W. Wemple, William M. Whitney, Robert D. Williams, Horace G. Young, John Zimmerman. Aldermen Galen R. Hitt, Patrick McCann, Jeremiah Kieley, James Thornton, August Whitman, John J. Greagan, David J. Norton, George L. Thomas, James O. Woodward. Extracts from the Minutes of Proceedings of THE BI-CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE. On January 23, 1886, at a meeting held at the Mayor's office, the committee effected its organi- zation. Mayor Banks was chosen Chairman ; Mr. Robert D. Williams, Recording Secretary, and Mr. James H. Manning, Corresponding Secretary. An invitation was extended to the various civic, military and other organizations of the city to each send one delegate to form an advisory committee. The Mayor was empowered to designate such sub-committees as he should deem advisable, including one to select the orator, the poet, and the historian of the celebration. The committee again met January 30, 1886, when Mr. Daniel W. Wemple was chosen Treasurer. Weekly- meetings were ordered to be held on each Thursday evening. A communication from Mr. F. C. De Leon, Mobile, Ala., a gentleman of large experience in the preparation of pageants in southern cities, was received, offering his services. The first subscription accompanied the following letter : Albany, N. Y., January 26, 1886. Hon. A. Bleecker Banks, Mayor and Chairman Bi-centennial Committee : Dear Sir — I am authorized by a vote of the Al- bany Burgesses Corps to and hereby send you a sub- scription of one hundred dollars towards the fund for celebrating the Bi-centennial of our city. With respect. Yours, etc., Henry Haskell, Treasurer, A. B. C. The question of formulating the plan of the cele- bration was referred to the executive committee when appointed for their report. February 4, 1886. The various sub-committees were announced by the chairman and, as subse- quently changed and increased, were as follows : Executive Committee. A. Bleecker Banks, Chairman. Robert D. Williams, Sec'y. Walter Dickson, John Boyd Thacher, Simon W\ Rosendale, Charles E. Jones, Franklin M. Danaher, Edward J. Meegan, Uaniel W. Wemple, Amasa J. Parker, Jr., Archibald McClure, Daniel W. Wemple, Treas. James Thornton, Douw H. Fonda. Galen R. Hitt, Patrick McCann, Jeremiah Kieley, August Whitman, John J. Greagan, George L. Thomas, David J. Norton, James O. Woodward. Finance Committee. William M. Whitney, Chairman. Rufus H. King, Michael N. Nolan, Robert C. Pruyn, Anthony N. Brady, J. Townsend Lansing, Robert D. Williams, Horace G. Young, John H. Quinby, J. L. Van Valkenburgh, Patrick McCann, Daniel W. Wemple, David J. Norton. FROM ADVISORY COMMITTEE. Myron A. Cooney, John A. Sleicher, T. C. Callicott, Myron H. Rooker, S. N. D. North, Fred'k W. White, R. M. Griffin, E. Miggael. Reception Committee. Robert Lenox Banks, Chairman. Lewis Boss, Samuel B. Towner, Archibald McClure, James H. Manning, John Zimmerman, Wm. B. Van Rensselaer, John C. Nott, August Whitman, Robert D. Williams, James O. Woodward. Bi-Centennial Loan Commission. J. Howard King, President Henry J. Ten Eyck, Sec'y. Samuel B. Towner, Wm. B. Van Rensselaer, John C. Nott, J. L. Van Valkenburgh, Robert D. Williams, John Boyd Thacher, Charles Tracey, Robert S. Oliver, John Z James T. Gardiner, Vice-Pres. Ledyard Cogswell, Treasurer. W. O. Stillman, Seidell E. Marvin, George D. Miller, Charles V. Winne, Robert C. Pruyn, J. Townsend Lansing, Lewis Boss, Douw H. Fonda, immerman. Committee on Historical Pageant. Lewis Boss, Chairman. Walter Dickson, Wm. B. Van Rensselaer, James H. Manning, J. L. Van Valkenburgh. Committee on Regatta. Anthony N. Brady, Chairman. Simon W. Rosendale, Charles E. Jones, George L. Thomas, Patrick McCann. FROM ADVISORY COMMITTEE. Henry W. Garfield, Charles Piepenbrink, Joseph H. Girvin, Secretary. Committee on Military Parade. Amasa J. Parker, Jr., Chairman. James H. Manning, Franklin M. Danaher, J. L. Van Valkenburgh, John C. Nott, George L. Thomas. FROM ADVISORY COMMITTEE. Gen. J. G. Farnsworth, Maj. G. H. Treadwell, Gen. Robert S. Oliver, Col. George Krank, Maj. James Macfarlane, Cai)t. Oscar Smith, Maj. Chas. E. Van Zandt. Committee on Civic Parade. John H. Quinby, Chairman. Daniel W. Wemple, Jeremiah Kieley, Horace G. Young, August Whitman. FROM ADVISORY COMMITTEE. Edward A. Durant, Jr., Emanuel Labishiner, John M. Bailey, John Palmer, Peter Lasch, Jacob C. Cuyler, William K. Clute, Wilharn F. Beutler, Henry W. Garfield, Harmon P. Read, A. McD. Shoemaker, Samuel C. Harris, Herman H. Russ, Jr. Committee on Educational Day. A. Bleecker Banks, Chairman. John Boyd Thacher, Wm. B. Van Rensselaer, Amasa J. Parker, Jr., Lewis Boss. 10 FROM BOARD OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. Oren E. Wilson, Charles W. Cole. Committee on Trades' Parade. Patrick McCann, Chairman. Douw H. Fonda, Secretary. J. Townsend Lansing, David J. Norton. FROM ADVISORY COMMITTEE. Vreeland H. Youngman, P. J. Doyle, John Wolf, A. S. Richards, William H. Cough try, William Van Amburgh. Committee on All Nations' Day. Peter Kinnear, Chairman. Michael N. Nolan, J. Townsend Lansing, Edward J. Meegan, Wm. B. Van Rensselaer, John Zimmerman, Robert C. Pruyn, John J. Greagan. FROM ADVISORY COMMITTEE. Mathias Bissikummer, Samuel H. Mando, Max Kurth, Peter Lasch, Emanuel Labishiner, Andrew Donner, John Brannigan, Edward Ogden, John Thompson, Jr.. Adolph Picard, Attillio Pasquini, James H. Hannigan, Henry Martin, John J. Walsh, John J. Riley, Thomas S. O'Brien, Michael J. Slattery, David Healy, James McFarlane. Committee on Fireworks. Wm. M. Whitney, Chairman. Edward J. Meegan, Rufus H. King, George L. Thomas. FROM ADVISORY COMMITTEE. Peter Kinnear, Mathias Bissikummer, Samuel C. Harris. Committee on Decorations and Monumenting. Walter Dickson, Chairman. Charles E. Jones, Samuel B. Towner. FROM ADVISORY COMMI'lTEE. Leonard Kip, Harmon P. Read, Wheeler B. Melius, George R. Howell. II Committee on Music. Daniel W. Wemple, Chairman. James H. Manning, Robert D. Williams. Committee on Orator, Historian and Poet. A. Bleecker Banks, Chairman. John Boyd Thacher, Amasa J. Parker, Jr., Lewis Boss, Wm. Bayard Van Rensselaer. Committee on Bi-Centennial Flag and Medal. Franklin M. Danaher, Chairman. WiUiam M. Whitney, Walter Dickson, Archibald McClure, James H. Manning. Auditing Board, A, Bleecker Banks, Archibald McClure, Robert D. Williams. Printing Committee. A. Bleecker Banks, Chairman. Daniel W. Wemple, Simon W. Rosendale, J. O. Woodward, E. J. Meegan, Robert D. Williams. Press Committee. James H, Manning, Chairman. Myron A. Cooney, Theophilus C. Callicott, John A. Sleicher, Eugene T. Chamberlain, Myron H. Rooker, Richard M. Griffin, S. N. D. North, Edward Miggael, Frederick W. WHiite, Desmond S. Lamb. Bureau of Information and Accommodation. 480 Broadway, near Maiden lane. John Boyd Thacher, Chaiman. Robert D. Williams, James H. Manning, Daniel W. Wemple, W. S. McKean, Chief of Bureau. 12 Advisory Committee. DELEGATES NAMED BY THEIR SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS. Addington, George Ames, F. Le Grand Andrews, Arthur L. Auer, Louis Bailey, John M. Bender, Louis Beutler, WilHam F. Bissikummer, M. Brady, John T. Branigan, John Biichs, John Burdick, J. W. CaUicott, T. C. Chamberlain, E. T. Clute, WiUiam K. Cole, A. D. Cole, Charles W. Cooney, M. A, Cough try, WiUiam H. Cummings, J. G. Cuyler, J. C. Dederick, P. J. De Witt, R. V. Donner, Andrew Douge, J. A. Doyle, John Doyle, P. J. Dulin, James F. Durant, Jr., E. A. Elkins, Thomas Farnsworth, J. G. Fisher, Fred. W. Fitch, William E. Flannigan, J. J. Friedman, J. S. Froehlich, Frank Gabler, F. Gardiner, James H. Garfield, H. W. Girvin, Joseph H. Gray, James Greig, C. N. Griffin, M. Guardeneer, G. H. Haak, John Hacker, W. Haiss, Eugene Hale, Matthew Harris, S. C. Haucmann, C. Healy, David Henzel, H. Hinkle, C. Hoffiiian, Henry Hunter, J. H. Jennings, William H. Kampfer, Frank Kane, WiUiam J. Kenel, Victor Kessler, August Kiernan, A. B. Kies, Henry Kinnear, Peter Kip, Leonard Krank, George Kundel, P. F. Kurth, Max Labishiner, E. Lange, F. Lansing, L D. F. La Preze, Joseph Lasch, Peter Louden, M. J. Macfarlane, James Mando, S. H. Manning, T. J. Martin, Henry Mattimore, P. F. McCabe, J. F. McCarthy, F. 13 McDonald, J. McFarlane, James McGowan, M. F. McGraw, John McNaught'on, William H. Meade, Louis Melius, W. B. Miggael, A. Mills, F. W. Moran, J. J. Morrell, F. D. Murphy, P. H. Neil, Jr., John Niblock, John North, S/N. D. O'Brien, James O'Brien, Thomas S. O'Byrne, J. J. Ogden, Edward Oliver, Robert S. Oppenheim, W. L, Palmer, John Pareira, A. Pasquini, Attilio Pender, James J. Picard, Adolph Piepenbrink, Charles Pierson, D. A. Pierson, H. R. Pratt, L. W. Read, H. P. ReiUy, J. J. Richards, A. S. Riley, J. H. J. Roberts, C. J. Rogers, Francis Ronan, D. A. Rooker, Myron H. Rowe, M. L. Ruso, James M. Russ, Jr., H. H. Sarauw, F. W. Sausbier, William Severance, M. J. Shattuck, James Shoemaker, A. McD, Sickles, H. E. Slattery, M. J. Sleicher, John A. Smith, H. F. Smith, Oscar Sonnenfield, T. Strain, Alex. Thacher, Jr., George H. Thomson, Jr., John Treadvvell, George H. Upjohn, J. W. Van Amburgh, William Van Valkenburgh, J. W. Walsh, John W. Warner, James M. Weyrick, Fred. White, F. W. Wolf, John Yorke, Joseph W. Young, Matthew Youngman, V. H. Former Celebrations. At this meeting Prof. Lewis Boss stated that he had taken pains to learn some of the notable cele- brations that had taken place before in Albany, and read a very interesting account of them, of which the following is an abstract : 14 The most notable of Albany's celebrations were, July 22, 1786, centennial of Albany city charter; August 8, 1788, celebration of the ratification of the Constitution of the United States by the State of New York; October 8, 1823, passage of the first boat from the Erie canal into the Hudson river ; No- vember 2, 1825, celebration of formal opening of the Erie canal, when the first boat came through from Buffalo. Prof Boss thought the best of these, and the one which the coming event should be most like, was that of 1788. Twenty days after the celebration a full page account of it was published in the "Albany Gazette." From this account Prof. Boss had made many memoranda. A citizens committee had charge of the arrangements. The line, made up of various trades and military, formed in the fields near Water- vliet. Portable shops were arranged on vehicles, and the various industries were represented during the march. The Constitution, engrossed on parchment, suspended on a staff, was carried by Major-General Schuyler, while John H. Wendell bore the standard of the United States, and eleven ancient citizens walked near by. An elegant plow was guarded by Stephen Van Rensselaer. The State standard was carried by Major John I. P. Ten Eyck. To the west of Fort Frederick a Federal bower fifteen by forty- four feet was erected, and in this all the participants in the parade were fed. The march was resumed after the dinner and took its way to the spacious pas- tures south of Fort Orange, where it was dismissed. One feature of the parade, quoting from the " Ga- zette," was : 15 "'A bateau, elegantly painted and decorated, on a carriage drawn by two gray horses, neatly capari- soned, loaded with goods proper for the Indian trade, navigated by a proper number of bateaumen, fur- nished with setting poles, paddles, etc., which were used with great skill during the procession, Mr. Gerardous Lansing, in the character of a trader and an Indian properly dressed and ornamented, sitting in the stern.' During the time of the repast, the ba- teau made a voyage toward the Mohawk country and returned with a full cargo of peltry. The Federal bower made an highly elegant appearance. It was erected on the most advantageous parts of the heights west of Fort Frederick, commanding the most ex- tended prospects of any situation near the city ; and when the flags of the respective divisions were dis- played on its battlements, that of the United States on the centre, that of the State on the right, and the farmers on the left, the coup d'oeil was extremely pleasing. The edifice was one hundred and fifty-four feet in length and forty-four feet in breadth, and was raised upon four rows of pillars, fifteen feet in height, which were closely wreathed with foliage, and com- posed eleven arches in front. The company was ' marched off in regular divisions to the tables which were plentifully covered with substantial American cheer.' The tables were eleven in number placed across the colonnade parallel with the eleven arches. They were by no means sufficient for the company, which, in its extent, far exceeded the expectations of the warmest favorers of the procession. Yet, so lively was the pleasurable spirit of accommodation, i6 so general was the wish of dififuse satisfaction, that no inconvenience was felt or complained of by any." February lo, 1886. The Schubert Club tendered their services for the celebration. The Aldermen constituting the Committee of the Common Council on Public Celebrations were added to the Executive Committee. February 18, 1886. James V. Viggers was ap- pointed as assistant to both secretaries at a salary of two hundred dollars. The Executive Committee reported the following recommendations : That six days be devoted to the celebration ; that Sunday preceding the anniversary be observed in the various churches with all such exercises as might seem proper; that Monday be devoted to the celebration of all the schools under the direction and manage- ment of the Board of Public Instruction, and that Tuesday be assigned as a day for the various nation- alities to have such celebration as they might decide upon. The report was unanimously accepted and further time granted the committee in which to per- fect their programme. It was also resolved : That a committee of three be appointed to consider the ad- visability of holding, previous to and during the Bi- centennial celebration, a loan exhibition of antiqui- ties and articles of historical and local interest. At the meeting of March 4, 1886, the following communication was received : Albany, N. Y., March i, 1886. President of the Bi-Centennial Commission : Dear Sir — A number of gentlemen, among whom are Messrs. J. Howard King, Robert C. Pruyn, Dudley Olcott, 17 John G. Myers, J. Townsend Lansing, W. Bayard Van Rensselaer, John E. McEhoy, John Boyd Thacher, W. O. StiUvvell, James T. Gardiner, Henry Russell, George D. Fearey, Ledyard Cogswell, James B. Jermain, Geo. D. Miller and Frederick D. Mather, having joined together to form a Colonial Loan Commission for the purpose of hold- ing an exhibition of objects of colonial interest during the Bi-centennial celebration, and, desiring to get in conjunc- tion with the Bi-centennial Committee, have appointed Mr. George D. Fearey as a member of the Bi-centennial Advis ory Committee and would respectfully suggest the appoint- ment of three members of the Loan Commission. The expenditure of moneys was directed to be made only by a vote of at least fifteen members of the committee. The Executive Committee submit- ted their detailed programme of the celebration as follows : 1686 — Bi-Centennial — 1886. report of the executive committee. Albany, March 4, 1886. To THE Citizens' Committee: The Executive Committee who were directed to report and prepare a plan of the celebration of Al- bany's Bi-centennial, based upon a resolution that the celebration was to begin on Sunday and end on Friday night of the week in which the anniversary occurs, do report as follows : The report presenting nothing but the salient features, the details and par- ticular character of the matters proposed to be fur- ther considered and reported upon by the various sub-committees to be appointed. Sunday, July 18. To be a day of general religious observance, with special memorial and historical sermons and exer- cises, appropriate to the occasion in all the churches in the city, at such hours as best suits the conven- ience of each. It is recommended that the sermons be based upon the history of the churches in which they are respect- ively delivered with special reference to their devel- opment and growth in Albany, and that by invitation the pulpits be thrown open to distinguished divines, either born in Albany, or who, at some time in their ministerial careers, officiated here. The sermons to be printed in a memorial volume, if any such be published, Monday, July 19 — Educational Day. The school children of Albany to assemble in some public place for exercises, singing, recitations and addresses. The programme to be reported by the committee appointed to act in the matter with the Board of Public Instruction. Historic spots to be monumented and addresses, germane to the occasion, delivered at each place marked. Tuesday, July 20 — The Day of All Nations. The day to be set apart for national sports, exer- cises and observances ; the same to be under the di- rection and control of the German, Irish, English, Scotch, French, Italian, Holland and other national societies, in such manner and form as they may de- termine and in such places as they may select. In the Afternoon: A regatta, amateur and pro- fessional, over the Island course subject to the action 19 of the railroad, steamboat and Island authorities. A yacht race in front of the city. In the Night : A river parade of illuminated and decorated steamboats, with music and fire-work ac- companiments. Wednesday, July 21 — Civic Day. Sunrise : The day to be ushered in at sunrise by a national salute of thirty-eight guns. 10 A. M. : Grand parade of all civic bodies and fire- men's tournament. The national societies, Knights Templars, uniformed Odd Fellows, uniformed Knights of Pythias, singing societies, Albany's Fire Depart- ment, exempt firemen, visiting fire companies, etc. Afternoon : Continuation of and second day of the regatta. Grand canoeing tournament in front of city. At Night : A grand historical pageant, under calcium and electric light and colored fires, showing the contrasts of the past with the present — the growth of two centuries — and placing before the people, in living tableaux, the historical events and great men in Albany's romantic Colonial and Revolutionary history. The floats to be manned and provided, under the direction of the sub-committee, by the various national and fraternal societies or military companies ; or a grand torchlight procession with his-' torical features of firemen, political and fraternal or- ganizations. After parading, to mass in State street, at 12 o'clock, midnight, when, amid the huzzas of the people, a shower of rockets, bombs and Roman candles, the ringing of the bells of all the churches, the blowing of whistles, and the singing of the Na- 20 tional anthem by the people, to usher in the anniver- sary day. It is recommended that the citizens decorate their houses and places of business for the week, and illu- minate them on Wednesday night. Thursday, July 22 — Bi-Centennial Day. 12 P. M. : As before. Sunrise: A Bi-centennial salute of two hundred guns to be fired, fifty guns at four different places in the city, In the Morning : A grand military procession, as escort to orator, poet, city guests, etc., to place of Bi-centennial exercises. Bi-Centennial Exercises : Music, invocation, singing, poems, orations, addresses, etc. Night: Fire-works, also municipal reception to distinguished guests, orators, poet, etc. Friday, July 23 — Trades and Manufactures. A grand parade of all the Trades' Unions, Trades' Assemblies and Knights of Labor, manufacturing and business interests ; Grocers' and Butchers' Associa- tion ; butchers, with decorated prize cattle ; brewers, with decorated hogsheads with Gambrinus astride; printers, carpenters, tanners, cigarmakers, etc., at work on the floats, illustrating Albany's business and trade interests and development after two centuries. Afternoon : Grand open-air concert. Night: Singing by Albany singing societies, in the Capitol Park, with a discharge of rockets, bombs, etc., as a grand finale. 21 Your committee further recommend : I. A loan exhibition of Albany's antiquities, heir- looms, historical mementoes and objects of art, for a nominal admission fee. II. An appropriate Bi-centennial medal, to be struck off, as a memento of the occasion, in gold, silver and bronze, copies to be presented to dis- tinguished guests and others, to be sold to defray its cost. III. The awarding of suitable money prizes to vis- iting fire companies for merit, best drilled company, handsomest uniform, oldest apparatus in line, finest modern apparatus in line, etc. IV. An appropriation, in money, for prizes for the professional regatta, the purchase of suitable trophies for the amateur regatta and for the yacht and canoe races. V. The donation by this committee of two medals, one for a boy and one for a girl scholar in Albany's school who will write, under the conditions to be prescribed, the best essay on "Albany's History and Growth in Two Centuries." VI. The hiring of bands of music, to be always at the disposal of this committee and to be used when and where required. VII. The adoption of a Bi-centennial flag, the style of which to be kept secret until ready for distribution. VIII. The hiring of rooms in various hotels for the guests of the city on the occasion in question. IX. The procurement of an elegantly steel en- graved card of invitation, for general purposes, and a special one for guests, not transferable. 22 X. The hiring of the rink for one week for all pur- poses required. XI. Invitations, as guests, to be sent to the Presi- dent of the United States and his cabinet ; the Gov- ernor and his staff; the Governors of the thirty-eight States ; the Mayors of all the cities of this State ; the ex-Mayors of Albany ; Generals Sherman, Sheridan, Terry, and others. XII. The committee to decorate the public build- ings, erect triumphant arches, etc., wherever required, etc. The committee recommend the adoption of the following resolution : I. Resolved, That the Chairman appoint the fol- lowing sub-committees : On Regatta. To have charge and the manage- ment of the regatta, and the river parade, canoe and yacht races. On Civic Parade. To have charge and the man- agement of the civic parade and of the firemen's tour- nament. On Military Parade. To have charge of and the management of the military parade. On Historical Pageant. To have charge and the management of the parade on Wednesday night. On Fire-Works. To have charge of same. On Loan Exhibition. To have charge of same. On Trade Parade. To have charge of same. On Decorations, To have charge of same and of monumenting the city if deemed advisable. On All Nations' Day. To guide and direct same as far as deemed practicable. 23 II. Resolved, That the Reception Committee have in charge the municipal reception and the per- sonal comfort and welcoming of the city's guests. III. Resolved, That the Committee on Orator, etc., have in charge the Bi-centennial literary exer- cises of the Children's Day, on Monday, and the conditions on which medals shall be awarded for scholars' essay. IV. Resolved, That the Chairman be directed to appoint on the various sub-committees mentioned in the first resolution, the members of the Advisory Committee in such numbers and in such manner as the best interests of the celebration will demand. V. Resolved, That the sub-committees be di- rected to consider all the matters under their charge and report, with all convenient speed, the approxi- mate cost of all they intend to do. VI. Resolved, That all contracts be in the name of the General Committee. That no sub-committee be authorized to expend any money or incur any liability without the author- ity of the General Committee. That no contract involving the expenditure of money be entered into without the approval of the Finance Committee. VII. Resolved, That all matters not hereinbefore specifically delegated unless otherwise ordered, be in the charge of the Executive Committee. VIII. Resolved, That all bills for any expendi- ture of money by the Bi-centennial Committee shall, before payment, be referred to the Finance Commit- tee for examination. The said Finance Committee, 24 or a majority of them, shall make a written report on each bill so referred with their opinion as to the cor- rectness of said bill, before said bill shall be passed upon by the said Bi-centennial Committee. All such reports shall be entered in full upon the minutes of the said committee. IX. Resolved, That the Treasurer of the Bi-cen- tennial Committee shall receive and hold all moneys which shall hereafter come into his hands, and shall pay out the same only on the order of the said com- mittee. All orders of the said committee upon the Treasurer, for the payment of money, shall specify the object for which the payment is to be made, and shall be signed by the Chairman, and countersigned by the Secretary of the said committee, but no ap- propriation of money shall be made by the said com- mittee, nor any resolution adopted, involving the expenditure of money for any purpose, unless first approved of by the Finance Committee, and then re- ceive a vote of fifteen members of the Bi-centennial Committee, which is understood to be composed of the twenty-five appointees of the Mayor, and the five members of the Aldermanic Committee on Public Celebrations. All of which is respectfully submitted. A. Bleecker Banks, Mayor, and Chairman Executive Committee. Robert D. Williams, Secretary. The Executive Committee were also directed to report as to the feasibility providing for the appro- priation and publication of a memorial volume of the Bi-centennial. 25 March ii, 1886. The Chairman reported that he had several times conferred with the projectors of the Loan Exhibition, and that they were anxious to join with the committee, with a view of making the dis- play a memorable one and in every way worthy of the sight ; and it was thereupon resolved, that the Chairman be and he hereby is authorized to appoint a committee of twenty, of which ten shall be mem- bers of this Bi-centennial Committee and ten of citi- zens outside of the committee, to organize and carry on, subject to the approval of the Bi-centennial Com- mittee, a loan exhibition in connection with the Bi- centennial celebration, and said committee to be known as the " Citizens' Bi-centennial Loan Exhibi- tion Committee." At this meeting, the Executive Committee also recommended the final action on the programme be deferred until after a meeting of the Advisory Committee which was called for March 14, 1886. Several amendments to the programme as reported were also submitted by the members. Sub- committees were also ordered to be appointed by the Chair, as follows : For military parade, on fire-works, on dress parade, on civic parade, on historical pa- geant, on Loan Exhibition, on decorations, on All Nations' Day. Mr. Robert Lenox Banks, from the Washington Park Commissioners, reported that they would grant the use of Washington Park for fire- works or parade. March 18, 1886. The Chairman named the fol- lowing as members of the Bi-centennial Loan Com- mission : J. Howard King, Chairman; Robert C. Pruyn, J. Townsend Lansing, Lewis Boss, Douw H. 26 Fonda, John Zimmerman, Samuel B. Towner, Wm. B. Van Rensselaer, Hon. John C. Nott, John L. Van Valkenburgh, Robert D. Williams, of the Bi-centen- nial Committee, and John Boyd Thacher, Charles Tracy, Robert S. Oliver, Henry J. Ten Eyck, VV. O. Stillwell, Selden E. Marvin, John T. Gardiner, Geo. D. Miller and Chas. V. Winne on behalf of the citi- zens. It was also resolved that the matter of the feasibility and expense of the historical pageant be referred to the Executive Committee, and that they be authorized, if it is deemed expedient, to invite Mr. De Leon to visit Albany and confer with the Citi- zens' Committee, and that two hundred dollars be appropriated or as much thereof as may be necessary for that purpose. On March 25, 1886, the joint meeting of the Citi- zens' Bi-centennial and the Advisory Committees was held in the Common Council chamber, at which sev- enteen members of the Bi-centennial and thirteen members of the Advisory Committees convened. The matter discussed was the proposed programme as reported by the Executive Committee. April I, 1886. The committee considered various suggestions previously made at the joint meeting and adopted, among others, one, that the National Asso- ciation of Amateur Oarsmen should be invited to hold their regatta here during the Bi-centennial week, and $1,850 was appropriated to cover the expenses, as a substitute for the professional regatta first pro- posed. April 8, 1886. The Chairman announced the Committee on Regatta: Anthony N. Brady, Patrick 27 McCann, Henry W. Garfield, Simon W. Rosendale, Charles E. Jones, Joseph H. Girvin, Charles Piepen- brink. Subscriptions towards the expense of the regatta, by Mr. Hickey, of $750, by Mr. George Marks, of $350, were reported. Col.T. C. De Leon, pursuant to a former invitation, appeared before the committee and explained at length the matter of the historical pageant. He was tendered a vote of thanks, and a sub-committee of five, consisting of Professor Lewis Boss, W. B. Van Rensselaer, Walter Dickson, James H. Manning and John L. Van Valkenburgh, were appointed to confer with him and report a plan and an estimate of probable cost. A committee of the Board of Public Instruction communicated a pro- posed plan of exercises for Educational Day, as fol- lows : The school children shall gather at the sev- eral school buildings in the morning and march to the building or inclosure provided for large gather- ings, and there take part in literary and musical exercises. The programme of the literary exercises should be made to illustrate important incidents of the settlement and progress of the city, and the sub- ject-matter to be rendered and the costuming of the members shall be typical of the epoch illustrated ; the musical parts shall be rendered by the chorus of from six to eight hundred voices, specially trained for the occasion, aided by an ample orchestra and supported in the patriotic and familiar choruses by the entire body of pupils. The presentation of two prizes off"ered for the best essays on "Albany's His- tory and Growth in Two Centuries," to the success- ful competitors, by the Mayor on behalf of the city, 28 shall be made a prominent feature in the programme. Aside from this presentation and the reading of the awards, all the parts on the programme shall be sustained by the school children, and all the school children in the city shall be invited to participate. The following were conditions of competition for the two prizes offered by the Citizens' Committee, one for a boy, and one for a girl scholar in any school in the city of Albany, who will write the best essay on "Albany's History and Growth in Two Centuries : " 1. Each competitor must be a resident of the city. 2. He must be an attendant of a regular organized school. 3. The essay must not exceed thirty-five hundred words in length. 4. It must be written on one side only of letter paper. 5. It must be signed by a fictitious name, and a sealed envelope endorsed with the fictitious name and inclosing the card having the real name and school of the competitor, must accompany the essay. 6. The essays and the accompanying envelopes must be left at the office of the Superintendent of Schools in the High School, on or before Friday, the 25th day of June, 1886. April 15, 1886. A communication was received accepting the invitation extended the National As- sociation of Amateur Oarsmen to hold the annual regatta during Bi-centennial week. Professor Boss, from the sub-committee on historical pageant, pre- sented the following report : 29 Report of the sub-committee appointed to confer with Mr. T. C. De Leon in the matter of the histori- cal pageant : To THE Citizens' Bi-Centennial Committee : The resolution, under which your committee was appointed, directed us to confer with Mr. T. C. De Leon, of Mobile, in the matter of the proposed his- torical pageant, and to report the results of our inves- tigation to the General Committee. These terms of our commission were rather vague and general, and we have given them a broad construction, realizing, as we now do, that if affirmative action is to be taken in regard to the historical pageant that the saving of time is very important. Your committee, with a full attendance, has held daily meetings upon the subject referred to it, and has devoted a great deal of time, both individually and as a committee, to the examination of all ques- tions upon which it was deemed that information is desirable, in order that the General Committee, to which this report is made, may act intelligently thereupon. L In our investigation and in this report, it has ap- peared to us that the first question is as to the advis- ability of the proposed historical pageant, irrespective of matters relating to ways and means or to obstacles tending to make its production difficult or impos- sible. On this point, we are strongly of the opinion that some such feature in our Bi-centennial celebration is 30 desirable. Our conferences with Mr. De Leon have convinced us that the history of Albany, with the events that led up to the founding of this city, afford ample material for the formation of a pageant which shall be not only instructive to our own people and to those who may visit us, but also attractive in appearance, as well as thoroughly appropriate and interesting as an entertainment apart from the senti- ment involved. Members of the committee submitted to Mr. De Leon subjects and incidents relating to our history, with a request to him to make a written report to us, showing whether the topics could be advantageously illustrated on so-called floats in the manner custom- ary in Mobile, New Orleans, Baltimore and other cities in their well-known mystic pageants. On this point, the report of Mr. De Leon was in a high degree satisfactory to us. From the matter sub- mitted to him, Mr. De Leon sketched descriptions of twenty-one floats, from which a choice may be made that will not be lacking either in interest or in the facility for brilliant treatment and dazzling effects. This portion of our report we desire to hold con- fidentially, to be submitted to the sub-committee having charge of the proposed pageant, should the pageant itself be authorized and such committee be appointed. The reasons for this request will be more fully stated in another communication from us. The number of floats which appears most suitable is sixteen, including the first or title float. They can be made of various dimensions. The sizes, demon- strated by experience to be most suitable and man- 31 ageable, are from eight by sixteen to ten by twenty feet. Floats of this size and of approved construction require two horses for hauling, and experience has shown that it is desirable to use as few horses as possible. The floats should succeed each other in the parade at intervals of from sixty to one hundred feet and be carried along as slowly as possible with constant movement. We estimate that a parade, con- sisting of sixteen floats, headed by a band, would be quarter of an hour in passing a given point. Each float would be preceded by a transparency show- ing, in plain lettering, the subject-matter of the float which follows it ; and the bearers of these trans- parencies, together with all other employees in the mechanical service of the parade, would be made as inconspicuous as possible. We assume that the general character of the floats themselves, is already sufficiently understood by this committee. They consist of a box construction fit- ting over the wheels, as a base ; and on this is placed the scenery or other erections required in the rep- resentations proposed. The floats are lighted by " lamp men " from the two sides, and further illu- minated by red and other colored fires furnished by the "firemen" accompanying the parade. A num- ber of experts accompany the parade for its mechan- ical management and to be serviceable in case of accident. The floats virtually constitute a series of moving tableaux. The success of the representation largely depends upon the good behavior, good taste and in- 32 telligence of those who are chosen to appear in these tableaux, representing, as they do, distinguished per- sonages in history and actors in events described. Careful inquiry and consideration leads us to the conclusion that volunteers must be depended upon for this service, which is not only highly responsible and arduous, but also requires persons of intelligence who have some pride in the success of the parade. We have been led to believe that Albany has a suf- ficient number of public-spirited young men compe- tent for the duty required, who would volunteer to supply characters in the tableaux when their services are needed. If a full parade of floats is not desired, the only practicable alternatives appear to be either a parade on horse-back or a foot parade, neither of which pre- sents arguments in its favor that we are prepared to approve. Investigations by your committee have shown that a creditable parade on horse-back would cost equally as much as the proposed historical pageant. A foot parade, at the best, would be en- tirely unsatisfactory, could not be made a conspicu- ous feature of the celebration, and, if any adequate attempt were made, would prove very costly. It is likely that many volunteer processions in costume will take place during the Bi-centennial week which would tend to impair the enjoyment of any novelty that might be attempted in a foot parade on Wednes- day night. Should it be decided to abandon the idea of having a historical pageant, it would then appear that some entirely different feature of public amusement should be substituted. 33 Thus far we have considered this subject simply in relation to its general bearings and desirability as a form of public entertainment, apart from the ob- stacles to accomplishment which might render the undertaking difficult or out of the question, and en- tirely aside from the factor of cost as related to ways and means and return for the money expended. II. Your committee has given close attention to the difficulties which the production of a historical pa- geant here in Albany involves. The construction of floats would last several weeks, and during that time the use of a large building (say twenty-five by one hundred and seventy-five feet) would be required. The place of construction must be conveniently accessible from the line of parade over a level and fairly well-paved street. So far as we are able to learn, no suitable locality for the purpose can be chosen in the lower part of the city. Some point in the western part of the city would probably have to be selected, and we are of the opinion that it would be necessary to construct a building for the purpose. The question whether a suitable line of parade can be selected is of paramount importance. Rough pavement presents a serious obstacle to the successful moving of floats. It is practically out of the question to descend the steeper grades found in our streets, and even the ascent, which is much less difficult, can- not be thought of in many localities. A height of sixteen feet is believed to be the maximum really required in the programme submitted to us by Mr. 34 De Leon, and, therefore, there must be a clear space equal to seventeen or eighteen feet in height over the entire route selected. Any telegraph or other lines as well as any branches of trees which hang below this limit must be raised or removed. After a de- tailed examination of our principal thoroughfares and of connecting streets, we are decidedly of the opinion that a selection of a feasible route for the parade presents no essential difficulty. There are places in which wires would have to be raised, but the extent of these is small and the number of wires comparatively few. We also have reason to believe that there will not be the least difficulty in securing the proper remedy in the case of telegraph, tele- phone and electric light wires which may interfere with a selected route. After careful inspection, we find that it would be entirely feasible to carry the pageant down Hudson avenue to Pearl street, thence to Clinton avenue, up Clinton avenue to Lark street, thence to the place of beginning ; and this, together with portions of Washington avenue and State street with short connecting streets, appears to constitute the only available route. Members of the Citizens' Committee will readily understand this decision when they consider the peculiar structure of bulky floats supporting tableaux high in air, requiring plenty of space and favorable grades, especially at all turning points. Reference has already been made to the difficulty of supplying characters for the tableaux upon the floats. We are confident that volunteers can be secured. 35 There is some danger of break-downs and other accidents to the moving pageant. The contractor or manager, with his assistants, looks after such contin- gencies. A number of expert mechanics accompany the parade, ready for emergencies, with tools, extra wheels and other material. The parade cannot be moved in the rain. In case the parade could not be moved on Wednesday night on account of rain, Thursday or Friday night would still be available — and even Saturday night, if we should be so unfortunate as to have three rainy nights in succession. Such postponement would en- tail no extra expense to the committee. These and many other natural and mechanical ob- stacles to the successful production of the proposed pageant have been considered in detail and with painstaking care by your committee, and we are of the opinion that they do not, in themselves, consti- tute a valid argument against the possibility of the parade. After carefully weighing all the facts and argu- ments in the case, we are decidedly of the opinion that the proposed historical pageant should be pre- sented to the public in first-class style or not at all. Those who have seen similar exhibitions in Balti- more, New Orleans and other cities should find in Al- bany no warrant for unfavorable comparisons. We have reflected upon the fact that our undertaking, if adopted, will be essentially different in spirit from anything previously undertaken in the same general line. It will be incumbent upon us to show that a strictly historical theme offers equal, and it is to be 36 hoped, ven more satisfactory facilities for illustration than have been afforded by mystic performances else- where. It may fairly be expected that our pageant will be in one sense a pioneer effort, and that it will become an exemplar in similar undertakings else- where in the future. We have carefully considered the matter in this light, and we are convinced that the proposed pageant cannot be put upon the streets for a sum much less than $io,ooo. We do not be- lieve that the people could be properly entertained, or the members of this committee satisfied, with any show of this kind that could be produced for a sum materially less than the one we have mentioned. Whether this very large sum can properly be de- voted to such a purpose, each member of this com- mittee must decide for himself. III. In response to a request from your committee for estimates, Mr. De Leon has expressed his willingness to contract to prepare such a pageant, according to plans and specifications, in first-class style, and con- sisting of sixteen floats, for the gross sum of $9,000. He would make a deduction of $500 for each float less than the number selected. For this sum, he will turn over to the committee, the parade completely constructed and manned, except that he cannot en- gage to procure the figurantes or characters for the living tableaux upon the floats. As before stated, these should be volunteers provided by this com- mittee ; and he estimates that seventy-five of them would be needed. 37 The men he will furnish for carrying the parade through the streets will be as follows : Experts, 6; title-bearers, 15; lamp men, 70; "firemen," 32; grooms, 32. He estimates that forty horses will be needed, and these he will also provide. The Bi-centennial Committee, if it should accept Mr. De Leon's proposals, would have to provide a building for construction. This building should be about one hundred and seventy-five feet long, twenty feet wide and twenty feet high in the clear; and we estimate that such a building, if constructed by us, will cost about $750 net. In view of the facts which we have already pre- sented, and which are supplemented by a great vari- ety of facts and arguments that could not be well set forth in the limits of this report, your committee respectfully submits the following conclusions : 1. The matter of the proposed historical pageant must be decided at once. 2. While your action upon the main question does not directly and formally make an appropriation, the matter is one of great importance, and we, therefore, recommend that previous to voting upon it a resolu- tion be passed requiring that fifteen affirmative votes shall be necessary for the adoption of any pro- position authorizing the production of a historical pageant. 3. We are of the opinion that it is desirable to carry out the design for a historical pageant. 4. The success of a parade, such as is proposed, depends largely upon the secrecy with which the details are perfected. It is, therefore, obviously nee- 38 essary that the persons immediately entrusted with its management shall be invested with full power as to details. If the committee authorizes the produc- tion of a historical pageant as we have recommended, we urge that a sub -committee of five be appointed at once to carry out the plans under the direction of the Citizens' Bi-centennial Committee. Respectfully submitted, • Lewis Boss, Walter Dickson, James H. Manning, John L. Van Valkenburgh, W. Bayard Van Rensselaer. This report was accepted. A sum not to exceed $10,000 was appropriated therefor. A committee to recommend an appropriate Bi-centennial flag, con- sisting of Franklin M. Danaher, Wm. M. Whitney, Walter Dickson and Archibald McClure, was ap- pointed. April 22, 1886. The Chairman moved that an invitation be extended to the Governor, Lieutenant- Governor and Members of the Senate and Assembly, and also State officers, to participate in the com- ing Bi-centennial celebration. It was carried. From the joint committees, the executive and finance, re- port was made that the total expenses of the cele- bration would be between $35,000 and $40,000, the Finance Committee adding that they feel assured that that amount can be raised. The Chairman presented the following communication : 39 Antwerpen, Den., April 3, 1886. To THE Honorable A. Bleecker Banks, Mayor of THE City of Albany, New York, United States of North America : Sir — We received quite well your letter of the 25th Feb- ruary past, by which you and the Honorable Common Council of your city are so kind to us, as well as the inhabi- tants of our town, to participate in the festivities which will be held in the city of Albany in order to celebrate, on the 2 2d July next, the two hundredth anniversary of the charter of your city. This invitation makes us so much the more pleasure, as it comes from a people who remembers on the other side of the Atlantic and for a solemn occasion its origin. The old Netherlands are pleased and happy to learn their American sons did not forget their brothers who remained at home. We have given knowledge of your kind missive to the Common Council and the inhabitants of this city, and we are much obliged to you. If any are intending to travel to your country, we shall find much pleasure to let you know it. We remain, dear sir, faithfully yours. For the Burgomaster, By Ordinance, The Aldermen, X lie ocCrCt3-ryy ^ ^ ^ ^^ Jt April 29, 1886. The following designations were reported : Orator, Governor David B. Hill ; Poet, William H. McElroy ; and also that the gentlemen named had signified their acceptance. The sum of $3,000 was appropriated to cover the disbursements of the Committee on Music ; the sum of $900 for the Bi-centennial flag. May 6, 1886. Mr. Rosendale presented the fol- lowintj communication : 40 Albany, N. Y., May 6, 1886. To THE Citizens' Bi-Centennial Committee : Since your last meeting my term of office, as Mayor, has expired, and my successor, Hon. John Boyd Thacher, has quahfied and is now in the discharge of his duties. The character of your committee is such that you repre- sent, not only the citizens, but the municipality itself, and, as upon the Mayor will necessarily devolve many of the chief duties connected with the celebration, it seems appro- priate he should be at the head of the Citizens' Bi-centen- nial Committee. I, therefore, hereby tender my resignation as Chairman of your committee. I have every confidence that under the chairmanship of Mayor Thacher the work will be successfully conducted. I beg to express my acknowledgments for the considera- tion extended to me by you, individually and collectively, and confidently expect that the enthusiasm, earnestness and zeal which has characterized your labors will be continued and crowned with complete success. With very great respect, I remain, A. Bleecker Banks. Resignation was accepted. Mr. Quinby offered the following: That this com- mittee extends its heartfelt thanks to ex-Mayor A. Bleecker Banks for the kindly and active interest he has taken in the proposed celebration of the Bi-cen- tennial of the city of Albany and for the labors done with and in behalf of this committee, and trusts that it will continue to have the benefit of his counsel and active co-operation. Adopted. Mr. Wemple offered the following : That Hon. John Boyd Thacher, Mayor, be and is hereby elected Chairman and Hon. A. Bleecker Banks be elected Vice-Chairman of the Citizens' Bi-centennial Com- mittee. Adopted. 41 Mr. Hitt moved that A. Bleecker Banks continue as Chairman and member of all sub-committees of which he is now Chairman and member, and that Mayor John Boyd Thacher be made member of such committees ex-officio. Carried. The Secretary presented and read the following communication : The Mansion House, ) London, Eng., April 21, 1886. ) My Dear Sir — I am in receipt of your worship's very kind letter of February 25th, in which you are good enough to invite me to participate in the festivities of July next in celebrating the Bi-centennial of the charter of the city of Albany. It would have given me very great pleasure to have joined you in this auspicious commemoration, but I regret exceedingly that my official engagements in London at that time forbid the hope that I could undertake so long a jour- ney. If I learn that any members of the corporation of London are likely to be in America in July, I will not fail to commend them to the courtesy of yourself and your fellow-citizens. Permit me again to thank you for your flattering and obliging invitation, and to express, in advance, my sincere congratulations to the citizens of Albany of the celebration of so interesting an event in the annals of their municipality, and on the prosperous and flourishing condition in which your city happily finds itself after so prolonged and useful an existence as a chartered community. Believe me, my dear sir, your worship's very faithful ser- vant and colleague, John Staples, Lord Mayor of London. The Worshipful A. Bleecker Banks, Mayor of the city of Albany, United States. Also the following : 42 NOTMAN PHOTO. CO., BOST Albany, N. Y., April, 28, 1886. To THE Hon. A. Bleecker Banks, Mayor and Chairman of the Citizens' Bi-centennial Committee. The Lieutenant-Governor accepts with pleasure the invi- tation to participate in the celebration of the two hundredth anniversary of the granting of the charter to the city of Albany by Governor Thomas Dungan. Received and ordered entered in full on the min- utes. It was resolved that the thanks of the committee be and they are hereby tendered to the Members of the Legislature and others who participated at the base ball game to-day, at West Troy, for the benefit of the Bi-centennial fund. Mr. A. Bleecker Banks, Mr. McElroy and Mr. Williams were appointed to examine and audit all accounts on behalf of the com- mittee. May 13, 1886. Acknowledgments of invitations to attend the Bi-centennial celebration were received from the Hon. Dennis O'Brien, Attorney-General of the State of New York ; Hon. Lawrence J. Fitz- gerald, State Treasurer; Hon. Thomas E. Benedict, Deputy Comptroller. The sum of $1,900 was ap- propriated for engraving and printing. Mr. Dick- son, in behalf of the Committee on Decorations and Monumenting presented a detailed report, which pro- vided for four evergreen arches ; nineteen granite slabs with bronze tablets ; five bronze tablets in buildings ; five bronze tablets, old street names ; dec- orations for the City Hall, City building, Schuyler corner, Pemberton corner, Schuyler mansion. Manor 43 house, Albany; Manor house, Greenbush, and other ancient houses. The report concluded as follows : " Your committee, aware of the grave responsi- bility to them entrusted, of monumenting the site of old land marks and cherished spots which are in- tended to add to the attractiveness of the city of Albany, and which will, doubtless, arouse in the hearts of unborn generations a stronger love of birth- place and home, and a more deeply impressed famil- iarity with its early history and its prominence in securing the liberties he, as a native, now enjoys, in order that we shall not omit anything important to this object or make errors in our work, in all candor, solicit additional information, suggestions and cor- rections which can or may be offered to us, the same to be duly considered and, if approved, carried out to the best of our ability." It was also suggested that an arch of evergreens be placed at each place designated as the city gates of 1695. It was also resolved that the Chairman of this committee be authorized to establish a general head-quarters for this committee, where all business, pertaining to the forthcoming celebration, can be transacted, and to organize and conduct a Bureau of Information and Accommodations. A committee of five was desig- nated to meet with the Committee on Public Cele- brations at the Common Council chamber, for the purpose of appropriating and dividing the $10,000 provided in the annual tax budget of the city for 1886, for Bi-centennial purposes. May 20, 1886. Acknowledgments and accept- ances of the committee's invitation to participate 44 were received from the Hon. Frederick Cook, Secre- tary of State ; the Hon. Wm. B. Ruggles, Deputy Superintendent of Insurance, and Hon. Alfred C. Chapin, Comptroller. Mr. Henry Martin, John M. Walsh, John D. Reilly, Thos. S. O'Brien, Michael D. Slattery, David Healey and Thos. H. Hankin were added to the All Nations' Day Committee. The Aldermen of the city were appointed an Auxiliary Committee with the Finance Committee to collect and receive subscriptions for the Bi-centennial. Messrs. W. B. Mellius and George R. Howell were added to the Committee on Decoration and Monumenting. An editorial representative, from each of the city daily papers, was added to the Finance Committee, and the sum of $3,000 was appropriated for fire-works. The sum of $2,500 was appropriated for monumenting and decorating. The sum of $1,900 was appropriated to defray the expenses of the Recep- tion Committee. The sum of $500 was advanced for preliminary expenses of the Loan Exhibition. May 27, 1886. Acknowledgments and accept- ances of the invitations of the committee were re- ceived from the Hon. Elnathan Sweet, State Engi- neer and Surveyor, and Hon. John Bogart, Deputy. Notice was given that head-quarters for the Com- mittee on General Information had been opened at No. 480 Broadway. The following assignments of members of the Board of Aldermen to sub-commit- tees were announced: Finance, David J. Norton; Reception, James O. Woodward ; Regatta, George L. Thomas ; All Nations' Day, John J. Greagan. 45 June 3, 1886. The Chairman presented the fol- lowing communication : To THE Right Honorable A. Bleecker Banks, Mayor OF Albany : With many thanks for your kind and honoring invitation in regard to the festivities on the occasion of the two hun- dredth anniversary of Albany as a chartered city, we try to express our great regret that no official representation of the city of Amsterdam will be possible. Yours respectfully, The Burgomaster and Aldermen of Amsterdam. An invitation to be sent to the heads of all schools in the city was adopted as follows : Albany, N. Y., A\m\ 20, 1886. Principal of Dear Sir — Your school is cordially invited to join with the other schools of the city in celebrating the two hun- dredth anniversary of Albany's civic birth in the jubilee exercises of Monday, July 19. Should you accept this invitation, you will greatly oblige us by communicating that fact to Robert D. Williams, Secretary, 488 Broadway, on or before May ist, since the details of the programme must be arranged at an early date. Respectfully, A. Bleecker Banks, Chairman. June 10, 1886. Messrs. R. S. Oliver, George H. Thacher, Jr., and W. W. Gibson were added as advisory members. Mr. Dickson, in behalf of the Committee on Monumenting and Decorations, pre- sented the following report relative to bronze tablets, as follows : 46 Tablet No. i — Fort Orange. Located fifty feet east of the bend in Broadway, at Steamboat square, will be placed a granite block 3x4 feet square and sixteen inches high, with a slanting top to shed water and surrounded by an iron railing for protection. On the top of this granite will be placed a bronze tablet 20x32 inches, with raised letters on stippled ground-work fastened with flush bolts. On it will be inscribed : " Upon this Spot, Washed by the Tide, Stood the north-east Bastion of Fort Orange, Erected about 1623. Here the Powerful Iroquois met the Deputies of this and Other Colonies in Conference, to Establish Treaties. Here the first Courts were Held. Here, in 1643, under the Direction of Dom- inie Johannes Megapolensis, a Teamed and Estimable Min- ister, the Earliest Church was Erected north-west of the Fort, and to the South of it Stood the Dominie's House." Tablet No. 2 — Municipal. A bronze tablet, 32x40 inches, inserted in the exterior surface of the Eagle street wall of the City Hall. It is thus inscribed : [Correct Coat of Arms of the City.] " Tablet commem- orating the 200th anniversary of Albany as a Chartered City. Charter granted by Gov. Dongan, July 22, 1686. Settled about 1624. The time women arrived. Made State Capital 1797. Early names of the City: Fort Orange, Beverwycke, Wilemstadt. First City Hall build- ing erected near Fort Orange about 1686. Second one erected north-east corner of Broadway and Hudson Street about 1705. Third one erected on this site 1829. Burned 1 88 1. Fourth, or Present Building, 1883. First Mayor, 1686, Peter Schuyler; Centennial Mayor, 1786, John Tan- sing, Jr.; Bi-Centennial Mayor, 1886, John Boyd Thacher. Bi-Centennial Committee." Tablet No. 3 — Broadway. Located on ground front of Government building, on Broadway near corner of State — Bronze tablet 12x30 inches inserted in die of the pedestal to the column looking up State street, inscribed : " This is Broadway formerly in suc- cession Handelaers or Traders, Court and Market street," 47 Tablet No. 4 — The " First Patroon." A bronze tablet, 16x22 inches placed in the City Hall, and thereon inscribed : " Killian Van Rensselaer, the Progenitor of the Van Rensselaer family in America, was a Merchant of Amster- dam, Holland, and the Original Proprietor and first Pa- troon of the Manor and Rensselaerwycke ; Patent Granted him by the Dutch Gov't in 1629. " The following year he bought from the Indians Lands lying on both sides of the Hudson River from Baeren Island to Cohoes Falls and Established the Settlement." Tablet No. 5— The Old Dutch Church. Located in the Government building adjoining No. 3, to which it corresponds in outline, material and size. The inscription reads: " Opposite, At the Intersection of these Streets, stood the Old Dutch Church. Built 1656. Rebuilt 1715. Re- moved 1806. Burial Ground around it." Tablet No. 6 — Lutheran Church. Inserted on South Pearl street face of the City building. Bronze tablet, 16x22, inscribed: "Site of the First Lutheran church. Built i66g. Re- moved 1816. Burial Ground around it. Between this Spot and Beaver Street, flowed Rutten Kill." Tablet No. 7 — First English Church. Located in the walk, near the curb, north-west corner of Chapel and State streets. Bronze tablet, 11x23 inches, set in the top of a granite block 21x33 inches square and 16 inches high above the sidewalk — will have a slanting top to shed water. On it will read : "Opposite in middle of State street stood the First Eng- lish Church Erected A. D. 17 15 — Removed and Rebuilt as St. Peter's church 1803 on next corner west. Rebuilt 1859." Tablet No. 8— Old St. Mary's. Bronze tablet, 16x22 inches, inserted in wall of present edifice of that name on Pine street. Inscription : 48 "Site of Old St. Mary's— Built A. D. 1797. The First Catholic Parish Church in Albany and second in the State. The entrance directly under this Tablet. "A Second Building on this Same Spot, Facing on Chapel Street, was the Original Cathedral of this Diocese." Tablet No. 9 — First Presbyterian Church. Bronze tablet, 16x22 inches, inserted in the wall of build- ing north-east corner of Grand and Hudson streets. In- scribed thereon : "Site of the First Presbyterian Church — Built 1763 — Removed 1796." Tablet No. 10 — Schuyler Mansion. Bronze tablet, 16x22 inches, inserted in front of wall inclosing grounds on Catherine street. It informs the be- holder that there stood : " The Schuyler Mansion — Erected by General Brad- street, 1762. Washington, Franklin, Gates, De Rocham- beau, Lafayette, and most of the great men of that time were entertained here. Gen's Burgoyne and Reidesel as guests — though Prisoners of War 1777. Alexander Hamil- ton and Elizabeth Schuyler Married here in 1780." Tablet No. 11 — Fort Frederick. Located head of State street, in sidewalk, near the curb on lower edge of Capitol Park — Bronze tablet, 11x23 inches, set in granite block similar to No. 7. Inscription : " Facing the River on an Eminence in this Broad street opposite St. Peter's Church Stood Fort Frederick. Built about 1676 — Removed 1789. Gallows Hill to the South — Fort Burial Ground to the North." Tablet No. 12 — Philip Livingston. Bronze tablet, 16x22 inches, inserted in Tweddle build- ing over Sautter's apothecary store. Inscription : " Upon this Site Philip Livingston, One of the signers of the Declaration of Independence was Born 17 16." 49 Tablet No. 13 — Anneke Janse Bogardus. Bronze tablet, 16x22 inches, placed on front door pier of State Street side Farmers and Mechanics' Bank. Inscrip- tion : " Upon this Corner stood the House Occupied by, and wherein died, Anneke Janse Bogardus, 1663, The Former Owner of Trinity Church property. New York." Tablet No. 14 — The Old Lansing House. Bronze tablet, 11x23, inserted in a granite block, similar to No. 7, in walk in front of the present house at Pearl and Columbia streets. Inscription : " Built 1 7 10 — Known for 68 years as the Pemberton Corner — a Trading House outside of the Stockade." Tablet No. 15 — Oldest Building in Albany. Located in south-east corner of State and North Pearl streets — Bronze tablet, 16x22 inches, inserted in Pearl street wall of Staats' house. Inscription : " The Oldest Building in Albany — Built 1667. Birth- place of Gen. Philip Schuyler And Elizabeth Schuyler, wife of Alexander Hamilton — Adjoining on the West was the Famous ' Lewis Tavern.' South Pearl street was formerly Washington Street and was but twelve feet wide, having a Gate at this place." Tablet No. 16— Old Elm Tree Corner. Located on north-west corner of State and North Pearl streets — Bronze tablet, 11x23 inches, in a granite block, similar to No. 7, placed near curb. Inscription : " Old Elm Tree corner — so named from a Tree Planted here by Philip Livingston about 1735 — Removed 1877, Also the site upon which were Published Webster's famous Reading and Spelling Book and Almanac and the first Albany Newspaper, The Albany Gazette, 1771." Tablet No. 17 — Vanderheyden Palace. Bronze tablet, 16x22 inches, inserted in front of wall of Perry building. Inscription : " Site of Vanderheyden Palace. Erected 1725. De- molished to make space for the First Baptist Church, 1833-" 50 Tablet No. i8 — Lydius Corner. On north-east corner of State and North Pearl streets — Bronze tablet, 16x22 inches, inserted in Pearl street wall. Inscription : " Upon this Site Stood the First Brick Building said to have been Erected in North America. Of Material Im- ported from Holland for the Rev. Gideon Schaet's Par- sonage." Tablet No. 19 — Washington's Visit. Bronze tablet, 16x22 inches, inserted in Beaver street wall of building north-west corner of Beaver and Green streets. Inscription : " Site of Hugh Denniston's Tavern. The First Stone House in Albany, Where Gen. Washington was Presented with the Freedom of the City in 1782 and 1783. It was removed During the Year of the First Cholera, 1832." Tablet No. 20— First Theatre. Bronze tablet, 16x22 inches, placed in the front wall of the original building, the present Green Street Theatre. Inscription : " First Theatre Erected in Albany Upon this Spot, 181 1. First Theatrical Representation Given (place not known) by British Officers Quartered in Albany, 1760, During the French war. The First Professionals Played at the Old Hospital, Present Site of Lutheran Church, Corner of Pine and Lodge Streets, 1769." Tablet No. 21 — First English Schoolmaster. Located on the High School building — Bronze tablet, 16x22 inches, in face of front wall: " The Governor's License Granted Unto John Shutte for Teaching of the English Tongue at Albany: Whereas, The Teaching of the English Tongue is necessary in this Government, I have therefore thought fitt to give Lycence to John Shutte to be the English Schoolmaster at Albany. And upon Condition that the said John Shutte shall not demand more Wages from Each Scholar than is custom- arily given by the Dutch to their Dutch Schoolmasters. I 51 have further granted to the said John Shutte that hee shall bee the only English Schoolmaster at Albany. Given under my hand at Fort James in New York the 12th day of October, 1665. RICHARD NICOLLS, Governor." Tablet No. 22 — Foxen Kill. Bronze tablet, 16x22 inches, in southern wall of building north-west corner of Canal and North Pearl streets. In- scription : " Foxen Kill — Ancient Water Course flowing in Early Times to the River — Now Arched Over. This is Canal, Formerly Fox Street." Tablet No. 23 — Beaver Kill. Bronze tablet, 11x23 inches, set in granite block in side- walk, near curb, similar to No. 7, corner of South Pearl and Arch streets. Inscription : *' Beaver Kill — Ancient Water Course flowing to the River now Arched Over. Buttermilk Falls in the Ravine to the West." Tablet No. 24 — City Gate where News of Burning of Schenectady was Received. Bronze tablet, 24x32 inches, in face of north wall of American Express building, at Broadway and Steuben streets Inscription : " Near this Spot, a litde to the East, Stood the North- East Gate of the City — Here it was that Simon Schermer- horn, at five o'clock in the Morning, 'die Sabbithi,' Feb- ruary 9, 1690 — Himself Shot in the Thigh and His Horse wounded — After a Hard Ride in the Intense Cold and Deep Snow, By the Way of Niskayuna, Arrived with just Enough Strength to Awaken the Guard at the Gate and Alarm the People of Albany with the News that Schenec- tady was Burning and the Inhabitants Being Murdered — Simon's Son, Together with His Three Negroes, was Killed on that Fatal Night by the French and Indians. Simon went to New York soon after and Died There, 1696. To the North was the ' Old Colonie ' and the Road to the Canadas — Through this Gate in their Departure for the 52 North Passed the Many Detachments of Troops Rendez- voused Here at Albany. The Remains of Lord Howe were Brought Back this Way and Burgoyne Returned a Prisoner." Tablet No. 25 — Manor House, Albany, Bronze tablet, 11x23 inches, set in granite, same as No. 7, near the present business office of the Van Rensselaers, west side Troy road, or Broadway, at that point. Inscrip- tion : " Opposite Van Rensselaer Manor House. Erected, 1765. Residence of the Patroons. This Spot is the Site of the First Manor House." Tablet No. 26 — Johannes Van Rensselaer. In bronze, 7x16 inches, set in the wall of the original mansion on the Greenbush banks. Inscription : " This Manor House, Built by Johannes Van Rensselaer, 1642." Tablet No. 27 — Joel Munsell. Bronze tablet, 16x22 inches, set in old gable building, Nos. 58 and 60 State street. Inscription : " In gratitude to Joel Munsell, printer, of Albany, who, a native of Massachusetts, did more than all other men to preserve the Ancient Records of his adopted city. Born 1808 — Died 1880. This is the spot where he begun his earliest work." Tablet No. 28— North- West Gate. Bronze tablet, 9x13 inches, set in building occupied by Johnston & Reilly, North Pearl street. Inscription : " Here Stood the Northwest Gate of the city. On this Spot De Witt Clinton, the Projector of the Great Erie Canal, Died February 11, 1828." Tablet No. 29 — The North-East Gate. Bronze tablet, 11x23 inches, in a granite block, similar to No. 7, in the walk, near the curb, in front of Van Ben- thuysen's Printing and Publishing House on Broadway. Inscription : 53 " On the northeast corner of Broadway, then Court street, and Hudson, then Spanish street, stood the Second City Hall, Erected 1705, in which the Famous Congress of 1754 Met and Prepared a Union of the Several Colonies for Mutual Defense and Security. The Southeast Gate of the City stood in Front, to the south of the City Hall. To the north of this Spot a Bridge crossed the Rutten Kill, and on this Ground was the house where lived Peter Schuyler, the first and for sixteen successive years Mayor of this City." Tablet No. 30 — First Methodist Church. Bronze tablet, 16x22 inches, placed in wall of building south-east corner of North Pearl and Orange streets. In- scripdon : " On this southeast corner of Orange and North Pearl Streets, was Erected the first Methodist Church 1792." Tablet No. 31 — Academy Park. Bronze tablet, 11x23 inches, inserted in granite block, similar to No. 7, placed in Academy Park. Inscription : " On this Ground the Constitution of the United States was Ratified in 1788. In 1856 the Dedicatory Ceremonies of the Dudley Observatory and in 1864 the Great Army Relief Bazaar were held Here." Tablet No. 32 — Washington Avenue. Bronze tablet, 7x16 inches, placed on corner of Capitol building. Inscription : " Washington Avenue, formerly King, then Lion Street." Tablet No. 33 — Hamilton Street. Bronze tablet, 7x16 inches, corner building at Hamil- ton and Pearl streets. Inscripdon : " Hamilton Street formerly Kilbey Lane." Tablet No. 34 — Dean Street. Bronze tablet, 7x15 inches, in Government building cor- ner State and Dean streets. Inscription : " Dean Street, formerly Dock Street." 54 Tablet No. 35— State Street. Bronze tablet, 7x16 inches, on old Museum corner. In- scription : " State Street, formerly Yonkers, or Gentlemen's Street." Tablet No. 36 — James Street. Bronze tablet, 7x16 inches, on Mechanics and Farmers* Bank. Inscription : " James Street, formerly Middle Lane." Tablet No. 37 — Eagle Street. Bronze tablet, 7x16 inches, on corner building State and Eagle streets. Inscription : " Eagle Street, formerly Duke Street." Tablet No. 38 — Exchange Street. Bronze tablet, 7x16 inches, north side of Government building. Inscription : " Exchange Street, formerly Mark Lane." Tablet No. 39 — Norton Street. Bronze tablet, 7x16 inches, north side of Beaver block. Inscription : " Norton Street, formerly Store Lane." Tablet No. 40 — Frankhn Street. Bronze tablet, 7x16 inches, corner Franklin and Madi- son avenue. Inscription : " Franklin Street, formerly Frelinghuysen Street." Tablet No. 41 — Clinton Avenue. Bronze tablet, 7x16 inches, corner North Pearl street. Inscription : " Clinton Avenue, formerly Patroon Street — North of this Street was the ' Old Colonic.' " Tablet No. 42 — Monroe Street. Bronze tablet, 7x16 inches, south side of Dutch Re- formed Church. Inscription : " Monroe Street, formerly Van Schaick Street." 55 Mr. McClure, from the Special Committee on Re- ligious Services, offered the following propositions, which were adopted : " First. That in each church in the city on Sun- day, July 1 8, there be made acknowledgements of God's mercy in the past, of our imperfections and sins, and prayers for future blessings. " Second. That each denomination arrange for such Union Memorial service of that denomination and at such time as it deems best. " Third. That the Mayor and Common Council be invited to these Union Memorial services." It was the opinion of the meeting that the Mayor and Common Council might, in addition to the Union Memorial service of each denomination, semi-offici- ally designate St. Mary's or the Cathedral in the morning, the First Reformed in the afternoon and St. Peters in the evening, as the churches where the municipality would be officially represented at the services. Friday, July 23, 1886, was eliminated from the programme, and the Trades' Parade was transferred to Monday, the 19th of July. June 17, 1886. The Chairman announced receipt of the following letter of acknowledgment : The Hague, Holland, May 21, 1886. Honorable A. Bleecker Banks, Mayor: Dear Sir — With many thanksgivings for the invitation to participate in the festivities, which the city of Albany intends to celebrate for the occasion of its two hundredth anniversary, we are obliged to express you our regret of being prevented to assist at the festival on the 2 2d July next. Nevertheless, it may be permitted to us, to congrat- 56 ulate you heartily in the name of the Common Council and the mhal)itants of The Hague, with the happy occurrence, and to speak out the wishes for your continually flourishing city and its magistrates. The Burgomaster. The appointment of and acceptance, by the Rio-ht Rev. William Croswell Doane, Bishop of Albany, as Chaplain of Bi-centennial Day, was reported and accepted. June 24, 1886. The Committee on Bi-centennial Flag presented a copy of the design together with the following explanatory report: Float it on the Outer Walls. Accurate description and cut of the Bi-centennial flag: A heraldic representation of the political and dy- nastic history of Albany for two hundred and seventy- nine years. The Bi-centennial flag represents, heraldically, in combination, the political and dynastic history of Albany for two hundred and seventy-nine years. There are six flags shown. The first is the na- tional ensign of the United Provinces of the Nether- lands as the same was adopted in 1582, at the sug- gestion of William, the first prince of Nassau. It consisted of orange, white and blue, arranged in three equal horizontal stripes. Henry Hudson was an English mariner in the ser- vice of the Dutch East India Company, and floated its flag when, in 1609, he visited the site now known as Albany. It was the flag of the Netherlands, with 57 the letters A. O. C. in the centre of the white stripe, the letters standing for the words "Algeemene Oost Indies Compagnie," " The General East India Com- pany ;" and that, presumably, was Albany's flag until 1622, when the government of the colony fell into the hands of the " Gooctroyeerde West Indies Com- pagnie," "The Privileged West India Company," whose flag was the national ensign, with the letters G. W. C. in a monogram on the white stripe in the place and stead of the letters A. O. C. After the death of William (1650), a red stripe was substituted for the orange stripe in the national colors of the Netherlands. So in the Bi-centennial standard the two flags of yellow, white, and red, white and blue represent the period of the Dutch supremacy, 1 609-1 664. As all the flags that have waived over Albany could not have been practically shown in combina- tion, it was thought advisable to give the preference to the national ensigns. So the flags of the Nether- lands, proper, was used, and not those of the Dutch India companies. The Patroons had a flag, but no research or in- quiry among the Van Rensselaers of to-day could give its details. The white flag in the first quarter is the municipal flag, a white field with the coat of arms of the city emblazoned. The arms were copied from the earli- est known drawing, one made on a city map, bearing date 1790, by Simeon De Witt, a brave revolution- ary officer of Washington's staff", and were evidently adopted some time between 1785 and 1790. 58 The flag in the second quarter is the British jack, as it then appeared, and represents the period of the Enghsh ascendency from 1664 to 1776. It is commonly called the Union Jack, from James I (Jacques). The national ensign of England was the banner of St. George, a red cross on a white field, and that of Scotland was the banner of St. Andrew, a silver St. Andrew's cross in a blue field. On the union of the two crowns, James I issued a proclamation that "all subjects of this isle and the kingdom of Great Britain should bear in the main top the red cross, commonly called St. George's cross, and the white cross, commonly called St. An- drew's cross, joined together according to the forms made by our own heralds." The banner of St. Patrick, a soltaire gules on a field argent, was not added until after the union in 1 80 1. The third quarter contains the jack of the colonial flag, known as the flag of New England in America. It is the red cross of St. George, with a globe, showing a piece cut out, representing a new hemi- sphere discovered. The flag was blue. The colonial flag was adopted some time subsequent to 1688, when James II, formerly the Duke of York, annexed to the government of the New England colonies, the Provinces of New York and East and West New Jer- sey, with the territories thereto belonging, when all for a time were known as New England in America. This flag is sometimes represented with a pine tree in the place of the globe. The fourth quarter proper, in order of time and in 59 heraldry, is the jack of the Stars and Stripes, a white star for each State, in a blue field, representing a new constellation found. Thus, we have in Albany's Bi-centennial standard of 1886, the flags of the Dutch Netherlands binding together the city, the British, colonial and union periods. All the flags are not represented. There were others of special design used by the colony for lim- ited periods, rare, curious and interesting, but not properly within the scope and design of the Bi- centennial standard. It was neither practicable nor within the funds of the committee to add special and local colors of no political significance, and thus only the national flags were used. The flags are printed on a very fine quality of cambric, in fast colors. The staff is hickory, with a carved spear-head on the end. It was not deemed practicable to print them on silk. The silk manufacturers would not bother with it, and, as a matter of fact, it was extremely difficult to get them printed on anything. The expense of a silk flag was entirely beyond the finances of the com- mittee, and, when completed, they would not be of much service for outside decoration, for the wind would tear a silk flag, the sun would make it fade, and the rain would cause the colors to run. The committee has wisely determined to place these flags within the reach of all. It has placed the nominal figure of two dollars each on them, so that no person could consider himself too poor to add 60 his mite to the funds now being raised by the Citi- zens' Committee to defray the expenses of the com- ing celebrations. The citizen that floats on his outer walls the ban- ner of the Bi-centennial will bear witness to the world that he is public spirited, liberal, full of love for his native town, and a contributor in money to the suc- cess of the celebration of the two hundredth anni- versary of the granting of the charter to the city of Albany. Resolutions were adopted requesting the Schuy- ler family to loan to the Bi-centennial Commission the original portrait in oil of Peter Schuyler, the first Mayor of the city of Albany ; and for the pur- chase of two gold medals, to be presented, one to the orator and one to the poet of the Bi-centennial exercises. The following communication was read : The Hague, Holland, June 15, 1886. Hon. a. Bleecker Banks, Mayor : Sir — It is with much pleasure that we beg to inform you by these presents that Dr. T. Bloom Coster, M. D., one of the most distinguished citizens and physicians of our town, intends to pay a visit to Albany, at the jubilee of that city on the 2 2d of July next. Having requested him to be the interpreter of the sincere wishes the Hague and her Magis- trate entertain for the prosperity and welfare of your flour- ishing and thriving city, we have the honor of introducing Dr. Bloom Coster to you in that quality, and recommend him to your kind reception. We are, sir, your most sincere servants. The Burgomaster. The Town Clerk. Also acknowledgment and acceptance of the com- 61 mittee's invitation of the Hon. Robert A. Maxwell, State Superintendent of Insurance. State of New York Insurance Department, » Albany, N. Y., June 24, 1886. ) Hon. A. Bleecker Banks, Ex-Mayor and Chairman of the Citizens' Bi-centen- nial Committee : Dear Sir — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your kind invitation to participate with the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor and State officers in the celebration, on the 2 2d of July next, of the two hundredth anniversary of the granting of the charter of the city of Albany by Governor Thomas Dongan, and take great pleasure in accepting the same. Very respectfully yours, R. A. Maxwell. Also from L. W. Winchester, Colonel of the Veteran Corps of the Seventh Regiment, National Guards, S. N. Y., New York city, acknowledging the receipt of the invitation to participate in the celebration. Also the following: The Holland Society of New York, \^ New York, June 22, 1886. j Mr. James H. Manning, Cor. Secy. Albany Bi-centennial Committee : My Dear Sir — At a meeting of the Holland Society of New York, held June 15, 1886, it was resolved that this society will accept the invitation so cordially extended to us in your favor of June 14. Judge Hooper C. Van Vorst, address, County Court House, New York, and Abraham Van Santvoord, 55 Broadway, New York, were appointed a special committee to represent us, with as many of the members as may be able to attend your celebration. Yours cordially, George W. Van Siclen, Secretary. 62 The Committee on Medals presented the design that had been adopted. The scene represents Gov- ernor Dongan seated at his desk with Livingston at his right and Schuyler at his left, and is founded on the statement of the initial pages of our city records that Livingston and Schuyler went to New York for the city charter. Livingston was the son of a Scotch minister and was then about thirty years of age. He is represented in Puritanical dress. Schuyler is at- tired in military costume. Dongan's hat and sword hang on the wall near the old-fashioned clock. The seal of the city and the inscription " In memory of the two hundredth anniversary of the city of Albany, N. Y., 1886," are represented on the other side. They recommended that the medals be put on sale, the white metal for twenty-five cents and the bronze for one dollar each. July I, 1886. The following order of exercises was adopted for opening the celebration : Order of Exercises. In ye matter of ye solemn Proclamation, ye free- dom of ye citty to ye Inhabitants of divers parts who shall or may assemble at ye Ancient gates of ye citty of Albany, on Monday, ye nineteenth day of July, 1886, to make rejoicing with ye Inhabitants of ye sd citty for ye celebration of ye 200th anniversary of ye Charter, it hath been determined : First. That ye sd publication be done at nine o'clock of ye morning on ye said nineteenth day of July, with all due ceremonial by ye Mayor, Alder- men and Commonalty of ye citty of Albany. 63 Second. Yt ye sd Ceremonial shall be conducted according to ye established usage of this Antient citty as doth appear in ye official Records of ye same. Third. Search being mayde in ye minutes of ye Affayres of ye sd Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of ye citty of Albany showeth, yt on ye 13th day of January, 1689 (O. S.), proclamation was made against divers seditious persons claiming authority fromm one Captain Jacob Leisler, of N. York, (un- lawfully usurping ye govt, of their Ma'ties William and Mary) in the which proceeding it doth appear in ye said minutes, as follows : The Mayor with ye Recorder and Aldermen, and ye Justices, and ye Common Council, marched from their Majesties Fort (The Marshall going before with a White Rod) accompanied with diverse of ye Ancient Citizens with a guarde of Fifty Inhabitants in amis. The Mayor as ye king's Leift, together with ye Recorder, Alderman Shaik and Captain Marte Gerritse, Justice of ye Peace, as soon as they came within ye Citty Gates, went with their Swords Pointed : Then followed ye other Aldermen, and Justices and Common Council, and Sundry Citizens, and then the Guards, and in this posture with Drumms Beateing, came to ye plain before ye Church, where the Bell Rung thrice. Then ye Mayor made a speech to ye Citizens, which flokd together, showing the Reasons why he came there in such manner. Then ye Protest was read there in English and Dutch. This being done they all went in ye same Posture through ye Principle Streets of ye Citty, and So up to ye Fort, where ye Guards were dismissed and thanked by ye Mayor, ye Present Commander of ye Fort for ye Service they had done their Majesties King William and Queen Mary that day, and ye Protest sent by ye Mar- shall to be affixed at ye Porch ye Church. Fourth. Wherefore, in obedience to ye Ancient and honorable custom, as set down in ye Book of Minutes 64 aforesaid, it is ordered yt ye Manner and Posture of ye Procession be as follows : ORDER OF YE COMPANYE. 1. Ye Constables of ye Citty. 2. Ye Crier. 3. Ye Marshall. 4. Ye Musicians with ye Drumms Beating. 5. Ye Mayor (with Sword.) 6. Ye Recorder and ye Justices. 7. Ye Aldermen and Common Council, 8. Ye Citizens' Bi-centennial Committee, and so many of ye Commonalty and Ancient Citizens as shall desyre. 9. Guard of Inhabitants in Arms. Fifth. Ye sd persons shall assemble at ye Citty Hall at half past eight of ye Cloke on ye Morning of ye sd Monday, ye nineteenth day of July, and when all shall have been duly arranged ye Companye shall proceed to ye North-East gate of ye Citty, where- upon ye Fyre Bells shall strike three times after which all ye Bells of ye Citty shall be rung for ye space of two minutes, and after, ye Mayor in behalf of ye Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the Citty of Albany shall proclaim ye festival of ye 200th an- niversary of ye Charter begun, and shall express ye Satisfaction and Joy of ye Inhabitants for ye same, and in their name shall offer welcome to ye strangers both within and without ye sd gate, and in like man- ner proceeding, ye Companye shall next Goe to ye South-East gate, and after to ye West gate and so back to ye place of beginning. 65 The sum of $2,000 was appropriated to cover the expenses of the Military Committee. It was also resolved that all persons subscribing the sum of one dollar or upwards to the All Nations' Day Fund be entitled to a Bi-centennial flag; subscribers to the amount of $20, two flags ; subscribers to the amount of $50, three flags ; subscribers to the amount of $100 and over, four flags. The reporters of the various city papers who attended the meetings of the Citizens' Committee were each voted a flag, medal and memorial card. The following communication inclosing a subscrip- tion was received : BoRELL Building, 1 115 Broadway, New York. ) Hon. John Boyd Thacher : Inclosed I send you my check for $500, to be expended in your discretion upon the occasion of the celebration of the Bi-centennial of Albany. Very respectfully yours, Edward Van Ness. July 10, 1886. The following communication was received : Executive Mansion, ) Washington, D. C, July 9, 1886. i To the Editors of Albany : I wish I could claim a greater interest in the Bi-centennial of the charter of the city of Albany. I mean the interest which springs from long residence and intimate association. Confessing that I cannot lay claim to either of these inci- dents, which produce a kind of proprietary interest in a locality, and modestly, though reluctantly, taking my place among those whose relations with your grand old town are limited to a short period, I insist that no man of my class has or ought to have more pleasant and grateful recollec- tions than I of the city of Albany and its people. I entered the city a stranger, oppressed with the fear and trepidations 66 incident to the assumption of new and grave official responsi- bilities. I found strong, staunch friends ready to counsel and assist in my performance of public duty, and kind friends anxious by their considerate courtesy to temper and relieve the exactions of perplexing labor. Under such circum- stances, a short residence gave rise to an attachment which one can only feel for a hospitable home. Two years suf- ficed to cause me to leave the city with sincere regret ; and in present surroundings, and in all that the future may have in store, I must revert to the time I lived in Albany as the happiest period in my life. Others will speak of its history, but I can only speak of my pleasant association with its present, and express the hope that in every centennial time of its existence there may be found many whose tribute to what it is may be as sincere as mine. Yours, very truly, Grover Cleveland. July 13, 1886. Mr. Parker, from the Legislative Committee, reported and presented the following address : Capitol, Albany, N. Y., July 13, 1886. At a joint meeting of the Senate and Assembly Com- mittees, appointed by the Legislature to make provisions for the suitable representation of the present and ex-Mem- bers of the Legislature at the Bi-centennial exercises to take place in the city of Albany, July 22, 1886, it was unanimously Resolved, That the Senators and Members of the present Legislature and all previous Legislatures are hereby cordially invited to meet the committees above-named, at the Dela- van House, Albany, Thursday, July 2 2d, at 9 a.m. of that day. The committee's head-quarters will be open at the same place on the previous day. Senate Committee. Amasa J. Parker, Jr., John Raines, J. Sloat Fassett, James F. Pierce, Edmund L. Pitts. Assembly Committee. James W. Huested, George L. Erwin, George S. Batcheller, Henry D. Hotchkiss, 67 George W. Lyon, Thomas McCarthy, WilUam F. Sheehan, George W. Green, Michael F. ColUns, Edward D. Cuder. July 15, 1886. A sub-committee reported arrange- ments had been effected for the erection of a grand stand on the Capitol grounds opposite the City Hall, capable of seating twenty-five hundred persons. Mr. Towner offered the following which was unani- mously adopted by a rising vote : The Committee on Monumenting and Decorating desire to testify, hereby, to the efficient services of their Chairman, Mr. Walter Dickson. To his painstaking archaeological researches, industry and skill in design, the city is indebted for the accurate location and architectural beauty of the memorial tablets which well serve to recall the Bi-centen- nial celebration long after the festivities of the week have been forgotten and those who have participated in them have passed away. Resolved, That the thanks of the Citizens' Bi-centen- nial Committee are hereby tendered to Mr. Walter Dick- son as Chairman of the Committee on Monumenting and Decorating. July 20, 1886. A communication was received, as follows : Greystone, Yonkers, N. Y., July 19, 1886. Gentlemen — I have to thank you for your invitation to assist in commemorating the two hundredth anniversary of the granting of a charter to the city of Albany, I regret that I cannot be personally present at ceremonies so worthy of your ancient and renowned municipality. Albany is a his- toric city, and has long occupied a prominent place in the annals of the State and nation. It was the scene of the early struggles which determined whether the colonization of the vast country tributary to it should be of a Dutch or English type. Albany formed a centre of the great natural highways, connecting on the south by the majestic and placid Hudson with the Atlantic ocean ; on the north by Lake Champlain with the waters of the St. Lawrence, and 68 on the west by the great plateau that stretches to Lake Erie. It thus becomes the objective point in miUtary oper- ations during the protracted contests for supremacy upon this continent between England and France, and afterward between England and the rising Republic of the United States. The same geographical configuration which caused it to be a strategical point of such importance made it after- ward the gateway of a continental commerce. It was Al- bany which, twenty years before the Declaration of Inde- pendence, was the seat of the first conference looking to the formation of a union- between what afterward became the Independent States of America. It is eminently fit that by such a celebration as you propose, the momentous events with which Albany has been associated should be kept in the memory of the present generation and of posterity. S. J. TiLDEN. THE OPENING OF THE BI-CENTENNIAL LOAN EXHIBITION.— July 5, 1886. The day itself was all that could be desired, and a clear sky and an occasional breeze served to recon- cile all as far as possible to perfect July temperature. Shortly before nine o'clock, the regular and official celebration of the day was initiated by the Jackson Corps, which left the armory on Beaver street and proceeded to the armory of the Burgesses Corps, on Broadway. The Jackson Corps was under the com- mand of Major Macfarlane, and numbered forty-three muskets, six staff officers and four officers of the line, a total of fifty-three. The Burgesses Corps, com- manded by Major Van Zandt, presented a rank of forty-six muskets, nine staff and three officers of the line, in all fifty-eight. The two companies presented a fine appearance as they proceeded up Broadway to Livingston avenue, to Ten Broeck street, to Clin- ton avenue, to Pearl street, to State street, to the City 69 Hall. Here, the customary Fourth of July exercises took place. At their conclusion, the concourse moved to the Academy Park where the Bi-centennial Loan Exhi- tion was to be opened. First came the Albany City band, then the Jackson Corps escorting the Loan Commission, Mr. J. Howard King, Chairman ; J. Townsend Lansing, John J. Van Valkenburgh, Douw H. Fonda, Charles Tracey, Professor Boss, Samuel B. Towner, Henry J. Ten Eyck, W. O. Stillman, James T. Gardiner, Geo. D. Miller, VV. W. Crannell, Craig McClure, Captain Henry Cushman and others. Then came Boring's band in front of the Burgesses Corps, which acted as escort to the Mayor and Com- mon Council. There were in this party. Mayor Thacher, accompanied by President Patrick McCann, Aldermen Hitt, Greagan, Fleming, Norton, Klaar and others, preceded by City Marshal Thos. H. Craven. The column was formed on Eagle street, right resting on State street, and the following was the line of march : Eagle to State, to Swan, to Washington avenue, to Boys' Academy. The opening exercises of the Bi-centennial Loan Exhibition were held in a tent, which had been erected in the rear of the academy. Seated on the stage, waiting for the procession to arrive, were Mrs. Erastus Corning, Jr., Mrs. Marcus T. Hun, Mrs. Gen. Farnsworth, Mrs. V. P. Douw, Mrs. Dr. Bartlett, Mrs. John Boyd Thacher, Mrs. Philip Ten Eyck, Mrs. Jacob H. Ten Eyck, Mrs. James P. Boyd. About twelve o'clock, the mayoralty party and the Loan Commission arrived at the tent and took places 70 on the stage, and soon after the exercises opened to an audience that tested the capacity of the enclosure. When composure reigned, General King, Chairman of the Loan Exhibition, stepped forward and said : The exercises will now commence with a Bi-centennial march, specially composed for this occasion by Mr. Frank E. Greene, and rendered by the Philharmonic Society, a recently-organized amateur association, of which we are all justly proud, and whose contribution to enhance the pleas- ures of this day, is now, and hereafter will always be most thoroughly appreciated, and to them will rightfully belong the honor of the opening act of what we hope and confi- dently believe will prove a glorious celebration of our city's 2ooth anniversary. After prayer by the Rev. Wesley R. Davis, General King then addressed Mayor Thacher ; and on behalf of the commission, turned over the exhibition to the city. Mayor Thacher, in response, said : Mr. King, I accept this work so wisely initiated and so happily completed. As Chairman, and acting for the Bi- centennial General Committee, I assume control of the Loan Exhibition, and for myself and in behalf of our citi- zens, I return you our grateful and emphatic acknowledg- ments for the efforts you and your skillful associates have made in gathering into one convenient reservatory the curi- ous relics and precious memorials of many ages. You have provided us with a pleasant diversion and a most instruct- ive entertainment. Believe me, sir, we cannot forget the patient toil, the persistent exploration into half-forgotten fields, the sifting discernment and the tireless energy which have distinguished the exertions of the ladies and gentlemen forming your committee and which shall, henceforth, raise, almost beyond the reach of others, the standard of love's sweetest labor and the measure of the most exalted gen- erosity. Citizens, we are assembled upon historic ground. It was here in the second month of the year 1864 that the Army 71 Relief Bazaar was opened. Into its coffers our people poured their wealth to strengthen and maintain the noble work instituted by the Sanitary Commission of the war. In 1856, this place witnessed a brilliant scene. The benevo- lence of a few men and of one woman had given Albany a watching-place for the stars, and the dedication of the Dud- ley Observatory was celebrated here with enthusiasm and with splendor. Massachusetts loaned us her Everett, and that gifted orator bore his audience up into the heavens and sustained the flight for two fascinated hours. In 1 83 1, in a room in yonder building was born the electro-magnetic telegraph. When Joseph Henry rang a bell over a wire more than a mile in length, it was an an- nouncement to commerce and to the world that the light- nings were harnessed and were ready for their use. Henry was born in Albany, received his education in that building, there carried on his experiments and there made his dis- covery. Surely we owe the memory of this great man a mighty tribute and a brave reward. On the 26th day of July, 1788, the State Convention agreed to the adoption of the Federal Constitution. Two weeks afterwards, our city signalized the event with the most imposing ceremonies ever known in America up to that time, and which even now, after the lapse of a hundred years, we may not hope much to surpass during our Bi- centennial celebration. The procession was an hour and a half passing a given point, and in it every trade, profession and calling was represented, while our best citizens patriot- ically molded themselves into tableaux upon moving floats. Where we now are was the climax of the hill, and so it was of their eftbrts. Here, the multitude sat down and feasted, drinking innumerable toasts to the compact of the States. It was here, in 1689, that Jacob Leisler's assumption of the Governorship of New York was rebuked by the stub- born patriotism of the burgers and the fidelity of our Indian allies. Leisler sent his son-in-law, Milburne, with four ships and a company of armed soldiers to force a recognition of his authority and to take from us our charter, which was declared null and void, because granted in the time of King James the II. The Mayor was shut up with a small force in Fort Albany at about the point where St. Peter's Church now stands. Milburne marched up to the fort and de- manded admission, which was denied him, whereupon he 72 prepared to fire. Then a company of Mohawk Indians, encamped where we now are, sent word to Milburne that if he did not at once withdraw, they would destroy him and his men. The New York usurpers retired and our charter remained safe in its seal and in its integrity. So, I say, the spirit of historic interest inhabits the spot chosen for this exhibition and it is our duty to recall its glories, hallowed as they are by charity, dignified by benev- olence, immortalized by scientific discovery, made sacred by fidelity and patriotism, and now in these latter days dedicated forever to the great cause of education and the advancement of learning. The Mayor introduced the poet, Mr. William D. Morange, who read The Poem. All things combining, urging and inviting To make the hour auspicious and delighting — The gentle cracker and the tuneful gun ; The small boy's cannon, bursting with its fun ; The drum that's beat by every Jackey Horner ; The horn that's heard — or taken at the corner; The gay parades, this marvelous display, This courtly audience honoring the day, All things persuading, prompting and inspiring The intellectual gun to do some firing — Here, on this sweet and restful day, old Time Comes up, to be put down in prose and rhyme. Oh ! that the men of vanished days could see The eager present, big with history. Debating over famous spots and nooks Located variously in various books ! Oh ! that the men of vanished days could hear The stories of the past that now appear ! By some whose minds upon the past are bent, It might be thought in order, to present On this occasion, something like a show Of all the past we read about or know ; Great Scripture memories, served with solemn phrase, Allusions to the classic Roman days, The lives, the big events, the joys, the tears. Comprised within our past two hundred years ; The birth of empires and their vast dissensions ; Enormous wars and wonderful inventions ; The strange exploits and mysteries of crime PLncompassed by that period of time ; Others might think their bounden duty lay. To fairly revel in a mixed display n Of feathers, beaver skins and telephones, Cocked hats, mould candles, gas and cobble stones. Steamboats, old wigs, pipes, krout and fancy stitches, Flint locks, bows, Gatling guns and leather breeches, Street pumps and scalping knives, electric lights, And clubs and hatchets used in various fights, Including clubs that in these times of peace Are sometimes used by our discreet police. And so, contrast the past with present days, And show each epoch's various whims and ways. Others, again, might urgently insist, On filling out a long and labored list Of customs, laws and facts, from Hudson down, That make the story of our grand old town ; The style of Indian' and the things they wore. When Hudson's vessel glided to the shore ; The style of Dutchmen that prevailed, when fate ISIade them the rulers of more recent date. And ringing through the hills and valleys round, Old Dutch made Indian warwhoops weak in sound. Others might want, to give the subject life. Some fiery notes of Dutch and Indian strife ; Some thrilling tales of those long-buried days Wiien old-time water earned its meed of praise ; When moving proudly to the river's side. The Halfmoon people mixed their drinks with pride. And taught the Mohawks, waiting at the shore. Ideas of Indian corn not known before.^ Some more might ask, as requisite and just, To lift our glory out of common dust. All things pertaining to our busy past ; The push and fire that made us grow so fast ; A business record of the changes made In churches, burial grounds and haunts of trade ; The truths, the fables in the guise of truth. In print, or whispered of our city's youth; The sounding titles of the potent race That early held dominion in the place ; The lovely women and the daring men ; All tliese might tribute claim from voice and jien; Have genuine interest and charming power. Give History's garden many a blooming flower. But well may wait some other brilliant hour. We simply celebrate that long gone time. When stout young Albany began to climb The hill of fame ; to note that famous hour. When clad with chartered right we rose to power ; To glorify the date we won our name, AUieit in modern style, we start tlie game With great display and many a sounding word, A little while before the thing occurred. Two hundred years ago, that is to say, 'Twill be two hundred at some future day. 74 One Thomas Dongan — famous Irishman — Bestowed home rule on Dutchmen, and began The chartered town now here, and linked his name Forever with the story of our fame. To found great cities, was a cherished thought, That through all ages mighty wonders wrought. Prophets and poets, seers and gifted men. Were never more sublimely known, than when On bold imagination's rapid wing, They, o'er the living present hastening, Cleft the far future, and with proud delight, Announced some dream of undeveloped might ; Declared some spot of small renown to be The favored choice of wond'rous destiny. When from the sparkling and majestic tide That fronts our town the shipmen saw with pride The scenes of marvelous beauty all around — The pleasant vales, the hills with splendor crowned - Some dreams of future glory must have marked The quiet region where they disembarked. Well might they bear their glowing stories back, Of the fair place that charmed them in their track. And tell the people of the dams and dykes — Van Rensselaers and Schuylers, and Van Dycks — How fame and fortune hovered round these parts, And fire with eager hope their souls and hearts. We have no special evidence that when The tale was told to those old Holland men. They dreamed what empire here might be displayed. Or held it other than a place of trade ; Yet, ere the charter came, a fort was here, A church, a market, lumber mills, and beer. A sketch of present times, although the place Has changed a trifle since those days of grace, As those who recollect, and from the Dutch Bought newspapers and ale, cigars and such. Will readily concede, when looking round, They note how now such luxuries abound. When, as the gift of time, our charter came. And gave the watchword for our future fame. From that date onward, down to present days. The record of our home commands our praise. The story of our progress may not show Impetuous haste — these days might call it slow — But all along our line of march there comes. Now through the noise of war and roll of drums. Now through the days of peace and quiet hours, The evidence of sterling worth and powers. The honest traders who began our life. And came to meet the club and scalping knife. Wise with the maxims, habits and intent, That through all ages marked their own descent. Brought with them to the savage solitude 75 A stately form, a friend that grandly stood, Their guest, protector, source of strength and might, Their herald to true glory based on right; Wearing their garb, and speaking in their tongue, In tones that through all later times have rung ; Bearing the legends, grand and eloquent, " In Union Strength" — "Taxation by Consent" — " Free Right to Worship God." The friend I see Was civil and religious liberty ! Intolerance shadowed not witli gloomy wing Our early soil, nor thrust its deadly sting; Our young life blood of progress felt no death From the foul poison of its vampire breath. Such is our record, though our title be Fort Orange, Beaverwyck or Albany ! Satiric fancy, dealing with our past. Might make some glory hunters stand aghast, And hardly realize our claim to glory From certain features noted in the story. If to be quaint and whimsical in plan, With odd streets, staggering like a drunken man, Accord but strangely with the proud renown That lights a classic or historic town — If the old place, a hundred years ago, Might lack in certain things we moderns know — If Holland brick in clumsy structures piled, With curious roofs fantastically tiled. May not exhibit Architecture's throne With all the wonders later times have shown — If to be hallowed ground, the crimson trace Of grand exploits must illustrate tlie place, And the immediate soil we tread must bear Ensanguined evidence — then seek elsewhere! But if to be the teeming source of power ; The fount of bold device that rules the hour ; The theatre of wise suggestive plan And schemes of blessing unto fellow-man ; If to have gloried in and hailed with praise A throng of heroes since the early days ; If martial ardor glowed with splendid fire Compelling even foemen to admire; If to have been and still remain to be The home of gentle hospitality. Refinement, lofty aims and generous hearts, The patron, lover, friend of all the arts — If such a record may a glow impart To local annals — let us all take heart ! I envy not the man whose honest glance Takes in our past — war, business or romance — Our martial annals, or the large display Of genius, Iseauty, serious life or gay, 76 Who cannot recognize all through our story, Our genuine claim to real substantial glory. Here our great Cooper found attractive themes That filled his speaking page with glowing dreams ; Here, where his pungent satire grew more bright Our Irving gathered flowers of rare delight ; Here, Franklin for the first time promulgates The plan which makes us now United States; Here, like the planets circling round the sun. Old chivalry took light from Washington. And gallant Schuyler, ardent Lafayette, And kindred souls familiar moved and met. Here, the great central seat of power and law, Came those whose just renown the nation saw ; The men of splendid rhetoric and brain, Whose eloquence could every heart enchain. The magnates of the past, whose genius shines And later history brightens and refines, From time to time found here abiding place. And felt the charm of genuine social grace. I need not make a catalogue display, Nor more than merely mention the array Of great men, of our own or other nation. Who found old Albany a pleasant station ; Nor try to run the glorious list all over From George, first President, to later Grover ; Nor yet, anticipating history Complete the splendid line with David B. If some may find our progress too sedate, Too slow and tedious, for the headlong gait, Whirl, fire and dash, that yields such sudden birth To younger cities on our western earth — Cool judgment still may find a deal to praise, In what the cynics call our old Dutch ways. We are no longer Dutch in power or name ; Our acts, not lineage, merit praise or blame. New men, of different race and various clan. The Saxon, Frenchman, Scotchman, Irishman, The German, with the down-east Yankee, rear Alike the standard of dominion here ; Urge, coax and guide us on with rapid pace. And make the future of this old Dutch place. For what old Dutch ideas control us still — Sound judgment, conscience, prudence and right will Thank Heaven ! and may the kind benignant fates Arouse and strengthen more such old Dutch traits ! Time's potent finger may with sudden change Deck other spots with life more rare and strange, But if sedate and less impulsive, we Just simply waddled, we might thankful be. If with the consciousness that things begun. Exhibit prudence, justice, right, when done ! One hundred thousand souls go far to prove That progress here is surely on the move. 77 We certainly have magnified a deal Since here the Mohawks eat their Indian meal. And spite of all the sneers that make us slow, The fact of utterance does not make it so. In countless traits, we justly dare to stand The peer of any city in the land ! In one thing we are like the old Dutch people Before the days of banking-house and steeple ; For, through the forest of our streets and houses, A cunning, savage foe, at times arouses The thoughtless settlers, with the knives and axes We moderns learn to know as jobs and taxes. But with a leader, brave, resolved and true. Who knows his duty and who dares to do. Like him, who fills with grace our civic chair. And writes his title, John Boyd Thacher, Mayor — Let the wild Indians come, with whoop and rattle, If pluck and bravery count, he'll win the battle ! Now take our city all in all, her claim Is large and just for past and present fame. With radiant power, the glory of the past Lights up the present; present days will cast New radiance on the future ; and when time Shall tell in careful prose, or careless rhyme, The record of what makes our claim to glory; One splendid feature in the pleasant story. Securing praise, inspiring new ambition. Will be the fact of this grand EXHIBITION'; This noble work, inspired by cultured thought, And, fair hands helping, to perfection brought. High honor to the ladies and the men ! To Howard King — our King — yet citizen ; Our Stillman, Mather, Gardner, Boss, Ten Eyck, And all the earnest throng whose aim alike Has been to honor in yon spacious hall Our fine old city's birthday festival. Mr. Leonard Kip was then introduced and de- livered THE ORATION. Ladies and Gentlet^ien — It has been our custom hitherto to improve our national anniversary with no stinted commendation of our origin, progress and resources. We have satisfactorily reviewed our foreign wars, and have learned to believe that every battle was for us a victory, and every leader upon our side a master of military strategy. We have told ourselves that all our soldiers were heroes in- spired with patriotic fire, and that all against whom we have ever fought were minions of brutal tyrants. We have 78 looked into our congressional halls, and recognized in our representatives, marvels of unequaled ability and learning ; and we have noted, in their settlement of foreign difficulties, the exhibition of wonderful skill and acumen, ever, as through some kindly fate, working for our sole glory and advancement. And this has come about — we somewhat modestly admit — not from having educated in ourselves such unsurpassable qualities, but simply from the tendency of our free and independent institutions to create in us a nation of gifted citizens, adorned with attributes of valor and states- manship which, in the nature of things, could not be expected to grace the down-trodden subjects of selfish and effete monarchies. Such has always been our pleasant programme upon this day ; and perhaps its exaggerations need not too severely be scrutinized, since they may not unlikely tend to evoke a patriotic sentiment, firm in the idea that certainly no sacrifices of life or fortune could be too great if made in defense of such incomparable results of political freedom. Now, for a while, we change our method, letting the great interests of the nation at large go on without our patronage, and bringing our observation down to the more limited area of our city, which, with good reason, has chosen this day to celebrate a striking event in its own history. It happens that, two hundred years ago, the settlement of Albany gained a charter and became mvested with civic dignities. To us, at first sight, this scarcely seems to be a matter worthy of great attention. A city charter is merely a change of government in what has previously existed safely under the shield and protection of a larger organization ; and hence it gives simply the power to conduct municipal operations under a different and generally more complicated system. But in the olden days a city charter was a sacred thing, to be long and earnestly striven for, and, as sometimes happened, to be attained only through war or insurrection. Towns grew into importance and shrank back again into obscurity without having been deemed worthy of the honor ; other and perhaps smaller towns secured it only by valor in some espe- cial cause, or as a reward for distinguished political services. The giving of a charter was as the sword of knighthood laid upon the civic shoulder — the patent of its nobility — the partial release from feudal tenures. It placed the city more closely beneath the protection of its sovereign ; it gave it what did not then always exist, the right to protect itself. 79 Its streets might run red with blood in contest with some rival city ; but it would be in maintenance of its vested privileges, and this consciousness alone would be sufficient to give vigor to the defense. It could organize civic insti- tutions, with fair expectation that, under the protecting aegis of the charter, they would become permanent ; and it could emblazon its arms upon its flag. Naturally, therefore, it could not fail to happen, that almost from the very foundation of Albany — or at least from the earliest time when it began to be apparent that it had a fair promise of a successful future — ideas of civic indepen- dence should accompany its growth and color its aspirations. Its original settlers, upon leaving Europe, had by no means cast aside their traditions or affiliations ; why should not Albany some day attain the dignity of older cities ? And why, in fact, should it not, in this broad land where every- thing was of such rapid growth, reach its due measure of importance with yet greater celerity ; so that, instead of toiling for centuries through abject vassalage, it could advance with speedy pace, and even in a single generation attain some measure of dignity and self-government ? In the beginning a mere trading post upon the border of a manorial estate, it had been held in something like feudal dependence, under a crude system of law, tempered only by the shadow of colonial authority, which, centered at a dis- tance, could not always successfully maintain its influence or afford protection. Then, set apart by itself and a semblance of freedom given it, it was still somewhat overborne by the authority of its powerful neighbor, as well as bound by olden tendencies toward consent and agreement, if not entire obe- dience. And when at last the charter was bestowed, and Albany became a free and independent city, it must have been with much self-satisfaction and complacency. Those ancestors of ours were not, by nature, unduly given to open demonstration of their feelings, and did not, — as far as we now can tell — hail their charter with fireworks, processions and pageantry. But all the same, it was a boon for which in their quiet manner they greatly rejoiced, knowing that now they could stand before the world, as did their ancestral cities abroad, free, under certain necessary restrictions, to make their own laws and endow their schools, churches and seats of learning, and in many ways look forward to assured prosperity as well as to possible commercial importance. 80 And now, in pleasant memory of that time, we open our celebration of Albany's Bi-centenary. We will speak about our natural resources ; our commerce and manufactures ; our railroad and water connections ; and we will give out our invitations to all the world to come and establish frater- nal trade with us. We will look with satisfaction upon being one of the oldest living cities of the thirteen colonies. We will review our history, and point with pride to the fact that in the Revolution, Albany was so long the keystone of the contest, the critical position which, if once lost, would result in all being lost, the objective point for the possession of which two armies fought. And in addition, as flowers to a feast, we have here collected into one pleasing museum the treasures of our homes, to exemplify our perception of taste, our artistic culture and our veneration for the past. Some of this gathered wealth speaks only of the present, and claims no other recognition than for its beauty and costliness. As such it is welcome, and cannot fail, when rightly considered, to prove an incentive to future art. And there is much that comes to us redolent with sweet sugges- tions of the past; with richness of design or material more or less perhaps, or possibly with no especial artistic beauty at all, except the quaintness which, in such matters, is often beauty's handmaid, yet none the less of priceless value to us, since each piece whispers some story of the past. That tarnished lace — in its freshness it must once have decked some form of grace at the Court of William the Silent. That rusted sword — it must have been drawn for the faith in the army of Prince Maurice. That old stained and worm-eaten Bible — some pale brow and trembling lips may have bent over it for the last time, while the inquisitors of Philip stood knocking at the door below. That capacious bowl — it may have had festive groups of generals and councilors of State gathered about it, as they drank in rejoicing for some victory over the Spanish army. Is it not right that we should hold these relics in veneration ? They not only speak to us about the past, but they tell us that Albany has an ancestry in art. They prove to us that those who earliest came among us did not, in canting spirit, attempt to cast away all beauty from their lives, but that it was a part of their earnest care to surround themselves, in their new relations, with pleasant memories of the days gone by; to the intent, perhaps, that when their shattered for- 8i tunes were repaired, the whole sweet past might be restored in all its power, and their homes again bloom with the ac- customed loveliness and refinement. But when the heir, who at his majority has come to his estate with great rejoicing, would wish at some future period to celebrate a particular epoch in his life, we are apt to ask what should be the incentive to the new festivities, and how far they may be justified by what has past ? What has been the life that now is to be signalized with loud acclaim, what the performance of its early promise, and what its influence upon its period and surroundings ? If it has been a barren, profitless life, remarkable only for its duration, wherein should it be made an occasion for joyful gathering ? The beggar at the gate, with his still more extended span of years, might therein show a better claim for consideration. In the review of any life there must be cause for sadness as well as for joy ; and it is a foolish heart that can give vent to exultation only, and feel no self-reproach for neglected opportunity. And so in Albany, when we would boast our age and his- tory, we should at least consider whether as a city we have, in all respects, been true to our early promise and advan- tages. In matters of trade and enterprise we may have done passingly well, and even in surrounding ourselves with all material comforts. But what about the influence which we should have allowed our artistic associations to exert upon us in fostering enduring and wide extended tastes? In what respect, while more and more richly embellishing our lives, have we reminded ourselves that, while our homes are to be made beautiful, their surroundings should not be neglected ? And in this connection how far have we im- pressed it upon our consciousness that we should strive to give our city, which in one sense is our larger home, a por- tion of our taste and culture, so that for this as well as for commercial enterprise it may have some claim upon the world's admiration and regard ? What example, in this direction, do we find in the cities from which, in part, our own city traces its lineage, and which we so complacently believe we are outstripping in every essential attribute ? For centuries, indeed, they seemed to be dormant ; it was no time to become inspired with ideas of progress, when siege and battle and rapine were almost the habit of the day. It may well be understood that then, not only could no scheme for civic improvement be 82 organized, but that even their household treasures must often need careful concealment. But within a generation there has been to many of those cities, an awakening. The superfluity of their riches has been gathered into galleries, to which all the world has been invited for study. The love of art-culture has extended ; and they have asked themselves why, with beauty in their homes, everything around them should not be made to correspond ? They have re-embel- lished their churches and erected new civic buildings. They have not, in any rash spirit of modernizing, widened their narrow streets. This, if it could be done at all, would almost be profanation, since much history has there been made and centered. But in the outskirts they have opened newer and broarder avenues ; and little wooded parks have taken the place of antiquated fortifications now swept away ; and arched coUonades have been extended as an artistic framework along the boarders of noted places ; and foun- tains have been set to gush at the corners of the streets or in open courts. Much of this has been done, too, not as we make improvement, through individual impulse grafting separate and incongruous ideas upon our streets, but rather through common assent giving the adornment of the city into the custody of thoughtful minds, whereby well-conceived designs fitly carried out may gradually grow into a harmoni- ous whole. And with all this, their great historic names and their benefactors have not been forgotten. In the galleries we see their sombre portraits in ruffs or slashed doublets, or chain armor, or official robes, an imposing line extending far back into the middle ages ; in the niches outside the pubHc buildings are their stone busts ; in the public parks bronze or marble statues more largely attest the gratitude of the people and keep alive those sacred memories. How far, with all our boasted enterprise and progress, have we advanced into a realization that the material require- ments of health, protection and convenient commercial facilities are not the only things our city need regard ; but that the truest economy is that which, within certain bounds, would lavish our resources upon it, and by one systematic effort clothe it with beauy, and make it not only a satisfac- tion to ourselves, but an attraction to others ? And in doing so, how far have we become ready to give grateful express- ion to the memory of our great men and benefactors ? Their line does not reach back for many centuries, and yet 83 they are not few in number. Almost at a thought we can recall many who long before this should have had a better recognition of their value to us. There is Petrus Stuyves- ant, the last of our Dutch Governors, a man who, in his tmie, was not greatly loved in Beverwyck, and in resentment of his fancied encroachments was somewhat disrespectfully treated by it ; but whose reputation has grown bright as a ruler of much administrative abiUty, and who, if he had not been deposed by a stronger power, would have deserved well of the whole colony, and now certainly seems to demand some notice in the city which has become its capital. There is De Witt Clinton, the promoter of the Erie canal, who thereby helped make Albany what it is, instead of re- maining, as might have happened, little more than an inland village. There is Robert Fulton who, with his mechanical genius, fitly supplemented the work of Clinton, and gave to the canal the power more efficiently to let its cargoes float down to the ocean. There is Philip Schuyler, for a period the commander of the northern patriot army, and for many months the defender of our outposts ; and who, if due jus- tice had been meted out to him, might himself have had the good fortune to fight the battles of Stillwater and Sara- toga, and take prisoner the royahst leader whom he was merely left to entertain. There is Washington Irving, most genial of New York writers, whose pleasantry about the cus- toms of our ancestors has been long forgiven, as we have learned to read between the lines, and appreciate aright his tenderly drawn picturing of our colonial homes — as accu- rate and sympathetic in description as anything that Scott has ever written about the lowland life of his native land. And there is Fenimore Cooper, still ranking as the greatest of American novelists, whose pen has made classic the woods and waters of our northern border, and who, in two novels of his later years, has illustrated old-time life upon the Hud- son river, and the colonial society of Albany itself, with a fidelity and accuracy of detail that can never be excelled by any other pen, even though equal genius might be found to wield it. What has so far been done among us to give per- manent expression of our gratitude to these and others who in this connection might be mentioned ? Where is now even our single monument to the soldiers who, within our memory, went from among us to the battle field, never to return ? 84 So far there may have been some excuse for a portion of our remissness. During the generation now passing we have been occupied with more serious matters than tasteful decoration of our streets, or pubUc acknowledgment of our benefactors. For a while we were fighting for our homes, and there were times when we did not feel certain in what condition the fortune of war might leave them to us. And after that, came days of trouble and despondency, in which all seemed dark in our credit and resources, and we knew not whether we should ever fully recover from the shock of arms and settle down once more to the pleasant ways of peace. But even within the present year the clouds of un- certainty have rolled apart, and we have become able to see prosperous paths stretching out before us. Three of our greatest generals have passed away, and we have met no in- dication of offense or detraction from those who once called themselves their enemies ; nothing but the chivalrous respect with whicli brave men will ever regard other brave men who have fought with them upon principal and in honor. From his retirement the leader of the lost cause has come and again uttered those olden sophistries which once stirred half a continent to warfare. For a time there were some among us who stood uncertain about what might happen. Was this the glimmering of a torch which again would light us up with conflagration ? But as we listened, we heard little to dismay us. Even the few words of sympathy with the utter- ances of the fallen chieftain had no fervor in them ; and, rightly understood, seem nothing else than the desire to soften, for a short period, the disappointments of a broken down, embittered old man. The danger of disunion for any cause that we have yet known has forever passed away. Each footfall in the funeral march with which we have borne our heroes to their graves has found a throb of answering sympathy in some southern soldier's heart ; and the hands that lightly met at Appomattox, have now been clasped with warm and fervent pressure across the tomb at Riverside. The aspiration of the great soldier has become fulfilled, and at last we have peace. And now, with that peace has came our opportunity. How will we improve our coming years ? Some day there will be other celebrations of this kind in Albany. I do not speak of another anniversary of our charter, a century hence. None who are now here would live to see it ; nor, amid the 85 many changes of social and civic life, could we be sure that it would ever have a place. But within the present genera- tion will come the tri-centenary of Albany's first settlement ; and it may be looked upon as certain that the occasion will not remain unimproved. There may be attractions attend- ing it, like the present ; once more in this very place, per- haps, and even with some of these same art and household treasures taking their mute part in it. And it is almost cer- tain also, that there are many persons now here who will then be here again. With what spirit and under what cir- cumstances will they come ? Will they draw near through broken and market crowded streets, — past antiquities, un- noticed and uncared for, — along lines of architectural incongruities, our great buildings unfinished, and becoming a world-wide reproach, because no public spirit has been aroused with sufficient force to free them from political inca- pacity ; and entering here, look upon the collection of that day as something to be considered with a careless and in- different eye, and worthy only to afford an hour's amusement, before being remanded to its former comparative obscurity ? Or, under happier auspices, will they come through pleasant and shaded ways, adorned with tasteful and harmonious architecture, — past our pubhc buildings all completed and crowned with the approbation of the world for their beauty and richness, — across bright open spaces where fountains sparkle in the sun, and through parks where our great men, in enduring bronze and marble, look down from their sculp- tured pedestals and mutely attest our grateful memory for them ; and with such associations cheered, liere gaze upon our rehcs, not merely as precious heirlooms that can tell en- tertaining stories of the past, but as treasures that have already taught a lesson, in adding inspiration toward an ever-briehtenins: future of art and culture ? THE MANAGERS OF THE EXHIBITION, The successful inauguration of this exhibition was due to the exertions of the following officers and committees : President, J. Howard King; Vice-President, James T. Gardiner; Secretary, Henry James Ten Eyck; Treasurer, Ledyard Cogswell. Executive Committee — James T. Gardiner, Chairman ; 86 Mrs. John Boyd Thacher, Mrs, Erastus Corning, Jr., Mrs. Robert Shaw Ohver, Mrs. Clarence Rathbone, Miss Frances C. Nott, Charles Tracey, W. O. Stillman, Henry James Ten Eyck, George Douglas Miller, Charles Visscher Winne. Bi-Centennial Loan Commission — J. Howard King, President ; Robert C. Pruyn, John Boyd Thacher, Selden E. Marvin, J. Townsend Lansing, John L. Van Valken- burgh, John C. Nott, Robert Shaw Oliver, Douw H. Fonda, Lewis Boss, Charles Tracey, Samuel B. Towner, Henry James Ten Eyck, John Zimmerman, Robert D. WiUiams, W. O. Stillman, James T. Gardiner, George Douglass Mil- ler, William Bayard Van Rensselaer, Cliarles Visscher Winne. Ladies' Auxiliary Committee — Mrs. John Boyd Thacher, Mrs. Erastus Corning, Jr., Mrs. Robert Shaw Oliver, Mrs. Clarence Rathbone, Miss Frances C. Nott, Mrs. Philip Ten Eyck, Mrs. Samuel Hand, Mrs. WiUiam Cassidy, Mrs. Hamilton Harris, Mrs. John DeWitt Peltz, Mrs. J. G. Farnsworth, Mrs. Ledyard Cogswell, Mrs. Jacob H. Ten Eyck, Mrs. Volkert P. Douw, Mrs. James P. Boyd, Mrs. E. B. Ten Broeck, Mrs. John H. Reynolds, Jr., Miss Annie V. R. Russell, Mrs. Rufus W. Peckham, Mrs. Mar- cus T. Hun. Pictures, Prints and Statuary — Mrs. John Boyd Thacher, Chairman ; Mrs. William Cassidy, Lewis Balch, Mrs. Walter D. Nicholas, John Battersby, Charles G. Saxe, Irving Browne, Thomas Buckley, Miss Harriet I. Barnes, William Bruce, Edward R. Cassidy. Old Furniture, Ancient Dress and General Relics — Miss Frances C. Nott, Chairman ; Mrs. A. Bleecker Banks, Mrs. J. Townsend Lansing, Mrs. J. H. Ten Eyck, Mrs. James P. Boyd, Mrs. F. S. Pruyn, Mrs. R. D. Williams, Mrs. Volkert P. Douw, Miss Gertrude Ten Eyck, Thomas Buckley, Thurlow Weed Barnes. Ceramics, Glass and Ivories — Mrs. Robert Shaw Oliver, Chairman ; E. D. Palmer, Rev. Wesley R. Davis, Mrs. Samuel Hand, Miss Anne V. R. Russell, Miss Rath- bone, Mrs. Ledyard Cogswell, Charles L. Pruyn, George D. Fearey, R. W. Gibson, Harry C. Cushman. Bric-a-Brac, Old Silver and Personal Ornaments — Mrs. Erastus Corning, Jr., Chairman ; Mrs. John De Witt Peltz, Mrs. Marcus T. Hun, Mrs. Bayard U. Livingstone, Richard L. Annesley, Mrs. E. B. Ten Broeck, Mrs. John 87 H. Reynolds, Jr., Miss Vanderpoel, James H. Leake, W. W. Byington. Books, Pamphlets, Maps and Manuscripts — Geo. Douglas Miller, Chairman ; the Rev. W. W. Battershall, Leonard Kip, the Rev. Edward A. Terry, Mrs. Hamilton Harris, Mrs. Marcus T. Hun, B, Irving Stanton, N. C. Moak, Lewis Boss, Robert D. WiUiams, Harmon Pumpelly Read, Miss Cynthia R. Dexter, Duncan Campbell. Indian Relics — Charles Visscher Winne, Chairman; Douw H. Fonda, W. W. Crannell, S. N. D. North, J. Wal- lace Canady. Decorations, Arrangements and Transportation — W. O. Stillman, Chairman; R. W. Gibson, Mrs. D. K. Bartlett, Mrs. J. G. Farnsworth, Craig McClure. Catalogue, Printing and Insurance — Chas. Tracey, Chairman ; Selden E. Marvin, F. G. Mather, John L. Van Valkenburgh, Carlisle N, Greig. Relics of the Civil War — Charles Visscher Winne, Chairman ; A. H. Spierre, J. W. Kenny, John S. Hutman, Angus McD. Shoemaker. Saturday, July 1 7th — Reception of the Caughnawaga Indians. Crowds thronged the streets to see the Caughna- waga Indians arrive in the city from their home in Canada. The train was to arrive at 5 : 10 P. M., and at that time the depot and the surrounding locality was densely crowded by an interested populace. Preparatory to escorting the red men, the Jackson Corps, accompanied by the Albany City band, and headed by a platoon of police, under Sergeant Cava- naugh, proceeded to the City Hall where a counter- march was made. Then the corps escorted the aldermanic delegation, consisting of Aldermen Hitt Greagan, Norton, Woodward and Marshal Craven to the depot. The corps presented an excellent ap- pearance. 88 The Caughnawaga Indians were nearly an hour late in arriving in this city. They were received at the depot, and then, accompanied by the escort, pro- ceeded to the City Hall. The Indians numbered thirty-three. On the way up to the City Hall the aldermanic delegation walked immediately behind the Jackson corps, while the Indians followed. It was a uni- que spectacle, for although the natives were in the ordi- nary garb, their race mark was sufficiently prominent to give the scene a strong interest. There were in the party fourteen men and sixteen squaws, some of whom were plainly dressed, while the younger females were decked out in all the height of civilized fashion, and chains around the neck were the principal ornaments. Arriving at the City Hall the party proceeded to the Common Council chamber, where there was not nearly enough space to seat the great crowd. The Indian delegates took seats in front. Aid. Hitt sounded the gavel, and when there was order Mayor Thacher appeared and took his place at the President's desk. Then Father Walworth arose, and in a few appro- priate words presented the city's guests to the Mayor, MAYOR THACHER'S WELCOME. Mayor Thacher, then in reply, spoke as follows : Chiefs, many moons ago, almost more than you can count with the beads upon your wampum belt, your fathers gave a hospitable welcome and the hand of friendship to our fathers as they landed on these shores. It is now our turn to greet you and give you our welcome. Then we were few in numbers, while you were like the leaves of the forest. Then we were weak, while you were strong, and with that 89 weapon, the tomahawk, so dreaded by the whites, you could easily have destroyed us. Instead of that you passed us the pipe of peace and bade us be your friends. We can do no less now than to call you friends, extend to you the hospitalities of our city, and assign you an important part in our festivities. Chiefs, we are in the enjoyment of a form of government which is as pecuhar as it is strong and enduring. It is a single nation made up of many States, bound together by one indissoluble tie. This idea of a Union was foreshad- owed by your own confederation of the Five Nations. The truth that in union strength is found, was not taught you by white men, was not revealed to you by the men of Europe. Long before a white man visited these shores, yes, two cen- turies at least before this place was settled, the great league of the Iroquois was established. What a power it made the Five Nations! And what a history you have withal ! Your poet sings your legendary myths, and tells in strange cadence of the marvelous bird which destroyed Hiawatha's only daughter. Your people repeat still the national tale of Ta-oun-ye-wa- tha and his birch bark canoe as they floated down the Mo- hawk to the Canienga town. And our people tell the story — and shall tell it until virtue ceases to be interesting to our kind and we grow weary of constancy and truth — the story of Indian faith and fidelity. Our ancestors found in your people a race with whom a promise was kept with all the exaction of necessity and with whom constancy to a plighted word was as imperative as destiny. Among all the memories of the past revived by your visit here, there is nothing more satisfactory to us, nothing which speaks more clearly of the pleasant relations which existed between your people and ours in the middle of the seven- teenth century than the fact that in all our dealings with you, in all our acquisitions of land, we robbed you of nothing, but paid for what we got, and with the purchase we obtained what gold and silver could not buy, and what was of infi- nitely more value to us — the confidence and friendship of the Indian. Therefore, your presence here now, and the knowledge that you will tarry with us during our celebration and join with us in our ceremonies, is a source of congratulation with 90 large century plants at the sides of the pulpit. Upon the wings, in purple flowers, were the figures " 1686— 1886," the whole design being an apt emblem of the city's prosperity, extending as it does from century to century. The candelabra, containing lighted can- dles, at the sides of the shrine were draped with red, white and blue. Bi-centennial flags sprung from the sides of the main arch, and the American colors hung from the chandeliers. The reading table in front of the pulpit was entirely hidden under a bank of flow- ers and the platform was bordered with them. The organ loft and galleries were covered with deep folds of red white and blue bunting. THE SERVICES A few moments after 10 o'clock, as the choir were singing " Glorious is Thy Name," Mayor Thacher, and Aldermen Woodward and Klaar entered, escorted by Mr. B. Stark, and took seats in Mr. Stark's pew. The Rev. J. Wilbur Chapman of the First Reformed, and the Rev. Russell Woodman, assistant rector of St. Peter's, were also among the audience. The ser- vice, much of which was in Hebrew, was very impressive. The opening consisted of short prayers, interspersed with these chants : Boruck-Chu, Sch'ma, Micho Mocho, Kaddesh, Wa-je-hi-bi-ne-so-a, Sch'ma, Ho-du al e rez, as the choir chanted " Wa je hi bi ne so a," the doors closing out the shrine glided back, disclosing the interior of the holy of holies with its sacred treasures, and the Rev. Max Schlesinger read the Pentateuch from the scroll. The sermon by the Rev. Dr. Schlesinger followed, and the service was concluded with these musical selections " Bi-centen- 92 nial hymn, " " Wa-a-nach-nu, " " Wa a nach nu ko rim," air and chorus. Rabbi Schlesinger dehvered the sermon and took for his text Psalms 127, 1,2,7: "Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it; except the Lord keeps the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." He said in the course of his remarks : This gives us the reason for our great rejoicing. Love of country, of the place of our habitation, is something natural. We love the soil on which our cradle or the cradle of our children stood ; the place, that witnessed our joys and sorrows and afforded us the battle-field of our life's struggles, is dear to our heart. As the tree clings with its roots to the soil from which it sprang, as it entwines and embraces it with a thousand fibres, which spread farther and deeper with every year, so does man cling to the spot on which he lives. Every fibre of his soul, his very heart-strings, are entwined around and with it. We naturally love our dear old Albany and are proud of her. But there are many other reasons for this our great love. A JUST PRIDE IN ALBANY. The principal one I take to be that our natuial pride in our city is also a just pride. You may go far and wide and not find a spot that has become the habitation of man which is so happily, so grandly, so beautifully situated as our dear old Albany. Enthroned on her hills, she sits the veritable Queen of the Hudson. It is as if this magnificent river was paying homage to her and serving her with all its might. To her he brings up the tide of the ocean and makes her the head of his unrivalled navigation. From him she sends out the canals; and at her feet the happy union of the river with the distant lakes is accomplished, a union fruitful of innu- merable blessings. A mighty railroad system rushes through the whole length of our vast continent until it finds it ter- minus in her bosom. Both, railroads and canals, gather up the immeasurable wealth of the far West and distant North- west, and pour it constantly into her lap. Her industrious hands are kept busy handing them over to the waves of her faithful Hudson, that they be brought down to the ocean, to 93 enrich foreign countries and make glad all nations. What a noble and commanding position our dear, old Albany occu- pies in the commercial, industrial and agricultural system of our country and the world ! And this material wealth is not the only blessing for which we have to give thanks. THE BLESSING OF HEALTH AND BEAUTY. There is another, without which it would be of little value. It is health. Seated on her hills and bathing her feet in the billows of the Hudson, Albany is one of the healthiest cities in this or any other country. Our plentiful supply of water and pure air is a boon that cannot be overestimated. Not less is her natural drainage which sweeps the city from end to end, so that every gust of rain clears and scours her streets, as no contractor ever would do. The situation of the city is our most efficient health officer. A most magnificent landscape scenery surrounds our city as with a panorama. Whichever side we turn, we are confronted with beauty so refreshing, so exhilarating, that only our daily familiarity with it can abate the joy and admiration it is apt to impart to the beholder. These, surely, are good reasons for our love of Albany. Another, and to my mind the most potent reason, is her noble history. We cannot dwell on it at any length. Only so much we will say that the main character- istic of her 200 years' history were justice and peace. " The place of the council fires," she was called by the wild abo- rigines, and wise counsels always prevailed within her walls. She wrote her record on the pages of history by her valiant deeds of great industrial enterprise and daring thought, rather than by weapons of warfare. HERE BEGAN ENGINEERING TRIUMPHS. In the history of the great industrial achievments of our age, Albany occupies not a mean place. With Albany and the Hudson the annals of steam navigation have to com- mence their wonderful story. Here it was where Fulton achieved his great triumph in 1807. Between Albany and New York was plying his wonderful invention, which became the pioneer of all those floating palaces which now fill the oceans and navigable rivers. It was mostly Albany enter- prise and Albany men who pushed on that gigantic work of inland navigation, a grand scheme of watery highways, that 94 connect the West with the East, was accomplished, and bene- fited the whole country indirectly still more than directly. When in October, 1825, the canal from Lake Erie to Albany was completed it was not only our State which rejoiced and was thrilled by this great success. All over the country enterprise received a stimulus as never before. The great benefit to be derived from an easy and uninterrupted con- nection between the various parts of our vast territories was clearly perceived. The wonderful steam car, which but a short time before, had been invented in England, was brought over to this country, where it was to find its widest scope for running its glorious race with joyous errands of progress and peace. THE SCENE OF GRAND ACHIEVEMENTS. And again it was our dear old Albany that was foremost in appreciating and welcoming this new messenger of good tidings. In 1826 already a charter was granted to the Hud- son and Mohawk railroad company, and in 1830 trains ran from Albany to Schenectady over one of the first railroads of this country. As has been recently pointed out by his honor, the Mayor, even the telegraph announced its coming first in out dear old city. When in 1831 Joseph Henry made his marvelous experiment, and by means of an electro- magnet transmitted signals through a wire more than a mile in length, causing a bell to sound at the further end of the wire — this bell rang in the era of the telegraph. In the American Journal of Science he pointed out the applicabil- ity of the facts, demonstrated by his experiments, to the instantaneous conveyance of intelligence between distant points by means of a magnetic telegraph. You see that almost every one of the great inventions which facilitate the progress of our age is more or less connected with our city. Have we not good reason to be proud of her record ? Dr. Schlesinger concluded his instructive address with an appropriate peroration and prayer for the city and city officers. SUNDAY DEVOTIONS. Sunday dawned fair and bright ; there was neither wind nor rain in view to spoil the pleasure of the 95 opening of the greatest week in the history of this old, old city. For many days prior, people complained of the extremely warm weather, but all thought that this day had been created specially for Albany's great Bi-centenary. Soon, however, the warm rays began to beat down, and as early as nine o'clock the air was damp, sultry and warm. Crowds of Albanians and visitors were seen in the streets early, all viewing old Albany in her bridal dress. Many comments fell from the strangers, complimenting the beauty and taste displayed by the decorations. Throngs wended their way to the churches, where the more notable services took place, all intent upon hearing a good sermon, and combining the elements of Christian teaching and Christian history in this city. None carried umbrellas though, and people generally were surprised to hear the rain begin to patter on the roofs soon after seating themselves. The sky looked clear and cloudless when they entered ; when they left the holy temples rain was falling fast. Considerable thunder accompanied the rain — all making a fit sym- bol of this great commencement of a great week. God's hand at the outset was shown, and his grace and benediction later, when He caused to clear away the rain clouds, leaving Albany in the afternoon a pleasant, beautiful city. Following are full reports of the services in the'various churches: ST. MARY'S. The exercises at St. Mary's church were striking, unique, and moreover grand. It was a fitting cele- bration of the Bi-centenary. A grand military mass 96 is a rare event in this country, and Albany never saw one before. Elaborate preparations had been made for the care of the vast multitude that was expected to attend, and as a consequence the best of order prevailed and the greatest possible number of spectators admitted to the church. Those who were fortunate to secure a ticket of admission, as a rule, were early in attendance and comfortably seated be- fore the arrival of the officials, the delegation of Caughnawaga Indians and other specially invited guests. It was precisely 10:40 when the guests arrived and marched up the church aisle, headed by Mayor Thacher. The organist, Mr. Schneider, accompanied by Parlati's orchestra, immediately opened with a brilliant march from " Le Prophete," by Meyerbeer, during which the delegation was seated. There were about thirty of the officials, among them Mayor Thacher, Senator Parker, Marshal Craven, Aldermen Thomas and Fleming, Police Commissioner Carroll, and Mr. Scott D. M. Goodwin. Next came the visiting Indians who were provided with chairs inside the altar railing, on the right of the church. The Jackson corps followed, under the command of Major Macfarlane, and numbered about fifty in all, presenting a fine appearance. They remained standing in the middle aisle, coming to a present arms upon the entrance of the sanctuary choir and the officiating clergy. As the latter marched up the aisle to their places on the altar, the sanctuary boys, led by Rev. Joseph Lanahan, sang a processional hymn of thanks- giving. The Jackson corps then took a position just 97 outside the altar railing, and the solemn pontifical high mass selected for the occasion was begun. Pontifical high mass was sung, Right Rev. Bishop Wadhams of Ogdensburg, acting as celebrant, with Very Rev. Father Ludden, administrator of the diocese, as assistant priest ; Rev. Father Burke, of St. Joseph's, and Father Duffy, of East Albany, as deacons of honor ; Rev. Father Kennedy, of Syracuse, as deacon, Rev. Father Sherry, of Ogdensburg, as sub-deacon, and Rev. Fathers Sanderson and Dillon, of St. Mary's, as masters of ceremonies. Among the other clergy- men who assisted in the services were Fathers Walsh, Hanlon, Pidgeon and Byron, of the cathedral ; Father Merns, of St. John's ; Fathers Terry and Dolan, of St. Ann's ; Father Caesar Cucchiarini, of the Church of our Lady of Angels ; Father Toolan, of Sacred Heart church ; Father Peyton, of West Albany ; Father Sheehan, of West Troy ; Father McDermott, of Johns- town, and Father McDonald, of Waterville. The sermon was delivered by Father Walworth, who, in his usually effective and forcible manner, spoke from the following text : EVENTFUL PERIODS IN THE HISTORY OF ST. MARY'S. " Remember the days of old ; consider all the genera- tions. Ask thy father and he will show thee, thy elders and they will tell thee." — Deut. xxxii ; 6. MoNSiGNOR, Very Rev. and Rev. Fathers, Gentle- men OF THE Magistracy, the Common Council and Commonalty of Albany, Beloved Brethren of the Laity — Two hundred and forty-four years ago was an eventful time in the history of Albany, and especially in the religious history of Albany. In that year two remarkable men clasped friendly hands just outside the gate of old Fort Orange. The one was clad in the usual costume of a gen- 98 tlemanof the period, the old-fashioned three-cornered cocked hat, the ample vest and cut-away coat, trunk hose and sil- ver-buckled shoes. The other wore a tattered cassock. His face was pale with signs of recent suffering. He had lost several fingers which had been bitten off from his hands in captivity. He was still a captive and carefully watched by his Indian tormentors. The first of these two men was the celebrated Dominie Megapolensis, the first minister of the Dutch Reformed church in Albany, who had just arrived from Holland. The other was that noble martyr of the Catholic church, Father Isaac Jogues, a Jesuit missionary whom the Indians had brought with then a captive from the bloody terrace of Ossernenon. There several of his compan- ions lay bathed in their blood, and amongst them a lovely Christian saint, first martyr of the mission, the young Rene Goupil, Would you like to see the spot where they suffered ? It lies in the angle formed by the junction of the Schoharie creek with the Mohawk river. You have only to take the cars on the West Shore railroad, stop at the station of Au- riesville, and mount the hill just behind it. The field was bought last year by the society of Jesus. A rude oratory stands there now, surmounted by a cross. I trust that be- fore long we shall see there a convent and a convent church. At the time we speak of, the severed fingers of Father Jogues lay mingled with its dust. Four years later when he returned to the bloody field of his mission the savage Mo- hawks took his life also. His head, severed from the body, was mounted upon one of the palisades of the Indian fort or castle, and made to face northward towards Canada, from which he came. His body was thrown into the Mohawk and wafted on by the stream towards Albany. We shall never find it on earth, but I trust that many of us will see it again in the glory of heaven. But let us return to the gate of Fort Orange and to the door of Dominie Megapolensis, where he and his Jesuit friend are clasping hands together and speaking together in the Latin tongue. Both were learned men, both were good men, and both were friendly one to the other. These two clergymen, both Christians, but representing beliefs and worships widely dift'ering, both grand forms in the history of Albany, came here the same year. The one fol- lowed trade hither, the other was brought in bonds. Neither 99 staid here long ; the one retired soon to New York city, the other retired soon to eternity. But this is the moral to which I wish to bring your minds : When those two good men joined hands, there was no bigotry in that grasp. There was great variance in their faith. Each one held strong convictions which neither one would have consented to part with even to please the best friend on earth. As they dif- fered from each other in these convictions, both could not be in all things right. There may have existed prejudice in one mind or the other. But adherence to truth is not big- otry ; adherence to error is not bigotry ; prejudice is not bigotry. Bigotry is something more than a firm judgment or a false judgment. It is a dark, gloomy and evil passion in the heart, which can find no charity for those who differ with us, which can conceive of no good motive in those who op- pose us, which is always ready to believe a lie when applied to those who do not agree with us. When we see these two great and good men clasping hands together, so strongly dif- fering in religious convictions, but so full of mutual love and sympathy, it is both beautiful and sublime. Let us all lay it well to heart. It is a pleasant thing to remember that, just forty-four years later, as if in return for the charity and hospitality given by Albany to this suffering Catholic captive, a Catholic King in England and a Catholic Governor of New York gave to Albany that happy parchment which made it a chartered city. EARLY INDIAN MISSIONS ON THE MOHAWK. The first French colony was established at Quebec in 1608. The city of Montreal was at first only a hospital founded in the wilderness by the Soeurs Hospitalieres. Its stockade was building at the time when Father Jogues and his companions were captured near by and brought to the Mohawk valley, namely, in the year 1642. That same year, as I have already said, its first Dutch minister arrived in Albany from Holland. Another Catholic missionary. Father Bressani, following in the footsteps of Father Jogues, was horribly tortured by the same Indians, and passed through Albany in 1644. Father Jogues returned with his mutilated fingers to the Mohawk in 1646, and was then and there martyred. Father Poncet, Father LeMoyne, Fathers Fremin, Bruyas and 100 Pierron all passed through Albany on their way to and from the Indian castles on the Mohawk, a ground then already known as " The Mission of Martyrs." As early as 1667 a permanent chapel was established at Tionnontogen, now Spraker's Basin, and bore the name of St. Mary's. We find another existing at Caughnawaga, that is the sand flats near Fonda, called St. Peter's, as early at least as 1669, under the care of Father Boniface. Here, in 1676, the holy Indian maiden, Tegakwita, was baptized by Father James de Lam- berville. In that year and about the same time the famous Indian warrior Kryn, " Conqueror of the Mohegans," led large band of converts to the new Caughnawaga, already established at the great fall near Montreal. That Catholic colony exists there still — you see its representatives before you. This was an eventful period for the Catholic faith in the State of New York, Missions and mission chapels were erected among all the five nations of the Iroquois. Numerous conversions were made, and, alas, many martyrs suffered, both Frenchmen and Indian converts. This glorious period lasted from 1642 to 1684. The suppression of the missions was brought about, I grieve to say, not so much by the animosity of the savages against the faith as by the deadly spirit of covet- ous trade. Rehgion has no enemy more powerful or more cruel than the lust for money. The Holland Dutch of Albany and New York on the one side and the French of Canada on the other, struggled together to secure the trade in In- dian furs, and the work of the missionaries who sought to secure souls for God was crushed between the two. And I am, furthermore, sorry to say that a Catholic Governor of New York and a Catholic Governor in Canada were the principal agents in this unholy work of destruction. There are Catholics in our day, greedy tradesmen, or ambitious politicians, equally unworthy of the name they bear, engaged in work as unholy, and as mischievous to their religion. They might learn a lesson by studying that weakly Christian- ity which flickered in the souls of Dongan and DeNonville. Few know the large numbers of Indian converts brought into the faith and of martyrs dying for the faith during this eventful period. However, let it be distinctly understood and well remembered that the work of these missionaries did not perish. Let those who think so visit the present Indian reservation at Caughnawaga, about twenty miles from Montreal. There a population of thirteen hundred, all lOI Catholic Indians, mostly of Mohawk blood, still reside, and attend mass at their ancient Catholic church. Some of them you see here to-day. The priest who is their chaplain occu- pies the same apartments once occupied by Charlevoix, the historian of New France, who lived at that early period and was companion to some that we have named. Other villages of the same character are also found in Canada. Does this look like wasted work ? INCORPORATION OF ST. MARY'S. Let us now pass over a period of one more century. In 1684, Father Jean de Lamberville, the last of that devoted band of Catholic missionaries, whose fruitful labor among the Indian tribes of New York we have so briefly catalogued, departed for Canada amidst the regrets and lamentations of the Onondaga chiefs who escorted him in safety to their borders. It was French treachery that made his departure necessary, but the Onondaga sages know that the good man had no share in it. In 1784 no trace was left of the rude chapels which had been erected among the Indians of New York, in the previous century. There were Catholics among the inhabitants of Albany, but without a church. Now and then the occasional visit of a priest enabled them to kneel at the holy sacrifice, celebrated in its simplest form in some private dweUing-house. Their increasing numbers soon made it necessary to erect a church and have a permanent priest. In 1796 a meeting of these was held in the house of James Robichaud and the Catholics of Albany were formally incorporated into a parish, as still appears by the records in the ofiice of our County Clerk. The children of these founders may still be pointed out among the worshippers of St. Mary's and the other churches of Albany. In 1 796 the corner-stone of a church was laid, and in 1797 the building was completed. The old inscription stones commemorating these events are still preserved in the walls of this present edifice, and the inscriptions are as legible as ever. The red seed, which fell upon the soil of Albany from the mutilated fingers of Father Jogues, sprouted again one hundred and fifty years later, and this parish of St. Mary's still remains the earliest tree. Here still it stands, the central point of a stately grove, which extends over the whole country formerly covered by the Iroquois lodges and the camps of their hunt- ing grounds. Long may that noble old tree flourish, its 102 branches far extended and its trunks deep rooted in the soil! Long may her people gather to worship at this shrine, earnest in their faith, devout in their worship, abounding in good works, gentle in their bearing towards all, but never tame to surrender that glory, which belongs to their God. ST, Mary's a cathedral. Another leap of fifty years brings us to another memorable period. In 1846 Albany was erected into an Episcopal See. St. Mary's became a cathedral church, presided over by the Rt. Rev. John McCloskey, afterwards known as Cardinal McCloskey, the first ecclesiastic raised to that dignity on this continent. Tokens of that cathedral building and of Cardi- nal McCloskey's ministrations in it may still be seen in the basement chapel, underneath this floor. There is the same altar at which he officiated, with its altar stone, the same tabernacle, the same candlesticks, the same chancel rails. The floor of the sanctuary is also the same, and the old Sta- tions of the Cross so familiar to his eyes still hang about the walls. We have here present a witness to all this in the be- loved and venerable prelate who officiates this morning. You know him well. He was your pastor in the days I speak of. It is but a little while ago that the good Cardinal de- parted to his reward. Requiescat in pace. THE PRESENT ST. MARY's. A shorter transit now brings us to a period in the history of St. Mary's crowded with memorable events of which we are nearly all of us witnesses. In the spring of the year 1867, an arduous task became necessary and was begun. The second St. Mary's, erected in 1828, a building prematurely old and ready to fall, was taken down and the building of this present church commenced. The charge of superin- tending this arduous task fell upon a man who was also broken by labors and prematurely old. Only one thing could make his hard task possible, and that was the love, the confidence and the generosity of St. Mary's congregation. If this new and last church has been completed, or nearly so, it is because that love, that confidence, and that gene- rosity has never failed. Glad am I on an occasion so mem- orable as this, in the presence of so many strangers, assem- bled in dear old St. Mary's, to offer this tribute to you, my dear brethren, who have stood by me during the past twenty years so faithful and so strong. 103 CONCLUSION. And now let me be silent and let this present spectacle speak. What is it we see before us to-day ? What does this temple say ? What voices come to us from its pillars and its arches, from its organ and its altar, and from this unusual concourse of worshippers ? Here are chiefs and braves and women representatives of the Kanienga-haka, and other Iroquois who once peopled these valleys and hills which to- day we occupy. Although now Christians and Catholics, they may be taken to represent that heathenism, and darkness of superstition which once reigned here. But now they are one with us, in the same holy faith, and the same great hopes for eternity. They have among them those who know how to chant the same solemn canticles of the church in honor of the same Lord and Savior. Welcome, dear brothers of the Konochioni ! Your fathers were once our most dangerous foes. We hail you now as among our dearest friends ! Welcome to our city, welcome to our church. That faithful martyr, Isaac Jogues, is father to you and father to us. Young Rene Goupil, whose un- discovered body still lies in the bed of the torrent at the foot of the hill of Ossernenon, is brother to us all, and Catherine Tegakwita, the sweet Lilly of the Mohawks, is our little sister. What unaccustomed faces are these that occupy this morning so many of our front pews. They are something more than fellow-citizens. They are the civil authorities of our city. They have come here on this Bi-centennial Sun- day to recognize God and honor rehgion. They have come here expressly and publicly to acknowledge that all authority upon earth rests upon the higher authority of heaven, and that Albany, ancient Albany, is a religious and a Christian city. They, too, are heartily welcome. And who are these that we have seen standing in our midst in military attire, with their arms in their hands, and helmeted like soldiers ready for action ? They, together with the chiefs and pa- trolmen of the police, represent law, order and obedience to duty ; and that the truest love of country is that which has its source in the love of God. They, too, are Avelcome. And now let us turn our thoughts directly to the altar. It represents to us the authority of God, the claims of God, God's protection, God's love, God's mercy, the foundation of all our hopes in God. O may the dear Son of God, who 104 shed His blood for us upon the cross, give His blessing now to our beloved country ; to the State of New York, to the city of Albany, to the parish of St. Mary's : inflame our hearts with the deepest gratitude for His past favors and with well-founded hopes of His future protection and of final sal- vation. THE MUSICAL PROGRAMME. A magnificent ^musical programme was rendered during the service by the choir of the church, under the direction of Prof. Peter Schneider, assisted by Parlati's orchestra. The choir consists of sixty voices, and the manner in which they rendered the difficult music selected for the occasion reflected great credit not only upon them, but upon their conductor, Mr. John Cassidy, and Prof. Schneider. The solo parts were excellently sung by Mrs. Peter Schneider and Miss Josephine Lyons, sopranos ; Miss Jennie T. Gilligan, alto ; Mr. J. T. V. McCrone, tenor, and Mr. John J. Cassidy, basso. At the offertory Hummel's grand "Alma Virgo," soprano obligato and chorus, was rendered with excellent effect. The Jackson corps, during the ceremony, went through appropriate evolutions. At the reading of the gospel they presented arms, as they did also at the entrance of Father Walworth and the prayer for inspiration. After the reading of the text they gave the military salute, and during the reading of the Te Deum the corps uncovered their heads. The only time they were seated was during the sermon, when arms were stacked. They saluted also at the elevation of the host, when the rolling of the drum and sound of the cornet, blending with the strains of the organ, produced a most stirring effect. 105 At the conclusion of the mass Father Walworth announced that the Te Deum would be sung in Eng- lish, in thanksgiving for the blessing bestowed on the city during its 200 years of existence. The grand old hymn sung by the entire multitude rang through the building in loudest tones, led by the organ and or- chestra. MADISON AVENUE REFORMED CHURCH. The union services of the Reformed churches of the city, at the Madison avenue church, were not the least notable feature of the opening day. This denomination is the oldest in the city, and the first congregation dates its history to a period almost half a century before Albany became a chartered city. For this reason a special interest attached to those services which be- longed to none of the others. As early as nine o'clock the audience began to assemble, and shortly thereafter the Hollanders marched to the church in a body. By the time the opening anthem was sung, the church was crowded to the doors, and even the Sunday school and prayer-meeting rooms were occu- pied. The church was tastily and appropriately decor- ated. Flags were wound from the gallery and choir loft, and the pulpit and chancel were banked up with potted plants. There was also a liberal display of cut flowers. One magnificent floral emblem was a minia- ture of the old Dutch church which stood on the cor- ner of State, Market and Court streets a century ago. In honor of the occasion an old office in the church was revived, that of voorleser, which was filled by Elder Stephen McC. La Grange. Standing at the voorleser's 106 desk, an ancient piece of church furniture brought from Holland when the city was young, he read the commandments. The pastors of the three Reformed churches were present and in turn conducted the order of services — the Rev. VV, R. Davis, D.D., the Rev. J. Wilbur Chapman and the Rev. Joseph Paige Davis. A most notable feature of the services was the music under the direction of Prof. E. A. Bedell, organist. The number which attracted most at- tention was Bishop Doane's hymn, with music by Prof. Jeffery, "Ancient of Days," which was magnifi- cently rendered. Beautiful programmes, contain- ing illustrations of the seal of the Dongan charter and of the old church before alluded to, were distributed. The sermon was by the Rev. David D. Demorest, of New Brunswick, N. J., and was as follows : "And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of thy children. In righteousness shalt thou be established ; thou shalt be far from oppression — for thou shalt not fear ; and from terror, for it shall not come near thee." — Isaiah, liv; 13, 14. It augurs well for the successful carrying out of the pro- gramme for the week that the devout recognition of God has been placed at the front. What could be more appro- priate than that the citizens of Albany should, on this first day of the week, the Lord's day preceding the days to be occupied with various exercises and festivities, assemble in their respective houses of worship, to call to mind with thankfulness God's goodness to their fathers and to acknowl- edge the good hand of the Lord, whereby from the feeble beginnings of two and a half centuries ago their city has reached its present proud position as the capital of the Em- pire State and a city known throughout the civihzed world. The beginnings of the settlement at Fort Orange were small indeed. How small we can scarcely conceive, when we survey your city as it now is and contemplate the number of its inhabitants, its imposing buildings, its commercial im- 107 portance, its educational institutions, its wealth, its social character, and in short, all the elements that make a pros- perous city, and one to be desired for a home. You may- well be excused for claiming with Paul that you are citizens of " no mean city." This service is especially appropriate when we consider that the tendency has always been, and it has never been stronger than it is to-day, to lose sight of the First Great Cause while contemplating the confessedly im- portant, manifest second causes, and so we give all the honor to the latter and none to the former. We attribute the founding and the growth of cities and states to the wise use men of genius, foresight and energy have made of circum- stances ; and for all material prosperity, intellectual elevation and progress in civilization give glory to the marvelous pow- ers of which man is possessed. We stand, as we well may, amazed and overwhelmed in presence of man's wonderful successes in discovering and applying and subjecting to his own will the forces of nature, and in so training the powers of his mind as to make them more and more capable of higher achievement. Ere we are aware we find ourselves otfering to the human intellect the incense of devotion which belongs to the Father of Spirits only. We courteously leave a little corner of the vast field of human experience and action for the occupancy of supernatural forces, if indeed there be such, to which they may retire who take an interest in such mat- ters, and where speculative, devout, unworldly people may find amusement and, perchance, comfort. A few are bold enough to invade even that little territory and to take God out of that limited domain. They treat the question of the existence of the Supreme Being scientifically as they do man, beast, insect, steam or electricity. They put into their cru- cible him who holds the universe in the hollow of his hand, and in the last analysis find nothing — no God. THE RELIGIOUS ELEMENT ACKNOWLEDGED. Now the fact that you have invited a minister of religion to come to you, to gather up and to interpret the lessons of the past, and to help you to see, and to appreciate the po- tent and extensive influence of religion and of the church of God in the founding and building up of your city, shows that you have no sympathy with the holders of this atheistic principle. And besides, for confirmation of this, we need only look at your scores of temples devoted to the worship 1 08 of the true and living God, and to mark the crowds that on every returning holy day throng their portals, and to the re- ligious organizations and institutions which proclaim the universal recognition of the God in whom we believe and move and have our being. While, therefore, some men may think that cities and states can be founded and made prosperous and mighty without God, you do not think so, and we cannot think so. The experiment has been fairly tried. History is full of examples of its failure. God has always seen to it, and he always will see to it, that such efforts come to naught. " For the nation and kingdom that will not serve Thee shall perish." " Righteousness exalteth a na- tion." God was devoutly recognized by Columbus in his first act, after he had planted his feet on the soil of San Sal- vador. " He, with his company, gave thanks to God kneel- ing upon the shore, and kissing the ground with tears of joy for the great mercy received." We also find the religious element connected with the founding of all the colonies. It was a most important factor in all movements and measures connected with their early history. It pervaded and to a large extent dominated them. We always find provision for the maintenance of worship and a reverent observance of the forms and ordinances of religion, and it is remarkable how much of the early colonial legislation was occupied with these things. Yet we ought not to wonder at this when we call to mind the close alliance of church and state in Europe, they being parts of one organism, so that it was a matter of course that care for religion could not here be separated from care for civil affairs. The forms of religion were various, accord- ing to nationality, predilection or the ecclesiastical relations that had been held by the respective colonists in such parts of the old world as they had left for the new. We find the Roman Catholic bringing his form of religion with him to Maryland ; the Episcopalian, his to Virginia ; the Quaker, his to Pennsylvania and New Jersey ; the Puritan, his to New England ; the Scotch Presbyterian, his to New Jersey and Pennsylvania ; the Netherland Reformed, his to New Netherland. Every one of these has left a marked and in- delible impression on his respective State. It was the Re- formed church of the Netherlands that furnished tlie men and women who came to occupy the ground on which your city stands, that provided them with the ordinances of reli- gion and with men to administer them, and with the system 109 of instruction and training enjoyed in the fatherland. Now, if the rehgious element brought hither was a decided advan- tage to the infant colony, to this Reformed church the credit for it under God belongs. If it was a hindrance this same church must bear the blame. THE REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH IN THE OLDEN TIME. It is not my purpose to give you, in this discourse, in chronological order, a narrative of the facts connected with the early settlement of Albany and its history antedating the charter. This will be done by other hands, and happily, through the painstaking researches of your citizens, and especially of the late Mr. Munsell, the materials are abun- dant and at hand. My object is rather to trace the religious influences which were at work from the very beginning and which wrought without observation, yet most potently, and to refer to historical facts only so far as they may serve for the illustration of my theme. Let us then, in imagination, go back to-day, 200 years to 1686, the year in which you re- ceived your charter as a city. It is the morning of the Lord's day and we attend public worship in the little church standing at the intersection af Yonkers and Handelaers streets (State and Market), and are edified by the ministra- tions of the Rev. Godfredius Dellius, who had taken charge of the church in 1683, as the associate of the superannuated Dom. Gideon Schaets, who had served the church for thirty years, assisted for a time by Dom. Nieuenhuysen. Its first pastor was the Rev. Johannes Megapolensis, who came in 1642, in fulfillment of a contract made with the patroon Van Rensselaer, and remained six years, when he removed to New Amsterdam where he continued in the discharge of the pastoral office twenty years, being in charge at the time of the surrender to the British in 1664. The church building of which we speak was the second one occupied by the con- gregation. The first one was a temporary wooden structure, in which Dom. Megapolensis, after having held services in his parsonage for three or four years, gathered his congrega- tion. "It stood near the fort, in what is now called Church street. It was a plain, wooden building, 34 feet long by 19 wide, furnished with a pulpit ornamented with a canopy, pews for the magistrates and church officers and nine benches for the people. In this simple structure the congre- gation worshipped 13 years." The second building was also no of wood, was erected in 1656, and the pulpit and bell for it were imported from Holland. The third edifice was of stone, and was erected in 17 15, and was built around and over the ancient wooden one the service being interrupted but two Sabbaths. In 1797 the north church was erected, but services were continued in the old stone church at the foot of State street until 1806, when it was taken down and replaced by the south Dutch church, which was built on the cemetery lot on beaver street, much of the material of the old building being used in this structure, which was dedicated to the worship of Almighty God in 18 10. Thus there were two church buildings, two assemblies for worship, two pas- tors, but only one consistory or church organization until, in 18 1 5, a division was effected, and a part of the consistory and also of the property was assigned to the South or Second church, and the Rev. Dr. John M. Bradford became sole pastor of the church in North Pearl street, and Rev. Dr. John De Witt the pastor of the church in Beaver street. In 1834, thirty members from the Beaver street church were dismissed to form the South Dutch church in Ferry street. The Holland and German churches were organized in 1855. A charter of incorporation was obtained in 1720, about the time of the occupancy of the third, or stone edifice. We attend public worship in the Dutch church on the Lord's day in 1686, not because we are absolutely necessitated to do so, for there is a little Lutheran church which had been estab- lished a few years before this time. But the Dutch church is the church of the place. It is attended by the chief people and the vast majority of the inhabitants. It has had the field entirely to itself for nearly two generations, having had in the earlier part of the time doubtless the ministrations of Voorleser and Krank-besoecker and subsequently of a suc- cession of able and learned ministers of the word. It had gathered in during that period such persons as had come from Old England or New England to make their home here. It was virtually the one church to which Providence entrusted the religious training of this infant community until it became a city and for years after that. Was this church worthy of so important a trust ? Was the trust fulfilled ? We know how important is the very early training of the child ? Is the training of the infant city or state less im- portant ? We thus come to the specific inquiry, what influ- ence had this Reformed church of the Netherlands in the III molding of this community ? The only satisfactory way of obtaining an answer to this question is by considering the antecedents and characteristics of this church, the results to be expected and the results actually seen. We consider : I. THE PREPARED MATERIALS. I refer to the men and women who came hither to make this place their home. They came from a remarkable train- ing school, and not a little of their training had they received in the bosom of this Reformed church. That same church they brought with them so that their children and children's children, and all who should cast in their lot with them, might also be trained in it. Let us then go back to the fatherland and inquire whether she had there proved herself worthy of being intrusted with important work and interests here. When the first Dutchman came to Fort Orange about a century had passed since the first rays of evangelical truth had begun to penetrate the papal darkness of the Nether- lands. But in no country of Europe were the doctrines of the Reformations received more promptly, generally and joyfully, and in none were greater sacrifices made for their maintenances. The persecutions of the " churches under the cross " are unparalled in history Thousands gave up possessions, country and life for the sake of the word of God, scriptural worship and liberty to serve God as con- science might dictate. The contest with the Spaniard in this afiflicted country was alike for civil and religious liberty, and nobly and heroically was it maintained for eighty years. But out of it came the Dutch republic, the leading commer- cial nation of Europe, the home of the oppressed, the seat of learning, the mistress of the seas, and also the Reformed church of the Netherlands, with her learned divines, sound doctrines, orderly worship, representative government and tolerent, catholic and missionary spirit. THE TRAINING SCHOOL. Now, these almost one hundred years were years that tried men's souls. They constituted a protracted, continuous school of discipline for three generations of people, and such as no other people have ever been placed in who yet survived and even triumphed. Their neighbors, the Huguenots, suf- fered as they did, but their oppressors were in power in their own land, and they triumphed. But here men were born in 112 the midst of the conflict, they died while it was going on, and they beqeathed the fight to their children. Through the firmness and perseverence of successive generations peace and prosperity came at last. Where, in this wide world, could a training school like this have been found at that time for men and women who were to be intrusted with the founding of a State or city in this western world ? We can never cease to abhor and to execrate the infamous tyranny of Spain ; but what if she had taken a different course and had readily allowed to her Dutch subjects the liberty they had to fight for ? Who can tell what the result would have been ? Would the Dutchmen of the opening years of the seventeenth century have been what they were ? Would they have had the faith, the firmness, the enterprise, the sim- plicity, the frugality, the energy and the tolerant spirit which they now possessed ? Would they, in a word, have been so well quahfied to be the pioneers in the founding of a new state ? Did not God use the wrath and folly of Spain for the good of America, for the good of New Netherland, for the good of Albany ? " They," says Dr. Storrs, " brought the patience, the enterprise and the courage, the indomitable spirit and the hatrid of tyranny into which they had been born, into which their nation had been baptized with blood." Would it not have been a pity if they had missed their severe training ? And they came not as men who were escaping from raging fires and seeking for safety and rest, but after these fires had been put out, and peace and prosperity filled the land, and their homes were undisturbed, and yet before prosperity had bred the enervating influences which always in time spring from it. They came of their own accord, simply to advance their temporal interests, but they could only care for these interests in accordance with the character that had been formed by the experiences of the century. They came as acknowledged freemen, bringing the virtues into which they had been disciplined, and also the church which had been to them and their fathers so tender a nurse, so true a mentor and so efificient an educator. THE WALLOONS. While we thus speak of the early Dutch colonists and their training, we must not forget the French element con- nected with them, and which was of great value. The first 113 company that came in 1623, with Capt. Cornelius Jacobson May, to make an agricultural settlement in New Netherland, was composed of thirty families, chiefly Walloons ; and of this company eighteen famihes were brought to Fort Orange. The Walloons were the Protestants of the Southern Nether- lands, or Belgium, who, driven by prosecution across the border, made their homes in Northern Netherlands, and formed churches in which their native French was used. The Huguenots came from the northeastern provinces of France and joined their Walloon brethren in Holland. Many of these who had been domiciled in Holland came to New Netherland. Agreeing with the Dutch in doctrine, church polity and ritual and being familiar with their lan- guage, they identified themselves with them. While in a few places, as Staten Island, New Paltz and Hackensack in New Jersey, they maintained worship in their own tongue for a time, in New York alone they were able to maintain it permanently. The French Protestants were as true and loyal members of the Reformed Dutch churches as were the native Hollanders themselves. Almost every church had more or less of them. They were more refined, grace- ful, versatile and vivacious than the Dutch, and what they brought of national characteristics and peculiar culture was so much added to the very solid material furnished by the Dutch, " Their influence has been compared to the gold which some one cast into the mould filled with the melted metals which were to compose the great bell of Moscow — the gold was not much in quantity, but it gave to the great bell a fineness of tone and a melodious ring it would not have possessed without it." THE WIVES AND MOTHERS. I must not leave this part of my subject without speaking of the wives and mothers who came hither, having been trained in the same school with their husbands. Who can tell how much Albany owes to these wives and mothers ? The Dutch husband treated his wife with what one has called " respectful adoration." He did not often " com- mence any undertaking, whether public or private, without first consulting the partner of his cares ; and it is even said that some of the statesmen most distinguished for their influence in the affairs of their own country and Europe in general were accustomed to receive instructions at home to 114 which they ventured not to go counter. But the diminion of these lordly dames, all dispotic though it were, was ever exerted for the benefit of those who obeyed. It was the earnest and undaunted si)irit of their women which encour- aged the Dutch to dare, and their calm fortitude to endure the toils, privations and sufterings of the first years of the war of independence against Spain ; it was their activity and terift in the management of their private incomes that sup- phed them with the means of defraying an amount of na- tional expenditure wholly unexampled in history ; and to their influence is to be ascribed, above all, the decorum of manners and the purity of morals, for which the society of Holland has at all times been remarkable." (Davie's Hol- land and the Dutch, vol. 3, p. 381.) Broadhead says: " The empire which the sex obtained was no greater than that which their beauty, good sense, virtue and devotion well entitled them to hold. They mingled in all the active aftairs of life and were always consulted with deferential respect. Their habits of business enabled them to manage with skill and advantage the interests which their husbands confidently entrusted to their care. They loved their homes and their firesides, but they loved their country more. Through all their toils and struggles, the calm fortitude of the men of Holland was nobly encouraged and sustained by the earnest and undaunted spirit of their mothers and wives." (History of New York, vol. I, p. 263.) 11. THE SYSTEM OF DOCTRINE. The system brought hither by the colonists was that in which they had been trained from childhood, and which they were teaching to their cliildren, the system whose cor- ner-stone is the doctrine of God's sovereignty in grace as well as in nature and i)rovidence, called Calvinism, not be- cause Calvin originated it, but because he most successfully formulated it and put upon it the impress of his masterly genuis. It is a system just as far removed from fatalism on the one hand as from sentimentalism on the other. It is not in place to-day, even if we had the time to expound this system, nor to give the proofs of its scripturalness, nor to answer the objections brought against it. And yet I may be allowed to suggest that it is possible that some who de- nounce it may not understand it as well as they might, that a caricature is a very different thing from a true likeness, 115 and that the study of the carefully and beautifully-expressed articles of the synod of Dort on the tive controverted heads of doctrine will well repay every thinking man, even though he should decline to accept them. But this we are bold to affirm, that it is a system which has produced many of the world's most profound thinkers and most glorious heroes, that it has developed all the manly virtues and made sturdy Christians and sturdy citizens, and produced the stuff of which not only martyrs to the faith are made, but also incor- ruptible magistrates, and people who can be neither bought nor sold. Surely we need not, in the hght of history, be ashamed of the doctrine taught in the articles of the church of England, the canons of Dort, and the confession of West- minister, anei which lie at the foundation of the New Eng- land commonwealth, and of this Empire State. How could it be otherwise, since the whole tendency of the system is to exalt God, and man is lifted up toward God, when God is exalted in his conceptions. When God is brought down, man sinks so much the lower. Would we then have true manliness and the highest type of civic virtue, let us have the highest possible conceptions of God, and let them Avith- out hindrance shape our lives. The tree is known by its fruit. Be not afraid to test a doctrinal system by its prac- tical effects. " It is enough," says Froude, " to mention the name of William the Silent, of Luther — for on the points of which I am speaking Luther was one with Calvin — of your own Knox and Andrew Mellville, and the Regent Murray, of Coligny, of our English Cromwell, of Milton, of John Bunyan. These were men possessed of all the qual- ities which give nobility and grandeur to human nature ; men whose life was as upright as their intellect was com- manding, and their public aims untainted with selfishness ; unalterably just where duty required them to be stern, but with the tenderness of a woman in their hearts ; frank, true, cheerful, humorous, as unlike sour fanatics as it is possible to imagine any one, and able in some way to sound the key-note to which every brave and faithful heart in Europe instinctively vibrated." (Froude's Calvinism, p. 7.) A prom- inent writer of the Methodist Episcopal church has said of Calvinism : " It is the clearest and most comprehensive sys- tem of doctrine ever formed. * * * We concede to the Calvinistic churches the honor of having all along directed the best religious thinking of the country. Some of the best 116 fruits of religious life and the noblest specimens of the Chris- tian character have been exhibited among those who have been, at least in theory, Calvinists." This faith was alike the inspirer and the bulwark of civic and religious liberty. " We may," says our great historian, George Bancroft, " as republicans remember that Calvin was not only the founder of a sect, but foremost among the most efficient of modern republican legislators. More truly benevolent to the human race than Solon, more self-denying than Lycurgus, the genus of Calvin infused enduring elements into the institutions of Geneva and made it for the moral world the impregnable fortress of popular liberty, the fertile seed-plot of democracy * * *. Alone in the world, alone in a strange land, he went forward in his career with serene resignation and inflex- ible firmness. No love of ease turned him aside from his vigils ; no fear of danger relaxed the nerve of his eloquence ; no bodily infirmities checked the immediate activity of his mind ; and so he continued year after year, solitary and feeble, yet toiling for humanity, till after a life of glory, he bequeathed to his personal heirs a fortune in books and fur- niture, stocks and money not exceeding $200, and to the world a purer reformation, a republican spirit in religion, with the kindred principles of repubUcan liberty." (Ban- croft's miscellanies, p. 406.) The fathers of Albany were disciples of Calvin. III. THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM. The Dutch of the i6th and 17th centuries appreciated the incalculable importance of the education, both religious and secular, of the young, and they made the wisest and fullest provision for it in their power. Their universities founded for the training of young men in the classics, philosophy, jurisprudence, medicine and theology soon became famous, but provision was also made for popular, universal education in the fundamentals of religion and also in the primary branches of secular studies. Count John of Nassau, the elder brother of William the Silent, said : " You must urge upon the states general that they should establish free schools where children of quality as well as of poor families for a small sum could be well and christianly educated and brought up. This would be the greatest and most useful work you could ever accomplish for God and Christianity, for tl^e Netherlands themselves." (Cent, discourses, p. 209.) Thus 117 we see that our free, public school system, of which we justly boast, and for which we proudly claim an American origin, was in its germ and essential features anticipated by the Dutch in the Netherlands three centuries ago. " The New England pilgrims," says Motley, " during their residence in the glorious country of Holland found already established the system of free schools which John of Nassau had recom- mended." (Letter to St. Nicholas society, 1869.) The church took her share in this matter of education and worked in harmonious co-operation with the State. While the schools were provided and supported by the state, and the children were taught the ordinary branches of secular education, the church saw to it that in their schools the truths of religion were taught. The schoolmaster was usually also the voorleser who performed certain parts of the .service in the Church on the Lord's day, and, of course, was required to be a member of the church. He was by no means an unimportant person in a Dutch com- munity, and was amenable to church and state for the per- formance of his duties. We may add that the state was not inditferent to the religious education, and that the church was quite as deeply concerned for the secular education as was the state. Says Brodhead : " Neither the perils of war, nor the busy pursuits of gain, nor the excitement of political strife ever caused the Dutch to neglect the duty of educating their offsprings to enjoy the freedom for which their fathers had fought. Schools were everywhere provided at the pub- lic expense, with good schoolmasters to instruct the children of all classes in the usual branches of education ; and the consistories of the churches took zealous care to have their youth thoroughly taught the catechism and the articles of religion." (History of New York, vol. I, p. 462.) If any one will take the pains to examine the acts of the early synods of the churches of the Netherlands, beginning with that of Wesel in 1568, he will find that by every one of them great stress was laid upon the religious education of the children and the youth. The baptismal dedication of the infant was accompanied with the explicit and solemn promise that it should be instructed in the truths of the Christian religion. The method of religious training established by the synod of Dort in i6t8 cannot but excite admiration for its complete- ness. That august body of learned divines did not consider it beneath them to formally adopt a primary catechism for 118 the use of the youngest children, also to provide the " com- pendium for the instruction of candidates Ibr the Lord's supper " and to enjoin the use of the Heidelberg catechism in teaching more advanced pupils and for regular exposi- tion from the pulpit to the congregation on the Lord's day. The agencies for carrying out this method were threefold, and the church was to see to it that every one performed his work. I . Parents : They were to be enquired of in the pastorial visitations whether they faithfully and diligently instructed their children and households in the Christian religion ; whether they maintained family worship ; whether they placed their children under the preaching of God's word, and earnestly and carefully exhorted them to the cul- tivation of true piety. Parents who were negligent were to be admonished by the minister and, if necessary, censured by the consistory. 2. Schoolmasters: They were required to be of upright and pious life, to subscribe to the confession of faith and the Heidelberg catechism ; to teach and care- fully expound the catechism twice a week ; to bring their pupils to the hearing of God's word preached and to examine them on the matter of the sermons heard by them. 3. Min- isters and Elders : These were to visit the schools, to counsel, encourage, and, if necessary, admonish the teachers and to examine the children. The ministers were to expound the catechism from the pulpit in short sermons, suited for chil- dren as well as adults. We cannot but see that as a result of this system faithfully carried out it was next to impossible for a child to grow up in Holland ignorant of the ordinary ele- mentary branches of a secular education. Scarcely could one be found unable to read, or to sign his name to a docu- ment, or to work out a problem in simple arithmetic. And as to religious education we cannot well see how any one could escape an indoctrination that qualified them to under- stand the sermons of their preachers, to argue with them on disputed points, and to fill the office of elders, whose duty it is " particularly to have regard unto the doctrine and con- versation of the ministers of the word," and to see to it, that "no strange doctrine be taught." No other country in the world could at that time show such a general diffusion of secular and religious education among the whole people as was found in Holland. The emigrants who came hither had not only the benefits of that system, but they brought it with them and established it here, so far as was possible 119 under different circumstances. The West India company was pledged to maintain it. The church and school worked to- gether in this matter. The church inquired into the fidelity of parents, schoolmasters were here required to perform the same service that schoolmasters were performing in the fatherland, ministers and elders made their visitations and had their catechetical classes. Think you that this was a detriment to the infant community here ? Situated as we now are, with state and church completely divorced, with heterogeneous religious elements in every community, we encounter serious problems in this work of education, and which are very diffi- cult of solution. But can we fail to see that an indissoluble marriage tie, binding together the religious and secular, is the desirable ideal, which, alas ! it seems impossible for us now fully to realize. Let us be thankful that our fathers had it. It has been thought by some that the tendency of this system of catechetical instruction was to fill the church with orthodox formalists, since persons were received to the communion who could recite the catechism, while vital and experimental religion was lost sight of Let me correct this by quoting from the acts of the synod of Dort, as follows : " Those who desire to unite with the church shall, three or four weeks before the administration of the Lord's supper, be more carefully and frequently instructed that they may be better qualified and be more free to give a satisfactory account of their faith. The ministers shall employ diligent care to ascertain those who give any hopeful evidence of serious concern for the salvation of their soul and invite them to them, assembling those together who have like impres- sions and encouraging to friendly intercourse and free con- versation to each other. These meetings shall commence with appropriate prayer and exhortations. If all this shall be done by the ministers with that cordiality, faithfulness, zeal and discretion that become those who must give an account of the flock committed to their charge, it is not to be doubted that in a short time abundant fruit of their labors shall be found in growth in religious knowledge and holiness of life, to the glory of God and the prosperity to the church of Christ." Could anything be more admirable ? Have we, by our modern methods of gathering people into the church, improved on that singularly complete, safe and effi- cient system ? Like every other system it was hable to abuse by careless and unfaithful ministers, but by means of it defi- I20 nite knowledge of fundamental truths at least was secured, and of it the learner could not be dispossessed. IV. REVERENCE FOR THE EXTERNALS OF WORSHIP. The habits of the people in regard to public worship have a great forming influence on a new community, as well as a con- serving influence on one established. In all new settlements in the West this is well understood by the most godless people. It was a happy thing for Albany that provision was at once made by its founders for the public worship of God. We do not claim that they all were devotedly pious people. They came hither for gain, not for conscience's sake, and a living faith was doubtless wanting in some of them. But they were of one mind in reverence for the externals of religion. When the Sabbath came worldly work ceased, and while they were not so precise in their observance of the day of rest as were the Puritans, who- professed to be scan- dalized by some things they witnessed in Holland, yet they insisted on the observance of public worship. It might be held in a private house or barn, and without a minister, but it must be held, and all the men, womeii and children must attend it ; and often they walked miles to attend it, for it was the ordinance of God. Thus every child grew up into this invaluable habit of attendance on the ordinances of God's house. And if there was no preacher, yet the attendant was sure to hear God's word read, and his praises sung, and prayers to him offered, and to hear the three things which are prominent not only in the catechism, but in all the liturgies of the reformation, viz. : the ten commandments, the Lord's prayer, and the apostolic creed. The services were simple, decent and appropriate, containing considerable of the liturgical element, yet not so as to interfere seriously with the liberty of the minister in presenting the wants of the people before God. Respect for the externals of religion, for the church, her laws, ordinances, ceremonies, and even customs is by many not duly appreciated at the present day. It is true that we may respect them for their own sake, may confound the observance of them with true religion and measure our piety by the number and imposing charac- ter of the ceremonies observed. But may we not, on the other hand, abuse the truth that spirituality is of the essence of religion, by entirely setting aside the externals of worship as useless or even harmful ? And so men claim that they 121 can worship God without attending church, for nothing is needed but that the heart be right. Now know this, that when the outward and visible which has been estabhshed by God is despised and neglected, the inward and spiritual will soon disappear. The Holy Spirit chooses the divinely-ap- pointed ordinances as his channels for communicating his blessed influences. The man who disregards them does it at his peril, for he dictates to the Holy Ghost the methods of his working. How this habit of the early Albanians, formed also in their children, must have told upon the gen- erations that followed them. Doubtless many of you can see the traces of it at the present day. And I am very sure that no greater blessing could come to your city now than a baptism of the Spirit of God which should lead every one to determine that never shall his seat in the house of God be vacant, except when God himself has by his providence shut him out, and when the sad sight shall be no more witnessed of fathers and mothers occupying the family pew, while sons and daughters are seeking their pleasure. v. THE FORM OF GOVERNMENT. In this we find the two elements of ministerial parity and popular representation. Elders and deacons were elected as representatives of the people, to serve for the limited pe- riod of two years. The Dutch people had come from a country of large freedom in the municipalities, and they were jealous of their rights. Their situation here was pecu- liar. For the promotion of the settlements of the country, large grants of lands were given to certain persons, who were then called patroons, and were clothed with certain rights and powers like feudal chieftains. With these rights and powers were connected corresponding duties and obli- gations. Among other things they were to provide minis- ters and schoolmasters. And accordingly the first minister in this place was engaged by the patroon Van Rensselaer. This quasi-feudal system had its advantages and disadvan- tages, and its practical workings were greatly affected by the character of the patroon, who, if wise, just and humane, was as a father to his tenants. But the system did, doubtless, at the first operate against a rapid increase of the population. In 1652 Beverwyck was declared to be independent of the patroon's colony, and the germ of the present city of Al- bany was released from feudal jurisdiction. Now, while the 122 church was by her teaching and discipHne promotive of order and content among the people, at the same time she by her form of government kept ahve in their breasts the love of individual liberty, to be restricted only by the general good. After the province had passed into the hands of the English it was impossible but that jealousies should arise. The power had passed into the hands of aliens, men of another country, another language, another form of religion. The governors were representatives of the Englisli crown, they had English ideas, and favored English institutions. The will of the people was not always respected to the fullest extent, and even good measures were likely to be misrepresented or mis- understood. In time policies were adopted, which not only the Dutch people, but those of all nationalities and in all the colonies, regarded as intolerably oppressive, and thus the way was gradually prepared for the assertion of independ- ence. Is it not fair to claim for the Dutch church some in- fluence in this matter ? Had not her polity stood forth for nearly a century and a half as the rei)resentative of the rights of man ? We are not surprised to find that her ministers and people were almost to a man true to the cause of na- tional independence. In our representative repubhcan form of government we find the principles of our church polity which we believe to be not only scriptural but in accord with sound views of popular rights. VI. HER GENIUS OR SPIRIT. This was eminently tolerant, beneficent, missionary and Cathohc. Holland was the asylum of the persecuted, whether Christians or Jews, from all the nations of Europe. The Dutch could not in this country be recreant to their principles. It is true that Governor Stuyvesant did once blunder into a proclamation against all who '' should hold conventicles not in harmony with the estabHshed religion." It was also attempted " to employ all moderate exertions to lure them (Lutherans) to our churches and to matriculate them in the pubhc reformed reUgion." Zeal in this matter led to measures which we would hardly call moderate, such as compelling parents to have their children baptized in the Dutch church, and to express their belief in the doctrines of the synod of Dort on pain of imprisonment. But Stuyve- sant was promptly rebuked by the West India company. 123 They directed him " to allow to all the free exercise of reli- gion in their own houses," and declared " that at least the consciences of men ought to remain free and unshackled. Let every one remain free as long as he is modest, moder- ate, his pohtical conduct irreproachable, and as long as he does not offend others or oppose the government. This maxim of moderation has always been the guide of our ma- gistrates in this city (Amsterdam), and the consequence has been that people have flocked from every land to this asy- lum. Tread thus in their steps, and we doubt not you will be blessed." For Stuyvesant's proclamation the church was not responsible. After the English had come into power the Dutch and Episcopal clergymen freely and cordially frater- nized. The two Dutch ministers, Selyna and Nucella, as- sisted in the services at the induction into office of Rev. Mr. Vesey as first rector of Trinity church, New York, and the services were held in the Dutch church in Garden street. During tlie revolutionary war, when the Dutch church was used as a hospital by the British, the Episcopahans offered the use of St. George's church to the Dutch congregation, and the offer was accepted. (Brodhead's History, vol. i, p. 119.) Their respective fields were for a long time so well fenced in by the difterence of language that the idea of competition could scarcely be entertained. It was benevo- lent. Almsgiving was always a part of the worship on the Lord's day, as it still is. The deacon's office was a very im- portant one in Holland. There was a time when the con- tributions of the church of Amsterdam to the deacon's fund exceeded its income for all other purposes, and most liber- ally did the deacons distribute not only to their own people, but to the thousands of strangers who came to them stripped of their all for the sake of the gospel. I have been greatly interested in reading the reports of the deacons of this church of Albany from 1665 to 17 15. From the very liberal col- lections that were taken up in the church the deacons paid for the support of widows and orphans, for food and cloth- ing, for medicine, for funeral expenses and for wages, and in other modes of relief very large sums annually, and then they had surplus moneys which they loaned at interest or in- vested in real estate. The assets reported by the deacons in 1686 amounted to 12,687 guilders, or somewhat more than $5,000. The church was the only organized almoner, and well did she fulfill that part of her vocation. She had a 124 missionary spirit. She, from the first, cared for the heathen around her. It was expressly required of Megapolensis and his immediate successors by their calls that they should in- struct and christianize the Indians, and Avith great zeal and faithfulness did they labor in their behalf, and on the regis- ter of baptisms of this church are to be found the names of many Indian converts. I wonder that some artist has not selected for an historical painting Dom. Megapolensis preaching to his little congregation at Fort Orange, with the dusky Mohawks standing around smoking their long pipes, looking on with wonder and asking what he was doing and why he alone talked and all the others kept silence. Need we be surprised to learn that the ministers and members of the church of Albany were among the chief supporters of the Northern missionary society which did so much for the christianization and civilization of the Indians in Central and Western New York from 1797 to 1833? Surely the influ- ence of a church with a liberal, catholic and missionary spirit in a forming as well as estabUshed community cannot be exhibited by statistics. I have thus endeavored to set before you some of the char- acteristics of the Reformed church of the Netherlands, which eminently qualify her to exert a most healthful influence upon a young and growing community. You have seen from what school the colonists came, and what system of truth, what educational system, what respect for Christian ordinances, what a model of church government, and what a cathohc spirit they brought with them. It could not be otherwise than that every good thing should receive the fos- tering care of this church, and that she should be a clear, steadily-shining light for the guidance of the generations to come. And has not her influence been eminently salutary, especially in the direction of a healthful conservatism ? And is it not quite as important to hold fast to the good already professed as it is to reach after that which has not yet been attained ? Indeed, progress depends on a resolute mainte- nance of good possessed, while its abandonment is retro- gression. Now it is fair to ask whether this influence so early exerted by this church has not been permanent, and whether it may not be traced down to the present day. There are many of you who are more competent than I to answer this question. 125 VII. HINDRANCES TO GROWTH. You need not be told that the Reformed Dutch church has not multipHed her congregations in Albary proportion- ately with the increase of population. If she had done so nine tenths of the people would now be in her communion. But how unjust to charge her with remissness because she has not in numbers continued to lead all the denominations. You will consider that she was a foreign national church planted on American soil, that when Albany was a small village the province passed under the dominion of the Eng- lish ; that emigration from the fatherland was seriously checked ; that the church could look for increase only to the natural increase of the Dutch people ; that the Episco- pal church gained an advantage which the Dutch lost, as the church of government officials ; that in due time it could not be otherwise than that all the principal sects of Chris- tians should here raise their banners, Lutherans, Presbyte- rians, Methodists, Baptists, Congregationahsts, Roman Cath- olics. They were entitled to have their own churches and to worship according to their preferences based on peculiar views of doctrine, of government or ritual. And so these churches sprang up around the old Dutch altar, on which, nevertheless, the fire has continued to burn and has been kept brightly burning through the loyal zeal of the descend- ants of the parishioners of Megapolensis, Schaets, Dellius, Lydius and Westerlo. May it not be that unconsciously the later churches have received something of conservative in- fluence from this ancient church, while she in turn has re- ceived something of an aggressive spirit from these new allies in the fight with the powers of darkness, so that in the unity of the spirit, though under separate organizations they are all striving together for the faith of the gospel. But it will be said that while this is true, and while it is also true that many who were born and baptized in other communions have fixed their homes in this venerable church, because they loved her doctrines, order and spirit, yet many of her own children she has failed to retain. No doubt this is so, for the same reasons that often lead individuals of all other communions to change church relationships operate among the members of the Dutch communion. If a man changes his views of doctrine or government, or has a serious griev- ance, or seeks for more congenial associations, or better provision for his spiritual needs, we grant him the liberty to 126 act accordingly. Why should one be compelled to remain in some one church who prefers to be elsewhere ? But the Reformed Dutch church was peculiarly situated. There were causes for loss of children and arrest of progress from which the surrounding churches were exempt, and which were operative down to almost the close of the last century. When we contemplate them we wonder at the good provi- dence which saved this church from utter extinction. Not only was she in common with other denominations affected by the predominant, political influence of the English church, and her plausible claim to be the church by law established in the English colonies, but she suffered from subjection to the ecclesiastical authorities in Holland, which continued 150 years, from the difficulty during that long period of ob- taining pastors, from the bitter controversy between the Coetus and Conferentie parties about ministerial education and ecclesiastical independence. All these exerted a most disastrous influence and drove many lovers of peace into other communions. Besides these there was one hindrance, which, if there had been no other, would have proved most effective. I refer to the continued, exclusive use of the Dutch language in public worship down to the year 1782, when the learned and godly Dr. Westerlo began to preach one sermon weekly in English, It is difticult to believe that the beginning of English preaching was made in the Re- formed Dutch church of Albany only about a hundred years ago, and after the Dutch had had undisputed sway for 140 years. Now, how was it possible to retain in this church the constantly-increasing numbers of those who had only a slight understanding of the language used in worship, or none at all? The children of Dutch parents were taught English in the schools and largely in their homes. English was the language of business, of the laws and of the courts. The Dutch was rapidly dying out, especially in the cities, but in the church services the dear old tongue was maintained, for the ministers were at home in it, and the old people loved it and reverenced it as if it were the original inspired tongue. But to the young, even those who could speak the collo- quial Dutch, it was virtually an unknown tongue, by reason of the limitations of their vocabulary. And so it happened that the young were gradually drawn into other churches and were lost to the church of their fathers forever. I have been greatly interested in a letter written in 17 10 by Rev. 127 Thomas Barclay, a missionary of the church of England, sent to this place by the society for the propagation of the gospel in foreign parts. In writing to the secretary of that society he says : " Honored Sir : As I did begin from my first coming to Albany, so I go on to catechise the youth ; and it hath pleased God to bless my weak endeavors that way, for a great many Dutch children who, at my first ar- rival, were altogether ignorant of the English tongue, can distinctly say our catechism and make the responses at pray- ers. Every Sunday, after the second lesson at evening prayer, I explain some part of the catechism in as plain and familiar a manner as I can, shunning all controversies, teach- ing them such fundamental doctrines as are necessary and tend most to promote piety and a good life. I have taught the scholars the prayers appointed for charity schools, and I have used all possible methods to engage the children to their duty, both by the giving of small presents to the most forward and diligent, and by frequently visiting their schools; and for encouraging the schoolmasters, I give them what charity is collected in our church, obliging them to bring their scholars to public prayers. At Schenectady I preach once a month, where there is a garrison of 40 soldiers, be- sides about 16 English and 100 Dutch families. They are all of them my constant hearers. I have this summer got an English school erected amongst them, and in a short time I hope their children will be fit for catechizing. Sche- nectady is a village situated upon a pleasant river 20 Enghsh miles above Albany, and the first castle of the Indians is 24 miles above Schenectady. In this village there has been no Dutch minister these five years, and there is no probability of any being settled among them. There is a convenient and well-built church which they freely gave me the use of. I have taken pains to show the agreement of the articles of our church with theirs. I hope in some time to bring them not only to be constant hearers but communicants. Mr. Lydius, the minister of the Dutch congregation of Albany, died the ist day of March last. He was a good, pious man and lived in entire friendship with me ; sent his own chil- dren to be catechized." (Annals of Albany, vol. 5, p. 218.) If the successors of Mr. Barclay down to the close of the last century worked on the same lines with him, and with like tact and fidelity, it would not have been strange if a mere corporal's guard had remained in attendance on Dr. 128 Westerlo's ministry in 1782. We blame not Mr. Barclay. He seems to have been an orthodox and zealous minister, seeking to supply the things that were lacking, and not working in an underhanded way, but with the consent of the Dutch minister and people. But surely his methods were not calculated to build up the Reformed Dutch church. We now find, as the result of various causes working through the generations, the names of old Dutch pioneers on the roll of the bishops of the Protestant Episcopal church (even the name Knickerbocker is there) and of priests, deacons and vestrymen. We find ministers, church officers and members of all denominations bearing Dutch names. Every- where, in all churches, you will find the descendants of Dutchmen, and I am sure that unless they have utterly for- gotten their good training they are among the most loyal and valuable in their new relations. Now, in the light of the facts that have been presented, is it fair to reproach this venerable church, which was the first one on the ground in New York and Albany, for being to-day in numbers far be- hind the chief denominations of Christians around her? As well might you reproach the racer for coming in last, who though he started first, ran with a hundred pound weight tied to his feet. The Reformed Dutch church may well be com- pared to a ship crowded with passengers lying at anchor for 100 years at the mouth of a river. Meanwhile vessels of all sorts pass by, each one taking on board some of her passen- gers, and sail out of sight up the river. After 100 years of this process it is concluded to weigh anchor and sail for the head of navigation. Would you expect her to catch up with, or even get within sight of the fleet ahead ? For more than 100 years the anchor of the Dutch tongue held the old ship fast to her moorings. Those who had command of her seemed to be well pleased with this state of quiescence, until they woke up to the fact that if a start were not made they were likely to be left alone on board. And yet, paradoxical as it may be thought, the very cause that, in cities at least, hindered the progress of the church, probably saved her life. The Dutch tongue was the strong cord holding together the churches all through the times of disability and contention. This language was a high wall of separation from the other denominations which could not be easily scaled. If it had been removed perhaps not even strong feelings of loyalty to the fatherland 129 would have prevented a general exodus and a flight to the Episcopal and Presbyterian churches. VIII. LESSONS OF THE HOUR. And now what are the lessons and duties of the hour? Not to brood with vain regrets over the mistakes of the past, but to rejoice that God makes even them to subserve his glory and to be thankful for whatever influence for good this church has exerted in this city, State and country. She has certainly been for eight generations a steady witness for Christ. The truths of the everlasting gospel have been pro- claimed from her pulpits by able and godly men through all these generations. In her consistories and membership have been found men who exerted no little influence in the State as well as the church ; who adorned the various professions, who bore an important part in shaping the constitution of the State as well as in regulating municipal affairs, and whose zeal for the church universal did not hinder a special devo- tion to the institutions of their own denomination. When in the middle of the last century the hopes of the great ma- jority of the members of the Dutch churches, and especially of the men of earnest and progressive spirit, were disap- pointed in the matter of a professorship of theology in con- nection with Kings (Columbia) college, it was Rev. Theo- dorus FreUnghuysen, the active and faithful pastor of the church of Albany, who started from his home in midwinter and visited the pastors and churches along the Hudson, and in New Jersey, to stimulate interest and effort for the estab- lishment of a college for the training of ministers for the Dutch churches. In behalf of this object he subsequently went to Holland, and after an unsuccessful mission, was on the return voyage drowned at Sandy Hook. When the time had come in 1814 for the appointment of an additional pro- fessor in the theological school at New Brunswick, the church of Albany pledged for his support $750 per year for six years. When, in 1823, the particular synod of Albany, stimulated by the example of the particular synod of New York (which had just raised $26,675 for the second profes- sorship), resolved to raise the moneys for a third professor- ship, the committee which with indefatigable perseverance carried the work to a successful completion, by raising $26,- 715, was composed of the Rev. Dr. John Ludlow, pastor of the church of Albany, and Elders Christian Miller of Al- 130 bany, and Abraham Van Dyck of Coxsackie. Nearly $8,000 of this amount were contributed by members of the church of Albany. In the Rensselaer Manor house, known for many years through the whole country for its large and ele- gant hospitality, and in which no guests received a heartier welcome than ministers of the gospel, not only were high matters of state discussed, but liberal things for reHgion, and especially for the institutions of the Reformed Dutch church, were devised. When in 1835 an effort was made for the increase of the endowment of the theological school at New Brunswick, the Hon. Stephen Van Rensselaer, whose mem- ory will never cease to be fragrant in Albany, headed the list of subscriptions with one of $5,000. When in 1864 the fourth professorship was established, his son, Gen. Stephen Van Rensselaer, subscribed $5,000 ; and when in 1870-2 the Rev. Dr. James A. H. Cornell was working for the various interests of the theological seminary Mr. Eugene Van Rens- selaer contributed $5,000. From Mr. Jacob H. Ten Eyck was received by will the sum of $10,000. As a representa- tive of that theological school, I could not let this occasion pass without an acknowledgment of indebtedness to the church of Albany, and to all in her communion who, as well as those whose names have been mentioned, have never failed to give us sympathy and support. And besides, Al- bany has furnished the school with three professors, the Rev. Dr. John Bassett, appointed in 1804; the Rev. Dr. John DeWitt, in 1823, and the Rev. Dr. William H. Campbell, in 1851, while Rutgers' college is indebted to Albany for Professors John DeWitt, Lewis C. Beck, William H. Camp- bell, George H. Cook, David Murray and Merrill Edwards Gates, the present efficient and successful president of the college. To these may be added a succession of students who are an honor to their alma mater. To-day this church is girded for her work. She is to forget the things that are behind and to reach forth to those things that are before. As the citizens of Albany enter on their third century of corporate civic life this church is with them, pledged to con- tinue to proclaim and teach the pure doctrines of the Word of God, to encourage every effort for the promotion of wise government, good order, sound morals and true prosperity. She stands ordained of God, to help in the training of the people for self-government, and for the enjoyment of true liberty, and for the promotion here and everywhere of the 131 kingdom which is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Venerable church, antedating this ancient city's birth, thy children rise up before thee and call thee blessed. From this day with renewed youth do valiantly for our Lord Christ. " Peace be within thy walls And prosperity within thy palaces, For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, peace be within thee." UNION SERVICES AT ST. PETER'S. St. Peter's church never contained a larger or more notable audience than on the occasion of the union service of the Episcopal churches. The church was crowded to the doors before eight o'clock, and after that hour there was a constant stream of persons up and down the steps, almost every one having to content himself with a glance over the heads of the throng in the vestibule. There was little attempt at decoration, save a profuse display of cut flowers before the chancel and altar. The music was given with grand effect, there being the combined choirs of All Saints' cathedral, Grace church and St. Peter's church, under the direction of F. W. Mills, organist and choir master of St. Peter's. The hymn, "Ancient of Days," words by Bishop Doane and music by Mr. J. Albert Jeffery, is one of those grand massive chants which, when sung by such a superb chorus, one hundred and thirty strong, has an electric effect. The harmonies are full and sonorous, and there is about the entire work the spirit of an accomplished musician. It was preceded by some exquisite organ solos by Mr. Jeffery, a cho- 132 rus from Handel's " Samson," the march from " La Reine de Saba," and a prayer by Lemmens, the cele- brated English organist. The sermon, which was by Bishop Doane, follows : BISHOP DOANE's sermon. "A citizen of no mean city." — Acts xxi : 39. This is eminently a season and a service of rememibrance. The present seems to-day not so much a contemplation as a contrast. The future stretches out before us in the majesty of the mysterious unknown. We are living in the reminders of the past. Not unmindful of the Christian exhortation to " forget the things that are behind in order that we may reach forth unto those things which are before," we pause a moment in this anniversary week of our " not mean city," to look " unto the rock whence we are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence we are digged." For if rightly used, such a monument as we set up here to-day, will serve only as a stimulus to wholesome humility and more earnest energy. I take it that one chief purpose of such a service as the municipal authorities of Albany propose to us, and of such a sermon as I am asked to preach by the rectors of our five parishes, is to make a record of the first centuries of our church life, and to trace the story of our life and growth as part of the religious history of this old town. And I address myself first to gather up for preservation in the Bi-centennial volume the salient points of that story. There is high au- thority for this treatment of such a subject, since the inspired history of the Catholic Church takes to itself the name of " the Acts of the Holy Apostles." Others will tell to-day the tale of those religious begin- nings, which were not after our ways of order and worship. And a most interesting story it can be. Naturally, in a way, we were not first, because the first comers were really the French in 1624. Coming from France to Holland, to escape the inquisition, and with that queer Saxon name " Walloons," which means foreigners, these French Protest- ants stepped in the footprints of their fellow-countrymen, whose exploration of the Hudson river antedates Hudson's coming by more than eighty years. Next to them came the Hollanders, who sought and obtained at once, from home 133 the ministrations of their own church in 1628. The story that follows, of actual intolerance, is the story of almost all religious occupation, whether of Puritan against Quaker or Baptist in New England, or of Dutchmen against Lutherans and German Protestants and Anglicans in New York. It was not until 1684, and then by permission of an English governor, that the Lutherans were allowed to hold service here, although a French Calvanist clergyman, in 1628, min- istered to the Walloons. The Dutch Church, according to their charter from the West India company, was really es- tablished here, and the first services were held in the fort in 1633, and continued after that by a succession of Dutch ministers. It is more to the credit of Englishmen here, that they first allowed and recognized rehgious differences by toleration of freedom of worship, than that they remained indifferent to any provision for their own services for so many years. It was more accident than choice which gave the first English clergyman to Albany. Nicolas Van Rens- selaer, the third son of the first Patroon, came over from Amsterdam to London as chaplain to the ambassador of the States General in Holland. Having earned the favor of the Stuarts while they were in exile on the continent, he was welcomed by Charles II., and treated by him and by the Duke of York and Albany with distinguished favor. Having been ordained Deacon and Priest by the Bishop of Salisbury, he was sent out, perhaps as chaplain to the governor of New York, with directions to appoint him a minister when a vacancy should occur in one of the Dutch churches. And in this way he became the colleague of the minister of the Dutch Church in Albany. The inevitable jealousies at once arose. His right to administer holy Baptism was first de- nied, because he had no license from the classis at Amster- dam. This claim being disallowed by the governor and council in New York, Mr. Van Rensselaer returned to Albany only to be subjected to accusations of heresy, for preach- ing doctrines at variance with the standards ot the Reformed Church of Holland ; and was finally imprisoned in 1676 by the magistrates in Albany for " dubious words " spoken in his sermon. For which bit of bigotty the magistrates were summoned to New York, and ordered by the council to release their prisoner and cease their bickerings ; to be recon- ciled and " consume all their differences in the fire of love." But after this the Rev. Mr. Van Rensselaer appears to have 134 abstained from the exercise of his ministry and to have devoted himself to the care of the estate, which devolved upon him by the death of the patroon. So far as our ecclesiastical history in Albany is concerned, it is only an episode that led to no rooting and no results. Looking toward the real beginning of the church in Al- bany, I find the first definite proposal made in 1695, by the Rev. John Miller, who was for three years chaplain of the fort in New York. And it is made in a right churchly way. Lamenting the divisions amongst Christians and bewaihng the lack of clergymen to minister to the English settlers, he proposes, in a letter to the bishop of London, the appoint- ment of a " Bishop to reside in New York with a staff of well-learned clergymen whom he could send into the towns of the province, and form, as opportunity presented, parishes of the Church of England, or at least give the members of the church regular services." He also asks in particular for the appointment of a chaplain to the soldiers in Albany. Earlier by seventy years than the petition of the Connecticut clergy, this suggestion of the true method of planting the church in America, upon the old plan of the Bishop and his cathedral staff making a strong church centre, is satisfactory and sug- gestive in the spirit that prompted it. What vantage ground it would have given the Church, if it could have been carried out, is impossible to overstate. But it went over until the days of William and Mary, and then the wretched substitute of a commissary of the Bishop of London took its place, and in spite of Inglis in New York and Bray in Maryland, and of the " ministry act," which established the Church in America, little was done beside the securing of a few grants, the planting of scattered parishes and the distribution of prayer books and tracts. One good reactive benefit ought to be mentioned here. The Church of England owes the existence of its glorious Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts to Dr. Bray's representation of the needs of America. The first actual beginning of services here was by the Rev. Thoroughgood Moore, who came in 1704 as missionary to the Mohawk Indians, and held services on the very spot where we are now gathered, which then was Fort Frederick. Curiously interturned are the threads which go to make up the story of motives, hindrances and results in connection with this beginning. The line of posts established by the French, from the Niagara river to the 135 Mohawk, and the energy of the Jesuit missionaries, combin- ing as they did always, the interests of the Church and the State, of the Cross and the crown of France, threatened col- Hsion between the two nations of France and England, and the great interest of the fur traders required that the English trading posts should be undisturbed. Added to this came the impression made upon Queen Anne, especially by Bel- lamore and Cornbury, as to the great importance of main- taining the friendly alliance which the Dutch had begun with the five Indian tribes, and in order to do this of making the Indians Christians. Albany was the central point, to which a yearly conference of the chiefs of the five-nations was called, and where the attempt was made to impress them with the majesty of the British crown ; and here the first missionary was sent, to make this the basis of operations for mission work among the two tribes — the Mohawks and the Onondagas. But, alas! the influences of counteraction were too strong. Mr. Moore made several attempts to reach the Mohawks, but failed, owing to the religious jealousies of the French, and owing to the great unwillingness of the fur traders to allow tlieir nefarious operations to be interfered with. To make the Indians sober would have interfered with the sale of spirits, and to educate them too far would make them wise enough to see the folly of the bargains they were driving in the exchange of skins and furs for beads and trinkets. Finding it impossible to get access to the Mo- hawks, Mr. Moore "left Albany and the Indians in 1705 without any thought of returning." This suspension of the services, which the English had " impatiently desired," was brief; and the next step is the firm planting of the Church to stay. The incorporation here under the name of " the Rector and inhabitants of Albany in communion with the Church of England as by law established," and the coming of the Rev. Thomas Barclay, as chaplain to the fort, in 1708, began the full occupation of the ground. Mr. Bar- clay preached in Enghsh and Dutch, and ministered for a time to the Indians in Schenectady. And after some years of worsliip in a small Lutheran chapel, the English church was built in 17 16 by a gift from the city and by subscrip- tions from the garrison, and from Schenectady and other parts of the province. The beauty and poetry of things are always far more in their beginnings than in their ends. The spring just burst- 136 ing through the leaves and stones of its birthplace, and the full rush of the brook in its earliest starting from the spring, are redolent with beauty and resonant with song. As it goes on and widens into smooth water the banks are tame and the flow more sluggish ; though all the while it is far richer with the wealth of commerce and the blessing of refreshment to the world. And so it is in the story of almost all growth. The picturesque and the romantic are at the first. What follows, naturally, of our growth, is far richer in results, but tamer in the telling. In 1737 the first native- born clergyman, a son of the Rev. Thomas Barclay, was Rector of St. Peter's church for eight years, and went from here to be Rector of Trinity church, New York. Barclay, Miln, Beasley, Berclay, Ogilvie, Thomas Brown, Harry Monro, these were the succession down to 1769, when the charter was granted to St. Peter's church. Then came the Revolution with all its suspicions and disasters. And in 1787 the Rev. Thomas Ellison became rector, and under him the second building was erected on this present site in 1802. Mr. Ellison died in that year after a ministry of much use- fulness. He was a prominent figure in the Albany of that day ; the teacher of Bishop Philander Chase and of Feni- more Cooper, and a great favorite in society. Beasley, Dows, Lacey, these bring the names down to our present memories, and end the period during which the history of St. Peter's church was the history of our Church in Albany. During Dr. Lacey's rectorship the parish of St. Paul's was organized in 1827. And during the rectorship of Bishop Potter, which extended from 1833 to 1854, the parishes of Trinity, Grace and Holy Innocents were organized. Upon Dr. Potter's election to the episcopate, Dr. Pitkin became the Rector, and under his administration the present build- ing, except the completed tower, was built. Then came Mr. Wilson (with Mr. Tatlock as his associate), whom I suc- ceeded, and after me Dr. Snively and Dr. Battershall. The men who have filled the rectorship for the last fifty-three years are all living. Until the incorporation of the Cathe- dral in 1873, no distinct organization of our Church had been undertaken here since 1850, although St. Paul's main- tained its mission for several years in the lower part of the city, now given over to the care of Trinity church. There have been sixteen rectors of St. Peter's in the 178 years of its existence ; seven at St. Paul's in its sixty years ; five of 137 Trinity in its forty-seven years ; nine of Grace in its forty years ; and six of Holy Innocents in its thirty-six years. I find the first data on which to base our growth in Albany in the Rev. Mr, Monro's report of forty-four communicants and one hundred and fifty attendants, about 1770. In 1791 Mr. Ellison, to whom the Church was deeply indebted for wise and energetic administration, presented to Bishop Pro- voost to be confirmed, in St. Peter's church, one hundred and thirty-six white and eleven colored persons. It would be a more satisfactory comparison if I knew the difference in the population of Albany then and now. But at least it is a matter of thankfulness to realize that to-day the forty- four communicants have become twenty-five hundred, the one Parish five Parishes and the Cathedral ; and that their activities are recognized in all good works and ways through- out the city. The details of this story must be completed by the facts of the branching out of from the old parish of its flourishing scions. Of these, the oldest, St. Paul's, kept its semi-cen- tennial nine years ago, when a goodly number of clergy, in- cluding four of its former Rectors (two of them now Bishops), kept the festival, and the steps of its material and spiritual growth were traced from its cradle in the South Pearl street school room, through the present St. John's Roman Catho- lic church and the old South Pearl street theatre to its pres- ent building, consecrated in 1864. Since then have come the rectory and the admirable building for the Sunday school, whose strong life is one of the marked features of this vigorous Parish. Twelve years later came Trinity, in 1839, the story of whose growth gathers in very great degree about the life of the Rev. Mr. Selkirk, its first Rector. Prompted by the removal of St. Paul's from the southern part of the city, a few churchmen began the organization of a new Parish. The first building being outgrown by the congregation, was sold, and the present church, admirably situated for an important missionary work, was finished and conse- crated in 1849. In 1868 the parish property was made com- plete by the rectory building, due, as was the church building, in large degree, to Mr. Selkirk's indefatigable ear- nestness. And its story, under its present rector, is what it has been all its life, the story of a patient and faithful strug- gle, to minister to the people of its neighborhood against great odds of poverty. 138 Grace church was founded in 1846, and was cared for in early infancy by the priest who bears the old and honorable name of the tirst patroon, and the first English clergyman in Albany. Beginning with the principle of free seats, which I am glad to say it has always maintained, it was known at first as " the free Episcopal church," and inaugurated in Albany, twenty-five years ago, the music of a boy's choir. From its first building, in 1847, ^^^ Washington avenue, it crossed over, building and all, to Clinton avenue, in 1873 ; where, enlarged and greatly improved, it is doing noble service, in the western portion of the city. The northern part of Albany was uncared for until 1850. Then Mr. DeWitt, a member of St. Paul's church, built the Church of the Holy Innocents, as a memorial to his four children, whom the Lord had given and taken away. To the gift of the church building, he added by will a partial endowment; and in 1885, after the death of Mrs. De Witt, the Sunday school chapel was deeded to the corporation. It has since been enlarged and improved, and so made bet- ter able to do the hard and important work of caring for the large, changing and varying population of North Albany. In 1869 the setting off of the old northern convocation into a Diocese was completed by the election of the first Bishop. Of course, this involved the outworking of the Episcopal idea, which is that of a strong centre, from which the oversight and care of all the churches reaches out. The founding of St. Agnes' school in 1871 necessitated some provision for the worship and religious training of its pupils, and this naturally took the form of the Bishop's church. This led to the incorporation, in 1873, of the Cathedral of All Saints, whose congregation, still worshipping in the old foundry where they began, and which has been once en- larged, are slowly advancing toward the completion, for use, of a seemly and suitable cathedral church. It is not too much to say that in its institutions of school and hospital and sisterhood, in its introduction of the cathedral service, adopted now by two other churches in Albany ; in its stim- ulus to the older parishes of the city, and in its own religious work, it is fulfilling the promise which they have the right to expect who do the Lord's work in the Lord's way, and believe in the power of the Bishop's ofiice to strengthen and extend the Church. The train of thoughts to which such memories lead, strikes 139 into the three disthict and separate paths, and the first is the upward way of gratitude to God, who has given us what we might ahnost call a Christian birth, and blessed and favored with His presence and His grace, the outgrowth from it. The men that made our State held firmly to the fear of God, and had an essential and inherent reverence and respect for the religion of Jesus Christ. French, Dutch, English, in whatever else they differed, were agreed in this, and it is among the earliest records of the time, that they desired, established and sustained the ministrations of our holy reli- gion. It is the fashion of to-day to look with almost con- temptuous disdain upon the narrowness and bitterness of Puritan, Calvinistic and prelatical beliefs. Where they were narrow, they needed broadening into tolerance ; when they were bitter, they needed sweetening, like the waters of Marah, with the tree of the sweetness of the love of Jesus crucified. But we may never lose sight of the sturdy and steadfast belief of our forefathers, which entered so largely into their endurance, their manhood and their virtues. We may never forget that their hearthstones were altars of family prayer ; that the Bible was to them the very Word of grace and truth ; and the Book enthroned and enshrined as the voice of God. The Lord's day, even if it were soured and shadowed with Sabbatarianism, was remembered and kept holy. Yes, and we may remember, too, that the Christmas, Easter, Ascension and Whitsunday feasts, alike in Dutch and English hearts, kept alive in those earlier days the great facts of the life of our dear Lord. We have learned, as the world has grown in the truest Christian thoughts of truth and worship, that no good comes of the attempt to mingle things that will not mingle, the varying views of church polity ; and still less of any effort to force men, by repression and compulsion, into an external oneness of order and form. No English priest to-day would seek to solve the problem of " unhappy divisions," by asso- ciation with the pastor of a Dutch congregation, and no Dutch classis to-day would deny the orders of an English priest, or forbid a Lutheran congregation to worship as they will. But the tenacity of truth is better, was better for foun- dations than vagueness of belief or denial of Christianity ; and from the rugged roots that held firmly in the deep soil of true religious reverence have grown the stately trees, fra- grant and fruitful of " faith and hope and charity." We can, 140 with one accord, do honor to-day to the names of Father Jogues, and I.abatie and Couture ; of Megalopensis, or Schaets and the Van Rensselaers and Stuy vesants ; of Fab- ricius and Arencius; of our own Van Rensselaer, and Moore, and Barclay, and Lovelace, and Heathcote, and Andros, and Hunter. It is fit to say a word here of the mutual relation between the church and the city ; in the abstract statement of mutual duties and in the estimate of their influence upon each other. The theory upon which all three of the dominant religious bodies began their existence was the theory of an established church. Inconsistent with the future development of the republic, it was wisely and necessarily laid aside. But there was never lost or laid aside, thank God, that which came to us in " the strain " of our blood, the great ideal of a Chris- tian state ; that same ideal which, in its own method of de- velopment has, far more than arms and ships, made England the great nation of the world. That it works ill when either of the two elements become disproportionate is true, and is no argument against their value in due combination. Pro- portion is the root element of beauty and of usefulness. That Constantine's conversion led more to secularizing the church than to Christianizing the empire ; that the Bishop of Rome, in the judgment of some, has at least one crown too many (not stopping to say that he were better with only a mitre and no crown at all) ; that secular and civil penalties ought not to enter into ecclesiastical discipline ; that sword and keys are at cross purposes, and ought not to be crossed ; that the misappropriation of religious benefices to be the reward of royal favor or to minister to the indulgence of the unholy loves of kings ; that the English establishment, won- derfully as it works for good in our Motherland, is far more beneficial to the State than to the Church of England ; all these are true. And yet it is not too much to say, and with the frightful example of the French republic before us, it is to be insisted on, that no State can prosper without the recognition of the Church, and no Church can do its blessed work without the protection of the State; that every king- dom must somewhat reflect the image of the Kingdom of God ; that "righteousness exalteth a nation," and that "sin is a reproach to any people." It is a low thought that men take of a city who make its chief function to be the ministry of sewerage and gas. And is a narrow thought of Chris- 141 tianity which does not recognize its influence as foremost to cleanse and to enhghten that in which it is. I beUeve, then, that we are to learn from the story of our past, and from the inherent purpose and evident power of the mutual relation between the civil and ecclesiastical bodies of our land, the value that each has for the other. The State has need in every way to encourage religion. The penny-wisdom of the attempt to tax church property is as unwise as the injustice of taxing the property of individuals to support a system of religion to which they are opposed. The very purposes for which money is raised by taxation are the purposes for which, in a large degree, the Christian church is in the world. The police system, which punishes disorder, is not so valuable an element in society as the sys- tem of religious discipline which promotes the order of obe- dience to law. The divine commission, which sent into all the world teachers of perfect truth and pure morality, is the older sister, on a higher plane of usefulness and value, of our system of popular and universal education. And in all ways the influence and power of Christianity in the world make for good citizenship. Piety and patriotism are hand in hand ; and the true lover of his earthly city and his earthly country is the man whose " citizenship is in heaven" and who "seeks another country that is a heavenly." Asking, in no sense, support and utterly refusing any discrimination in favor of one above another Christian body, the Church asks of the State protection ; immunity from attack ; rightful influence in inculcating principles, and respect for the great principles that she inculcates ; laws that will keep quiet and free from noise and tofl the Lord's Holy day ; the maintenance of the great fundamental and primeval truth of the sanctity, the indissolubility and the exclusiveness of marriage; license laws that shall minimize intemperance ; police powers that shall check impurity ; and such Acts as are needful to preserve ecclesiastical rights, by incorporations from the legislature and decisions in the courts of law. These are at least among the duties which the State owes to the Church. And for these in turn Christianity proposes to reach her hand in blessings over the State that shields her with its pro- tecting arm. " First of all," St. Paul says, " I will that prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and for all that are in authority." That great summary of Christian duty, which the apostle makes, whose 142 opening and ending seem to apply it alike to the sovereignty of the people and to the sovereign of the people, runs through the domain of the duties of reverence and charity, and reads, " Honor all men, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king." As an institution, the Christian Church in a city and a land like ours, will find its only and important field of service in inculcating the great principles of Chris- tian morality, which brmg Heaven down to earth. She will uphold the magistrates by prayer and influence and example. She will point to the coinage of all earthly money and insist that it be rendered unto Ccesar, alike in honest payment of taxes, and in liberal use of it for the health, the adornment and the advantage of the city. She will turn the hospitals and prisons, where bodies are cared for and where crime is punished, into places of spiritual refreshment and moral re- form. She will train up her children in such habits of obe- dience as will make them fit to fill places of authority. She will furnish chaplains for the public institutions and offer the blessing of her prevailing prayer in public places and on public days. She will add one star at least to the flag, and cross the stripes with a perpendicular bar; that so the light of the manifested love of God in Christ may illuminate, and the blood of the redemption that bought all mankind from slavery may consecrate, the " Banner of the stars." She will deepen the blue with a truer charity ; she will incarnadine the red with the Blood of our salvation ; she will make the white whiter with the purity of truth ; and Christian men and Avomen will set themselves to be good citizens, obedient to the law, respecters of " the powers that be, which are or- dained of God ;" advancers of the things that are " true and pure and lovely and of good report." What do we need so much to-day as some infusion of Christianity into citizenship — not in the way in which unprincipled politicians play into the hands of more unprincipled churchmen, for party ends and sectarian advantage ? That is a danger of to-day to be resisted and condemned. An honestly, openly above-board church establishment, whether in Rome or England, is one thing. Let the Pope be king there, if the people will, and the crown appoint the Bishops, while the law so runs ; but the intrusion into politics of religious bodies, and the pan- dering to religious bodies by politicians, is a great danger and a great dishonor to the principles of the Repubfic. Far otherwise is the intelligent. Christian appfication to the ad- 143 ministration of government and the selection of governors, of the principles of sound religion and pure morals. The duty of Christian men to civil institutions is to enforce, main- tain and honor law and the magistrates — the one as the voice and the other as the representative of God. Well would it be for us who are enjoying to-day the protection and privileges which the Christian fathers and founders of the city have provided for us, if we set ourselves to advance the highest honor that crowns any city ; its growth, not in material wealth and splendid buildings and breathing places for the poor ; not in these only, but far more in the richness of citizens with honorable character ; in upbuilding into the dignities of order and morality ; and in the pure atmosphere of restrained freedom, of even-handed justice, of large and holy liberty, of purity and virtue and simplicity and truth. The world, in all its centuries, has gathered all that is most glorious in its history, about its cities. It is a curious fact that they had their beginning in sin. Cain was the first builder of a city, and after him came the builders of the plains of Shinar. But the flood destroyed the one, and God came down and turned the other to such confusion as has made Babel ever since the synonym for disorder and strife. The first record of favored cities is in the appointment, by God's command, of cities for the Levites and cities of refuge, in the plains of Moab by Jordan, near Jericho. From that tmie cities have played a most important part in the history of the world. Stronger, I think, thaii any other hold, save that of home and country, upon the love and pride of men, is the position that cities occupy. The county and the state are in a great degree abstractions. The country, the Fatherland, is that which gathers and holds our affections. Next comes the city, and most naturally ; as the place wJiere home is, the place of neighborhood and friendship and of life's dearest ties. It is well to think, therefore, with all honor of that which we commemorate to-day — the elevating by colonial and royal recognition of what had been an asso- ciation of people and an aggregation of houses, to the dignity of chartered existence under the ducal name of Albany. We have no need and no desire to make ourselves ridicu- lous by exaggerated claims and pretensions to age and honor. Two hundred years, however long to us, is little as a meas- ure of antiquity, and many a city of our land is greater and grander than ours. But we may well say on many grounds 144 of past and present, of political significance and picturesque history, of character and reputation, of natural and artificial advantages, that we are " citizens of no mean city," whose " situation is pleasant," like Jericho of old. Albany has fallen to our lot, by birth or by adoption. It is a city with an honorable record of two hundred years. It is among the first of the chartered cities of our country. It is the city of Clinton, Schuyler, Livingston and Stephen Van Rensselaer, of William L. Marcy and Hermanus Bleecker and Ganze- voort and Sanford ; the city whence Potter and Kip and Star- key and VVadhams went to be Bishops, and McCloskey to be Archbishop and Cardinal, where Henry and Romeyn Beck were teachers, where Lydius and Sprague and Campbell and Welch have been pastors, where Croswell and Weed were journalists, where Wendell and Townsend and March and Vanderpoel practiced medicine, and Spencer and Amos Dean and Reynolds and Nicholas Hill and Cagger practiced law ; where Corning rose to the front rank of iron masters ; where Olcott and King were great bankers ; where Pruyn was hon- orable in the exercise of his public-spirited interest and gen- erous hospitality ; where Meads was known and honored for his courteous and cultivated dignity; a city which holds many another distinguished naine on its roll of worthies. It is the city that gathers to itself the legislators, the lawyers and the judges of the greatest State of the Union. It is the city of the Dudley Observatory, the Albany academies, and St. Agnes' school and the schools of law and medicine. We have come to have this city for our own. Let us adorn it with memorials ; with imitations of the virtues of the past ; with their perpetuation ; and with the carrying on into the future, of the blessings of which we are the heirs. It is a legitimate love, this love of city, by all scriptural precedents, by all historic antecedents, by all eternal anticipations. The eyes and feet of all Israel made pilgrimage to the fair place of the Hill of Zion, where lay the City of the Great King. The round world has revolved about the cities of Rome and Constantinople and Alexandria. At the very name of city, the hearts and memories of men turn to Venice and Florence and Edinburgh, the pearls of the Adriatic and the Arno, and the home of Scott and Burns. And more than all, the outlook of St. Augustine's dream, of St. John's vision and of every Christian's hope is the " Civitas Dei;" "the City of pure gold ; " " the City that hath foundations," whose Builder and Maker is God. 145 UNION BAPTIST SERVICES. The union services at the First Baptist church were largely attended. The edifice was handsomely deco- rated, flags being placed about the gallery and the organ loft. The platform was ornamented with cut flowers and potted plants. Seated on it were the pastor, Rev. S. T. Ford ; Rev. Albert Foster, of the Tabernacle Baptist; Rev. Mr. Round, of the Bath Baptist church, and Rev. John Jaeger, of the German Baptist church. A letter of regret was read from Rev. Dr. King, of the Emmanuel Baptist church. The musical programme was elaborate and well-rendered. The memorial sermon was delivered by Rev. Albert Foster. He spoke as follows : Now shall it be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought ? — Numbers, 23-24. Not the least significant feature in the religious services of this day is the fact that they are shaped to some extent by the recommendation of civic authorities. It is a fitting recognition of the debt which our city owes her churches. I am glad that the reUgious aspect of this Bi-centennial has not been overlooked. I fail to see how it could be, and the his- torical integrity of the occasion still be preserved. It is no compliment or bit of deference which invokes the services of the difterent religious societies, but the fact that these socie- ties stand vitally related to the two hundred years of growth. What Albany would be to-day had there been no churches we shall not assume to say. Fidelity to truth demands, how- ever, that we give them a large place in our attempt to trace the sources of its present prosperity. As a people we have never regarded a union of church and State with the least allowance. We have felt, and justly too, that such a union would cause both civil and religious interests to suffer. But we are wise enough, I trust, to discriminate between a State religion and a State built on religion which is a vastly difter- ent thing. We do not need a religious establishment; we do not need even that the name of the Supreme Being should 146 appear in our constitution ; but we do need that the authority of that Being shall be recognized as supreme, and His super- vision of our affairs gratefully acknowledged. As Baptists, we meet to-night to rehearse the part we have been permitted to play in our city's history. This is no time for self-glorifi- cation. It were better not to dwell on either past or present unless we can do it in the right spirit. I remember that once in the centuries gone by a famous heathen king, filled with the pride that so often revels in statistics, looked proudly round on his superb palaces, hanging gardens and other works of art projected on a scale of splendor unknown before, and as he looked he said: " Is not this great Babylon that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power and for the honor of my majesty ? " And while the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven saying: " Oh, King Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken, the kingdom is departed from thee. And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field ; they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen till seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will." We shall do well to heed the im- pressive warning from that far off" age — a warning always timely, and addressing itself to the ear of churches, no less than to the ear of nations and kingly despots. Rather let us find the key-note of this occasion in the words we have chosen for the text. Surveying the tokens of good in past and present, and accepting them as pledges of a still brighter future, let us cry with the ancient seer on his mount of vision : " Now shall it be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought ? " How do Baptists stand related to the best growth of this city ? What contributions, however shght, have they made to its progress? These are the ques- tions which, in the very nature of things, can never be fully answered. The brief outline of history that I shall trace to- night will suggest far more than it can possibly disclose. As a denomination, Baptists in Albany are a comparatively recent growth. If longevity be the crowning distinction of religious Hfe, let it be freely confessed that we have little of which to boast. To my mind it is of vastly greater import- ance to be able to say that we have lived well since we began to live, than that we have lived a long while. I have neither sympathy nor patience with the attempt so often made to 147 trace our denominational existence back to the days of the apostles. What difference does it make whether we were born yesterday or the day before ? Our principles are ap- ostolic and that is all we need care for. Denominations may come and go ; the names of sects change or pass away, but the living truth abides, it is here to stay. Of course there was Baptist life in Albany prior to Baptist organization, since life of whatever sort always antedates organization. Unfor- tunately, however, life at this stage attracts little attention and hes almost, if not altogether outside the province of the historian, hence we have no means of ascertaining to what extent it made itself felt. Not till the year 1810 was a Bap- tist society formed. The ground had long been preoccupied by those whose views differed from ours, and who by force of temperament and conviction combined clung to their views with unswerving tenancity — a tenacity which I am far from alleging as cause for reproach. A little band number- ing ten came together and opened a room for public wor- ship. Their names were Joshua A. Burk, Salem Dutcher, John Gray, William Penrey, Charles Boyington, Tamer Page, Betsey Burk, Catherine Gordon, Margaret Jones, Elenor Penrey. At a meeting held in Uranian hall, on the 26th of December, 1810, they elected trustees and formed the " First Baptist Society of Albany." It would seem that they encountered sharp opposition from the start. But they were none the worse off for that. It is written of the Israel- ites that the more the Egyptians oppressed them the more they multiplied and grew. Opposition is annoying, but it is apt to stimulate growth. In January 23, 181 1, the ten persons already mentioned, together with eleven others who had joined them, were formerly recognized as the " First Baptist Church of the City of Albany," the venerable mother of us all, in whose edifice, as historic fitness demands, we hold this service to-night. For a short time the young organization worshipped in a little building on the southeast corner of North Pearl and Orange streets, then for several years meetings were regularly held in a school-house rented from the Methodists; but at last, in 1818, the Green street theatre was purchased, and having been remodelled, was formally dedicated to the worship of God January i, 1819. About thirty- two years were spent in this building. At the end of that time it had either grown too small for its mem- bership or Its location had ceased to be desirable, so it was 148 sold, and by a strange freak of fortune restored to its origi- nal use, and became a theatre once more. Under the lead- ership of Rev. Reuben Jeffrey, the present edifice was erected on the corner of Philip street and Hudson avenue at a cost of $26,000. The first sixteen years of church life in Green street do not seem to have been specially prosperous. In the exceeding brevity of the pastorates there is evidence that the field was regarded as beset with great discouragements. With undaunted courage and fidelity the little church strug- gled on despite the fact that as late as the year 1827 it did not number 200 members. But brighter days were in store. The heroic faith of the men and women to whom we owe so much was destined to triumph. Never yet did man endure "as seeing him who is invisible" without receiving " great recompense of reward." In 1827 the church called to its vacant pulpit a young man who, for two years previous, had been pastor of a little church at Catskill. His name was Bartholomew T. Welch. His coming to Albany marks an era in the history of Baptists. From that coming dates an almost uninterrupted course of prosperity. As one to whose researches I am largely indebted in the preparation of this sermon, has well said : " His rare enthusiasm was contagious. His marvelous pulpit power became quickly known and commanded universal recognition, not to say admiration. The Baptist church was lifted into a prominence it had not known. The congregations were greatly increased. Many attracted by the personal gifts of the speaker, were led by the spirit of God to yield to the power of the message he preached. The church steadily increased from year to year in numbers and influence, until in 1834 it numbered 327 members, a large church for those days." The brilliant min- istry of this gifted man will be cherished in lasting remem- brance by Albany Baptists. But the church was not spoiled by the period of prosperity and power on which it had entered. No better evidence of that is needed than the fact that it was just at this time that it began to agitate the ques- tion of enlarging the borders of the Baptist camp. Both pastor and people were impressed with a solemn sense of responsibility in the matter. They had not become the prey of that selfish ambition which so often seizes both churches and ministers — the ambition to develop a mam- moth organization, which becomes positively unwieldly by reason of its own bulk. The question of forming a new 149 church soon came up for decision. After various prelimi- naries, to which I shall not refer, since I am to deal with Baptist churches in general, rather than with any particular church, letters were granted to one hundred and twenty- three persons to go out and form a new interest. With this company went the pastor. Rev. Dr. Welch. In the meantime the Vanderheyden palace, as it was called, with adjacent lots on Pearl street, had been purchased, and the corner- stone of the new church edifice was laid in July, 1833. In October of the following year it was dedicated, and in it for thirty-six years the " Pearl street church " worshipped with no abatement of power or usefulness. The facile pen of Rev. Dr. King has recently put the record of those years into permanent form. In 1871 the church removed from Pearl street into the elegant and commodious edifice which it now occupies on State street, above Swan, built at an expense of about $200,000. Of course, the change in loca- tion necessitated a change in name. " Pearl Street " was reluctantly given up and " Emmanuel " finally adopted. Going back now to 1842, we find that the old First church was again called on to undergo a separation. A number of per- sons severed their connection with it, and formed what was known as the "South Baptist church." It seems to have had a struggling existence from the start, and at the end of seventeen years disbanded. Despite the brevity of its exist- ence and the difficulties it encountered, which finally culmi- nated in its disruption, we have reason to believe that great good was accomplished. An evangelistic movement in 1840, started in the Pearl street church, with the assistance of Elder Jacob Knapp, had resulted in large accessions to all the churches, and partly in consequence of this move- ment a number of persons felt constrained to organize, in 1846, the " State Street Baptist church." Through the gen- erosity of Mr. William Newton and Mr. S. M. Fish, a house of worship was built, which was sold to the Calvary church in 1865. In the manual of the latter church, I find this item with reference to the State street church : " Under the labors of Elders Knapp, Swan and others many were con- verted, but from various causes the strength of the church had greatly declined, and it was finally deemed expedient to dissolve its organization in anticipation that a considerable proportion of the members that remained would join the Calvary church, which had purchased the house." Under 150 the ministry of Rev. Wm. Hague, D. D., the Pearl street church developed a strong interest in missions and church extension. Three missions were established at different points throughout the city. Of these the German mission was the first started. In 1854, Rev. J. G. Oncken, the Bap- tist aposde of Germany, visited this mission, baptized nine converts, and in the autumn of the same year the German Baptist church was organized. For a number of years its pastor was supported by the Pearl street church, but it has long become self-sustaining and freed from debt, is doing excellent work under its present pastor, Rev. John Jaeger. North Broadway was another of the missions opened by the Pearl street church under the ministry of Dr. Hague. A Sabbath school was started in Burt's building, on Broadway, and was soon afterward transferred to the State arsenal. Rev. J. B. Morse was appointed to labor on this field. An en- thusiastic band of workers co-operated with him. Of these George Dawson became the recognized chief, his presence giving inspiration to every movement and his wise, far- sighted counsel paving the way to success. The mission grew rapidly. Rev. Mr. Morse having left it in 1858, in the following year Rev. J. D. Fulton was invited to assume the supervision of the field, and with the view of initiating a church organization. On the 12th of November a council was called, the "Tabernacle Baptist church" was duly recognized, and took its place among the sisterhood of churches. A missionary chapel had already been built on North Pearl street, and this the young organization occupied, enlarging it as occasion required, and worshi[)ped there till 1877, when it moved into its new house on the corner of Ten Broeck street and Clinton avenue, which it now occu- pies, grateful to God for the measure of prosperity it enjoys. In 1858, a union movement led to the establishment of reli- gious services in the Townsend park. These developed into a Sunday school, held in a grain store on Washington avenue near Knox street. Out of this grew the Washington Avenue Baptist church, which was organized on the i6th of February, i860. Under this name the church passed five years of varying experience, but on the whole its con- dition must have been prosperous, for at the end of that time, feeling the need of better accommodations, it puichased the house of the State street church, adopting then the name of the " Calvary Baptist church." Under that 151 name it rapidly grew to be one of the strongest churches in the city. In 1880 it tore down the old building and erected on its site the handsome, commodious structure in which it now worships. As an outgrowth, perhaps, of the missionary movement under Dr. Hague, " The Albany Baptist Mission- ary Union" originated in 1863. It was composed of dele- gates from all the churches. During its active existence of twenty years it did a vast amount of good, establishing missions at Paigeville, Bath, Greenbush, Kenwood, Madison avenue and North Albany, at the same time doing not a little to develop the benevolence and activity of the churches. A history of Baptist work in Albany would be incomplete without some reference to the African churches, unhappily now extinct. Two were formed at different times. The first started in 1820, and was known as the "Albany African Church Association." Its edifice was located on Hamilton street between Grand and Fulton streets. In 1825 it took the name of the " First African Baptist Society." In 1869 its property was sold to the Roman Catholics. The second African church was organized in 1870, but from lack of support was discontinued in a very few years, and its house on Chestnut street, near Dove, sold to the Christian church, and is now occupied by it. Thus in barest outline have I sketched the history of our Baptist churches in Albany. From a very humble beginning we have grown, by the blessing of God, into a strong and prosperous body, with an aggregate membership of nearly 2,500. In all that has pertained to the welfare of this good old city during the past seventy-five years, Baptists have borne their part. Com- mercial, mechanical, poUtical, legal, hterary, scientific inter- ests have all received contributions from them Many of their representatives have been honored citizens as well as useful church members. Among these were Friend Hum- phrey, Ira Harris, Eli Perry, George Dawson and a host of others, many of whom are still with us. In the Baptist pulpit of Albany have stood men whose power has been recognized and felt throughout our land, men like Wayland and Welch, and Ide and Hague, and Jeffrey and Fulton, and Lorimer and Magoon, and Bridgman and Peddie. For its beautiful " Rural cemetery " Albany is indebted to the eloquent appeals and stimulating counsel of a Baptist preacher. And here, perhaps, I might well close this hur- ried sketch. But there is another side to the history of these 152 years — a side which must he largely in the realm of the unwritten, to which I cannot refrain from referring. I remember that the best part of the work of either a man or an organization is that which can never be gathered up and presented in statistics. The distinction between power and influence, as emphasized by Dr. Lord in one of his historical lectures, is very just and discriminating. He says : " Influ- ence never passes away, but power is ephemeral. Theolo- gians, poets, philosopher, great writers, have influences and no power ; railroad kings and bank presidents have power, but not necessarily, influence. Saint Augustine in a little African town had more influence than the bishop of Rome. Rousseau had no power, but he created the French revolu- tion. Socrates revolutionized Greek philosophy, but he had not power enough to save his life from unjust accusations." Baptist power during these years had not been inconsider- able. Let us hope, however, that Baptist influence has far exceeded it. If we have been true to our opportunities, what great and lasting influence should principles hke ours exert on this community. We believe in a regenerated church membership, and the working out of that principle ought to contribute vastly to the public honesty, integrity and purity. We believe in the Scriptures as the only author- itative standard of faith and practice, and that ought to bring to the discharge of every public trust a sense of obli- gation imperative, exalted, intelligent, calling sacred convic- tions to the front and trampling mere whims and impulses under foot. Furthermore, we beHeve in soul liberty or the right and duty of every man to interpret God's word for himself, and that ought to keep alive in the public heart a love of the holiest freedom, and make each man as mindful of his brother's rights as of his own. Let me say in conclusion that the thing in which Albany Baptists seem lacking at the present is missionary aggressiveness. We are in danger of forgetting that the words which God spake to the aged Joshua are apphcable to us : " There remaineth yet much land to be possessed." Since the decline of our Missionary union we have not done all that we might have done. If we are to hold our place among the rehgious forces of this city, we must keep pace with the demands its growth makes upon us. To our Baptist brotherhood I should like to say to-night what old Horace Greeley was wont to say to young men : " Go west ! " Not that any of our churches should 153 change their present location, but recognize that the drift of population is westward, and adjust their work with reference to it. There is a beautiful legend connected with the found- ing of Constantinople, which the Roman historian relates. With lance in hand the Emperor Constantine traced its boundary lines, and continued to take in so much space that his attendants ventured to observe that he had already exceeded the most ample measure of a large city. " I shall still advance," replied the emperor, " till he, the invisible guide who marches before me, thinks proper to stop." In like manner may Albany Baptists in days to come continue to live and work in absolute loyalty to the invisible guide who evermore goes before them. STATE STREET PRESBYTERIAN. One of the most interesting union services held in the city was that of the Presbyterian faith at the State street church. Adornment was not necessary, for the handsome church edifice was brilliant in its myriads of lights, and was crowded with devout and reverential parishioners. People flocked to the church very early, and long before the commencement of the services, the vast edifice was filled. The ushers had plenty to do, and the chancel platform was occupied by the Presby- terian divines of the city. The music was rich, and Organist Frank Van Derzee played the various selec- tions with skill and proficiency, lending an additional charm to the interesting services of the evening. The voices of the choir were well balanced, particularly the voices of the ladies, who sang with fervor and anima- tion that did not appeal in vain for a response from the large congregation. The singing, true to the congre- gational order, was an exceedingly pleasant phase of a most delightful union service. The selections of the evening were as follows : 154 Organist F. Van Derzee. Voluntary — Offertorium in C Lemmens. Offertorie — Fontaise Lemmens. Postlude Tielman. Chorister Mr. J. V. Burr. Rev. Horace C. Stanton preached eloquently. The sermon was appropos, filled with thoughtful reflec- tions, and was delivered with great force and effect. He chose for his text Isaiah Ixiii : 7. Isaiah Ixiii, 7: "I will mention the loving kindnesses of the Lord." Two hundred years their cloudy wings expand around us. And from the vantage ground of this memorable day we turn to survey the past. The history of every company of true worshipers of God, displays evidence of His love and overruling providence. And the annals of the great reli- gious bodies whose representatives are gathered here, unmis- takably exhibit the fidelity of the covenant God. We see the divine mind, divine might, divine iTiercy everywhere ; more than we see the mind or might of men. Brethren who might themselves have performed it more acceptably, have assigned to me the duty of presenting a brief sketch. THE ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF PRESBVTERIANISM IN ALBANY. A simple historical narrative is all that is expected at my hands. Of our Presbyterian churches, each one has a history sufficiently interesting to yield materials for a dis- course far more extended than can be given to the entire gioup. The necessity of brevity confines us to only the most salient points ; compels omission of many names hon- ored in our records, many events well worthy of rehearsal. In Albany first came the Dutch Reformed church (about 1642), then the Lutheran. But, before 1760 a few families from the north of Ireland setded here, trained in the prin- ciples of the church of Scodand, and fond of their own forms of worship. Presbyterianism did not come sooner, because there were so few English speaking people. Albany was almost as Dutch as Holland itself There had not been an English sermon preached in its Reformed church previous to 1776. The first allusion to the Eirst Presbyterian church here, is in the minutes of the synod of New York and Philadelphia, May 26, 1760. In 1762, the Presbyterian families solicited sub- scriptions to build a church. Mr. Hector Alison was the first Presbyterian minister known to have visited the place. The first edifice, built in 1776 and costing $7,000, was long called " The Presbyterian church of Albany." During the revo- lution it had financial struggles ; was recommended to the other churches for aid ; but, though without a pastor, it maintained its services. Of a candidate for the eldership, we read that the moderator of session, " examined into his acquaintance with the general doctrines of the Christian reli- gion, the sense in which he understood those that have been subjects of dispute, the nature and design of the sacraments, and the subjects to whom they should be administered, in view of the order, government and discipline of the church." Each elder had a particular district of the congregation assigned for his visitation, and must report upon it to the session. During the last century, part of each Sabbath was devoted to teaching the children the shorter catechism. The chief officer of the school was called the " Principal." Pre- vious to the sacrament, tokens were distributed by the elders to the persons expected to attend. When all were seated, and before the communion commenced, these tokens were collected. Thus, none disallowed by the session could par- take. Absentees from the sacrament were required to explain their absence. Disciphne was strict. Sometimes trials of offenders constitute a large portion of the business of the session at their monthly meetings ; most of the offenses being absence from church worship, violation of promises, profanity, Sabbath-breaking and the like. Session watched not only the people, but the preacher. A supply one Sabbath uttered what they deemed unsound doctrine ; and a committee of Session was appointed to draw up a statement to presbytery of the errors in that sermon. In 1786, session resolved that, " without special reasons," no marriage should be solemnized in the congregation without three several intimations given in public. The music was at first led by a precentor, and deep disgrace fell on several presuming individuals who aspired to this office without proper qualification. In 1803 session received a petition for disuse of the psalms and intro- duction of the hymn books recommended by general assem- bly. There was strong opposition. When the petition was granted, some persons left the church. Then came a choir. Then the choir stood up when they sang. Then instru- 156 ments of music — the violin and flutes. Then professional singers. At each change, some of the good people took great offence. The name of Boyd is one which figures most prominently in the history of the church, both in session and board of trustees for five generations, from before the revo- lution to the present decade. The minutes of the trustees have been preserved perfect and unbroken for more than a hundred years. Some may interest: Resolved, " That the clerk get 3s. for making a publication of marriage, 6d. for every person christened, and that the price of burying under the church be ^T) fo'" ^.n adult, 30s. for a person under 14 years." One duty of the sexton was " to see that chil- dren and servants behaved with decorum during service." The patroon had his choice of a pew. Prominent seats near the pulpit were appointed for the corporation, the governor, the minister, the elders and deacons. The first pastor was John McDonald, installed November, 1775, the annual income of the church being about $900. It was desirable to encourage contributions. The trustees resolved " That 1,000 coppers be stamped 'church penny,' and placed in the hands of the treasurer for the purpose of exchanging with the congregation at the rate of 1 2 for one shilling, in order to add respect to the weekly collections." When the Albany presbytery was formed in 1790, John McDonald was first moderator. On leavmg the First church he gathered about him the nucleus of the United Presbyterian church on Lan- caster street. The Presbyterian church had already out- stripped the Lutheran, which had the start by more than half a century, and was fast gaining on the Dutch Reformed, which had a century of precedence. When the Rev. Elipha- let Nott was proposed as pastor, there was objection. Some talked of forming a new church. Said they wanted a min- ister who could " compose with accuracy ; speak correctly." But he succeeded as pastor and preacher. In 1801 a charity collection was taken, after sermon by Mr. Nott. Sum real- ized, $327; remarked as "the most liberal collection ever taken in the city." At this time the church noted Romanism and infidelity as especially threatening to our institutions. Attending the church were Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. When Hamilton was killed by Burr, Dr. Nott preached his funeral sermon, directed against duelling. It gave the author wide celebrity. Dr. Nott's subsequent career as an educator is well known. In 181 7, a committee 157 was appointed to purchase for a minister's library books not exceeding in value $i,ooo — then a munificent sum. And the trustees procured the passage of a law allowing two chains to be stretched across the street at each end of the church, to keep vehicles from passing during service. These remained there fifteen years. In June, 1827, a number were dismissed to the church in Greenbush, organized about this time. When the Presbyterian edifice was improved, in 1831, it was called " the most elegantly finished church in the city." In December, 1 83 1, the " Fifth Presbyterian church " was organized ; but three years later it became extinct. The most noted pastor of the First church was Dr. John N. Campbell. During his pastorate at Washington, he had President Jackson among his hearers, and was a frequent visitor at the president's house. He had regal presence, urbane manners, intellectual acuteness, knowledge of human nature, tact in governing, great decision. His sermons short, simple, scriptural, were delivered with " force and grace." In his church he was called " the pope," and he was a man of mark in community and state. In 1846, when it was necessary to build a new edifice, there arose contro- versy. Some withdrew and organized the Congregational church on Eagle street. But the First church survived the trial, grew in numbers and influence. Dr. Campbell was pastor thirty-four years, and his death produced a profound impression. The legislature adjourned in token of respect ; the highest officials in the commonwealth stood beside his bier. In 1866 a school was estabHshed on Alexander street for the religious instruction of the neglected children in that part of the city. Thus new missionary activity was devel- oped. Of this church's thirteen pastors, most have been scriptural, scholarly, popular and devoted to the cause. Some have been distinguished. Spiritually its growth has been gradual, healthful. At times, revival blessings ; gener- ally in a way quiet, not demonstrative. It has always had in it men of culture and professional eminence. It has sent off members to form at least seven other churches. Here was a typical Presbyterian spirit in this old church ; with its love of knowledge, zeal for orthodoxy, respect for the Sabbath, and faithful maintenance of worship; guarding of the sacred mar- riage tie, early instruction of the children in the doctrines of the word, stability in government, and exemplary oversight of the congregation by the elders ; its missionary enterprise, 158 generosity in giving, and the system in its beneficence ; while all things were done decently and in order. We have spoken thus at length of the First church for the intrinsic interest of the history itself, and because for fifty-five years its history was the history of Presbyterianism in Albany. Newly located in the best portion of our city, in her new edifice, a monument to the energy and self-sacrifice of her pastor, the Rev. Walter D. Nicholas, she seems to have assured her future. The mother of us all has renewed her youth. We love our mother, and we bid her hail. As the numbers of Presbyterians so increased that the First church could not accommodate them all, the Second church was organized about 1813, most of those who composed it being of New England stock. The original members were forty-four. The first twelve years were marked by spiritual and temporal prosperity under Dr. John Chester, a man courtly, evangelical, sympathetic, peculiarly a friend of the poor. But in 1827 his health failed. After sermon he invited the congregation to sing " Jesus, lover of my soul," in which his voice joined with the voices of his flock ; then tendered his resignation. With generous loyalty, honorable to him and them, the church declined it ; and gave him leave of absence for a year, an illustration of Presbyterianism toward a noble but disabled pastor. But soon he died, and was widely mourned. Among the distinguished people wont to attend his ministry was the statesman De Witt Clinton, who died soon after. For a time the pulpit was supplied by Dr. Edward N. Kirk, of great acceptance and popularity. In 1829 a call was given to Dr. Wm. B. Sprague, who with characteristic delicacy declined to accept it until he had preached to the congregation and was satisfied of their unanimity. His ministry was notable for its dura- tion and success. A pulpit orator of commanding stature, fine creative gifts, graceful flow of thought, he always had a gospel message suited to audience and occasion, and impres- sively delivered. During the remodeling of their own edi- fice, the congregation, by invitation from the Third church, occupied their place of worship a portion of each Sabbath. But, with a spirit of generous courtesy, on returning to their own sanctuary, they presented to the Third church a sum sufficient to entirely pay off an encumbrance then resting upon the latter. In January, 1868, at the request of the Spring Street Mission school, the Second church took charge of 159 that mission. A committee was selected to rear an edifice. Chiefly through the efibrts of the chairman, Mr. Albion Ransom, Sprague chapel was erected. Somewhat later the mission became a church, with a pastor of its own. But after a fair trial, it was deemed wiser to keep it up simply as a mission Sunday school. So a large, efficient school has been maintained thereever since. Under Dr. Sprague came repeated seasons of revival, with constant growth. Thus he went in and out before Israel forty years. In 1869, rich in honor, he retired, and his church gave him an annuity of $2,000 a year for life. Of all the accomplished men who have occupied the Presbyterian pulpits of our city, he was the writer of most celebrity. His published works are many. His successor, Dr. Anson J. Upson, installed in 1870, a ripe scholar in English literature and an experienced teacher of rhetoric before he was ordained, became by seemingly easy transition, an acceptable pastor, an elegant and effect- ive preacher. His ministry of a decade was strong and successful, and he left behind him in our city the impression of a life white and pure. Then, in 1881, came Dr. James H. Ecob, who both as preacher and temperance Avorker has shown himself brilliant and courageous — a beloved brother. The Second church has been noted for the sustained ability of its ministry. In its pews have always been many of its most influential citizens, representing the best families of the denomination. Central in position, its sanctuary is the most popularplace for union meetings of the Presbyterian fold. To apeculiar extent it has shown spirit of hospitality toward the other churches. And, though very conservative, it is well known for its great liberality and generous public spirit. The Third or Clinton Square church was organized in 181 7, when to form it a number of members from the First church united with the Associate Reformed church, a society traced back to 1796. The immediate occasion was the desire of the persons who composed it to enjoy the min- istry of the Rev. Hooper Cumming. After preliminary pro- ceedings through committees, all of whose actions were to be void miless Mr. Cumming could be secured, the new church, amid great popular interest, was ushered into life. The man most prominent in it seems to have been Hugh Hum- phrey, through a period of nearly fifty years, amid many vicissitudes, ever proving himself its fast friend. A call was given to Mr. Cumming, with the unprecedented salary of 160 $2,ooo a year. Some time before, he, with his accomplished wife, had been viewing the Passaic falls, when she fell and met instantaneous death — a terrible shock to the husband by her side. Before he was installed in his new church there came charges of plagiarism, hints at intemperance and falsehood — in declaring the chancellor of the State had compared his manuscript with Toplady and acquitted him of plagiarism, Presbyterian trial followed with intense popular excitement and his character was evidently suffering. When he came upon the stand the moderator, Dr. Nott, declined to admin- ister the oath on the ground that he was insane. Mr. Gum- ming in his defence showed himself to be a highly-gifted, cul- tivated man, who could write his sermons even if he did not. He asked to be immediately installed, but in vain, for some of his oldest friends, among them his own father, while pro- ducing proof of the former correctness of his character, splendor of his abilities and loveliness of his diposition, took the ground that he had now, through the death of his wife, become partially deranged and needed the balm of sympathy rather than the rod of dicipline. Their views prevailed. He was allowed to withdraw from further connection with the Presbyterian. The Third church, at its own request, also was dismissed ; whereupon Mr. Gumming occupied its pulpit. His preaching attracted increasing numbers of intelligent, enthusiastic hearers. The old Bethel, on Mont- gomery street, was uniformly thronged. It was estimated that 1,500 persons attached themselves to his congregation. His popularity lasted with little diminution for six years, during which two hundred and seventeen persons joined his church on confession of faith, with evidence of genuine con- version But his genius was to madness near allied. That his mind was unbalanced became unmistakable. And his friends mournfully declared that " when he was in the pulpit it seemed as if he ought never to come out of it ; and when out as if he ought never to go in." He had by nature great endowments ; had received superb education ; was a finished orator ; pos- sessed dehcate susceptibility, cultivated in the most refined circles. But the shock of his reason was followed a little later by loss of health and death. His church waned. It was readmitted to Presbytery. Next followed five brief pastorates. Then, in 1837, Rev. E. A. Huntington was installed. In 1844 the new house of worship was reared on Glinton square. Of refined and scholastic tastes. Dr. Huntington 161 enjoyed an acceptable, useful pastorate for eighteen years, then was called to a professorship at Auburn seminary, which he still holds. After him came that pupil and friend of Scot- land's illustrious Dr. Thomas Chalmers, Dr. Ebenezer Halley, brilHant in the pulpit and on the lecture platform, singularly gifted in prayer, widely read, rich in scripture. Of his noble traits and of those of the men who chose him for their pas- tor, sufficient evidence was given in the number of devoted friends he found among them, whose attachment lasted through his life. On the conclusion of the fiftieth year of his ministerial labors, his friends gave him a memorable reception, at which some of the most prominent citizens of the State were present. After preaching here for nearly twenty- two years, he retired with an annuity for life, receiving also the chaplaincy of the State senate, which he retained until his death in 1881. This church contains many Presbyterians of Scotch antecedents, very loyal to their organization and very conservative, as shown by the fact that they have had but three pastors for a half a century. The movement of the currents of population away from the north-east part of Albany, renders the growth of churches in that section slow ; but the Third church has never had a larger membership than for two years past, during which time it has been twice what it was ten years ago. From it went a colony to form the West End church. April, 1869, Rev. Washington Frothingham started in the railroad shop at West Albany, a Sunday school of eleven scholars, preached the same day to an audience of twenty souls. Elder Austin H. Wells, of the Clinton Square church, took charge of this school for eleven years, the field being largely developed as a mission of that church. His success was such that Mr. William Wendell from the First church, Mr. Robert G. Wells from the Second, Mr. Austin H. Wells himself, and Mr. Archibald McClure from the State Street church, were appointed by the Presbyterian Sunday school Union, a committee to build a chapel. This they did at a cost of $8,000, raised mostly from churches which they repre- sented. In 1877 there was a revival with encouraging results. June 3d, 1878, in response to a petition, Presbytery organized the "West End church," with forty-five members, most of whom came in one strong colony from the church on Clinton square. November, 1878, Rev. Robert Ennis became pastor. During his diligent, devoted ministry of five years the mem- 162 bership grew three-fold, with like growth in the school. March, 1884, Rev, Oliver Hemstreet, the present pastor, was installed, through whose efficient labors there has been still furtherin crease. This church is composed largely of men connected with the New York Central railroad, superintend- ents, engineers, skilled mechanics, men trained to punctuality, reliable, decided in their convictions, warmly interested in their church. Though the youngest off-shoot from the Presbyterian stock, it is also one most vigorous and the waves of population pouring toward it must make it continu- ally stronger. Already a larger auditorium is required, and the chapel is to be enlarged this very season. We speak briefly of the younger churches, as their history, in each case that of symmetrical, speedy growth, needs no great detail. The Fourth church was organized February 2, 1829, with a membership of fifty-five, nearly all from the Second church. The first pastor. Dr. E. N. Kirk, was long remembered for his eloquence and the beauty of his Christian character — a man of most lovely disposition and great devotion to the Master. The congregation worshipped in a room on Lum- ber street, then in the chapel of the First Reformed, hos- pitably offered until their own edifice was built in 1830. From the first the church had large accessions, and in 1833 it it numbered six hundred souls. It has been composed of gentlemen in the lumber business, or other commercial pur- suits, substantia] men accustomed to work and give. Of its eight pastors, Dr. Henry DarHng, installed in 1864, and re- maining seventeen years, was probably the one who left on it the most marked impress. Indefatigable, a good preacher, an assiduous pastor, a leading ecclesiastic, he administered its affairs with tact and power. In 1865 its growth compelled the erection of the present stately edifice, containing many elements, which, under other hands, would have tended to disintegration under his sway, it stood strong as the Old Guard of Napoleon, its influence felt in all the general reli- gious activity of our city. The one conspicuous fact of its history is that throughout almost its entire career it has enjoyed steady, striking prosperity. For many years, till the tides of population flowing westward forbade further growth, the Fourth church, claiming a membership of 700, a Sunday school roll of equal size, and raising over $20,000 a year, was the most magnificent Presbyterian organization in our 163 city. It is one of the two largest churches of the Presby- tery still. THE SIXTH CHURCH. From the Fourth church sprang the Sixth. Elder John S. Smith, of the Fourth was the means of bringing the Sixth into existence. December i, 1855, he started a prayer meeting in Lumber street. This grew into a Sunday school then was organized as a mission enterprise. In 1859 Mr. James Hendrick, with a large corps of teachers, from the Fourth, instituted a thorough visitation of the neighborhood, which gave the work a lasting impetus. In the fall of 1867 at an enthusiastic meeting in the Fourth, it was resolved that the time for a church organization had come. Some gentle- men pledged themselves for $1,000 apiece to build an edi- fice. And a total of $25,000 was raised from the Fourth church for this purpose. December 31, i860, the new church was formed with sixty-five members, most of them by letter from the Fourth. The first pastor, the Rev. A. H. Dean, was prominently instrumental in gaining a congrega- tion and securing the erection of the sanctuary — dedicated November, 1871. Then came the faithful ministry of the Rev. William Durant, installed in 1873. There were steady accessions at almost every communion ; and he organized the church with great thoroughness, equipping it for every department of activity. The original subscriptions had not covered all expense of building, so the congregation were op- pressed with debt. By diligent solicitation among the other Presbyterian churches of the city, all which were heartily sympathetic, he raised the whole, about $18,635, and almost the entire amount was paid within fifteen days after the subscriptions were completed. Had he done nothing else, this alone would have made his pastorate to be remembered. Next, in December, 18S2, came the present pastor, the Rev. John D. Countermine, whose ministry has been marked by energetic, successful efforts to preach the gospel in attractive ways, so men may be drawn to the house of God. Church and school have both increased. As this field is largely unoccupied by other evangelical churches, its sky is full of promise. GROWTH OF THE STATE STREET CHURCH. The State Street church grew out of a meeting held in the Second church, November 5, 1859. ^^ ^ result of which, 164 a little later, the First, Second and Clinton Square churches appointed each three members, making a committee of nine, to consider the expediency of building still another Presby- terian church. They reported that the Ninth and Tenth wards of the city contained about 18,500 souls, to accom- modate whom there were church sittings for only about 1,900 persons, and recommended the erection of an edifice capable of seating at least 1,000 persons, with suitable rooms for Sunday schools and social worship. A committee of fifteen carried these recommendations into efiect ; secured a lot and built the present edifice. The first service of the new society was held in the German Lutheran church on State street, now the Albany law school. Sermon by Dr. Sprague, " Despise not the day of small things." Services were continued Sabbath evenings, until the Sunday school room in the new church could be occupied. March, 1861, the ecclesiastical organization was effected with forty-two members, nearly all from the Second church, a few from the First and Third. The first sacrament was administered by Dr. Joseph T. Duryea. The corner-stone was laid July, 1861, Dr. Halley making the address. During the five years' pastorate of the Rev. A. S. Twombley, installed June, 1862, and the three years' pastorate of the Rev. George C. Heckman, installed November, 1867, the church grew strong. Its Sunday school was also vigorous. Then from June, 187 1, it had six flourishing years under the Rev. John James, D. D., a man of Scotch birth and breeding, positive char- acter, decided influence in many ways. An able preacher, he did good work for Christ. In June, 1877, was installed the present pastor, who had received the highest recognition from the Reformed denomination before entering the Pres- byterian body. The record of his fruitful pastorate needs no rehearsal. The history of this church requires few words ; but they are pleasant to utter and to hear. From the begin- ning, its career has been marked by spiritual thrift, energy, in- creasing numbers, abundance of financial resources, pros- perity of every kind and widening waves of influence. It is the strongest evangelical church in Albany. Taken as a whole, in eUgibility of location, splendor and commodiousness of sanctuary, its pulpit, its membership of over eight hundred, its school of nine hundred, the completeness of its organiza- tion, its benefactions, Presbyterianism can point to no more thoroughly representative church in all northern New York. 165 We are proud of the State Street church. Its history is brief; but its future shall be great. This is a family reunion to-night. We may speak with a degree of freedom. " The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad." Of the men connected with the Presbyterian churches here in Albany, at least six became moderators of the general assembly. Of the First church, three successive pastors attained this honor, Drs. Nott, Romeyn, Neill. The Second church sent Dr. Chester. Dr. McCauley, who went from the Third church to the ministry, was likewise honored. From the Fourth church went Dr. Darling. We have had forty-three pastors or stated supplies, their average length of service being nearly eight years and five months. They were men as ready for intellectual strife, if needful to defend the truth, as any in the ages dead. At our altars the line of priests and Levites has not failed. And the roll of our ministry has contained many distinguished names. Omitting details of the status of each church, as these may be gathered from the assembly's minutes, accessible in every pastor's study, we note in general that in 1885 we received on confession 158 souls, enough to make quite a church themselves. Our total of communicants is 3,200 ; Sunday school membership, 3,300. Our church properties aggregate in value not less than $575,000. In 1885 we raised, for congregational ex- penses, $96,837; for beneficence, $36,172 ; total, $133,011. We are raising money at the rate of over $1,000,0000 every eight years. We have contributed to every important char- itable movement in the community. We have aided in sending the gospel to almost every land on earth. How many of our laymen are noted for their benificence ? It is a Presbyterian who now gives $50,000 to put up a building for the Y. M. C. A., and who, a little while ago, just north of our city limits, built a church worth $125,000. Upon our rolls stand names of men who have been privi- leged to give gold by handfuls to the cause of Christ. We cannot begin to mention them. Our Christian women are as ministering spirits, and the development of their activ- ity and beneficence is one of the proudest fruits of Presby- terianism. Our body has sent out theological professors, college presidents and professors, editors, authors, pastors, missionaries many. The history of God's people is a history of struggles ; but with us the struggles have been triumphant. 166 Our churches, from feeble beginnings have grown powerful, reached the sacred number seven. We are surpassed by no other evangelical body of this city in number and in strength. Throughout the entire fabric of Albany's existence for a century and a quarter, Presbyterian ism has been interwoven in strands of silver and gold. It is the patron of letters, friend of order and good government, teacher of philan- trophy. To our sister denominations of evangelical faith, who by our side have labored for like high ends, we offer Christian greeting and congratulate them upon their pros- perity. Their speech is the speech of Canaan ; they too are Sons of the Covenant — our brother tribes in Israel. " How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob and thy tabernacles, O Israel! As gardens by the river's side, as the trees of Hgnaloes which the Lord hath planted, as the cedar trees beside the waters ! " What spiritual blessings we have had ! From generation to generation, upon the cherub faces of our children has fallen the dew from the baptismal font. At these altars they have stood in youth to utter the sweet vows of marriage, and the solemn vows which consecrated them to God. In our hearts has been kindled the sacred and eternal fire. How many hallowed experiences to be remembered in eternity ! How many beautiful types of piety have by trials been developed ! Through varied dicipline that smote us sore, but wrought only for our good, God's providence flamed o'erhead. When our fathers and mothers lay a dying, from this earthly night they passed up through the portals of the dawn, to stand in the noonday radiance above. O, winged years, what lessons have you taught us of the goodness of our God ! In the by gone centuries many a worldly enterprise has left no sign. The parchment on which the Muse of History recorded it was thrown aside to perish. But, in the annals of God's church, no chapter can ever die. Of some years ir. our past there may be no extended record here. Nor is there record of life in an eagle's nest, save empty shells. But from them kingly birds have flown and are soaring round the sun. So in those years immortal spirits went up to God. On the eternal scrolls their names are written in letters of everlasting fire. Clothed are they in vestures of light, conquerers and crowned. To them the march of time brings joy. In historic Antwerp you sleep neath the shadow of the cathedral tower, where hang nine and ninety 167 bells in perfect chime. As the quarter hours steal away, these bells ring out in music that grows continually more sweet. At the first quarter it is beautiful, at the second more beauteous yet ; for the third more heavenly still, and when the hour is full they pour out most celestial strains of all to give it coronation. Above the deep voices of the vast bass bells the silvery singing of the others makes ecstatic music more and more divine. Holy lesson taught by that cathedral chime ! Joyous lesson to note the flight of time, not with sorrow but dehght ! Thus will we look back o'er the years ; for the ages sing of God. Thus do the heavenly intelligences mark times' flight ; not with sadness, but in- creasing rapture. Thus let us mark it till we hear the waves beat on the eternal shore. Then forever will we mark it thus, as the celestials do, in yon life that grows deeper, broader, without end. Bought with blood, though sinners once, they sin no more. As to Jacob fourteen years seemed a few days for his love to Rachel, so to them centuries are like summer days for their love to Christ, their hearts quiv- ering with the most subhme passion possible to man — love for the God who made him. As the un wasting cycles fly, their spirits leap with rapture that ever grows. And when all the memorials of this week of pageants have passed away, then and yonder shall be seen the work of Presbyterianism in our city — its monuments no bronze tablets along our streets, nor impulse to art and letters, nor mighty organiza- tion and sumptuous shrine, but hearts that are stamped with God's signet mark — the image of Christ forever. FIRST METHODIST CHURCH. At the First Methodist church an interesting pro- gramme was given at the union service in the evening. The church was handsomely decorated with ever- greens and flags, and the music was exceptionally good. Prayer was offered by Presiding Elder Gates, after which the audience had the pleasure of listening to the Rev. Dr. Mark Trafton, of Boston. His remarks were extemporaneous and related more to the foundation and elements of strength within the church. Following is an abstract of his remarks : 1 68 There are two lines of thought suggested by the occasion, phenomenal facts and philosophical results. When Freeboi n Garrettson started out on his mission he could not see the future. If* he could have lived and stood before the audi- ence last night, and seen the vast sea of faces he would have regarded it as a most impossible and fantastic dream. Gar- rettson and Jesse Lee started out. They could see ahead of them almost insurmountable obstacles in their way. When Lee walked upon the famous Boston common, the people thought him crazy. They understood notliing, and when Lee kneeled to the ground and prayed, such a prayer had never gone up from Boston to heaven ; and when he took from his pocket a little Bible, Boston heard the first sermon that generation had heard. The speaker related the incident of Lee's horse going through Harvard ; that is, the students took the horse through one door and out the other, saying they had graduated the doctor'shorse. Lee preached the first Methodist sermon in Maine. He related the great ability and perseverance of the Methodist servants. When the body of young Methodists entered Massachusetts they found the whole territory pre-empted. They thus had a great force to contend against. They found the whole country invested with Calvinism. Mr. Trafton is evidently a weak believer in foreordination. He said, in connection with the future of Methodism from Lee's point of view that it was certainly " doomed to success." The question arises, what was the element of the success that has made the Methodist church so successful. It was their doctrine to repudiate the idea of foreordination. God will never doom a few people to hell forever and a few more to heaven. There was the doctrine of regeneration. Their doctrines were what made the Methodist church the success it has. An element of power within the church is its sociaHty. They are social, agreeable, pleasant ; there is not that hard formality that was found in the old Puritan church. Extemporaneous preaching was another important element of success. They avoided notes ; they took from their pockets a little Bible and preached directly to the people. The idea of young theological students talking from notes. Horace Greeley said the Methodist church had literally sung itself into existence. This singing is another strong element. Methodism is not a conservative system. It is active, alive ; was begotten by pluck and energy, and only energy and grit can keep it 169 alive. The movement must be constant and onward. With much movement the Methodist creed wrill continue to ad- vance and finally be more great and powerful than now. Immediately following the close of Mr. Trafton's remarks, the Rev. Merritt Hulburd, of New York, spoke as follows : AN AMERICAN CHURCH. Having kept an interested eye on the arrangements of this city for the celebration of the Bi-centennial of its foundation, I could not fail to see the strife of certain denominations for precedence in the matter of recognition which they should receive on this, the churches' day. In this contest we, as Methodists, could have very little interest, and even as Albanians it was almost a matter of indifference, since we desire the recognition of the fact that our civilization is Christian, rather than that it should be used to bolster a sect or increase the importance of some local body. For while it is unmistakably true that we can never have too much of Christianity in the State in its legislation and administra- tion, we have a right to look with suspicion upon any attempt to ally the State by legislation or administration with any ecclesiastical body, and the distinction between Christianity and the church needs to be kept constantly before the public mind ; for they are neither identical nor conterminous. The one is the divine life in the world, operating on human hearts and lives, and as a body includes all who accept it and in whom it lives. The other exists under various forms and is of human invention, existing ostensibly for the pro- pagation of Christianity, embodying more or less of its prin- ciples and conforming to a greater or less degree to its spirit and teaching. The one is as water distilHng in clouds, fall- ing in rain, dimpling in lakes, rolling in rivers that gladden as they flow, rippling in rills that make the meadows green, glittering in ice fields, heaving in the mighty ocean that enisles the continents, but everywhere is one ; the other is the distributing reservoir, in which man would catch and detain it, or direct it into channels of his own choosing. The one is eternal, changeless, indestructible, universal ; the other grows in the midst of and is modified by times and cultivations, and with them may give place to others, and like them shall pass away. The one is light, resplendent 170 and abundant ; the other appears as windows, sometimes transparent, which conduct ; sometimes colored, that change and distort, and sometimes so nearly opaque as to obstruct it. Christianity, broad, blessed, illuminating and ujjlifting ; to it we owe the liberties we enjoy, and the institutions of which we are so justly proud. Talk of putting God into the con- stitution ? He is there already, and there to stay. His government is no weak confederacy, seeking recognition, or the compliment of His name on a debased coin. The nation is historically, structurally, organically Christ- ian. The materialistic philosopher who undertakes to solve the problems of history by isothermal lines and the use of globes, must of necessity find himself at loss to account for the perturbations which from time to time have occurred and the eccentricities in his historical orbit. To say, in one line, as a noted philosopher has done, " the instinctive propensity to drunkenness is a function of lattitude ; ." and in another that " the soggy and brutalizing atmosphere of northern Europe has been counteracted by its type of religion ; while the smiling lands that skirt the Mediterranean, under bluest skies and in serenest air, have grown an inferior civilization under other influences," is to expose his reasoning to ridicule, and to undermine his own theory. Without the Nile and its periodical inundations of that valley, 600 miles in length, Egypt and its wondrous history had been an impossibility ; but the Nile still flows as when hundred-gated Thebes stood in her grandeur, or scholars walked the obelisk-sentineled courts of Heliopolis ; but the scholar is gone and the glory has departed. Brutal- ized and degraded, the descendants of a once splendid race cower at the bases of the pyramids, and the " sick man of Europe " holds ignoble sway in the land. With climate as favorable, skies as propitious, and soil as fertile as when Rome, seated on her seven hills, and from " her throne of beauty ruled the world," there now the Lazaroni basks in the sun, and lazily swallows his macaroni, careless of to- morrow, and indifferent to the fact that Italy, once the school- mistress, is now the blockhead of the nations. Empires wax and wane, not as soils and seasons change, but in obedience to other and subtler laws, which it behoves nations and individuals to keep in mind. He who would read Divine Providence out of history, finds himself con- fronted by a vast range of unexplained and, by him, inex- 171 plicable phenomena. The territory of this continent was as providentially reserved as was Palestine ; and the people to inhabit and give character to its civilization were as truly " chosen in affliction " as was ancient Israel. A Danish antiquarian sets up the claim of the discovery of this conti- nent by adventurous Norsemen 900 years ago. That may be, but nothing came of it, and the world did not come to know of it. But the sea westward of Europe and Africa was still the mare tenebrosiDU — the dark sea. Columbus sailed westward, not seeking a new continent, but a new route to India, mistakenly supposing it to be a shorter way. Discovered in 1492, why was it so long before it was colon- ized ? The pope divided the new world between two of his most unscrupulous vassals, Spain and Portugal ; but the one had sought to crush the truth by the inquisition, and the other had banished the Bible and those who read it from her shores, and they could neither of them enter in. France, gory-handed from the slaughter of the Huguenots, would colonize it. But how ? Let the squallor, ignorance and unthrift in the province of Quebec, contrasted with the thrift, progressiveness and intelhgence of that of Ottawa, under the same government, make answer. Protestant Holland discovers and gives name to the most beautiful river of the western world, and is successful in laying the foundations of the commercial metropohs of the hemisphere and sets the stakes for the capitol city of the Empire State. But her territory was too narrow and her population too scanty for the broad lands to be peopled, and so England, populous, enterprising, brave, tenacious of purpose and ardent in the love of liberty is sifted to plant under dark skies, and on a rocky coast, the germs of a nation by puritan and pilgrim ; and from that a nation born in the cabin of the " Mayflower," and christened in a prayer meeting, a nation with the English Bible for a law book, and the charter of its liberties, became the custodian of that land designed by Providence to be the theatre of the last and highest develop- ment of civilization. Thus this nation was tutored into the estabhshment of the great principles of liberty in its infant stage. Instructed to reverence for God as the moral gov- ernor of the world, by the puritan independents of England; taught reUgious hberty by Roger Williams and the Baptists of Rhode Island, regard for social order and the institutions of rehgion by the Dutch Reformed and the Protestant 172 Episcopalians of New York, with the Presbyterians as staunch defenders of the day and word of God, the Quakers stand- ing for the rights of man in Pennsylvania and, strange to say, the Roman Catholics in Maryland for charity and reli- gious toleration, while in Delaware and the Carolinas the Huguenots sought, with industry and patience, the establish- ment of a Christian commonwealth. But the times change and new exigencies arise. All these denominations have done much, each in its own way, and have wrought worthily and well upon the structure of civilization and progress ; but we still look for an American church which shall demonstrate its conspicuous adaptation to the condition of the new nation. Congregationalism independency shows its adapta- tion to the Massachusetts colonies and still continues the dominant sect in New England, her town meetings with their moderators and clerks, are the adaptation to civil government of the church order. But she can do nothing for the south or the frontier, and even the adjoining State of New York proves uncongenial. There, however, the Dutch church is the conservator of public morals and the custodian of religion, while the consistory of the college of churches is imitated in the board of supervisors. Virginia, during its colonial period, had for its model the English parish, and traces of that government may still be discerned. But when these colonies become a free and independent nation, federated into a central government, what denomi- nation shall unify the religious government and adapt it to the new environment ? What shall be the religion that shall bind again this bundle of fasces into a unit ? The church must be created. It does not exist. Each existing organization is imported, and cannot easily be altered to suit the changed relations. A new organization, mobile, flexible, young, conforming to its environment, must appear. As runs the Hebrew parable, " When the tale of bricks is doubled Moses always appears." So, just at this juncture it comes. As a spiritual movement it has been abroad in the land for sixteen years, stirring up the people here and there. Loose and unorganized, it is only a voice crying in the wilderness. It is a force, but not yet harnessed to the machinery of society. It is as yet only a man on horseback. It has neither set up housekeeping nor set up a carriage. History, it had none, and, therefore, lost no time in hunting up precedents ; its theol- ogy, fluent and molten, had no grooves to run in, and there- 173 fore, spread quickly over the land. It had no theological seminaries and therefore was not divided into '• schools " of thought. It had " no language but a cry" and that it kept sounding through the land destitute of a polity, it was free to grow one indigenous to the soil, and could and did simultaneously with the republic develop a life which was suited to its home. Far removed from the despotism of the prelacy on the one hand, it was equally so from the irresponsible and disintegrating democracy of Congregation- alism. Without the cumbersome conservatism of the consis- tory, or the aristocratic government of a presbyterian form, it adopted whatever was fittest to survive of each and all, it rejected whatever would hinder its progress, and became the advance guard of the pioneer, and the counsellor of the statesman. With a centralization of power equal to that of Rome it could send its life-blood to invigorate the extremi- ties of the continent, while continuing ductile and flexible as Congregationalism, infringing no prerogative of the State it did not erect an " imperium in imperio," nor did it seek patronage or compromise for power. Speaking the language of the people and knowing their wants and sorrows, it has written heroic chapters of history in each decade of the past of America and proved itself a " helpmeet " indeed. Disciplined as carefully and drilled as thoroughly as Jesuitism, its system of propagandism reaches as far as that of Loyola, the watch-fires of its mission stations gleam from the Aroostook to Mount Hood and are reflected from the peaks of the Hawaii and then leaping the bounds of the hemisphere it has advanced upon distant shores, and now tells the story of the cross on the dark continent and in far Cathay. Its missionaries tell of the wonderful works of God in more languages than pentecost, and it has enrolled more converts ten tmies over in this country than the Christian church in a hundred years after the ascension of Our Lord. Essentially repubhcan, it corresponds most strikingly to the government of the nation, its bishops to the executive, but without the power of the veto in legislation, its triers of appeals to the Supreme Court, the general conference to congress, annual conference to state governments, districts to county organizations and the quarterly conference to the town and municiple rule. Thus we see the church and the State growing side by side mutually helpful, both having organic relation. 174 But again, we see the doctrinal system is also singularly adapted to meet the wants of the nation. " With a theology that — as Joseph Cook says — could be preached" proclaiming the universal fatherhood of God and the universal brother- hood of man, it was the mission of Methodism to declare a free salvation in a free land in opposition to the theory of a limited atonement which was substantially held by other denominations, the doctrine of the witness of the spirit stirred to the depths the hearts of men whose notions of religion had hitherto been oppressed with doubts and fears, and its converts made the hills and valleys ring with their new found joy. Entire sanctification seemed to promise dehverance from the power as well as the guilt of their sins. Such was the church which sprang into existence as an organized society in 1784, five years before the adoption of the federal constitution, and not one moment too soon, either, for when peace was declared, the nation, numljer- ing about five milHons, was burdened with an enormous debt, and war had demoralized the people. An exotic infideUty, imported from France, was loudly proclaiming that Christianity was hostile to human freedom, and some of the leaders of the people imbibed the monstrous doc- trine. Grateful for French assistance in the hour of the nation's need, French ideas were popular, and the pall of atheism seemed to be about settling upon the land. Floods of immigrants poured in, not now bringing, as the fathers did, their religious organizations with them ; but with notions of liberty which could ill brook control. The American people began to lose that homogeneity of character which the war had brought them. Lynch law usurped the place of statute, and the sparsely settled country was without schools or churches. How was it that this land did not find itself given over to the horrors of anarchy and civil war? I maintain that the answer is m the fact that there then began a great religious movement of which the Methodist Episcopal church was the most prominent agent which gave to the State at its formative period a moral and spiritual direction, and which impressed itself upon the laws and institutions of the land, the image of the heavenly. It has been sometimes captiously said that the Methodist church did not figure very creditably in the revolution. This may easily be so, since the church was not organized till after the war had closed, and the revival, 175 which had already begun, was manned entirely by preachers imported from England, the second one of whom was Capt. Thomas Webb, an officer of the British army. The others sent out by Mr. Wesley were held by their ideas of loyalty to the home government, and remained neutral, or returned to await the issue. At the same time it is true that the sympathies of a majority of the English Wesleyans was with the colonists in their struggle. Indeed Mr. Wesley himself, though a high churchman and a Tory, immediately after the news of the battle of Lexington had reached England, addressed a letter to the Earl of Dartmouth, in which he says : " I cannot avoid thinking that these colonists ask for nothing more than their legal rights, and that in the most modest and inoffensive manner that the subject would admit of." True is it also that the new church was the first to insert in its constitutional law a recognition of the new government, and to enjoin loyalty and patriotism as religious duties upon its communicants. Then, on the adoption of the federal union, in place of the "Articles of Confederation," the general conference immediately substi- tuted " The Constitution " in place of the articles referred to, and that in the face of the " State rights" doctrine then so rife, and it then proceeded unequivocally to declare that said states are and of right ought to be a sovereign and independent nation. Bishops Asbury and Coke were the first accredited repre- sentatives to present from any church an address to President Washington, assuring him of the sympathy and prayers of their people with and for him in his administration ; and a Methodist conference — the New York — was the first religious body to pledge its support to the general government after the assault on Fort Sumter, and by a happy coincidence, the same conference being then in session, telegraphed its con- gratulations to President Lincoln after the fall of Richmond and the surrender of Lee. There are statistics to prove that the Methodist church contributed 175,000 soldiers to the army of the Union, and of it President Lincoln fitly said : " Nobly served as the government has been by all the churches, I would utter nothing which might appear invi- dious against any, but it is not the fault of the others that the Methodist church, by her greater numbers, sends more soldiers to the field, more nurses to the hospital and more prayers to heaven than any other. God bless the Methodist 176 church. God bless all the churches, and blessed be God, who, in this our great trial, giveth us the churches." Have I not a right then to atiirm of it that it is pre-eminently an American church ? But I will not rest the case on ex parte testimony. I will impannel a jury of reputable citizens, not one of whom shall be a Methodist, and hear their testimony. George Bancroft: "The Methodists were the pioneers of reUgion ; the breath of Uberty has wafted their messages to the masses of the people, encouraged them to collect white and black in church or greenwood, for counsel in divine love and the full assurance of faith, and carried their con- solations and songs and prayers to the farthest cabins of the wilderness." Dr. Tyng said in London : " I come from a land where you might as well forget the tall oaks that tower in our forests, the glorious capitol we have erected in the centre of our hills, or the principles of truth and liberty we endeavor to disseminate, as to forget the influence of Methodism and the benefit we have received therefrom." Dr. Baird calls it " the most powerful element in the reli- gious prosperity of the United States." Dr. Channing said " the influence of Methodism in liberalizing the theology of New England is beyond all estimate." These citations might be multiphed indefinitely, but enough has been given to prove my statement, and I claim the case. Do you still ask what place Methodism has in this Bi- centennial ? I answer that though Gov. Dongan knew us not and, staunch Romanist that he was, I have no doubt he would have thought himself and the city better ofi" with- out us, and though Mayor Schuyler died without witnessing the advent of these " men who have turned the world upside down," and, Protestant though he was, he would have been scarcely less dismayed at the sight of the broad-brimmed hats and shad-bellied coats of these " pesky parsons ; " and though more than one hundred years of her history passed without the Methodist church, still do not beheve Albany could afford to lose out of her history the service rendered by that denom- ination. Bishop Asbury said that the region of Albany did not seem congenial, but times have changed since that day, and many of his successors have found Albany a most kindly home. Freeborn Garrettson was the pioneer in this region and had cause to remember his reception in Albany, for when he was entertained by a gentleman he saw deadly 177 hostility in the face of the hostess, and under a strong im- pression of danger he did not drink the small beer which she tendered him, nor would he eat in the house. The next day he learned that the husband and son of the woman had been poisoned nearly to death by eating the meat which this hospitable woman had prepared for him. She afterward said that if she could have had her way there would not have been a Methodist left. Now, however, clergy and laity find themselves cordially welcomed who would go from us to other denominations, and men and women converted at our altars are in every communion, and the pastor of one of the most popular churches told me once that his most efficient members were those he had received from us. I congratulate you on the fact that our church is now housed in Albany in a manner befitting the station she is called to occupy ; that the time when anything would do for a Methodist church has forever passed. The mission of Methodism to the masses was once a popular theme and was patronizingly conceded to us by the other denomina- tions, but this was a misapprehension. Methodism began socially at the top and was at home among the learned and noble, but has proved herself worthy of her Divine Lord by reaching down to the lowest, by disintegrating the masses and hfting the individual to the level of the heavenly. Her mission ! it is to every one ; her field ! it is the world. FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH. In the First Lutheran church in the morning, the congregation was very large. The decorations about the pulpit, while not of an elaborate character, were, nevertheless very handsome. The front of the pulpit platform and the standards at the ends were effect- ively draped with orange and blue colors, and at the summits of the standards, palms waved their graceful branches. Immediately in front of the pulpit an elegant floral shield, with suitable inscriptions, rested on an easel. The Rev. George W. Miller preached a discourse entitled "A Retrospect of Two Centuries," from the 178 text, " Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations." — Deut. xxxii., 7. Macaulay says : " To write history, that is, seemingly, the easiest of all compositions, is on the contrary the most diffi- cult. History is philosophy, teaching by example, though unhappily what the philosophy gains in soundness and depth, the examples generally lose in vividness. A perfect historian must possess an imagination sufficiently powerful to make his narrative affecting and picturesque, yet he must control it absolutely, contenting himself with the materials which he finds." Recognizing this, I purpose using the greatest care and caution in speaking of our Albany church. Could history truthfully picture the past, our eyes would see some strange scenes connected with this venerable organiza- tion. The history of the Albany First Lutheran church has special interest because it is the oldest continued organiza- tion in the denomination in America, the church in New Amsterdam, now New York city, having lost its identity, when in 1783 Trinity and Christ's church, or " The old Swamp church," united. The first Lutheran settlement in this country was made in New Amsterdam in 1623, and came from Holland. The second disdnct body of Lutherans came from Sweden in 1636, settled on Delaware bay and bought land of the Indians, the place now being Wilming- ton, Delaware. They brought a pastor with them, and these Swedes were the first Lutherans organized under the care of a pastor. Later, owing to a lack of English-speaking min- isters, they became EpiscopaHans, thus leaving the New York churches the priority as continued Lutheran organiza- tions. Moreover, Albany is the oldest surviving city of the original thirteen colonies. At Albany the voice of Benja- min Franklin was heard in convention advising the measures afterwards incorporated into our Federal constitution. In Albany assembled the first convention for the union of the colonies. Henry Hudson, in the yacht Half Moon, moored in September, 1609, at a point which is now in Broadway, This place was called by the Dutch, New Orange originally, afterwards Beverswycke, and then later when taken posses- sion of by the Enghsh in 1664, Albany, in honor of an English duke. 179 EARLY IMMIGRATION OF LUTHERANS. The principles of the reformation had been carried to Holland, and strong churches were organized, soon after Luther's work. Thus, before America was known as a land of refuge Protestants had settled in various lands, and some had sought our shores. Of these Lutheran churches in Holland the strongest was in Amsterdam, and it became the foster mother of the New Amsterdam Dutch Lutheran congregation. There had been a fierce controversy in Holland over Calvinism and Arminianism, and afterwards intolerance was manifested toward Lutherans. Hence, these Dutch Lutherans emigrated from Germany to Holland, and from Holland to America. This establishment of Lutherans was effected here a little more than a century after the discovery of America, and within a few years of the landing of the Pilgrims ; and while the Thirty Years War was raging in Germany that threatened to exterminate Protestantism from Europe. Thus are we led to see God's peculiar providence in sending those whom God's word and spirit had made free into this new world. We call attention to history respecting the Albany church. PERSECUTIONS AND TRIBULATIONS. Brodhead's history of the State of New York says : " The Lutherans, in 1653, are strong enough to support their own pastor." In Callaghan's history it is stated that a placard had been published in 1656 against the congregation of Lutherans at Beverswycke (i. e. Albany). At this time the Lutherans were much opposed and oppressed by the Dutch Reformed church people. They were taxed to support that church, compelled to assent to its creed if they had their children baptized, and strenuous effort was made to compel the Lutherans to identify themselves with the Dutch church. But they strenuously resisted, and petitioned for a minister of their own. In 1657 the Rev. John Ernest Goetwater arrived in the ship Mill, June 6, to serve two congregations, one at New Amsterdam and one at Beverswycke ; but he was ordered to return by the same ship, and though sickness prevented his immediate compliance, he was put without the walls of the city, and finally forced to re-embark for Holland. The Lutheians were disposed, however, to push forward with a hard Lutheran pate, Brodhead, the historian, says; 180 and in 1660 they promoted a subscription for a clergyman of their own. In 1664, however, the Lutheran congregation was in an organized condition. There cords are most meagre. These old Dutch worthies were modest and economical in record -making. Besides, their descendants have been crimin- ally careless about preserving what records they made. The Rev. P. A. Strobel, in an article in the Hartwick memorial volume respecting St. Paul's church, West Camp, Ulster county, N. Y., mentions an incident illustrating this. Their church was organized by the Rev. Joshua Kocherthall in 171 1. Some years since, the members of that church wishing to get rid of some old papers, it was resolved to make a bonfire of them. The Albany church was first built on Pearl street, between Lutheran (now Howard) and Beaver streets, facing Pearl. This church was standing in 1674. In Mr. Munsell's Annals we read : " The Lutherans seem to have succeeded in gathering a congregation before 1670. It is supposed that about this time they erected a church and parsonage, the first and last penny for these being paid." And from the same source, speaking of 1795, we read: "There is in Albany a Dutch Lutheran church of a Gothic and very peculiar shape." This was at least their second edifice, for we know that that was constructed only about ten years previous, and in it the second synod in America was organ- ized in 1786. While the Bi-centennial History of Albany and Schenectady counties says : " The first Lutheran church was built 1668 or 1670, on Pearl street, the present site of the city building. The Episcopalians worshiped in this building part of the day, in 17 14." In 1784 the society was incorporated. The edifice preceding the present fine and imposing one was erected during the pastorate of the Rev. F. G. Mayer, on the present site, the city having purchased the lot on Pearl street, that had been in the possession of the congregation almost a century and a half, the present site being doubly historic, for here stood " the old colonial army hospital." In it were gathered men who suffered for their country, and if patriotism be only second to piety, it was early consecrated by their sufferings. While, as if to show the fluctuations of time and circum- stances on this same spot, in a hospital room in 1769, there was fitted up Albany's first theatre, a comedy company from New York introducing the drama. To this historic spot hence have come those who suffered the ills and mishaps of 181 war. Here, in pain, has been paid, in part, the price of hberty. Here, on cots, have lain loyal, patriotic sons. Here brave men have died. Here have been experienced the horrid results of war. This has marked one era. While, as if to relieve the tedium, these very soldiers seem to have inaugurated the reverse of this, in comedy. Nor was it Avithout opposition ; but, succeeding slow suffering, and then mirth-making, has come the work of ministering to sad and glad. And for seventy years Christ's church, in loyalty to truth, has crowned this spot. A WORD ABOUT THE PASTORS. For 2i6 or 217 years, on two spots in Albany, the gospel of God's grace has been administered according to our usages. A hurried glance at the men who ministered at these altars may not be amiss. In 1668 the Rev. Jacob Fabritius became the first pastor, serving the New York and Albany churches. He was impulsive and rash, though learned and able, and soon left. In 167 1 the Rev. Bernar- dus Arensius assumed the work. In 1703 Justus Falckner, the first Lutheran minister ordained in America, was setded, preaching at Loonensburg (now Athens) and Albany. He died in 1723, and was succeeded by the Rev. Wm. Christo- pher Berkenmeyer, an able, devout man, who preached until his death at Athens, and under that church he lies buried. The Revs. Michael Christian Knoll, Henry Moeller, Schwerd- feger, A. T. Braun, Groetz, John Frederick Ernst, and Henry Moeller successively served until 1806. The services remained German until 1808. In 1807 the Rev. Frederick G. Mayer assumed the work as his first and last pastorate, remaining thirty-seven years. He was short in stature, stout in person, calm in manner, and an ex tempore speaker. The first sacred musical concert given in Albany was at his suggestion. In 1843 the Rev. Dr. Henry N. Pohlman assumed the duties of the office, and for twenty-three years, in a devoted and dignified manner, discharged its trust. Dr. Pohlman being the leader of the Lutheran hosts of New York during many years of his life. Since then, the Rev. Drs. S. P. Sprecher and I. Magee, and your speaker have ministered. THE PROGRESS OF THE DENOMINATION. New York has not proven as fertile soil for Lutheranism as have other states. In 1870 more than a third of all 182 Lutherans in the United States were reported in Pennsylva- nia and Ohio, and nearly five times as many churches in Pennsylvania as New York ; that but three synods have developed in loo years since the New York ministerium was organized in the Albany church, while from the Maryland and Virginia synod, organized in 1820, twelve synods have sprung, and the ministerium of Pennsylvania, organized in 1748, has 88,596 communicants, while the ministerium of New York, organized 1786, has but 25,930. Peculiar circumstances produce this, just as the number of Presby- terians is not great in New England nor are the Congrega- tionalists strong in New York, while one-half of the Congregationalists in the United States in 1870 were in New England. There are four Lutheran congregations in Albany: St. Paul's German church, organized 1842, Rev. G. F. Stutz, pastor ; First German Evangelical Lutheran churcli, organized in 185/]., William A. Frey, pastor ; St. John's German Evangelical Lutheran church, organized in 1858, Rev. Ernst Hoffman, pastor, and Trinity German Evangelical Lutheran church, organized i860. The relation of the Albany church to Lutheranism in the State has been most intimate. Here the first synod in New York and second in America was organized, with three ministers and two laymen present. Here Hartwick seminary originated, Dr. Pohlman being its first graduate. He was the first student of our first theological seminary. With the Albany church John Christopher Hartwick, its founder, had most intimate relations, and his remains lie under its lecture room floor. In the Albany church occurred the separation in 1867, after the formation of the general council, and in the church then and there was organized the New York, since consoli- dated with the New Jersey synod. OTHER RELATIONS. As late as 1747 there were but eleven ministers in all the colonies, and in 1768 the entire clergy showed but twenty- four names. To-day the Evangelical Lutheran church stands third in the list numerically among denominations in America, numbering 893,000 communicants. In 1775 the Lutherans had twenty-five ministers and sixty churches. In 1876 they had 2,662 ministers, 4,623 churches, and did we enumerate all baptized persons we have more than 1,500,000 Lutherans. 183 WHAT THE ORGANIZATION HAS WITNESSED. She has seen government twice change hands, the Dutch surrendering to the EngUsh and the Enghsh in turn granting our independence. She has seen the population of the entire country grow from 200,000 in 1688 to over 50,000,000 at the present time. She has sentinel like, watched and from her patriotic pulpit heard prayers during four wars. She has seen the log school house, with puncheon floor, slab bench and oiled paper windows give way to our uncommon common school. She has seen the spinning wheel retire for the spinning jenny ; the stitch of the weary needle replaced by the sewing machine; the slow sickle in the reaper's hand banished by the mower and reaper ; the flail by the thresher ; the lumbering coach by the fast express ; the occasional overland mail by the postal telegraph and cable, and the courier, on relays of horses, by the telephone. She has seen the feeble, impoverished colonies surpass in wealth every other nation. She has seen her sister churches, in common with herself, grow strong and influential, with spires daily piercing the skies. Truly " God hath not dealt so with any nation." To-day we have reason for thanksgiving for a home in this goodly city, a place in this honored old church, and for a remembrance of the days of old and the knowledge that for more than two centuries she has without strife, division or cessation gone on in her work. To-day we inaugurate our Bi-centennial celebration. As Albanians, whether this be our native heath or our adopted home, it becomes us to recognize God's hand in the history and development of the city. Albany is an honored, prospered and lovely munici- pality. Nature has done much for her, and art has grandly aided. She is to-day noted for her wealth, philanthropy and long-time history. She has some splendid streets and avenues, elegant private residences, imposing churches and grand pubHc buildings. And she contains a most excellent citizenship. To-day, in our retrospect, while we trace our church existence 216 or 217 years, if we pause midway we would see an Albany very different. A RETROSPECT. One hundred years ago Albany was a village, receiving mail once a week. In 1698 Albany had but a population of 803 ; of these five were English families, one Scotch and 184 all others Dutch. In 1790, when the community was 185 years old, there was a population of but 3,498. In an interesting volume, " New England in Albany," we read that Pearl street then was the resident street for the aristo- cratic burghers, and that the people were Dutch, the houses were Dutch and the dogs were Dutch. The original Dutch settlers had little enterprise They cared little for learning or education, only for liberty of trade. Beaver skins and ducats was the great desiderata. Their annual trade in 1646, when Albany contained but ten houses, were 16,000 beaver skins. A century ago, even these people lived here very quietly, rising early, and when the curfew bell rang at 8 P. M. they covered up their fires on the hearths and retired. Thus in their one -story houses with peaked roofs and gables to the end, they lived. And in the morning early on their stoops (each house had a stoop) these ancient and venerable mynheers, with their little sharp-cocked hats and red-ringed worsted caps drawn tightly down over their heads, there they sat like monuments of a former age, smoking their pipes in dignified silence, and with phlegmatic gravity. And on Sabbath, with rufiled shirt front, knee-breeches, silver-buckled shoes, immense wigs, and their cocked hats, these burghers wended their way to church. No furnaces were in use then ; portable stoves or warm bricks were taken to the sanctuary. And it was no uncommon thing to see fifty or seventy-five colored servants or slaves at the church door with foot-stoves, or warm bricks, wrapped in flannel, the records saying that the deacons used a little sack or bag, on the end of a pole for taking the collections, and that a bell was on the end of the pole. But tehse are bygones. Albany is now a modern city, and she is rapidly improving, catching more and more the spirit of enterprise. Our highest expression of interest in her past, present and prospective welfare is to be found in a loyal love for all that is good, and a watchful and outspoken hate and opposition for all that is wrong," The history of the First Lutheran church has special interest, not alone to its own membership and local friends, but as well to all Lutherans, because it is the oldest continued organization in the denomination in America. The church in New Amsterdam (now New York city) having lost its identity when in 1783, Trinity and Christ's church, usually called the Old Swamp church, united. The 18S first I>utheran settlement in this country was made in New Amsterdam in 1623, they coming from HoUand. The second distinct body of Lutherans came from Sweden in 1636, and settled on Delaware bay, and bought land of the Indians. They brought a pastor with them and were the first Lutherans organized under the care of a pastor. But, later, owing to a scarcity of English speaking preachers, they became Episcopalians, thus leaving the New York churches the priority as continued Lutheran organizations. More- over, Albany, the sight of the church, is the oldest city in the original thirteen colonies. Jamestown, Va., long a rival in point of age, having past from existence. The principles of the reformation had been carried to Holland and strong churches establislied there soon after Luther's work. Thus before America was known as a land of refuge for the oppressed, Protestants had settled in various lands and some had sought an shore. There was a strife in Holland over Armenianism and Calvinism, and the Lutherans were appressed. Hence these Dutch Lutherans emigated from Holland to America. This establishment of Lutherans was effected here a httle more than a century after the discovery of America and within a few years after the landing of the Pilgrims on Plymouth Rock, and while the thirty-five years' war was raging in Germany. In 1657 their first pastor came, but was ordered by the Dutch authorities to return by the same ship. In 1664, however, the Lutheran congregation was in an organized condition. The Bi-centennial history of Albany and Schenectady counties says that the first edifice of the Lutheran church was built, 1668 or 1670, on Pearl street, the present site of the City building. In 17S4, the society was incorporated. The present site is doubly historic, for on it stood the old colonial army hospital, and in a room in that hospital was fitted up in 1769 Albany's first theatre. For two hundred and sixteen or .seventeen years on two spots in Albany the gospel of God's grace has been preached and the ordinances of church administered according to our usage. In 1668 Rev. Jacob Fabritum became the first pastor. He has been followed by Revs. Rudman, Falckner, Berkenmeyer, Knoll, Moeller, Braun, Schuefeger, Groetz, Moeher, Mayer, Pohl- man, Sprecher, Magee and the present incumbent. 186 CLINTON SQUARE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Anniversary services at the Clinton Square Presby- terian church were made impressive by the presence of Rev. Dr. E. A. Huntington, of the Auburn Theo- logical seminary, who preached a close, argumentative sermon from the sixth verse of the tenth chapter of II. Corinthians. After concluding his sermon, he interested his hearers by recalling the early associa- tions of the church : " Fifty years ago to-day," he said, " I preached my second sermon, and it was before a congregation of this church, then called the Third Presbyterian church of Albany. These associations are dear to me from the fact that it is the only church I was ever pastor of. Its history of pastors is remark- able. In fifty years you have had but three pastors, I served you eighteen years, and was then called to my present posi- tion in the Auburn Theological seminary, and was succeeded by Dr. Halley, who was your beloved pastor for twenty-two years, when your present pastor, who has ministered to you for ten years, began his labors with you. STATE STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Rev. Dr. Holmes preached in the morning from Acts xxi : 39 : "A Citizen of No Mean City." After briefly touching upon Albany's proud history, Dr. Holmes said he choose rather to employ the past with a view to the improvement of the future, and to gather up the lessons of the by-gone centuries respecting the duties of citizenship. A proper discharge of our duties as citizens necessitates an increase of public spirit, and a general diffusion of intellectual culture, an attention to social obligations, and more impor- tant still, a thorough fulfillment of the political duties we are summoned to discharge. But the chief duty which devolves upon us in giving ennoblement to the city in which we live, respects its moral and spiritual improvement. Nor must we measure public morals by any other standard than the aver- age righteousness of the whole people. It is ours as citizens of this ancient municipality to diffuse divine light and life among all who dwell within the sphere of our influence. 187 The very rich and the very poor ahke need Christian effort in their behalf. And the intermediate classes also require the expenditure of earnest activity. We must proclaim the sanctity of the Lord's day and the Lord's home, and the immediate duty of sincere repentance and having faith. The third century of our city's life should concern us far more than either the first or the second. Let us discharge our duties in connection with it, and God grant it may be a future filled up with ennobling experiences and divinely discharged duties. AFRICAN M. E. CHURCH. At the Israel M. E. church on Hamilton street, there was a very large attendance, and the sermon was by the Rev. Israel Derrick. Subject: "Fifty- seven years in Albany ; or theConflicts and Con- quests of African Methodism." The preacher said in epitome : No victory can be achieved without a well-planned and a hard fought battle. Endurance and perseverance, even against opposition, will eventually be rewarded. History is full of examples and illustrations which may help us to stand firm at our post of duty and put forth all the energies of body and mind, regardless of antagonizing forces, so that honest and earnest endeavor may be crowned with abundant success. African Methodism, during the last half century of this city, has been engaged in a financial, moral and religious conflict. God is on her side. She is destined to push the battle until the war is ended. Then will she return her armor to the armory of heaven and join the triumphant church on high. It would seem that after so many futile attempts have been made by other colored denominations, that this Hamilton street African Methodist Episcopal church is destined by the God of Heaven to evangelize the colored people of this city, I call upon you this evening, on this, the Two Hundredth Anniversary of the City of Albany, to wheel into line and give a helping hand in this great work. Let us be true to ourselves, to the city and State, and last, but not least, let us be true to the church ; and may the good Lord keep and prosper us until the end of time. FIRST REFORMED CHURCH. There was a large congregation at the First Re- formed church in the evening and the services were of much interest, the musical portion being also attractive. The pastor, Rev. J. Wilbur Chapman, chose his text from Deut. iv : 32 : "Ask now of the days that are past." An epitome of the discourse follows : This is the prerogative of the Reformed church. She dates back more than three hundred years. Her doctrinal standards and polity are derived primarily from the action of those who met at Antwerp in 1563, and in the beginning ^he was closely identified with the Reformers. In 1642 Johanes Megapolensis began to preach the gospel, and until the prese t time the Dutch church has been faithful to the city's interests. One of her members was commissioner to secure the charter and appeared with it before the governor of the State. So we take our part in this Bi- centennial celebration, because we have as a denomination a firm hold upon the past, and the things which have been of importance to Albany in the past two hundred years, have likewise been closely associated with the Reformed church. There wor- ships with us a family but four generations removed from Peter Schuyler, the first mayor of the city. We have in our membership direct descendants of Alex- ander Glen, who built the first church of Schenectady, and whose wife was Catharine Dongan, sister of him who was governor at the time the charter was granted. But more highly are we honored, as a denomination, in the history we have had, in the long line of faithful ministers who have in our churches preached the gospel, in the godly men and women who have constituted our membership, in the memory of the missionaries who have gone out from us to do service for our Lord in foreign lands, in the two hun- dred and forty-four years of labor in His vineyard. 189 SIXTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. " Characteristic Elements in the Religious Faith of our Forefathers," was the subject of the Rev. J. D. Countermine's sermon at the Sixth Presbyterian church in the morning. He took his text from Acts xvii : 26 : After an eloquent sermon he closed by saying : Out of the fatherhood of God naturally grows the great principle of the essential brotherhood of man. God has made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on all the face of the earth. Recognizing this, our forefathers gave early promise of becoming a free, united and happy people. How could it have been otherwise ? The national honor and strength, wealth and glory which we possess have come as the merit- able result not so much of what our forefathers did as of what they believed. It was their faith that made them great. Had they believed less, had they just left out of their creed the one doctrine of man's universal brotherhood, it is safe to say we never would have been what we are to-day, one of the leading nations of the earth. What we have said of America in general, is true of Albany in particular. Her greatness is due not so much to the beauty of her situation, or to the abundance of her natural resources, as to her men of character, enlightenment and faith. They were not per- fect, but the great truths which they loved and cherished are still the richest inheritance of the race. Possessing these truths we, as a city, have nothing to fear, for in them alone are life, honor, wealth, strength and immortality. ST. PETER'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH. " A citizen of no mean city " (Acts, xxi : 39) was the text of the discourse preached before a large congregation at St. Peter's church, in the morning, by the rector Rev. Walton W. Battershall. The reverend gentleman said : The thought, lurking in that claim of St. Paul to his Tarsian citizenship, lies at the heart of this Bi-centennary of our charter day. Little as it was, Albany did good service 190 in those ancient days. All beyond it to the west and north, except the hamlet of Schenectady and the French settle- ments on the St. Lawrence, was unbroken wilderness. The stockade, thirteen feet high, was of little worth, if that living bulwark of savage allies should yield to the arms or bribes of the French But in this picture of ancient Albany I cannot forbear to mention one landmark, in which we who worship at this altar have a peculiar inheritance. For about forty years after the peaceful seizure by the English, the old I)uLch church at the foot of State street, and the Lutheran church on South Pearl street sufficed for the religious needs of the city. In the accounts of Peter Schuyler, the deacon of the Dutch church in 1683, and the first mayor of the city, we read that the thirteenth of January was observed as a day of fasting and prayer, to divert God's heavy judgment from falling on the English nation for the murder of King Charles, martyr of blessed memory, and that the expenses of the church therefor were seventeen guilders. In 1708, Thomas Barclay was chaplain of the garrison. Soon there was need of an English church in Albany. On the 21st of October, 1 7 14, Governor Hunter issued letters patent granting a plot of ground in the street below the fort for a church and cemetery. Despite all obstacles, the work went on, and, in the course of a year, a stone structure fifty- eight feet long and forty-two wide, later known as St. Peter's church, stood in the middle of Jenker's street, one block below the present site — the first permanent footprint of the English church beyond the seaboard. Such in brief outline is the picture which our Bi-centennial commemoration summons from the past. It is something to claim citizenship in "no mean city," a city that has a history and has had so much to do with the making of history. But what avails it to study the past except to win from it light and energy for the duty of the present ? You, men of Albany, are molding the character of your city, not simply by municipal legislation, but by those personal traits, those daily dealings by which you made the moral atmosphere the business methods, the political life of the city. The import- ance of cities is not measured by their bulk any more than the importance of men ; but growth is every sign of health. 191 FIRST METHODIST CHURCH. At the First Methodist church, in the morning, the Rev. H. A. Starks took for his text: "Then Sam- uel took a stone and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer," saying : ** Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." i Sam. vii : 12: A principle, deeply implanted in human nature, and repeatedly recognized in scripture, leads to the observance of commemorative days. The city in which we dwell has come to the Two Hundreth Anniversary of its life. To-day an attempt is being made to answer the question, " What of the history and influence of Christianity in Albany?" Especially should our own society, the oldest in this city be interested in giving a satisfactory reply to this question. In 1760, two men, Philip Emburg and Thomas Webb, the former in New York, the latter in Albany, com- menced their labors. The Rev. Freeborn Garrettson was the founder of the Methodist creed in Albany. In 1789 a small but flourishing society was in Albany. In 1791 Mr. Garrettson dedicated the first Methodist church in this city. It was a small fifty-two by forty-four building on the south- east corner of Pearl and Orange streets. The first board of trustees was elected in 1792. In 1805 Elias Vanderlip was appointed pastor on account of serious divisions which had arisen. In 181 1 the common council gave the society the lot on Hallenbeck and Plain streets, sixty-six by one hundred feet. In 1S13 the newedifice on Division street was built. A Sunday school was formed in 1 81 6. In 1826 they moved into a large hall on North Pearl street, formerly used as a circus. From time to time new divisions arose and new societies were formed. In 1844 the Hudson street edifice was occupied. The pros- perity of the society was now assured by the large congrega- tion. In 1883 they moved again into their now elegant structure on the corner of Hudson avenue and Philip street. TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH. At Trinity Episcopal church in the morning the pastor, Rev. Dr. C. H. W. Stocking, chose his text 192 from Prov. xi : 1 1 : " By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted," and in conclusion said : Two hundred years of human life and activity are but a small segment of the circle of being. We are but a handful of sand on the stretching shores of peoples and nations. The pride with which we begin this great Bi-centennial week should be tempered with humility. It is one of the fallacies of our day that a courageous and prosperous national life tends to improvement, and is inseparably connected with all advancement. The traveler stands to-day among the ruins of ancient temples to wonder at the marvelous civiliza- tion of Greece. The glorious city of the Tiber is a dusty relic, her language dead and her name and fame are but a romance, while Albany is stronger to-day than Rome ever was in all that constitutes general stability. They ordered their households with simplicity and virtue. They traded honestly, kept their hands from picking and stealing, and their bodies in temperance and chastity. They refreshed their minds at the stream of a pure education. Whatever of past prosperity Albany has had, whatever she now enjoys and whatever of hope for the future she cherishes, is rooted deeply in the truth that by the blessing of the upright the city is exalted. OTHER SERVICES. A large audience gathered to hear the Bi-centennial services given in the Bethel-El-Jacob synagogue on Fulton street, the rabbi, Rev. Dr. Distillator, having prepared a complete programme. Prayer for the rulers of the United States, by Rev. Mr. Zimmerman ; sermon touching the rise and progress of the Jews in Albany, by Rev. Dr. Distillator, ending with a prayer for the city officials. The synagogue was most handsomely decorated, the programme attract- ive and well rendered, and the congregation well pleased. At the Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady Help of Christians a solemn high mass was said, accom- 193 panied by an apropriate sermon in German delivered by Mgr. H. Cluever, pastor. The Rev. William S. Boardman, a former rector, delivered the sermon at the Church of the Holy Inno- cents. The text: "My days are a shadow that is declining," I02d Psalm, 2. MONDAY, JULY 19TH. Trades and Manufacturers and Children's Day. Exercises by School Children. Morning. — Opening the city gates. Canoe races in front of the city. Afternoon. — Grand parade of manufacturers, tradesmen and mechanics, with workshops on floats, etc. Marking with bronze tablets historical spots, accompanied by appropriate exercises. Evening. — Concert by trained chorus of one thousand school children in Capitol Park. Grand children's fete, closing with elaborate pyrotechnic display. A triple band concert in Washington Park. OPENING THE CITY GATES. About ten o'clock the historic ceremony of open- ing the city gates was beheld with great interest by a large multitude. The procession formed at the city hall, and previous to the hour of starting, the mayor's office was filled with members of the Bi-centennial committee wearing beautiful badges, city officials and prominent citizens. After a little unavoidable delay, the processsion was formed under the direction of Col. John S. Mc- 194 i Ewan, and chief assistant, Major Lewis Balch. The formation of the line was as follows : Sergt. Winne and a platoon of police, Plattsburgh band, Burgesses corps. Crier Jacob D. Pohlman, City Marshal Craven, City officers, Recorder and Justices, headed by Mayor Thacher, President McCann and common council, Poughkeepsie band, Jackson corps, citizens' Bi-centennial committee, headed by ex-Mayor Banks, Caughnawaga Indians in costume, members of the board of trade and citizens generally. The Burgesses corps, under Maj. Van Zandt, num- bered five staff, three line and thirty-six muskets and the Jackson corps, Maj. MacFarlane commanding, six staff, five line and thirty-two muskets. Marshal Craven wore a broad cardinal sash about his waist, and carried in hand the traditional white wand. Mayor Thacher carried the emblem of author- ity, a sword. The procession presented a fine appear- ance, and not the least centre of interest were the Indians in their glaring costumes. The route of march was as follows : Washington avenue to Lark street, to Hudson avenue, to Broad- way. Here the first or south gate of the city was located. The structure was of wood, thickly trimmed with evergreens, and extended from curb to curb. Above the horizontal on top was the following inscrip- tion : " Ye Southe Gate of ye Citty, Leading to ye Fort, ye Ferrie and ye Pasture." Between the uprights swung the city gates, con- structed of unplaned dark board, ten feet in height and sharpened at the upper end into the semblance 195 of a palisade. A heavy bolt and padlock kept the gates shut to all comers on the thoroughfare until the mayor had bid them welcome. THE CEREMONY. Just by this gate the procession halted. Mayor Thacher, sword in hand, accompanied by Marshal Craven and crier Pohlman, stepped forward, and key in hand unlocked the padlock. Two sturdy constables in blue uniforms put their shoulders to the gates, which swung apart from the pressure. The scene was picturesque and unique. Under the arch stood the mayor, flanked by his crier and marshal. The common council on the east side and the Bi-centen- nial committee on the west side stood grouped about the gate. In the centre stood the little bronzed and painted group of Mohawk braves, and the red coats of the soldiers and the band's blue uniforms hemmed in the circle. The background was thousands of citizens. As the gates swung open crier Pohlman stepped briskly forward and in stentorian tones shouted " Uncover." At the word every head was bared, and where a moment before had been the hum of voices was profound silence. Spake the crier : Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye. To all strangers without this gate. Keep silence, keep silence. The Mayor of the city is about to issue his proclamation. Peace, silence, and hear him. Then Mayor Thacher, in loud tones, proclaimed : To all ye of good fame and honest name, traveler, student, friend, who shall enter our gates this day and in the days that for three terms shall follow after this : Peace, welcome, cheer and greeting. 196 Hitherto have ye come after twice one hundred years, and within our walls to-day we celebrate this natal event. Join with us in the commemoration of the day when our fathers received their charter two hundred years ago. Enter then beneath this triumphal arch and with us unite in parade and oration. Freedom, liberty and immunity we give thee for this time. At the same time Marshal Craven tacked the pro- clamation on sheepskin on the gate, signed " John Boyd Thacher, mayor. Done in the ancient city of Albany this day, July 19, 1886." After the proclamation, the Indians rendered an Iroquois hymn. The weird sound of the Iroquois song of welcome rose as the last nail was driven. The singers had taken their stand in the centre of the scene, facing the Mayor, and in tuneful chorus acknowledged the hospitality extended by this gen- eration to them as their fathers had welcomed our fathers on nearly the same spot two hundred and fifty years ago. The band then struck up "Yankee Doodle," composed near Albany in 1755, the proces- sion reformed and the strangers without the gates flocked within the city walls. AT THE NORTH GATE. Handelaer's street (Broadway) was packed with people and gay with color as the procession started from the south gate to the north gate, through which, on Sunday morning, February 9, 1690, Symon Schermerhorn dashed on full gallop, bearing the tidings of Schenectady's fate. The north gate is erected near Steuben street, opposite ye American express building, and is the counterpart of the south gate. The inscription over it reads : 197 Ye North Gate of ye Citty, Ye Create road to ye Canadas. At the north gate the same ceremony as at the south gate was repeated in the same impressive manner. As the proclamation was nailed in place, the Van Rensselaer cannon of 1630 thundered the first of the federal salute of thirty-eight guns, fired by Capt. Archie Young, from the pier which completed the terminus of DeWitt Clinton's great project. The procession then formed again and marched over the prescribed route to the Stadt Huys, where a modest collation had been spread for the participants. All through the day strangers flocked into the city through the gates, so auspiciously opened as the formal beginning of the Bi-centennial celebration. THE SCHOOL CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL. It was almost half past ten when the opening notes of "America" swelled from a chorus of half a thou- sand voices, led by Prof. George Edgar Oliver. At that time the tent, located in Capitol park, was fairly packed from end to end. Not only were the seats filled, but the canvas at the sides of the tent was raised and i thousands crowded here in the vain endeavor to see over the heads of the spectators within. Such a pushing and jostling, such a clamber- ing over the ends of seats, such a struggle to raise one's eyes half a foot higher from the ground than nature intended, could not be seen save upon a Bi-centennial occasion. After Director Oliver had gracefully waved the children to the seats, upon the conclusion of the chorus, the Rev. Dr. J. Livingston Reese stepped to the front of the platform and offered up an eloquent prayer : 198 O Lord God Almighty and Generous Father, whom no eye has seen and can see, and yet who dwellest in the heart of the lowly and humble, we come to thee this day for thy special blessing. We thank thee for the lessons of the past, for the good examples of those whose names we now revere and whose virtues we would copy. We thank thee for the means thou hast given us in this land for the education of the young and their training in truth and holiness. Direct those who have charge of the schools of this city and to whom thou hast entrusted this great work. Fill their memo- ries with the words of the law. Enlighten their understand- ing with the illumination of the Holy Ghost. Impress deeply upon the children of this city the love and duty and the fear and reverence of thee, their Father and their God. Give them wisdom to see that though old things pass away, yet there is no decline in faith, in the beauty of righteous- ness, in the gloriousness of purity, the splendor of virtue and the strength of truth. Make them strong in heart, full of courage, fearless of danger, holding pain and loss cheap when they lie in the way of truth and duty. Make them strong in love, true friends, tender neighbors, helpful citizens. Make them strong in faith, believing thy word and promises, ever trusting in the victory of good over evil. Make them strong in hope, undaunted by seeming defeat, ever looking beyond the mists and clouds of time into the clear shining of the eternal life. Make them strong in voice to sing thy praises, to magnify thy name, to resist evil. Oh God most loving, God most pitiful, strengthen thy children daily to do and to bear, to suffer and to hope, to fight the good fight, and at last to lay hold upon the crown of life everlasting. Then the orchestra played a festive march, and the curtain rolled back on the first HISTORICAL TABLEAU, representing the arrival of Henry Hudson at the site of Albany. The characters were taken by these pupils from the High School. Hendrick Hudson, Wilham Newton ; Robert Juet, Master's Mate, Lucius Washburn ; Hudson's Crew, Acton Borthwick, Edward O. Smith, Charles Scherer, 199 George Van Buren, Willard Van Wormer, Fred White ; Mohawk Princess, LilHe Goodwin ; Mohican Chief, Robert McCormic ; Mohawk Chief, Fred Gay- lord ; Indian Braves, Madison Ames, Benjamin Aus- tin, Paul Burton, Henry Dell, Arthur McHarg, Joseph Robe, Everett St. Lewis, Roscoe C. Sanford. The costumes were picturesque and historically correct, and the efforts of the children called out a shout of applause from the favored few who could see the tableau. The Indians looked very fierce in their feathers and war paint, and quite threw into the shade the peaceful and civilized Mohawks who sold bead- work and baskets in the park without, or struggled with their white brethren for a sight of the exercises within. After another musical selection. Miss Theresa F. Smith, of Public School No. 9, read a selection entitled "Fort Orange, 1660." It was first intended to have the reading by public school pupils, but it was thought their voices were not strong enough to fill the tent, and practiced elocutionists among the teachers were chosen instead. The curtain next rose on a scene representing the presentation of the Dongan charter to the aldermen of "ye citty." In the centre was Mayor Schuyler and Town Clerk Robert Livingston, and ranged on either side were the burgesses and magistrates. The burgesses were six very pretty young ladies and when the town clerk unrolled the charter, and, bowing, handed it to Mayor Schuyler, all the staid old magis- trates took off their three-cornered hats and all the pretty burgesses waved their hankerchiefs. Then falling in, in procession, the curtain dropped as they 200 moved off. The characters and order of procession were : Peter Schuyler, Mayor, Dwight Ruggles; Robert Livingston, Town Clerk, Lewis Anderson ; Ye Magis- trates : Dirk Wessels, Acton Borthwick ; Jan Jans Bleecker, Edward O. Smith ; David Schuyler, Charles Scherer ; Johannes Wendell, George Van Buren ; Liv Van Schaick, Williard Van Wormer ; Adrian Geritse, Charles Rhodes. Ye Burgesses : Katharine Ryser- doph, Carrie Shutter ; Anneke Staels, Effie Clute ; Catilina Von Ale, Frances Hayes ; Margaret Wy- nantse, Sarah Gibbon ; Anajestie Ryckeman, Nellie Pierson ; Perseverance Becker, Louise Hogan. Ye Procession : Ye Town Crier, Lucius Washburn ; Ye High Sheriff, Randall Le Bouef; Ye Constables, Arthur Shirley, Fred White. Ye Mayor and Town Clerk, with charter ; Ye Magistrates ; Ye Justices of the Peace ; Ye Military ; Ye Firemen. Prof. Oliver's " Sailor's Song" was next sung, when Miss Agnes R. Davidson, read "An incident of the French and Indian war " in finished style. The next tableau was the reception of Gen. Burgoyne and Baroness Reisdesel by Mrs. Philip Schuyler at the Schuyler mansion, in October, 1777. A MINUET. The scene opened with the reception and presen- tation of the general and baroness, followed by a minuet in which all the company participated. The costuming was very correct and the picture presented was pleasing. The cast was from pupils in the High School and was as follows : 201 Mrs. Philip Schuyler, Luella Becker ; Miss Marga- ret Schuyler, Elizabeth Spier ; Baroness Reisdesel, Sadie Lipman ; Lady Ackland, Nellie Pierson ; Lady Raymond, Bessie Washburn; Mrs. Gen. VVesterlo, Florence Home ; Mrs. Ann Clinton, Eloise Lansing ; Lady Belinda, Carrie Low. British : Lieut. -General John Burgoyne, Edward Ellery ; Earl Balcarras, Ran- dall Le Bouef ; Adjt.-Gen. Kingston, Lewis Anderson ; Capt. Lord Petersham, Charles Scherer; Lieut. Wil- ford, Arthur Van Loon. Americans: Maj. -Gen. Philip Schuyler, Dwight Ruggles ; Adj. -Gen. Col. Joseph Wilkinson, Frank T. Brown ; Col. Gooshen Van Schaick, Harry McClure; Maj. Armstrong, Willard Van Wormer. The " Bi-centennial h)'mn," written by Alderman Howard N. Fuller, music by Prof. Oliver, was sung with magnificent efifect by the immense chorus, and called for many expressions of admiration. Mayor Thacher and ex- Mayor Banks, the latter chairman of the education committee, hurried to the tent as soon as the ceremony of opening the city gates was completed. They arrived during the "Bi- centennial hymn," and, taking their places on the platform, joined in singing Prof. Oliver's magnificent chorus. The great interest of the day centered in the AWARD OF PRIZES, the report on the composition written by boys being read by Superintendent Charles W. Cole, as follows : The committee appointed to examine the essays for the medal written by boys, report that seven essays on the given subject, "Albany's History and Growth During Two Centu- ries," were handed in for competition, and have been care- fully examined by us. Of these seven, the committee 202 without hesitation agreed in considering the two signed respectively " Cohotatia " and "Alpha" superior to the others. These two were, in the opinion of the committee, very nearly equal in excellence, a kw minor defects in the one signed "Alpha," which under other circumstances might readily be disregarded as immaterial, finally throwing the scale in favor of the other signed " Cohotatia," which we decide to be the best and entitled to the prize. William B. Ruggles, Leonard Kip, Edward A. Durant, Jr., Committee. There was breathless silence as the envelope con- taining the real name of "Cohotatia" was opened, and tremendous applause followed the announcement that the winner of the prize was George L. Hodgson, of No. 565 Clinton avenue. The contestant coming so near the prize and receiving honorable mention was Frank E. Delaney, both being pupils of the Albany High School. THE WINNER OF THE GIRL'S PRIZE. Commissioner Ruso stepped to the front and read the following report : The committee appointed to examine the essays written by girls, report that thirteen essays were submitted. Three of the manuscripts have, in addition to the pseudonym, the age of the girl competing for the prize, and as they are so young, ranging from thirteen to fourteen, the age may be taken in good faith, though the name be a fiction. All of the essays show patient and persevering research in the annals of Albany. Several show excellent judgment in the selection of the best points from the mass of matter in order to present so short an account as that to which the writer was limited. From the whole number of essays the com- mittee have unanimously selected the one signed " Janette Van Schaik " as entitled to the prize offered by your committee. The merits of this essay are that the writer 203 commences where the printed instructions require her to, at the beginning of the two hundred years of Albany's history, the charter history of the city, and that the writer in a most original way, shows the growth of the city by the study of the development of the Dutchman, whom she analyzes in a keen, good-natured, sarcastic manner, whereby she shows the reason for the slow, sure and safe commercial progress of this unique and interesting town. As second best of the essays the committee have also with singular unanimity chosen the one signed " Katrinka K." This essay is prepossessing on the face, from the beautiful pen- manship, and from its good form, which have their weight before the literary merits are taken into account. The essay presents a series of pictures, changing as a delightful pano- rama before the reader. From the graceful pen painting of " Ye Olden Time," the writer leads with nice tact to the commonplace history of to-day by giving an account of the ghostly visit of an ancient Knickerbocker, as he materializes in Albany for a space, to save the author from too abrupt a change in her style of writing, and the shock of the transi- tion from life in ancient Beaverwyck to that of wide-awake Albany in iS86. Kate Stoneman, Dora Wendell Kirchwey, Julia A. Werner. The successful girl proved to be Miss Elizabeth G. Davidson, No. 752 Madison avenue. "Katrinka K.," who received the first honorable mention, is Miss Carrie Curry. Both of these were also of the High School. INTRODUCING THE MAYOR. While the audience was discussing the awards the scholars sang, with fine effect, " See the Conquering Hero Comes," from Handel's " Judas Maccabeus," after which President Oren E. Wilson, of the school board, introduced Mayor Thacher in these words : Two hundred years ago to-day this city, which we all love to call our home, contained neither public school buildings nor public school children. It had no mayor, for it was not 204 yet a city. To-day thousands of happy school children are celebrating with music and song the city's approaching anni- versary. In these festivities our mayor joins, and we bid him a hearty welcome, not only because history will honor him as the Bi-centennial mayor of the city of Albany, but because in his person are combined the sturdy independence of the ancient burgomaster and the public spirit and energy of the modern citizen. 1 now have the pleasure of annouc- ing the presentation of the prizes for the best essays by his honor. Mayor John Boyd Thacher. MAYOR THACHER'S ADDRESS. In reply, Mayor Thacher made the following felicitous address : A hateful meaning has come to be attached to a grand sentiment, " To the victors belong the spoils." Not on the field of battle, nor in predatory raids have your vic- tories been won, but in that grandest of all conflicts, the struggle of intellect against intellect. Here spoils are legiti- mate and becoming. They deck the brow of him who has run the swiftest, who has struggled the fiercest, who has climbed the highest in the world of mind. They speak eloquently not only of the struggle and the contest, but they declare that the victories they represent are for the world and are dedicated to the service of the race. I take pleas- ure now in handing you your prizes so gallantly won. May they incite within you a spirit of emulation which shall bring you yet other prizes, so that trophies and honors may mark every upward step of your intellectual career. And now, children of the public schools, having performed the pleasant duty which brings me here, I desire to call your attention to the interesting path in literature into which some of you have entered in the labor for which these prizes were a reward. Many a traveler has stood on interesting ground without knowing it ; has made his way into regions rich in importance and significance yet turned away because of some obstacle or, failing to rightly appreciate his vantage ground, has ceased to journey further on that way. History, American history, is the one path in the literary world which is little traveled and imperfectly explored. The question will soon present itself to you, as you arrive at the time of your graduation from the schools, what will you do with 205 your education, what use will you make of it ? Why not, let me suggest, continue along the road which has been opened to some of you in writing your highly interesting article on the history of Albany ? Why not make the writing of American history your life work ? It is a great field. History has always seemed to me something like surveying. The one is a survey of the earth, the other a survey of events. A survey may be of the highest order, like a geodetic survey, taking into account in its measurements the curvature of the earth. Such a survey will be absolutely correct, the angles will be positively straight lines and the lines will not lie. But this is not a satisfactory survey in its broadest, fullest sense We want a topographical survey. We want to know where the valley is which laughs so thick with corn, where the stream is that comes tripping down the hillside. We want to know where the mountains are, where Marathon is, where the sea is. We want to know that the mount- ains look on Marathon and that Marathon looks on the sea. Straight lines will not do. We must have a map filled in between the lines. It is so with history ; the straight lines there are tlie records of the annalist, the marks of the chron- ologist, the bare outlines of the narration of past events. The province of the historian is to take these annals and show the relation between events, the condition under which they happen, the source whence they have their spring, and a philosophical inquiry into the great future into which they have thrown their influence, and whither they are drawing, by mysterious cords, the present day and hour. In Ameri- can history the angles are not complete, the lines are not straight, the map is not yet filled in. What a grand field is there here for the ambition of the student ! Perhaps behind some modest but determined face, perhaps back of some eager and piercing eyes, to-day lost in the sea of faces that are turned upward at mine, is working the cunning machinery of the brain, which will one day write the history of America and win for some one here and for our old Dutch city an immortal crown of honor, fame and glory. Mr. Hodgson and Miss Davidson were then called to the platform and presented with the beautiful gold watches chosen by the committee. The applause as they received the tributes was hearty. The audi- 206 ence dispersed after the singing of the "American Hymn.". The greatest credit must be given to Prof. OHver for his masterly training and conducting of the chorus, and to Mr. Edward Low, who so artistically arranged the tableaux. The Prize Essays. Girls' Prize. ALBANY S HISTORY AND GROWTH IN TWO CENTURIES. " Albany was indeed Dutch in all its moods and tenses, thoroughly and inveterately Dutch. The people were Dutch, the buildings were Dutch, and even the dogs were Dutch." Although Albany, in 1686, had been under EngHsh rule more than twenty years, it still retained its Dutch aspect. " Crowns or thrones might perish, Kingdoms rise or wane," but the old Dutch burgher would still have retained his Dutch ideas and Dutch customs, would still have looked with horror upon all innovations and improvements as plots of Satan against his peace and comfort. " Rocks have been shaken from their solid base," but never a Dutchman from his immovable prejudices. For more than a hundred years did these doughty mynheers wage an obstinate fight against the progressive spirit of their English rulers and neighbors. Conquered at the beginning of this century, they sleep peacefully, while the hated improvements go on over their very graves. Ah ! they fought a valiant fight, those venerable Knickerbockers of by-gone days. Twenty years before the English conquest, the people of the province, weary of Dutch tyranny, had compelled their governor, Peter Stuyvesant, commonly called " Hardkoppig Pieter " because of his extreme obstinacy, to surrender to an English fleet, which had appeared in New York harbor. The brave old warrior had at first refused to deliver up the trust reposed in him. For days he had maintained an obstinate resistance, duiing which he cursed alternately the rapacity of the English invaders and the stubbornness of his 207 Dutch subjects, who would neither fight nor furnish him with money or arms with which to carry on the defence of the city. Under such conditions resistance was in vain, and the fierce old governor, yielding to the angry threats of his subjects, " cowardly poltroons, one and all," said he, accepted the English terms. Thus, in the book of Time, was written the first cliapter'of Albimy's history. This act was the beginning of a great change, which, taking place gradually and imperceptibly, would none the less surely convert a small and primitive village into a large and flour- ishing city. It was the beginning of the inevitable conflict between progress, personified in the English, and conserva- tism, embodied in the Dutch. No matter upon what vantage ground these two elements have met, the victory has been ever to progress, and this was no exception to the rule. Still, the pithy saying, " Rome was not built in a day," might, with propriety, be apphed to the change which took place ; not suddenly and violently, but so slowly and imperceptibly that no sign of the gradual wearing away of old ideas and customs and of new ones replacing these was given. The English made little change in the govern- ment or laws, but allowed the Dutch to manage their weighty pubhc affairs in whatsoever manner best accorded with their consciences and their prejudices. An English governor replaced Stuyvesant, and the taxes were paid to the English instead of to the Dutch government. Beyond this no outward change was made. Shortly before the English conquest the Dutch, with an overwhelming zeal for the spread of true worship, had per- secuted and banished the Lutherans. But the religious intolerance of the Dutch was obnoxious to the spirit of English freedom, and in 1669, Governor Eovelace, in a proclamation, said : " I do, therefore, expect that you live friendly and peacefully with those of that profession, giving them no disturbance in the exercise of their religion ; " thus establishing for the first time in Albany the grand principle of religious freedom, a principle of which the honest, but slow minded Dutch, knew nothing. Shortly after, but at what time is uncertain, they were per- mitted by the English to build a meeting-house. This the Dutch had always sternly refused to permit them to do. The old Dutch Church on hearing this fairly trembled with indignation. As for the people, their anger and amazement 208 could scarcely have been greater had they been ordered to tear down their own substantial building stone by stone. Notwithstanding the bigotry of the Dutch, they pursued a most kind and hberal policy toward the Indians, — for policy it was, as it was dictated by self-interest. When his gains were concerned the Dutchman's intellect brightened. His eagle eye for discerning anything of benefit to his trade, soon perceived how necessary it was to gain the friendship of the Indians. Originally settled by traders whose object had been to obtain wealth through the resources of a new country, Albany grew slowly but surely through its trade in furs. Thither came the Indians of the Five Nations, ever at deadly enmity with the Canadian Indians and their allies, the French, whenever they had furs to sell, to obtain the trinkets that delighted their savage hearts ; and so it came about that friendly relations were established between them and the Dutch to the advantage of both, and also that they became allies of the Dutch against the French, who had always claimed the New Netherlands by the right of prior discovery, and regarded the Dutch as intruders to be expelled. Upon the first setdement of Albany, the Dutch made a perpetual treaty with the Indians, which was kept by both nations for over fifty years, and never broken. The English, after their conquest, renewed this treaty and did everything in their power to cement a firm alhance with the Indians. Perceiv- ing the important situation of Albany for trade, the Enghsh governors, ahke good, bad, and indifferent, pursued the same wise policy with even greater success than their Dutch pred- ecessors. With hostile French and Indians ready at any moment to swoop down upon the almost defenceless settle- ment, the freedom from attack which Albany enjoyed during a long and stormy period was largely due to the alhance and protection of the Indians of the Five Nations. Those same Enghsh governors, against whom the colonists contended so long and fiercely, builded better than they knew, when they provided so well for Albany's safety and trade, for by keeping to the terms of the treaty they raised up a defence to the city stronger than any wall. One change was noticeable after the English conquest. Whereas the population of the village before that time had consisted of traders and adventurers, after that time mechan- ics and laborers began to come and settle permanently there. 209 The conquest affected Albany but little during the first hundred years of her history. Easier was it for Hercules to slay the Nemean lion than for the English to destroy the prejudices of the Dutch. As the skin of the lion bade defiance to every weapon, so the intellect of the Dutch could not be pierced by any idea. Under the new rule, the Dutch enjoyed even more of freedom than before, for the village grew more under English rule in twenty years than under Dutch rule in fifty. In the year 1686 the city of Albany sprang forth fully epuipped and armed with the charter, as did Athena, with the ^gis from the head of Zeus. " Pieter Schuyler, gent., and Robert Livingston, gent., commissionated by ye city of Albany " had been sent to New York to procure this charter, and had urged Gov. Dongan to grant it, because Albany was a " very ancient city," and the inhabitants had already erected, at their own expense, a town hall, a watch tower and a church. After many " whys " and " wherefores," and much earnest talking, the charter was at length obtained. The quaint old records tell us that after the return of Mynheers Schuyler and Livingston, the char- ter was published with " all ye joy and acclimations miagin- able." Then in the most mtensely solemn Dutch way, Pieter Schuyler was sworn in as mayor, and Robert Living- ston as town clerk. No doubt the good townspeople con- gratulated themselves on the advance and prosperity of Albany. Each stately Dutch burgher, as he walked the street, strove to put on an added dignity; the buildings tried to increase in size ; the gable ends to bristle more aggress- ively ; while even the weather-cocks on the roofs appeared ready to crow more lustily than ever before. If our Dutch ancestors were able to reappear in the streets of Albany to-day, what words could describe their astonishment at the changes made by the resdess and abhorred Yankee ! Their wonder would be greater than was Rip Van Winkle's upon his reap pearance in his native town at the end of his long slumber. If we had visited Albany in 1686, what should we have seen ? After a long, tedious voyage from New York, for the Dutch skipper was a Fabius on a small scale, and dropped anchor every night at sunset, we would have beheld a city whose very quaintness was refreshing to the eye. As we glanced around we would have taken note of the old Dutch houses, with their gable ends to the street, and upon 210 each house the date of its erection in large curious iron figures across the end, and of the old Dutch church standing in solitary grandeur at the foot of State street. Possibly we might have seen Mynheer leisurely smoking on the front " stoop," while his children played about the foot of it; looking into the bright kitchen with its sanded floor, we might have seen his good Vrouw and daughter preparing the dinner of their lord and master, or busily engaged in scouring the already spotless pots and pans. We may have seen a dear son, returning from his first attempt at trade with the Indians, and may have heard him tell of the perils he had undergone and the bargains he had made, while his mother, woman-like, shudders at the dangers he has encountered, and thanks the good God who has preserved her Jacob uninjured. Everything was primitive, — people, streets, man- ners, and ideas. The bustle and haste of modern life had not yet touched this gem of the antique. Simplicity and honest-hearted kindness were the chief qualities of the people. Everything, both animate and inanimate, was characterized by quietness and quaintness. As we pass through the streets of Albany to-day, two hundred years later, what do we see ? Glancing around we behold the degenerate descendants of the ancient burghers jostling each other in the streets; and the noises heard on every side are bewildering. The old-time inactivity and slowness has died a natural death ; Yankee activity reigns supreme. Oh ! it is well that Peter Schuyler, the first of Albany's worthy mayors, did not live to see the day. His very wig would have trembled with dismay at the sight of our " modern improvements." Could he view the city he might say : " Once more I stand, but now unknown by sacred Hudson's tide, With unfamiliar scenes around, no friendly hand to guide, P'or in Albany, forsooth, they've been working such a change, With their modern innovations, that the place looks very strange. All the old lanes and pasture fields with clover tops so fair, Are lost to sight, no fences left, no shady bouweries there. Old places once so very dear to these old eyes of mine Are scattered like the hoar-frost by the ruthless hand of time. Old things have changed so quickly since last I saw the town ; The honest old Dutch customs ; the degenerated race Has begun with its improvements to wipe out the old Dutch place. I would not care to live, and see such altered folks and ways, Since half-doors swung wide open in those palmy old Dutch days, When streets were cleaned by private hand, and all the city's light Was furnished by the lanterns hung from each tenth house in sight." 211 " Yet, call not each glorious change decay," though Peter Schuyler, should he see the city, might lament the passing away of the olden time, even he must acknowledge that Albany has changed for the better. No longer in need of stockades for her defence, she lives in peace and grows in prosperity ; no longer the worthy Dutchman discourses at the street corner the price of beaver skins or exults over his latest bargain. All, all is gone, even old Albany herself has disappeared. Well may our hearts swell with pride, as Albany is seen stretching over her many hills, and the numerous evidences of her growth and prosperity are beheld. Proud is Albany to-day of her City Hall, which has replaced the ancient Stadt-house ; of her Capitol, which towers so grandly at the head of State Street ; a landmark for many miles around ; of the High School and the other public schools, which shows what Albany is doing for the cause of free education ; of the many other public buildings which have replaced the old and worn-out structures ; of the city itself as it stands to-day, an advance and improvement upon the one which the old Dutch burghers called Albany. The old Dutch burgher was stolid and substantial, with an unutterable contempt of all useless haste Honest, sober, frugal, industrious, he had many virtues and few vices. Yet like the Greek hero Achilles, he was vulnerable in one point, his pocket. A bargain to a Dutchman was a joy forever. As far as the rays of his light stretched, he was honest, but his ideas of honesty were not as strict as those of his Yankee neighbors, and his love of driving a shaip bargain occasionally led him into questionable dealings with the Indians. Yet, in justice to the Dutch, it must be said, that the strictest laws were enacted and enforced against dishonest trading. Indeed, the utmost strictness of life, manners, and morals prevailed in those days. The simplicity of the people was remarkable. Unpretentious and unam- bitious, their wants were easily satisfied. One who lived for many years among the Dutch says of them : " The very idea of being ashamed of anything that was neither vicious nor indecent, never entered an Albanian head." The desire for show and display, so prominent in the life of modern American cities, was entirely wanting. The fickle goddess fashion had no worshippers among them. By their manners and customs must the civilization of a people be judged, and as we read of the honest, true life of 212 the Dutch settlers our respect and admiration for them increase. The typical Dutchman was not only unchangeable in his ideas, but the thought of changing had not even entered his mind. Not easily moved to anger or strong emotion of any kind, he neither could, nor would, become an enthusiast on any subject. As he was slow in thought, so was he also slow in speech and motion. In former days it took a Dutch captain more than a week to go to New York. Very Ukely the Dutch skipper would still be sailing up and down the Hudson, taking a week for each trip, if an enterprising Yankee had not invented the steamboat. When Fulton, in 1807, ran his first steamboat from New York, he caused one of the changes which were to develop Albany in spite of herself We can readily believe that, when the steamboat arrived at Albany, the people crowded to see the great wonder, and pressing con- tinuously forward, gazed upon the puffing monster, and ventured many wise opinions as to the impossibility of its making a second trip, while the more superstitious made anxious suggestions that it might be bewitched. The Dutch were slow in receiving new ideas. The Dutchman could maintain an obstinate resistance, but could never act aggres- sively. According to the old adage " nothing venture, nothing have," he would have remained poor all his days, if opportunities for making money had not knocked at his very door. Like the animal whose skin he sought to obtain, he heaped together his wealth. As the beaver builds his dam slowly and perseveringly, so the Dutchman accumulated a fortune. Though the Dutch were not fanatics, yet in their own calm, quiet way they were strongly attached to the religion for which their fathers had bled and died. After the colony had become firmly established, in 1642, they erected a church, a wooden iDuilding, which is said to have cost the magnificent sum of thirty-two dollars. It contained a pulpit ornamented with a canopy, pews for the magistrates and deacons, and nine benches for the congregation. The Rev. Johannes Megapolensis, a "pious and well-learned minister," was invited to become the shepherd of the Beaverwyck sheep. This church was used by the faithful till 1656, when the city fathers caused a stone church to be erected. Tradi- tion saith that its walls were carried up around those of the 213 old church, and service was only interrupted for three Sundays. The building, a fortress in itself, was a quaint, old-fashioned structure, which was used till 1715, when it was in turn replaced by a new one. Like the Puritans, the Dutch worshipped their Maker with arms at their sides. Alas ! that the church, that most revered relic of the past, has disappeared ! Methinks " I see the pulpit high, an octagon ; Its pedestal, doop-hiiisje and winding stair ; And room within for one, and one alone. A canopy above, suspended there. No spire, no bell, but 'neath the eaves a porch. With trumpet hung to summon all to church ; Till innovation brought stoves, bell, and spire, Floors, straight-backed pews, vorleeser ■a.wA. a choir." From this pulpit many gifted and eloquent divines de- nounced the sins and errors of their people, and often ad- ministered pubUc reproofs to offenders. The Rev. Johannes Megapolensis, Dominie Frelinghuysen, who came to such a sad end, and " Our Westerloo," the beloved of his flock, exhorted the stohd Dutch from this place. On the front of the pulpit was placed an hour-glass, when the dominie began his sermon, and he would have been found wanting if he had preached less than an hour. In the midst of his sermon he would suddenly pause, and the deacons rising would take a small bag containing a little bell and attached to the end of a staff. " The tinkle of the bell roused the sleepy and diverted the busy thoughts of the trader from musk-rat and beaver skins." The bags with their load of coppers and half-joes being duly replaced, the dominie resumed the broken thread of his discourse. The collections, out of which the church poor were supported, were always surprisingly large when the size of the congre- gations is considered. This church, standing in the middle of the street and " looking as if it had been wheeled out of line by the giants of old and there left, or had dropped from the clouds in a dark night and stuck fast," was enshrined in every Dutch heart. The oldest recollection of each person about his childhood was of going to this church every Sunday. Even till long after the year 1800 it was filled with the devout Dutch who, still clinging to the worship of their ancestors, gathered here every Dord's day. In the year 1816, amid groans and lamentations on every side, it was demolished, 214 and the materials were used for building the church in Beaver Street. The Dutch, though not as stern and strict as the people of New England, were faithful and conscientious in performing their rehgious duties. They were devoted exclu- sively to the doctrines and practices of the Reformed Church. "They had this much, — The gospel undefiled in Holland Dutch." The Dutch retained the customs which they had brought from Holland, till long after the Revolution ; celebrated the same festivals ; worshiped in the same way ; and ate, drank, walked, and slept after the fashion of their ancestors. They paid little honor to Keestijd (Christmas) but Nieinvjaarsdag was the most important in the year. It was the day of the good St. Nicholas, the children's friend, the jolly, fat, roister- ing little man, the lover of ease and plenty, the giver of all good gifts, who made his appearance then, sometimes having his good vrouw Molly Grietje with him. Had we entered one of the houses in the evening before New Years' Day, we would have seen the children gathered before the large fire- place, hand-in-hand beseeching him for gifts. The day was celebrated with all the ancient Dutch hospitahty and warm- heartedness. Then, as now it was a day of hearty good wishes. Every door was thrown open to visitors, the rooms were draped with orange, the national color, and refresh- ments were served to all. An air of comfort characterized the Dutch homes. No one was either very rich, or very poor; an equaHty of condition belonged to all. As they increased in wealth, the burghers began to import clothing, handsome furniture, and silver. The houses were built of Holland brick, and the roofs covered, with shingles, were pamted in bright colors. A pleasant place was the old kitchen, with its shining sanded floor, marked with figures traced with a broom stick ; the rafter-covered ceiling, its large chimney-place, around which were hung the housekeeper's array of pots and pans, and the warm fire-light glowing over all, and difiusing an air of comfort. Here gathered the household every evening while the Jufvrouw spun her linen and Mynheer smoked his pipe. On the settle by the fireplace sat Grandmother with the little Dutch lads and lasses clustering around her, listen- ing with bated breath to her legends of Hendrick Hudson and his followers, or the tales of the time when she was a 215 girl in Holland. How the hearts of the little people must have quaked with fear, as they heard of the many unfor- tunates who, having wandered into the mountains, had been bewitched by the spirits there. It was the earnest desire of all parents that their children should grow up faithful and pious. In recording the birth of Pieter Schuyler, his parents said : " May the Lord let him grow up in virtue to his salvation. Amen." Their wish was granted, for their son was a deacon of the church before his twenty-fifth year. An octavo volume would not suffice in which to tell of all the queer old Dutch customs and ideas. Many of the laws enacted by the Common Council show clearly how quaint was old Dutch life. As an instance of the strictness of those times, we see the following law set down in the old records : " Whereas, ye children of said city, to ye shame and scandal of their parents do ryde down ye hills with small and great slees ; for preventing ye same it is hereby published and declared that it shall be lawful for any constable in this city to take any slee or slees from all such boys or girls ryding or offering to ryde down any hill in this city, and break any such slee or slees in pieces ! " Which was forth- with done to the dire dismay of ye said boys and girls. It has been said by their detractors that the Dutch were immovable, but 'tis false. Moving day, that day of terrors to every well regulated mind, was even then the first of May. Man)'- other customs belonging to the olden times still cling to Albany to-day. So time went on with the Dutch ever behind it, and at the beginning of the Revolution Albany had scarcely changed any since its birth as a city. Would this rouse the sleepy burghers ? No, not even were the stirring events of this glorious time sufficient to awaken the Dutch to enthu- siasm. The fortifications of the city were strengthened, and the inhabitants stayed safely at home. Yet a few patriotic citizens, some by contributing arms and many others by giving themselves, helped on the good cause. The most notable among these was Gen. Philip Schuyler, a statesman, patriot, and soldier, a man of talent and honor, of whom the city of his birth is justly proud. Distinguished alike in war and peace, he was one of the most noted of that band of Revolutionary heroes, who defended the liberty of their country so bravely and well. Up to this time Albany had resisted the attacks of prog- 2i6 ress. " Old as it was it still retained its primitive aspect, and still stood in all its original simplicity, unchanged, unmodified, unimproved, still pertinaciously adhering in all its walks to the old track and the old form. The rude hand of innovation was then just beginning to be felt ; and slight as was the touch, it was regarded as an injury, or resented as an insult." At the end of the Revolution, induced by Albany's favor- able situation for trade, the Yankees invaded the sleepy town. Stoutly did the Dutch resist the intruders, bravely did they fall, victims of modern improvements. Among the curiosities of the city were the water-spouts, long wooden gutters which projected six or seven feet from the roof over the sidewalk, making it impossible for any one to pass under them without receiving in its most literal sense, a shower-bath. The Dutch with their usual obtuseness clung to the water-spouts, and had not discovered in two hundred years, the uselessness of these appendages. But the quick-witted Yankees soon tried to aboHsh these rem- nants of Dutch slowness. Obtaining a majority in the Common Council, a ruthless order was sent to each sturdy burgher, accompanied by a hand-saw, and further enforced by a fine of 40^', to cut down his water-spouts. Then indeed wonder and dismay filled the Dutch camp. What ! cut down their own spouts, which their forefathers had brought from Holland. Never ! but the fine pricked the Dutch in their tenderest point, and as it was of no use to kick against the pricks, each valorous citizen succumbed. " From this time a restless leveling spirit prevailed throughout the city." But a short time and we will celebrate Albany's Two Hundredth Birthday with merry-making and feasting, and by entertaining hordes of country cousins. Every object will be shown which will tend to display the greatness of Albany to the eyes of our own visitors, for Albanian hearts are filled with sudden and mighty pride, and great is their feeling of exalta- tion. And they have just reason to be proud of Albany, so rich in historical associations, which has the memory of so many great men to be proud of. " Dearest art thou for the years that have flown." Thither was brought Lord Howe's body, after his death, for burial ; here Washington and La Fayette were received with great demonstrations of joy and respect; here passed the bodies of Lincoln and Grant; here was made the first attempt at union ; for in 1754a Continental 217 Congress met at Albany, composed of delegates from almost all the colonies, to form a plan for their closer union. Through the tireless efforts of Benjamin Franklin, its presi- dent, a plan was adopted, but Great Britain, influenced by jealousy of the increasing power of the young colonies, refused her consent to a closer union, and thus hastened their revolt against tyranny. It has been said " coming events cast their shadows before." Surely this unsuccessful attempt was the shadow of the glorious union of the States, which was afterward to take place. In spite of the prejudice of the Dutch, it is to Yankee enterprise, restrained by Dutch conservatism, that this city owes its prosperity. The quickness, energy, and ambition of the Yankee did much for Albany, yet the slowness of the Dutch often held him back, when his ambition might have been dangerous to the city. The prosperity of Albany, which was built by the Yankee, on a Dutch foundation, is firm to endure. In the year 1797, when Albany became the capital of New York State, the little Dutch city was doomed to prosper in spite of herself. Trade would come to her, she could not drive it from her door and retain her reputation of hospitality. After that year her growth was comparatively rapid. Yet, let us not be exalted. When compared with that of Western cities, of even less favorable situation, her growth has been slow. The city grew, because the trade of the West passed through her. As the West developed, Albany increased in wealth. The Erie Canal conduced greatly to the prosperity of Albany, for it benefited her as much as it did New York. From the date of the completion of this enterprise must the rapid growth of Albany be said to begin. Perchance it may be thought by some, that the Dutch have been slandered. I honor and reverence those who braved the dangers of a new land and raised a city in the wilderness, whose honest, true hearts knew neither pretense nor evil. Though they had their faults and foibles, yet in these degenerate days, where can be found a people so worthy of admiration as they ? Their blood was the same as that which ran in the veins of those heroes who so bravely resisted Spanish tyranny and fought for their liberty and faith. It was in the same spirit of heroism and endurance that the settlers bore so staunchly all the trials and privations of a pioneer's life. From 1800, the history of Albany is 218 like that of any American city in the nineteenth century. It might be written in one word — " progress." Janetza Van Schaack, Elizabeth Griswold Davidson. Boys' Prize. Albany's history and growth in two centuries. Let your imagination carry you back three hundred years and let your fancy paint the present site of Albany, as it then existed. Picture to yourself, if you can, the broad and stately Hudson, then called by the Indians in their musical tongue, the Cohotatea, rolling onward toward the sea in its serpentine course, between gracefully sloping hills covered with oaks, pines, elms and other forest trees. No grand and massive capitol then loomed up from its western bank, like the castle of a giant amid the dwellings of a liliputian city, but in its stead the council fires of many a now extinct race probably burned. The agile deer had their haunts where our busiest thorough-fares now are, and the beaver built his dam in the many little creeks, which mingle their waters with the Hudson's to this day. Silence every- where held its sway, save when broken by the occasional war-whoop of contending nations, or by the wild cries of the denizens of the forest. Such was the nature and character of the district and surrounding country, upon which, our city has been founded and reared. After the discovery of America by Columbus, several other European nations fitted out fleets and sent them to the New World for the purpose of discovery and exploration. Verrazzani commanded one of the expeditions dispatched by France and in 1524, explored the eastern coast of America from North Carolina to Nova Scotia and also, it is claimed, discovered the Hudson. This latter is disputed, but however it may be, when the Dutch came up the river, they found the ruins of a chateau or fort upon an island just below the site of Albany, which proved the French must have been aware of the existence of the river and had, no doubt, come there to trade with savages for furs. Early in 1607, Henry Hudson set sail from Holland in the ship Half Moon, to find a shorter passage to Asia than the one discovered by Magellan, around the southern extremity of the continent. He had heard from the John Smith of 219 Pocohontas renown, that a little north of Virginia, was a great inland sea extending to the East Indies. Acting upon this information, Hudson sailed to America and followed the coast from Newfoundland to New York bay, which he entered. He then proceeded up the river for two or three days and finally anchored near the site of Albany, while he dispatched his mate in a boat several miles farther up the river, but the officer returned in a few hours with the news that the channel grew narrower and shallower, the further the boat advanced. The next day, convinced of the falsity of Smith's statements, Hudson reluctantly weighed anchor and, dropping down the river returned to Holland. In the following year, instigated by the reports of the sailors, who had accompanied Hudson, a number of capital- ists sent a vessel to the river discovered by him, and obtained a rich cargo of furs. Several other ventures were made with hke results and in 1614 a trading post was estabhshed at Manhattan Island, and another also, upon an island just below this city. The latter structure was destroyed by a freshet and a fort was then built upon the western bank of the river, near the present locaUty of the steamboat landing. About this time the Dutch West India company was organized and to promote colonization, issued a proclama- tion to the etfect, that whoever should plant a colony of fifty persons, over fifteen years of age, would be made a patroon and would be granted a tract of land extending sixteen miles along one bank of the river, or eight miles along both, said tract to extend an indefinite distance into the interior. Kilian Van Rensselaer was the first to become a patroon and he took up his land on both sides of the Hudson, about Fort Orange. He afterward took up more large tracts and also, united himself with other patroons in such a manner as to become the head of a httle government of his own. The colony at New Amsterdam began to grow jealous of the power of Van Rensselaer and claims were made therefore to Fort Orange and all the adjoining land within cannon shot, on the ground that the houses of the settlers being built close to the walls, would, in case of an Indian attack, shelter the assailants, to the detriment of the besieged within the fort. After much quarreling and almost fighting, between the patroon's agent and sturdy, old Peter Stuyvesant, the governor of New Amsterdam, the matter was decided in the latter's favor. 220 The rich province of New Netherland had long been looked upon by the English with covetous eyes, and in 1664, that nation declared the colony was included in their pos- sessions, by virtue of the discoveries and explorations of the Cabots in 1498, and also that it was part of the territory granted to Raleigh in 1584 by Queen Elizabeth. There- fore, in 1664, the merry Charles II. gave the New Nether- lands to his brother the duke of York and Albany, and to make the gift good, a number of vessels of war were sent to take formal possession of the country, which was done without bloodshed. The name New Amsterdam, was changed to New York, and Fort Orange or Beverwyck was called Albany. No alterations were made in the government or laws of the colony, except that an English governor superseded Stuyvesant. Everything under the new adminis- tration ran along quietly, with the exception of occasional troubles with the French and Indians, until 1672, when war was again declared between Holland and England. One year later a Dutch fleet appeared before New York and forced the English to capitulate ; but the triumph was short- lived, for in the following year, the Dutch were once more compelled to yield to the English. In the spring of 1686, while Governor Dongan was at Albany, he was solicited by the leading inhabitants to incor- porate the village as a city. This he did on the 2 2d day of July, 1686. From this time up to the close of the French and Indian war, the history of our city is an account of the numerous incursions of the French and their native allies on the one hand, and the counter raids of the Mohawks upon the Canadian settlements on the other ; both France and England desiring the Ohio valley country and the entire fur trade thereof. This trouble was finally settled when Canada passed into the hands of the English. The period extending from 1763 to 1774 marks the grad- ual alienation of the colonies from the mother country. A desire for greater liberty and freedom from restraint had begun to spring up in the breasts of the colonists, and this, together with such obnoxious measures as the " Stamp act," the tax upon tea and other taxes of like nature, was the direct cause of the revolution. In 1775, war was declared with Great Britain, and from the first, Albany and New York, on account of their central positions between the two great fields of the contest, were points of strategy much 221 desired by the British. If both of these places could have been taken by the English, the forces of Washington would have been separated, and the complete subjuation of our forefathers would have been only a matter of time. But Albany did not fall into the hands of the British ; Burgoyne was defeated and captured, and he visited, as a prisoner, the place he had intended to enter as a conqueror. After the war the people returned to their homes and engaged in various mercantile and agricultural pursuits, so much so in the latter however, that Albany soon became noted as a grain mart. Three years after the signing of the treaty of peace, our city celebrated its hundredth anniversary commemorating its incorporation as a city. A grand parade was held in which all the city officers and the various civic and military organi- zations participated. After the hne had been broken, the ceremonies were completed by their adjourning to the city tavern where they regaled themselves with all the delicacies of the season. In the year 1797, during the governorship of John Jay, the seat of the State government was transferred from New York to Albany, which has been ever since and will prob- ably continue to be, the capital city. 1799 was a memorable year for this country, for at its close it left the nation plunged in sorrow. General George Washington, the " Saviour of his country," and twice presi- dent of the United States, on the 14th day of December passed from the scenes of this world to those of a better. At this period of national grief, our city showed by its con- duct its love and respect for the departed hero. When the sad tidings reached Albany, the common council met and ordered the bells to be tolled, minute guns fired, and also that crape should be worn by the members of the council for a suitable period. The churches were draped and the flags upon all the public buildings floated at half mast, and on the 9th day of January a funeral pageant passed through the streets of the city in honor of the dead warrior and statesman. In 1805, the old Dutch church, which had stood so long at the intersection of State and Market (Broadway) streets, was torn down and the material used in the construction of the South Dutch church on Beaver street. Of the former edifice only the stone which marked the threshold was left. 222 This remained in its place until some years ago, when, for some reason or other, it was removed. I think a relic so frought with historical associations ought to be restored by the city government, and proper precautions taken to pre- serve it, for it would be an object of interest to both citizens and strangers, especially during the coming Bi-centennial. Two years later the Clermont was constructed and launched at New York by Robert Fulton. Thjs was the beginning of the great epoch of steam navigation, and for many years the above named vessel pUed between Albany and New York, the only steamboat in the world. In the following year the old State capitol, which was demolished a few years since, was erected. This, in its day, was regarded as one of the finest public buildings in the United States. In 1817, an act was passed authorizing the construction of a water-way between the great lakes and the Atlantic ocean. The work was begun shortly after, and in 1825 the great Erie canal was finished. The second day of Novem- ber was made a grand gala day in honor of its completion. After a great river parade, and military review amid the booming of cannons, a banquet was held, during which " red " wine was " looked upon " freely. From this time up to the present year, Albany has steadily increased in size and resources. It might be interesting to show the city's growth in figures. In 1714, there were eleven hundred thirty-six inhabitants; in 1800, five thousand three hundred forty-nine; in 1850, fifty thousand seven hundred sixty-three; and in 1880, there were ninety thousand nine hundred three. Thus we see that the population of our city has increased ten fold in the last eighty years. But Albany has made progress in other ways also. Since the construction of the Flrie canal, a great railroad, extending from New York to Buffalo, has been built, which, passing through our city, adds gready to its commercial importance. At West Albany, a suberb of the city, the immense shops of the above mentioned railroad are located, where all their engines and cars are manufactured and repaired, furnishing employment to hundreds of workingmen. In another section of the city, known as the Lumber district, vast quanti- ties of timber are annually bought and sold ; and in fact, our city has the reputation of being one of the largest lumber centres in this part of the country. 223 Albany's fame does not rest, like that of many cities, upon some one brilliant event or achievement, but upon a series of events, which constitute its history. Although our city has figured rather prominently in the colonial and revolu- tionary wars, yet its inhabitants have never seen a besieging army encamped about it. All hostile commanders who have ever commenced a campaign with this city as their destina- tion have only entered it as a prisoner of war instead of as a conqueror at the head of a victorious army. In a few short months our city will celebrate its two hun- dredth birthday, and, as was done one hundred years ago, the matter was referred to the common council, and as the centennial celebration of the city's incorporation was the greatest affair of the kind ever witnessed in this country at the time, so it is intended to make the Bi-centennial no ex- ception to the rule. Many plans have been devised and submitted to the committee appointed, and of these the best have been chosen and amended and a programme made out, which, according to report, will eclipse any preceding atfair of a similar nature and be second only to the great centennial celebration at Philadelphia in 1876. COHOTATEA. Grand Parade of Manufacturers, Tradesmen AND Mechanics. TRADES DAY PARADE. Gen. Warner issued the following general orders : Headquarters Trades' Day Parade, ^ Albany, July 15, 1886. > General Orders No. 6 : I. The route of march will be as follows : State, North Pearl, Clinton avenue, Lexington avenue, Washington avenue, Eagle, State, Willett, Hudson avenue to Broadway. n. First division, Capt. Thomas J. Dowling, assist- ant marshal, in charge, will form on west side of North 224 Broadway, right resting on State street. Second division, Major Lewis Balch, assistant marshal, in charge, will form on east side of South Broadway, right resting on State street. Third division. Col. Alexander Strain, assistant marshal, in charge, will form on Green street, right resting on State street. Fourth division, Capt. Morton H. Havens, assistant marshal, in charge, will form on James street, right resting on State street. Fifth division, Capt. Fred W. Sarauw, assistant marshal, in charge, will form on south side of State street, continuing down Eagle street, right resting on Pearl street, III. The column will move promptly at three P. M., whether the formation is complete or not. IV. The assistant marshals of the second, third, fourth and fifth divisions should assemble their divisions at one P. M., to afford ample time for proper formation. The assistant marshal of the first division should assemble his division at two P. M. The various parties forming the column are requested to join their respective divisions from the left, to avoid confusion. V. The following staff is hereby announced : Capt. Harry C. Cushman, William M. Whitney, Jr., E. R. Perry, Guy Baker, E. A. Kellogg, Newton Dexter, George D. Herrick, aides. The staff will report, mounted, Monday, July 19, at one P. M., at headquarters, 480 Broadway. By order of General James M. Warner, Marshal. Geo. H. Treadwell, Assistant Marshal. 225 The title trades' parade did not sound very inviting, perhaps, and the general public did not know quite what to expect. Such an elaborate and artistic array, and such a marshaling of brawn and muscle in serried ranks, no one was at all prepared for. Marshal Warner took command, and he had the assistance of a capable staff. He had given his word that the column should move at three o'clock, and although at five minutes of that hour wagons were streaming in from every street, the hands of the clock had traveled but a short distance when the first division, composed of men on foot, marched down Broadway and up State street. Division after division fell into line rapidly and in order, and the only break in the entire procession were those caused occasion- ally by balky horses. The route of march was carried out as printed, the line passing from State to Pearl, from Pearl to Clinton avenue, to Lexington avenue, to Washington avenue, to Eagle, to State, to Willett, to Hudson avenue, to Broadway. The column was an hour and twenty-five minutes in passing a given spot, and the first division had reached the point of dismissal as the last wagon wheeled into Pearl street. FEATURES OF THE PARADE. It is doubtful if a larger crowd has ever been seen in the streets of Albany. Some of the enterprising merchants threw their wares broadcast or distributed prizes for advertisements. Cakes of soap were thrown directly into the crowds, regardless of whether they landed on a twenty dollar bonnet or in the out- 226 stretched hand of a dirty ragamuffin. A baker tossed from his oven bread and cakes ; confectioners and pop- corn makers bombarded the crowds with their sweetmeats ; a clothier threw balls for those who could catch them, and a music publisher dropped from his wagon dainty rolls of music. And then what a scramble there was. The First Division. MECHANICS AND ARTISANS MARCHING TO MARTIAL MUSIC. At the head of the first division rode the marshal, Gen. James M. Warner, with his efficient chief of staff. Major George H. Treadwell and the following staff: Capt. Harry C. Cushman, William M, Whitney, Jr., E. R. Perry, Guy Baker, E. A. Kellogg, Newton Dexter and George D. Herrick. The first division, consisting of Knights of Labor, trades unions and labor organizations, formed on the east side of North Broadway, right resting on State street. Marshal Dowling divided his division into four sub-divisions, as follows : First — carpenters, machine wood-workers, shoe- makers, building protective association, morocco- dressers. Second — painters, paper-hangers, Franklin associ- ation. Third — cigarmakers, coopers, gas and steam-fitters, plumbers, tinsmiths. Fourth — masons, masons' helpers, tailors, stove- molders and polishers, Albany workingmen's assembly. 227 The following was the order : Marshal Thomas J. Dowling and stafif, Tenth Regi- ment band, with twenty-one pieces. Capital City assembly, No. 3,194, carpenters and joiners, with six hundred and eighty men under command of Wm. Van Amburgh. Twenty-six of the men are known as pioneers and wore white shirts and carried broadaxes. Roger's assembly, No. 7585, carpenters, with A. G. Fisher in command, and thirty-five men in line. Arcanum assembly, Nos. 2613 and 2739, shoe- makers, John Coleman in command, and one hundred and thirty men in line. Dongola assembly, No. 4725, wool and leather dressers, Charles Rapp in command, and eighty men in line. Iron Workers' assembly. No. 441 1, Samuel Watson in command, and three hundred and twenty-five men in line. Sons of Veterans drum corps of twenty men. Painters' assembly, with J. H. Ouigley in command, and two hundred and fifty men in line. Franklin association, with F. J. Bahrend in com- mand, and five hundred men in line. A float manned by M. L. Ryder. Liberty band of eighteen pieces. Cigarmakers' union, with M. Stern in command, and four hundred and fifty men in line. Enterprise assembly. No. 5017, gas and steamfitters, with John T. Donovan in command, and thirty-six men in line. 228 Plumbers' union, with R. M. Stafford in command, and seventy men in line. Tin Plate assembly No. 4875, with sixty men in line. Drum corps with seven men. Bricklayers, Masons and Plasterers' assembly, No. 6, with John H. Buchanan in command, and three hundred and twenty men in line. Masons' Laborers' union, with J. La Prez in com- mand, and one hundred and two men in line, Beaverwyck assembly. No. 3859, tailors, with M. J. McManus in command, and one hundred and fifty men in line. Drum corps with five men. Stove Mounters and Pattern Workers' assembly. No, 6129, in command of George Degnan, with two hundred men in line. Stove Pohshers, in command of Conrad Ewald, with sixty men in line. Albany Workingmen's assembly, with G. W. Per- kins in command, and forty men in line. The Second Division. ENTERPRISING MERCHANTS SHOW THEIR TASTE AT DECORATION. The second division under the command of Mar- shall Balch and Adjutant Judson and their aids, C. F, Van Benthuysen and C, M. Van Heusen, formed on South Broadway, right resting on State street. The Travelers' Protective association had the right of line and the men of the grip appeared in regulation travel- ing costume. They were upwards of one hundred 229 strong and made a fine appearance. Following them came a large trunk carried by four colored porters. The trunk was labeled with this legend: " Der Drummer am der most innocent man in der world." Then there was a wagon tastily decorated, on the side of which was a scene representing a traveling agent just arriving in town, and behind was the query : " Is the Buyer In." One of the quaintest conceits in this division was contributed by Joseph Fearey & Son, the well-known shoe manufacturers. It was an illustration of the old woman known so well from nursery rhymes, " who lived in a shoe ; she had so many children she did not know what to do," On a large float was the shoe, spacious enough for a good sized family. There was the old woman, while around her, perched in every crevice in the dilapidated piece of footwear were urchins, fully a score in all, and ranging in size from a well-grown boy to those hardly more than babies. It was an excellent idea, well carried out in the float. It attracted general notice and favorable comment all along the line. Next came Stephens & Sons large fruit delivery truck, drawn by a pair of fine horses. The truck was handsomely decorated. Tracy & Wilson followed with a large float, illustrating the business of the Capital City mills. The wagon was profusely orna- mented, and had above it a handsome canopy. On the float were large boxes of coff'ee and other groceries. Hart & Young turned out their delivery wagons prettily decorated. A fine, large wagon of hay, straw, oats and feed illustrated the business of S. Vroman. 230 David S. Brown & Co., of New York, manufac- turers of satin gloss soap, had a very large and costly covered wagon that was a perfect gem. During the procession samples of the soap were thrown among the crowd and eagerly grabbed by the hoodlums, who, as a member of the Bi-centennial committee suggested, certainly needed a little soaping. The Electric Carpet Cleaning company had in line their delivery wagons filled with carpets. While the line was forming on South Broadway, the great Indian of J. W. Stevens & Co., the tobacco- nist, which had been placed in front of the second story with a large American flag in the background, attracted general attention. The business of C. Kirchner, wood yard, was represented by delivery wagons trimmed with trees to show the source whence he derived his supply of wood. A very pretty float was the verdict over the display made by J. Blocksidge, decorator and house painter. The wagon was canopied and covered on all sides with canvass, on which pretty signs were painted and on the sides were the British coat-of-arms and the American shield. Jacobs & Proctor's Shetland ponies came next and caught the eyes of the little ones. Saul, the clothier, next came with a fine covered wagon. The Albany pickle works had a very tasty wagon with bright painted kegs. The next float illustrated how a blind man can make brooms. It represented Sol Pohly, the blind broom manufacturer who was a graduate of the New York State Institute for the Blind at Batavia. On the float was a quantity of broom corn and broom ma- 231 chines. During the parade Sol operated a machine and completed part of the process of manufacture. Cleveland's Superior Baking Powder company had five wagons in line. Two were sampling wagons and three delivery wagons. One of the latter was very tasty, a large platform being piled up with the baking powder boxes in pyramid shape. Eugene Duncan called the attention of the people to his laundry business by his two fine delivery wagons. Lansing Brothers showed samples of crockery tastily arranged. Next came John Judge, the grocer, with wagons full of wares. Stephen H. Parsons, coffee and spices, had a general delivery wagon and a truck in line, both handsomely ornamented. Heidrick Brothers, builders, showed a covered wagon in which were plans of buildings erected by them and also samples of building material. Charles Prince, confectioner, turned out his delivery wagon in holiday attire, and following it came Mueller & Peters, cloth spongers and refurnishers, with their wagon covered with evergreen. The Union Clothing company's float attracted great attention. It was a large boxed wagon, entirely enclosed and trimmed in red, white and blue. The driver was intended to stand for Uncle Sam, while on top of the float were ancient pieces of ammunition and four soldiers in the uniform of Continental gunners. Then came William Orr, fruit and fish ; E. N. Gardiner, oysters; C. Buenan, baker; Wm. G. Ebel, baker and confectioner, and National yeast. A very handsome float represented Washington in 232 an attitude of addressing an audience, while his hand rested on an open document. Walter McEwan, coffees and spices, had his delivery wagon handsomely decorated with bunting. A large representation of a clock with the dial painted on either side was to represent O. H. Fasoldt, and was a very creditable exhibit. Gloeckner's cemetery nursery had a wagon filled with cut and potted flowers and plants. A beautiful cross and an anchor were especially noticeable. Helmes Brothers furni- ture, contributed a float containing a beautiful cherry bed room set and a delivery wagon. Killip's laundry had two delivery wagons in line. L. Menand & Sons, florists, had two wagons filled with splendid specimens of their skill. P. J. Patterson, confectioner, had two delivery wagons. Three large floats were from the furniture establishment of Nelson Lyon and contained some splendid pieces. Clarke the baker had in line his two new bread wagons. These firms were represented in the second half of the second division : J. Blocksidge, paint shop; Julius Saul, Albany's leading clothier ; Albany pickle works ; Soil Pohly, the blind broom-maker ; Cleveland baking powder, three delivery and two sample wagons ; Albany box factory, E. N. Gardner, oysters ; W. G. Ebel, baker ; Clarke's Newport bread ; Gloeckner, cemetery florist ; P. J. Patterson, confectionery ; L. Menands & Son, florist ; Killip's laundry, two wagons ; Helmes Bro- thers and Nelson Lyon, furniture ; Walter McEwen's National mills, spices; S. H. Parsons, coffee and spices. 233 The Third Division. The third division of the trades' day parade was perhaps as interesting a one as any in line. The Twenty-first Regiment band, of Poughkeepsie, headed this division. The staff was composed of the follow- ing men : Colonel Alex. Strain, marshal commanding and aids, Jesse White Sprong, Charles H. Maginis, M. S. Simmons, E. Y. Lansing, John H. Armstrong, J. Loughran, D. Huyser, Charles H. Clark, Francis Boom, John Wolfe, Julius Fish, A. Schilling, Isaac M. Strasser, Sherman Reynolds, George H. Mackey, P. J. O'Connor, James Judge, Jesse A. White, Jeremiah Kieley, George Boucher, Charles L. Weaver, William Spellman. The first American locomotive, with the builder and first engineer, Horatio Allen, headed the stringof floats. It was a perfect representation of the first locomotive ever run in America, constructed in the Delaware and Hudson railroad shops from a deguerrotype in pos- session of Mr. Horace G. Young. The " Stourbridge Lion" made her first trip, August 8, 1829. The model consists of a tank at the rear of the tender, on top of the box, from which the water is carried to the heater by copper pipe ; a boiler nearly like those now in use ; driving wheels three feet in diameter, with felloes and spokes of ash and an iron tire shrunk in ; two driving rods on each side ; a walking beam and a smokestack similar to those now used. Four horses, covered with blankets bearing the monogram of the Delaware and Hudson company, drew this float. The stoves were then fully represented as follows : Rathbone, Sard & Co., four floats, all showing various 234 makes of the famous Acorn stoves and ranges ; Ran- som Stove Company, one float with five of their stoves aboard; M. Delehanty & Son, one float; J. A. & C. E. Baker, one float; Geo. W. Peck, one float; Philip O'Brien, three floats. The steam-heating industry was represented by one float of the J. McCormic Company. Quinn & Nolan, the celebrated ale brewers, had a very unique and appropriate float, a large truck drawn by six handsome horses. In the fore part of the scene was a hugh cask on end. On top of this stood Uncle Sam, with a foaming beer mug in his hand. Reclining on a grassy bank was Bacchus, the god of wine, surrendering to the goddess of liberty, or to ale, and old Erin was also represented by her goddess. THE WONDERFUL BEVERWYCK FLOAT. A most magnificent spectacle in itself was the floats of the famous Beverwyck Brewing company, and they attracted wonder and admiration from open- mouthed spectators all along the line. The exhibit consisted of an original conceit from designs by Walter Dickson and executed by Mr. De Leon. It was a representation of the surrender of Bacchus, god of wine, to Beverwyck beer. Bac- chus reclined on a mound representing a vineyard, and on either side of him were two Bacchantes, and two satyrs. In front of Bacchus was a large cask of lager set in rocks, and from it towered a flag-staff" fly- ing the national color. Upon the cask and beside the flag stood Uncle Sam and the Goddess of Liberty. This was drawn by six horses, led by grooms uni- 235 formed in white trousers, blue shirt and white straw hats. The border of the float contained a representa- tion of casks, with ends protruding from clusters of hop vines, on which were the various brands of ale made. This was painted by Walter Ormsbee, artist of New York. EARLY BREWING DEPICTED. The splendors of the floats of the Beverwyck Brewing company caused cries of wonder from the assembled multitudes as they rolled along. Six horses, each attended by a man dressed to represent a brewer's apprentice, pulled the first float, which represented the first settlement of this place in 1614. On the sides were legends : " 1 614, Beverwyck, 1614." On the float was a wood scene, with a tent toward the rear. In this sat a red chieftain, and outside on the rocks were three braves and one squaw. Four Hol- landers stood to one side. Traffic in pelts was carried on, the Hollanders giving gin in return. The second wagon was drawn by four horses, each groomed by a journeyman brewer, and conveyed an idea of the little Holland brewery which stood on the site of the federal building in 1686. The primitive brewery was in active operation. A fire beneath a glistening copper kettle caused steam to arise, and was attended by the brewer and his assistant, who occasionally stirred the liquid. Two Knickerbockers and two Hollander officers of Fort Orange were seated about an old Dutch table on ancient chairs drinking. 236 GAMBRINUS IN STATE. The third float was a glittering affair, and styled the gala wagon. It was drawn by four fine horses attended as the preceding ones. Upon a huge cask eight feet in diameter sat Gambrinus (John Schadt) on his throne, with a gilded goblet a foot high and eight inches in diameter in his hand. From this he quaffed the amber beverage. His throne was reached by stairs with gilded balusters, and over his head was a canopy composed of hop vines. He was surrounded by two knights in armor, two cavaliers and two pages at his feet. In front of the huge cask was a faucet of ancient pattern and a lager beer garden occupied by the officials of the Beverwyck company, includ- ing Michael Schrodt, general manager; August Kampfer, secretary; James Kiernan, bookkeeper; Michael Beck, head brewer ; Antonia Muist, his assist- ant, and John Maxwell, of Rondout, general agent. These dignitaries sat about a table served by a waiter with the sparkling beverage from the mammoth cask — in fact they were partaking of their own goods. OTHER SPLENDID FLOATS. Coleman Bros, had seven trucks in line, all loaded with full-size ale casks ; Granger & Story also had three trucks similarly loaded, in line ; P. K. Dederick & Co. represented the farm implement industry, with floats and hay press ; they also had a mounted port- able steam engine in the great parade. The Wheeler & Melick company had a large assortment of harvest- ing tools, a hay press and thresher representing them. William Risedorph & Co. and William Miller & Co. 237 were also represented. The furniture manufacturers were represented by the B. W. Wooster Furniture company in a fine representation of an old Dutch household interior. Around the old fire place were seen the old tables, highly carved, old chairs, settees, etc. Nelson Lyon and Wooster both had representa- tions of workshops. John Davis represented on his float the interior of a planing mill in a very complete manner. The La Rose Manufacturing company showed in the van ornaments, a French flat. W. H. Scriven, the builder, represented a frame building half completed. The marble men came out well. George H. Curreen, of Greenbush, showed two large granite blocks protruding from the native quarry soil ; the second float showed the granite and marble highly polished. James Gazeley, a truck drawn by six horses, finely mated, with an obelisk lying on one side on it. William Manson also showed the working of granite and marble. The Williams & Manogue Co., of Troy, showed their art of slating roofs in a fine exhibit. Julius Fish & Brother, cigar manufac- turers, had aboard a complete cigar factory. The raw leaves were taken, stripped, rolled, made and packed on the float, and the cigars thrown into the crowd. Shields & Son had in line one sales wagon and one truck with the raw stock on it. Dearstyne had in line one sales wagon. Clinton Ten Eyck represented the soap industry. Keeler, the popular bill poster, had a handsomely decorated wagon in line. The hardware trade brought Maurice E. Viele with a large and handsome float into the procession. The Gal- vanized Iron company had also a handsome float. 238 The Albany file and saw works paraded a moving show case of their saws. Marshall & Wendell, C. E. Wendell & Co., Boardman & Gray, and J. H. Thomas represented pianos and organs. The two latter firms had musicians playing as they paraded through the streets. The Domestic & White Sewing Machine companies had sales wagons in the parade. Tread- well & Co., the fur dealers, had an immense float in the long cavalcade, on which they showed their wares to fine advantage. Bates & Johnson had in the line a sample of their goods, steam heating and ventilating. Fourth Division. THOSE WHO BUILD AND FURNISH OUR HOMES. In charge of Assistant Marshal Morton H. Havens, with Antoine La Rose as adjutant and the following assistant marshals : Barrington Lodge, jr., J. Hackett, Lawrence Prince, Horace Westcott, Herman Russ, jr., J. E. Janes, J. V. O. Keenholtz, Samuel Lape, William Collins, R. D. Brittain, George E. Latham. This division was a large and pleasing one in its efifect in the parade. The Master Builders' exchange, comprising twenty-five carriages, each one of which contained four members of that organization, led this division. In the first carriage was its officers : Her- man H. Russ, president; Henry W. Young, vice- president; A. F, La Rose, treasurer, and L. J. Prince, secretary. Next in the line was the Albany Carriage and Harness company with a string of wagons drawn by handsome black horses. A harness rack was mounted on an express wagon, to which were hitched 239 four styles of double-seated carriages and four single- seated carriages. Jonas Keenholts came next with five carriages, first a double-seated carriage, followed by a gorgously tented truck, then the Boss Road machine made at Fort Wayne, and the worst kicker in the procession, a Thomas hay tedder, which went through the streets in full motion. A cutter and carriage were mounted on a platform by Shaw & Barnett. The American Express com- pany next attracted attention. Six beautiful horses drew their giant delivery wagon, loaded with money bags and money chests strongly bound with iron, representing their money transfer department. A four-horse team and two other wagons loaded with freight boxes, made a good showing. The National Express, not to be outdone by its powerful competitor, followed with an eight-horse team of grays, hauling one of their strongest delivery wagons, containing a single trunk of small dimen- sions, but which was conspicuously displayed, and over it the inscription: "A trunk of valuables be- tween New York and Montreal, 1841 to 1850, used by E. H. Virgil, originator of the National Express." Another wagon bore a heavy load of freight in boxes addressed for shipment, one to be sent to the Ro\'al Insurance company, Liverpool, another to C. W. Fisher, San Jose, California. Next in the line was the display of the Milburn Wagon company, one float showing two large pict- ures of their mammoth carriage works at Toledo, O., another showing the wagons they made for the Adams Express company. Then came the coal dealers 240 headed by F. N. Sill with a four-horse team hauling Le- high lump coal. Rock & Casey drove a six-horse team with coal in bags, followed by C. M. Stuart with an old- fashioned coal dump ; Wm. McEwen, Coonley & Wald- ron, John G. Burch, Blackburn & Jones, Judge & Son, Eldridge & Hyatt, John Neil, Jr., T. M. Hackett & Co., Heffernan & Cullen, P. Heller, Jr., E. W. Howell, Quay & White and C. Smith added to the procession. Gibbons & Burhans with a four-horse team drawing grate coal covered with a well ex- ecuted canopy, and E. Ewing with a novel and strik- ing display of a coal covered house built to show the oldest house in Albany, with miniature inhabitants gracing its windows and doorway, and a well cus- tomed driver in Uncle Sam attire. J. R. Nangle informed visitors that coal was first used in Albany in 1825. The tea merchants were well represented. Four delivery wagons were in line by the Union Pacific Tea company, on one of which a well made up Chinaman attracted attention. The National Tea company and the Great Atlantic and Pacific com- pany made an equally good showing. Then came the butchers. Hammond & Co. dis- played a huge beef, weighing 1,017 pounds, dressed in Hammond, Ind., and shipped to Albany in a refrigerator car, on one wagon, while another had a man stuffed with pillows to an enormous size, who was pictured as one who " eats Hammond's beef." Holland Brothers followed with a cage containing a litter of nine Duroc pigs, and another wagon was loaded with pork and sugar-cured hams. Johnston 241 & Company had two wagons in the Hne, and R. Gutt- man & Brothers, two, one of which represented a car of Swift's New England meat express. The Vienna Pressed Yeast company had four wagons in the parade. J. Kreisher, the confectioner, gave a street candy making exhibition on his wagon. A candy revolving copper kettle was kept in motion. One of the finest displays in the parade was the wagon of McFarlane, the pop-corn dealer. The sides of the wagon were constructed of pop-corn layers and in it were seated two little girls in patriotic costume, accompanied by a youthful clown of irre- sistible grimace. Patterson, the gas-fitter, contributed a steam-fitting apparatus ; J. R. Purdy & Company, spring beds ; M. McDonough, liquor dealer, and C. H. Burton with a large vinegar barrel; N. Bruck, A. B. Hecker and J. W. Reed & Company with kind- hng wood display ; P. Shaver, with five ice wagons ; the Capital City News company ; James A, Shattuck, mason builder, and J. S. Haswell with a carriage i8o years old, made up the last part of the division in good style. Other participants were : The Albany Carriage and Harness company. Standard Wagon company, J. Hume, Jonas Keenholts, the Milburn Wagon company, F. N. Sill, C. M. Stuart, Coonley & Waldron, John G. Burch, Gibbons & Burhans, Blackburn & Jones, James Judge's Sons, Eldridge & Hyatt, T. M. Hackett, P. Heller, E. Ewing, Heffer- man & CuUen, J. R. Nangle, Neil & Walter, Quay & White, Hammond & Company, the Vienna Pressed Yeast company, the Union Pacific Tea company, the National Tea company, A. McFarlane, the Great 242 Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company, Jacob Kreischer, confectioner, James Farrell, teamster, J. R. Purdy, M. McDonald, James Hassell, carriage and wagon- maker, Johnston & Company, pork dealers, R. Guth- mann & Brother, dressed beef dealers, John Wans- boro, liquor dealer, A. B. Hecker, kindling wood dealer, the Capital City News Company, H. Patterson, gas and steam fitter, James A. Shattuck, builder, N. Brock, Henry Leckel and J. W. Reid & Company, dealers in kindling wood, Charles H. Burton, vinegar dealer, Holland Brothers, pork and lard dealers, George Peters, dealers in flour and feed, Rock & Casey and E. W. Howell, coal dealers, P. Shaffer, ice dealer, Thos. Myers, roofer, and Samuel Stevens, fruiterer. Fifth Division. DEVOTED PRINCIPALLY TO A DISPLAY OF FOOD SUPPLIES. The fifth division was under the charge of Assistant Marshal F. VV. Sarauw, whose mounted staff were dressed in black clothes, soft felt hats, red sashes and white gloves. The division formed on State street, continuing down Eagle street, right resting on Pearl street. Following the staff was a large number of mounted butchers and grocers, and carriages bearing the presidents and delegates of the Central New York Mercantile society. The division was admirably handled, and attracted no little attention, although there were no gorgeous floats or ostentatious display. The division was mainly devoted to the food suppliers 243 — the butcher, the grocer and the gardener. The vehicles represented were as follows : Larrabee & Company, bakers, fifteen large wagons beautifully decorated with wares tastefully arranged. Van Dervier & Holmes, through C. S. Scharne- man, Jr., Albany agent, vehicle handsomely fitted up and decorated with flags and bunting. Fleischman & Company, manufacturers of com- pressed yeast, five decorated wagons. Mrs. M. Crummy, baker, two wagons decorated with shields and flags. Frederick Carr, of Greenbush, had four wagons decorated with flags. One of the vehicles was the finest ever used to peddle crackers with in this city — 1824. It has been stowed away for years, but was recently taken out and repaired. The Star bakery, wagon decorated with flags and bunting. The Master Bakers' Protective Association, Charles H. Blackwood, President, a float bearing a represen- tation of an immense brick oven. Decorated with the flags of all nations. Cakes were distributed along the route of march. Earing Brothers, bakers, one handsome decorated float bearing a dough trough and several bakers ; also four wagons decorated with flags, bunting, etc. M. J. Iliohan, baker, two wagons decorated with flags and evergreens. E. G. Nagengast, gardener, wagon decorated with squash vines, corn stalks, etc. Capital City Pickling Company. Two little girls located on a raised seat representing miniature 244 Godesses of Liberty. Decorated with flags and bunting. George W. Raynsford, grocer, two wagons deco- rated with shields and flags. Waterman & Meigs, grocers, one wagon bearing a load of tastefully arranged canned goods surmounted by a monster coffee pot. A. S. Miller, grocer, two wagons decorated with pampa grass and evergreens. P. D. Platz, butcher, finely decorated carriages, with two monster steer horns in front. I. Wiley, butcher, two vehicles, one containing the head of an immense steer, decorated with smilax and cut flowers. Lewis Newhofif, home pressed meat, wagon de- corated with bunting and evergreens. A slatted box with a centre floor contained four lambs in the upper tier and three calves below. W. H. Lutz, butcher, two wagons, one containing three calves, and the other two lambs and a kid. E. J. Lord, grocer, finely decorated wagon with two little girls representing the Goddess of Liberty. Rider & Rockefeller, grocers, Lexington avenue, small flags. E. Palmer, grocer, wagon loaded with flour barrels, decorated with bunting, flags and rosettes. P. Hagerty, grocer, flags and bunting. S. H. Smith, grocer, paper bunting, flags, etc. J. H. Sutlifif, grocer, shields and bunting. Stevenson, the grocer, five wagons decorated. French Tea company, vehicle decorated with flags. Russell & Borthwick, grocers, two carts decorated. 245 W. H. Falke, flour, grain and feed, decorated. Bennett & Brothers, hog butchers, West Albany, five tastefully decorated wagons. One bore the sign of a monster swine, one a crib filled with live hogs, two others dressed pork and uniformed butchers, while the fifth contained fifteen little children belong- ing to the family of Bennetts. A. Wagner, manufacturer of bologna sausage, two wagons, one bearing samples of goods and the other the employes. The vehicles were trimmed with bunt- ing and evergreens. Samuel Stevenson, wholesale dealer in bananas. M. Mausert & Son, grocers, decorated cart. J. & W. Blackburn, grocers, wagons decorated with gauze, flags, etc. C. W. Burton, wagon bearing pyram'd of jugs stamped Burton's Vinegar, and decoraced with flags. Clark & W^oodin, grocers, decorated wagon, bearing coffee machines. Coughtry & Eldridge, grocers, wagon covered with bunting in old style of a hen coop. W. J. Fearly, grocer, decorated cart. George S. Rivenburgh, wagon decorated with looped bunting. Displays also by E. Palmer, J. & W, Blackburn, Charles Miller, Jr., Waterman & Meigs, F. G. Bradley, Clark & Wooding, G. S. Rivenburgh, Geo. W. Rayns- ford, Wm. F. Kearney,?. Hagerty, A. E. Clow, Righter & Rockefeller, J. H. Smith, E. J. Lord, Samuel Stev- ens, Fleischman & Company, W. H. Falke, Banfill & Amsdell, Stephenson's, Coughtry & Eldridge, Russell & Borthwick, John B. Carriere, J. H. Sutlift', Fred. 246 Carr, Star Bakery, Van Derveer & Holmes, C. Schornemir, Jr., M. Crummey, M. Iliohan, H. C. Weyman, Earing Brothers, E. J. Larrabee & Com- pany, Capital City Pickling Company, W. H. Lutz, Lewis Newhof, A. Wagner, P. D. Platz, M. Mausert, Ignatus Wiley, George Wiley, Bennett Brothers. THE MAGNIFICIENT PARADE REVIEWED BY GOVER- NOR DAVID B. HILL FROM THE CAPITOL. Governor Hill, with a few friends, reviewed the pro- cession from the windows of the executive chamber, and was highly pleased at the strength and varied attractions that were presented in the line. Occa- sionally he was recognized by the processionists and saluted as the men marched past his window. King Gambrinus, on the Beverwyck float, drank the Governor's health, as did also the gentlemen whom he had for companions on the float. The windows of the office of the Secretary of State, State library on Washington avenue, and the windows of the Adjutant-General's office, the Board of Health, Regents, Attorney-General's, executive cham- ber, insurance and public instruction departments on State street were crowded with State officials, accom- panied by their families and friends, and the criticism of all was of one accord — that the trades' demonstra- tion was an imposing affair, and reflected great credit upon its managers and those who participated in it. Fully 15,000 people visited the capitol yesterday, and streams of people were continually passing through the corridors. In order that the subordi- nates might witness the day's events, business in all 247 the departments was generally suspended at noon, and these hours were carried out during the balance of the week. UNVEILING OF THE TABLETS BY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. In charge of Professor William D. Goeway, of the High School, at three P. M., a delegation of the High School students unveiled the tablets that were put up in various parts of the city, locating prominent buildings of the olden time. The list is to be found at page 47. RACING IN CANOES. As early as ten o'clock in the morning, the lower bridges and the docks and steamboats were well filled with an expectant crowd waiting for the start of the canoe regatta which was announced for that hour. The club house presented an animated appearance as the dainty craft were prepared for the con- test. The referee's boat, a small steam launch, unnamed, left the club-house at 10:30 A. M., and after placing the buoys, the canoes were ordered in line at the lower end of the course, and at the blast of the bugle paddled in parade up the course. The sight was a very pretty one, the tiny crafts stretching in line across the stream were verily things of life and beauty. At another bugle signal sail was made, and down stream they went under full canvas to the starting point. The race was for all classes of canoes, no limits of ballast or sail. Course, from a line above the Greenbush bridge around a buoy near the East Albany bridge and back three times, distance about 248 three miles. The prizes were a set of silver plate and a silk flag. The entries were : Marion B., Mohican canoe club, Rob't Shaw Oliver Madeleine, Mohican canoe club, Walter L. Palmer Arne, Mohican canoe club, Harry C. Cushman Thetis, Mohican canoe club, P. M. Wackerhagen Nan, Mohican canoe club, H. D. Thomas ; Anna V., Mohican canoe club, E. D. Jennison ; Raquette, Mo- hican canoe club, M. S. Smith ; Mermaid, Mohican canoe club, L. J. Prince ; Fleur de Lis, Mohican canoe club, B. Fernow ; Annie O., Mohican canoe club, Fred L. Mix ; Uncas, Mohican canoe club, H. R. Pierson, Jr. ; Mida, Mohawk canoe club, of Troy, William Bennett; Dora, Mohawk canoe club, of Troy, George Dexter ; Pecowsic, Springfield canoe club, G. H. Barney ; Chingachgook, Mohican canoe club, W. A. Wheeler; Wraith, Brooklyn and Knick- erbocker canoe club, William Whitlock ; Avocette, Mohican canoe club, F. G. Mather ; Tigog, Mohican canoe club, W. G. Janes ; Oriole, Mohican canoe club, E. W. Masten. Shortly after eleven o'clock the start was effected with a steady north-west breeze, and the canoes got off well together. The first to cross the starting line was the Nan, at 11:7:10, the next over was the Marion B., at 7: 25. The Thetis was third at 7: 40, and the Arno, Mermaid and Chingachgook crossed together at 7:45. The Pecowsic, of Springfield, followed at 7: 54, and the Wraith, of Brooklyn, made the line at 8 : 10, with the Mida, Fleur de Lis and the balance in a bunch after. The Thetis took a lead soon after the start, but was closely hunted by the 249 Nan and Wraith in order named. The turn at the upper buoy was made in the same relative positions, and a good start was made for the journey down stream. The breeze freshened up a bit in excellent style, and a short distance from the turn the Nan walked to the front with the other two in close pur- suit. The race down was a very pretty one, the wind held out well and was fairly steady, and when the lower turn was reached the Nan went around first, Thetis second and the Pecowsic, which had been steadily creeping up to the rest, got around third, followed by the Wraith. By this time the rest of the fleet was considerably spread out over the course, some going up and others down, so that a record of their relative positions could not be made. Up again the leaders went at a pretty pace, and the third turn was made with the Thetis first. Nan second and the Pecowsic third. The Marion B. had been doing some pretty good sailing during the interim and drawing away from the rear came speedily up in the van, and the fourth turn was made first by the Thetis, with the Nan, Pecowsic, Marion B. and the Wraith in suc- cession. The Chingachgook, which had also been lagging, began to brace up to the work, but not soon enough to press the leaders at all. At the fifth turn, and the last one at the upper buoy, there was a brisk contest to see which would get around first, and for some time it was very uncertain, owing to flaws in the breeze. The Thetis caught it first, however, with Nan a close second, Pecowsic third and Marion B. fourth. Down they came again for the last time, sailing briskly, with just a chance for the Nan to win. 250 She did not, however, and the Thetis rounded the buoy first, Nan second, Marion B. and Pecowsic together, with the Wraith and Chingachgook next. The official time was as follows: Thetis, 37m. 20s.; Nan, 38m. 20s.; Pecowsic, 38m. 31s.; Marion B., 38m. 55s.; Wraith, 43m. ; Chingachgook, 43m. 50s. The referees were Messrs. George P. Hilton and R. Wilton ; starter, R. W. Gibson ; timekeeper, George H. Thacher, Jr. ; judges at the buoys, Walter Fro- thingham, Guy Baker and Charles Winne. The Evening Concert. A SPLENDID entertainment IN THE CAPITOL PARK TENT. Fully four thousand people were in the Capitol park in the evening, and heard the grand literary and musical exercises which brought educational day to a close. Seated on the platform was the large chorus of school children that for some time had been under the careful training of Professor George Oliver- In front was the double orchestra from the Tenth Regiment and Albany City band. All were under Professor Oliver, who wielded the baton. The exer- cises themselves were all that could be desired. The singing of the children was excellent, and showed the hard labor that had been spent in their training. The choruses were very strong, and alone of all the exercises could be heard throughout the tent. The programme opened shortly before eight o'clock by Von Suppe's overture, Franz Schubert, by the 251 orchestra. Then the grand national hymn "America " was rendered by the chorus accompanied by the orchestra. It was loudly applauded. The rest of the programme was then rendered, as follows : Chorus — " Sailor's Song" Oliver. Reading — " Fort Orange, 1660 " Wide Awake. Miss Theresa F. Smith, public school No. 9. Solo and chorus (from unfinished opera of " Loreley") — "Ave Marie " Mendelssohn, Bi-Centennial Hymn, Written and composed for this occasion. Words by Mr. Howard N. Fuller. Music by Mr. George Edgar Oliver. PART n. Metropolitan March Bial. Orchestra. Chorus — " Grammar School March " Veazie. Chorus — " Barcarolle " Oliver. " The Rising in '76" Thomas Buchanan Read. Mr. Eugene Brumaghim. Chorus — " See the Conquering Hero Comes " Handel. (From the Oratorio of Judas Maccabeus. ) Chorus — "American Hymn " Keller. The exercises lasted until half-past nine, when the vast crowds gradually dwindled away. State street for half an hour afterwards was filled with a closely packed throng on their way from the park. TUESDAY, JULY 20TH. Day of All Nations. Morning. — Parade of German, Irish, Scotch, Hol- land, French, Italian, English and other National Societies, to be followed by separate exercises. 252 Afternoon. — First Races of the Annual Regatta of the National Association of Amateur Oarsmen of America over the Pleasure Island course. Exercises under the auspices of the Irish Societies. Planting of a Memorial Oak by German citizens, with appro- priate exercises, in Washington Park. Scottish and other games. Evening. — Parade of Secret Societies. ALL nation's day PARADE. Headquarters of All Nation's Day, ) Albany, July 15, 1886. 5 General Orders No. 2 : I. I hereby announce the following as my staff, and they will be obeyed accordingly : Chief of staff. Major James J. Pender; assistant marshals, Col. H. A. Freudenthal, Majors John Brannigan, Daniel J. O'Brien, George W. Dorn, Capts. M. J. Slattery, Andrew Donner, George Welfings, M. F. McGowan, Albert Albers, J. D. Burger, F. W. Sarauw, John J. Creagen, Lieuts. J. E. Gallup, William Boehm, M. Murphy, Theodore Papen, August Rodie, George Guardiner, William J. Dalton, Thomas H. Greer, Peter A. Crounse, Henry Kleinhans, Dr. F. Ouimet, J. J. Obey, M. Lepp, Peter D. Platz, S. H. Mando, S. J. Morton, Robert G. Scherer, Robert F. McFarlane, C. C. Mackey, Joseph Wesley, Atillio Pasquini, M. J. Howard, Thomas McEvoy, John Eagan, John Mulderry, B. J. E. Mullen, J. H. Reilly, Gilbert T. Sutton, James W. Muir, Casper Muehleck, Jacob Morgan, H. C. G. Blester, F. A. Gremmier, Charles W. Miller. 253 II. I hereby assign the following as division commanders : First division, Captain Andrew Donner; second division, Dr. F. Ouimet ; third division, Major M. J. Slattery ; fourth division, James VV. Bently ; fifth division, Captain George W. Dorn. III. The Hne will be formed as follows: FIRST DIVISION. First division on Pearl street, right resting on Third avenue. Marshal and staff. Twentieth Regiment band. M. J. Severence Cadets, under command of Capt. Wm. Addington, as escort. Hollanders with floats, representing the provinces of Holland. Float representing windmill, old carriage, cart with figures representing two orphans, and carriages. Uniformed Scots, with pipers, St. Andrews and Caledonian societies, visiting Scotchmen. SECOND DIVISION. Second division will form on Third avenue, right rest- ing on Pearl street. Marshal and staff. Plattsburg band. French Societies. St. Jean Baptiste Society. F'rench Canadians of Albany. St. Jean Baptiste Society of Troy. Napoleon Snow Shoe Club of Green Island. Na- poleon Club of Green Island. Float La Petite St. Jean Baptiste, patron of Canada. Float Jacques Cartier, discoverer of Canada, with his ship. Iroquois Snow Shoe Club of Troy, in carriages. Children in carryall. John T. Carrier, French tea store, with chariot. Italian Society, in carriages. Float repre- senting the first land discovered by Columbus. 254 Float representing ship of Columbus, Santa Marie. Colored societies, carriages and float. THIRD DIVISION. Third division will form on Fourth avenue, below Pearl street, right resting on Pearl street. Marshal and Staff. Tenth Regiment band. Hiber- nian Rifle Corps, escort to Irish division. St. Joseph's Young Men's Sodality. St. John's Young Men's Sodality. St. Mary's Young Men's Sodality. Robert Emmet Association. Float representing thirty-two counties of Ireland and the maid of Erin. St. Joseph's Cadets. Visiting Division of Ancient Order of Hibernians. Division Nos. 4, 6 and 7, Ancient Order of Hibernians. Float containing representa- tion of Emmet, Parnell, Gladstone and Davitt. The United Irishmen of America. Albany Council, No. 38, C. B. L. Cor Jesu Council, No. 84, C. B. L. Irish Jaunting Car, containing four persons in costume. Davitt Branch Irish National League. Parnell Branch Irish National League. FOURTH DIVISION. Fourth division will form on Bassett street, right resting on Pearl street. Marshall and Staff. Ger- mania band, of Pittsfield. Grant Club, with fifty mounted men in red uniforms, one hundred men in white uniforms, one hundred men in blue uniforms, drawing cannon, forming colors of red, white and blue. Float, Joseph Fearey & Sons. Barouche, Mr. Dar- mette, of Binghamton, N. Y., representing Earl of Leicester, Prince of Orange, Emperor William, King Leopold. 255 FIFTH DIVISION. Fifth division will form on Schuyler street, below Pearl, right resting on Pearl, as follows : Mashal and Staff. Albany City band. Washington Rifles, Col. Geo. Krank commanding, as escort. Apollo Singing Club. Float representing Apollo, and Caecelia Singing Clubs, with float representing Caecelia. Eintracht, with float. Mozart, with float. Leiderkranz, with float. Harmonia. Canstatter Volksfest Verein. Float representing Germania. Float, Columbia, God- dess of Liberty. Float, All Nations. Unterderfur- muetze. Two floats, Hinckel's Brewing Company. Float, Kirchner's Brewing Company. Float, Fred Dobler, Brewer. Float, Heidrick Brothers, Brewers. Float, George Webber, Brewer. Float, Cook & Meutsch, Brewers. Excelsior band. Leiderkranz Singing society. O. S. D. F. Barbarossa lodge, K. of P. Other societies. Jacob Kreischer, one float and three wagons. Henry Menges, with float repre- senting building a house. Bayrische Volksfest Verein float. Heidrick Bros., builders, with float. Geo. Wiley & Bro., with float. Albany Maenner quartette. School children in wagons. Holy Cross church. Lady Help of Christains. Lady of Angels. Also, thirty business wagons. IV. Line will be formed at 8 : 30 A. M., sharp, Tuesday, July 20, 1886. Chiefs of divisions will report to the chief of staff of the grand marshal at 8 : 45 A. M., at headquarters, the assignment of their respective divisions. The headquarters will be on the northwest corner of South Pearl street and Fourth avenue. The assistant marshals will report at 8 A. M. 256 sharp, at headquarters as established, in dark clothes, soft felt hat, sash, white gloves, badges and riding whip, as ordered. ROUTE OF MARCH. South Pearl to North Pearl street, to Clinton avenue, Clinton avenue to Perry street. Perry street to Central avenue, to Washington avenue, where the parade will be dismissed. By order. Col. M. J. Severence, Grand Marshal. James J. Pender, Chief of Staff. The July sun shone with undiminished power all day, and there was a misty shimmer of heat in the midsummer sky, dispelled, however, on the streets of the Bi-centennial city by a gentle breeze that shore the burning rays of much of their power. It was All Nation's Day, and the great procession was cosmopo- lite in character. As the enormous mass of vehicles wheeled into line the air was filled with the sounds of many strange tongues. It was a characteristic assemblage, full of jolity and determined to do its share to the fullest extent in keeping up to the requisite standard of attractiveness the magnificent programme of the festival. There was the green badge of Ireland, the Hibernian rifles with their proud, jaunty steps, and the great float on which were grouped thirty-two young ladies, representing the counties of the Emerald Isle, with the Maid of Erin enthroned above them. There were the Hollanders with their'characteristic float, representing the seven united provinces, Holland, 257 Zealand, Utrecht, F"riesland, Groningen, Overyssal and Guilderland, that founded the repubHc of the United Netherlands and the two provinces of Zutphen and North Brabant, that afterwards joined the confedera- tion. It was a reminiscence of that terrible struggle of eighty years, in which, after unheard of struggles, the Dutch flung off the yoke of Spain forever. The Scotchmen made a brave appearance, and the " skirlin' pipes" that were heard around Fort William Henry a century and a half ago, when the sturdy Munro con- fronted the power of Montcalm, made barbaric music along the line of the parade. The Italians were there with a very clever representation of Christopher Columbus and his famous caravel the Santa Maria, in which he first crossed the trackless Atlantic. Those who have read the thrilling account of that ever-to-be remembered voyage, and have admired the constancy and courage of the immortal Genoese, will learn with regret that the good ship which bore him to the New World came near being wrecked by the telegraph wires which made sad havoc of her upper spars. The Germans contrived to make one of the most striking features of the parade. The children of Fatherland have a particular aptitude for parades and celebrations. They are especially happy in designing tableaux. There was the stately figure of Germania, represented by a charming lady, who seemed to be the living impersonation of " Die Wacht am Rhein." Around her were the chief representatives of German music, poetry and science. There were the fair Caecelia, patroness of the divine art, the Goddess of Liberty, with the points of the compass symbolized by 258 four pretty maidens, the stalwart Apollo and his lyre, with incense offered to him on a tripod, and the rep- resentatives of all races half hidden under a huge liberty cap. All along this division rose the sonorous voices of the German singers, chanting the volkslieder of Fatherland. Ere the parade of all nations reached the goal of its long route there was a rush to Pleasure Island to witness the opening of the annual regatta of the National Association of Amateur Oarsmen. It was a day such as oarsmen delight in. The water of the mighty stream was like glass, over which at intervals the playful breeze stopped and caused a faint ripple. The contests were worthy of the high reputation of this renowned organization, and the management was worthy of all praise. Besides the parade and the boat races, there were many other features to interest the citizens and their guests. A memorial oak was planted by the Germans in Washington park and an elm tree by the Colored societies. The Irish societies held very interesting exercises in the rink, and the Germans sang all night long. There was no diminution of enthusiasm, but, on the contrary, Albanians seemed to be inspired with the desire to put up the thermometer of Bi-cen- tennial heat a few degrees higher. The First Division. HOLLAND'S SONS. At the head of the first division rode four mounted policemen, Officers Roach, Murphy, Kirvvan and 259 Ford, and next to them Grand Marshal Severence and his aids, and the marshal of the first division, Captain Andrew Donner and his staff, John Wolff, chief, and aids: M. Iliohan, M. De Rouville, John Degenar and Abram De Blaey of the Hollanders, and Robert F. MacFarlane, C. C. MacKay and Wil- liam Gibson of the Scotch. The music was furnished by the Twenty-first Regiment band, twenty-one pieces, of Poughkeepsie. Behind them, marching with fine ap- pearance, were the M. J. Severence cadets, under com- mand of Captain William Addington, with thirty men in line, acting as escorts. Next came the Hollanders, and the appearance they presented was most favor- ably commented upon. The Hollanders turned out seventy-five strong, with Nelson Boyd in command. This nationality also had two floats. The first was of great beauty, being a canopied wagon decorated with the stars and stripes and the national colors of Holland. Within were eleven pretty young women, representing the same number of provinces of that country. Each one was dressed in the appropriate peasant's costume and carried a spear and shield bearing the arms of the province represented. On a mimic throne was represented the Goddess of Liberty. The young ladies taking part were : Goddess of Liberty, Miss Annie Klomps ; maidens, Delia De Rouville, Nellie Van Denburgh, Maggie De Rouville, Lizzie Weenint, Blanche Wolff, Julia Wolff, Minnie Ochtman, Jennie Van Rees, Hattie Vlasblom, Hattie Geurtze, and Nettie Giffler. This attracted the grea- est attention throughout the entire route of march and was greeted with frequent applause and other 260 marks of approval. Next came a carriage containing Mrs. Iliohan, Mrs. Ochtman, Mrs. Wolff and Mr. J. Ochtman, each clad in the costume of one hundred years ago. After this was a road cart containing representations of two orphans in appropriate cos- tumes, and then the second float, an old Dutch wind- mill, with its long arms picturesquely spread to the breeze. The miller was John Van Buren, and his assistant, John Scravin. Following this was a num- ber of carriages, containing Hollanders, and a wagon one hundred and eighty years old, with two men in Continental dress. One of the most pleasing fea- tures of the parade was the bonny Scots, in kilt and tartans, headed by twelve pipers droning out the national airs. The thistle was well represented, there being three hundred men in line, fifty of them being in kilted uniform. The Scotchmen were from this city, Cohoes, Green Island, Troy, New York, Boston and Rochester, and were under command of Charles Brooksby, and Peter Kinnear, president. The Scotch caps and waving eagle plumes of this detach- ment gave a very novel and attractive aspect to this part of the parade. The Second Division. OUR FRENCH CITIZENS. Considering the number of Frenchmen in this city their display was excellent. They had the right of the line of this division and were preceded by the Platts- burgh band. Marshal John G. Obey was in command. 261 First came St. Jean Baptiste Society of Albany, one hundred and fifty strong, under the command of Presi- dent Albrich Fredette. The society's elegant hand- work banner, and American and French flags floated in the breeze in front. The members of the society wore the emblem of Canada, the maple leaf, and a white badge on which was " Les Canadiens Fran^ais d'Albany." Then came the Willard post drum corps, St, Jean Baptiste Society of Troy, in charge of Francis Richards. They bore French and American flags. The Iroquois Snow Shoe Club of Troy, turned out in carriages about twelve strong. Each vehicle bore snow shoes behind the driver's seat. An excellent float of the French Canadians ne.xt appeared. It represented a full-rigged brig inscribed "St. Malo, 1534," on the bow. It was gotten up in excellent style and was a fair likeness of the ship of more than three centuries ago in which Capt. Jacques Cartier discovered Canada. On the ship were Enrich Fredette, as Cartier, and Masters H. Bernard. Isaac Milot, E. Carrow and I. Marquis, as sailors. Another float represented La Petite Jean Baptiste, and on it was a throne on which sat Charles Picard, in the character of the saint, holding in his hand a crozier, while at his feet rested a small lamb in real flesh. Two wagons of French school children com- pleted the division. At the conclusion of the parade, M. Henri Boland, an eloquent French orator, addressed the French societies in St. Jean Baptiste rooms in the basement of the French Catholic Church. He spoke particu- larly of the history of the French in this country and 262 their influence in colonizing it. Afterward refresh- ments were served to visiting societies. THE COLORED SOCIETIES. The colored citizens had a delegation in this divi- sion. They were members of the Burdette-Coutts Society, and rode in carriages. An elegant banner, presented by the ladies, was displayed. The Third Division. THE IRISH societies. At precisely nine o'clock, the hour appointed for the parade to take place, the chimes and bell of St. Ann's Church rang out an inspiriting welcome, which caused the Irish heart to dance with delight and give zest to the reception of this brigade on their line of march. Marshal Slattery commanded his division with the abandon of a veteran. His aides wore green badges and sashes, with Major M. F. McGowan as chief, in full uniform. The aides were : Frank J. Goewey, John J. Cassidy, Charles E. Hurley, Edward J. Flood, Timothy Mohide, P. B. Muldowney, Thos. J. Dolan, Harvey T. V. Harrington, James H. Dulin, James J. Burns, Timothy O'SuUivan, Daniel Scully, William J. Hill, James McGrath, Francis Sullivan, B. McGuire, Patrick Maher, Timothy Dineen, P. J. Crotty, James Cuthbert, T. J. Daly, Francis J. Bigley, John Cleary, Andrew Daly. The Tenth regiment band followed the aides lead- ing the Hibernian Rifles in green coats and cockades. They numbered thirty-six, and had eight line and staff 263 officers. They escorted two carriages, containing General Charles Tracey, chairman of the day ; the Rev. T. M. A. Burke, chaplain ; District Attorney Hugh Reilly, orator; the Hon. Thomas J. Lanahan, reader; M. J. Louden, poet; Judge John W. Walsh, Mr. David Healey, of the Irish World, and T. S. O'Brien. Then came St. Joseph's Sodality, two hundred strong, Marshal Fitzpatrick commanding, and St. John's Sodality, fifty-one strong. THE ERIN FLOAT. The float bearing the thirty-two young ladies, representing the counties of Ireland, was a magnifi- cent affair and the admiration of every Irish person. The body of the float was a representation of the Hill of Tara, the headquarters of the first four sovereigns of Ireland. About this hill the young ladies were seated. On the apex of the float was a large raised chair in which was seated the Maid of Erin, Miss Lulu Kelly, who rode in this exalted position in regal manner. The float also bore a representation of the Martello tower, at the base of which a wolf-dog is resting, and the Celtic cross. The float was drawn by six horses, which were led by footmen. Four soldiers, dressed in Irish regimentals, were guards to the floats and represented the four provinces of Ire- land. The thirty-two counties were represented by these young ladies : Katie Nugent, Delia Nugent, Katie Heffernan, Mamie Slattery, Nellie Slattery, Margaret Brannigan, Mary A. Murphy, Ellen Ahearn, Mary A. Mullen, Gussie Phillips, Kate Ward, Annie Tierney, Mamie Leister, Belle Mcintosh, Miss Cran- 264 ney, Annie Obrien, Delia Reilly, Katie Kielty, Miss Dolan, Johanna Nolan, Maggie M. Murphy, Miss Rice, Miss Sheedy, Alice Bowling, Aggie Rowe, Maude DuHn, Annie Finn, Maggie O'Connell, Kate Feeley, Mary Feeley, Annie J. Rourke, Kate Hart. They were attired in white with green sashes bearing the names of the counties printed in pale green letters. The St. Joseph's Cadets, Capt. B. H. McDonald, with twenty-five men, followed the float, escorting Branch No. 4 Ancient Order of Hibernians, one hundred strong ; Branch No. 5 Ancient Order of Hibernians, of Green Island ; Branch No. 6 Ancient Order of Hibernians, one hundred strong ; United Irish of America, one hundred and twenty strong; and Council No. 38, Catholic Benevolent League, seventy-five strong. Another float then came into view with life-size figures of Gladstone, in a sitting position, and Charles Stuart Parnell standing, and Robert Emmet, with hands bound. The eff"ect was striking. This float was drawn by four horses. The Fourth Division. THE GRANT CLUB. The fourth division was in command of Marshal Wetzel, accompanied by his staff". The Germania band, of Pittsfield, Mass., twenty strong, furnished music for this division, and acquitted itself in a most creditable manner. Next in order came the Grant Club, bearing a banner with a portrait of the soldier 265 hero. The club was in command of J. VV. Bentley, with a mounted staff of fifteen men in black cloth coats, white pantaloons and helmets and red sashes. Next came the citizens' division of the club, in com- mand of Michael Howard, followed by the first uni- formed company, attired in white uniforms and white helmets. The gun squad of the club came next in order, similarly attired in blue, drawing the mounted brass cannon, Thurlow Weed, and under command of George Addington. The entire club made a most creditable appearance and were warmly welcomed at different points of the route of march. The second feature of this division attracted general attention, and was a carriage containing four gorgeously costumed gentlemen dressed in represen- tation of the Earl of Leicester, the Prince of Orange, Emperor William and King Leopold, the two former occupying the front seat and the latter two the back seat of the vehicle. The following gentlemen per- sonated the characters in the order named above : Charles A. Smith, D. W. Fowler, C. H. Danielle and C. W. Rosekrans. Following the carriage came the float of Fearey & Sons, drawn by two horses, and containing a mam- moth shoe reposing on its side, with the toe to the front and the opening at the top of the shoe facing the left. At the rear of this gigantic pedal covering was constructed a small hut of ancient and timeworn appearance. In the opening at the top of the shoe sat the fabled old woman " who had so many children she didn't know what to do," and surrounding her and at every available place on the float was a diver- 266 sified collection of small boys that would doubtless have gladdened the heart of the original " old woman " had she been here to see. The body of the float was draped in red and flags were disposed at the top of the shoe and on the front of the float platform. The whole idea was carried out in admirable style and was unusually effective. Next in order came the float of Fish Bros., drawn by two horses decorated. This float illustrated the process of cigar making, and displayed five men at work shaping the aromatic weed into smoking form. The tables were draped with the national colors and the awning over the top was composed of decora- tions. One side of the float bore the inscription : " None But Union-Made Cigars Sold," and the other side had a representation of a tree stump with a box of cigars reposing on the top, in illustration of the '' Stump " cigars manufactured by the firm. The very handsomely painted wagon of David S. Brown & Co., of New York, manufacturers of " Satin Gloss Soap," came next, drawn by three superb horses with trappings of brown leather and gilt. Samples of the firm's manufacture were distributed on the line of march. The pony team and wagon of Jacobs & Proctor followed, and a wagon bearing the inscription of the Continental Fire Insurance Company completed the division. The Fifth Division. THE GERMAN ORGANIZATIONS AND SINGING SOCIETIES. At the hour appointed for the organization to parade hardly any men who were to take part were 267 to be seen about the lower part of South Pearl street. The entire parade of the All Nations' Day was good, but the fifth and last division was probably the best of it. In this division were all the German societies and many of the most unique floats. It was headed by Division Commander George W. Dorn and his assistants. The Albany city band headed the divi- sion. The excellence of the music given by them is well known to every Albanian. All the organizations turned out well and presented a fine appearance. The Washington Rifles followed the band, fifty strong. They marched in good order and attracted much commendation. The German musical societies made a fine appearance and came out well appointed and uniformed, and were highly praised by every one. The float of the Apollo society was one of the most attractive in line. It was a representation of a scene in a primeval wood, with the trees, grasses and shrub- bery finely represented, all the leaves waving and swaying in the breeze, combining to make it a most realistic scene. In the rear of the float was erected a throne, surrounded by garlands, leaves and other natural properties, and on this was seated the god, Mr. John H. Pfefler. On his head was a crown; he was arrayed in pink tights and had the appearance, one would imagine, the god of old presented. In front of him were two censors, with burning incense on them. The float was designed by Mr. Charles M. Lang. The Csecelia float was a handsomely decorated wagon, with vines, garlands and roses running around the entire body. Enclosed were the members, all 268 dressed similarly, and bowing and smiling to their friends in the crowds as they passed. The Harmonia float was a wagon, enclosing the members; it was handsomely decorated with flags, pennants and flowers. The Eintracht float was similar to the above two, equally handsome and presenting the same attractive appearance. They carried a banner — a new one made for the occasion — which cost them $450. On the rear of their float was an oil painting representing the Goddess of Music riding in her chariot. The Mozart club, with their float, attracted much attention by their fine appearance and orderly way of marching. On a throne erected on the float was a member attired as Mozart, who, in his pose, attracted much comment. The Liederkranz society came out well with a strong force and a handsome float. This was handsomely decorated and adorned with flags and pennants. The banner they carried on the occasion was a new one, very pretty in design and make, which cost $500. They came out with a strong force of members, and every one admired them. GERMANY'S ILLUSTRIOUS SONS. Another remarkable and appropriate float was that of the Constatter Volksfest Verein. This was a float decorated with garlands, wreaths and flowers, and with representations in the costume of their day of six of the most illustrious sons of Germany. They were Wagner, Guttenberg, Schiller, Goethe and Kep- pler. Harugari Saengerbund came out with about five 269 hundred men. There were also two floats, very pretty. They marched in good order and every one thought them liandsome. The Bayrische Volksfest Verein float was pretty, attracting much praise and atten- tion. The organizations, Barbarossa lodge, K. of P., and other societies marched well, and all appeared to good advantage. The floats of the business houses, notably lager and ale breweries and coal dealers and masons, were all handsome and in good keeping with the rest of the parade. The former were repre- sented by huge casks and gods of drink. Menges, the builder, had a miniature house in line with carpen- ters at work. The patriotic floats representing the Goddess of Liberty and All Nations were good and highly complimented by every one. The charitable organizations of Our Lady Help of Christians, Our Lady Help of Angels, and from the Church of the Holy Cross were well represented, and all commended them. The bands, the Albany City and Excelsior, dis- coursed fine selections while marching through the streets, and nothing in the line added more to the success and joyousness of the fifth than this same good music. While marching, the Apollos at fre- quent intervals broke line and marched in the form of the letter A. This added considerable to the attrac- tiveness of the division. THE ITALIAN DIVISION. The Italians were to have been in the second division. But their fine big ship, the " St. Maria," representing that ship of historic fame from which 270 Columbus first saw the new world, was too tall to go easily under the electric wires and some delay was caused. Therefore, the Italians formed a division of their own and came in last. Even then it was neces- sary to haul down the sails at almost every crossing, and to use a long hooked pole to raise the wires that the mast might come under. The ship was a beauty. She was twenty-two feet over all and thirty feet length of yard-arm, while it is the same distance to the top of the spars. The hull was painted black, and in golden letters were the word " St. Maria." It took 3,400 feet of rope to rig the ship. The float was constructed by John Penzo, under the direction of Attilio Pasquini. A second float shown by the Ital- ians, and of almost equal beauty, represented an island of rock rising from the ocean. Beneath natu- ral trees reclined Indians, in costume, and the island stood for America discovered by Columbus in the ship " St. Maria." Between the floats came carriages with Italian citizens in large numbers. Attilio Pasquini was marshal. All the members wore the Italian colors and handsome badges, with the words: " Columbus Club, Albany's 200th anniversary." REVIEWED FROM THE STATE CAPITOL, BY GOVERNOR HILL AND SEVERAL STATE OFFICERS. Governor Hill, Lieutenant-Governor Jones, State Treasurer Fitzgerald, Secretary of State Cook and Miss Cook were the occupants of the veranda facing the office of the Secretary of State, as the parade passed the capitol. Governor Hill on many occasions, complimented the excellent marching of the several military and civic societies, and expressed consider- 271 able surprise at the large representation of men in line. He considered the Irish float, representing the thirty-two counties of Ireland, as a very handsome design, and its uniqueness and purpose reflected great credit upon those who originated the idea. The various handsome German floats were com- mented upon by him in strong terms of approval, and at the conclusion of the parade he summed up his opinion by saying the parade throughout was a pleasing one, the men marched well, the representa- tions of all nations were carried out with accurate faithfulness, and everybody in line evinced a sincere desire to lend every individual eff"ort to make the parade a success, which it was. Governor Hill and State officers reviewed the procession from the begin- ning to the end. The Irish Exercises. AN EXCELLENT PROGRAMME CARRIED OUT AT THE RINK — HON. HUGH REILLY'S ORATION. The rink would hardly hold the audience at these exercises, many of the people having waited an hour before the Irish division got back from parading and the programme was opened. Seated on the stage were Gen. Charles Tracey, presiding ; Rev. Father Burke, Hon. Hugh Reilly, Justices J. W. Walsh and Andrew Hamilton, David Healy, Dr. John Thompson, M. J. Louden, T. S. O'Brien and Henry Martin. A PLEASANT OCCASION. The rink presented a splendid appearance with its ceiling of variegated Chinese lanterns. Above the 272 stage was draped a large Irish flag, distinguishing the nationality. The Hibernian Rifle corps, who distin- guished themselves for excellent soldiery bearing during the parade, occupied seats in front, as did also St. Joseph's cadets. The Tenth Regiment band furnished music. At the opening of the exercises Rev. Father Burke, of St. Joseph's, invoked the divine blessing. Then a quartette, consisting of Messrs. William Toole, James Mahan, Stephen Moran and John J. Phelan, rendered a selection with excel- lent effect. After a very enjoyable reading by Miss Bertie Brice and the old tune, " Shamus O'Brien," had been excellently rendered by Mr. Edward Hanlon, Gen.Tracey introduced Hon. Hugh Reilly, the orator of the day. Mr. Reilly, in his effort, fully sustained his reputation as a public speaker. His manner was very impressive and he was thoroughly familiar with his subject. It is to be regretted that the address as delivered was not committed to writing, but the sub- stance is preserved in the following report compiled from his notes. Mr. Reilly spoke somewhat as follows : ADDRESS OF HONORABLE HUGH REILLY, Ladies and Gentlemen : On such an occasion as this, which has for its object the commemoration of the Two Hundredth Birthday of a great, free city, the Irish people would naturally participate. Their inherent love of liberty, their hatred of anything akin to despotism or tyranny, would cause them instinctively to cordially join in such festivities. But aside from this general reason why our race should be an active factor in to-day's celebration, there are many and special motives which impel them as a distinct race to give expression to their joy at the successful termination of the second century of the city's municipal existence. To outline and hurriedly sketch these particular reasons will be the subject of my brief address to-day, and after the 273 hasty examination which I have made of the connection of the Irish people with the rise, progress and history of this ancient town, I experienced a feehng of sincere regret that the task had not fallen to an abler representative, and that ample time had not been given for preparation. The connection of the Irish people with the history of this citv dates from its very inception. That charter which created it, which gave it special privileges and liberties, and the constitution and characteristics of a city was given and granted and signed by an Irishman. Thomas Dongan, whose signature is appended to that venerable parchment, was then the Governor of this province, and the representa- tive of the king and government which then controlled its destinies. So at the beginning of our municipal career we find an Irishman in command. The Governor of a colony remote from the home government and separated from it by the trackless ocean. I must confess that I had my misgivings when I under- took the execution of my task, as to the nature and character of the man, who two centuries ago wielded the power of the crown in this rude province. History had taught me that in the main such colonial and provincial rulers were far from praisworthy personages. The annals of all time had demonstrated that men clothed with such unlimited powers and arbitrary dominion became the most oppressive of t3Tants, the most rapacious of men, and I feared to find that in this instance history had repeated itself. It was hard to believe that a soldier, practically an exile, intrusted with the entire control of a semi-barbarous colony, beyond the vision of the home government and thousands of miles away from its control, would be found to be other than a tyrant. Yet what a glad surprise to discover that the Governor was an exception to the rule, and that to-day I could truthfully depict him in terms of almost unmeasured praise. Whether that ])raise is well bestowed I leave to you to judge from the historical facts which I will now present — facts which are indisputably verified in all the records and chronicles of his time. Thomas Dongan was the younger son of an Irish baronet, and was born in 1634. He was the son of Sir John Don- gan, a representative of a very ancient Roman Catholic family. He was also a nephew of the famous Duke of Tyr- 274 connel, lord-lieutenant of Ireland. There were nine sons and three daughters in the family, which was one of strong influence and devoted adherents of the house of Stuart, Charles II. being then the occupant of the English throne. When Governor Dongan was a mere boy, the English king, Charles I., met his death upon the scatTold, and the govern- ment passed into the control of Oliver Cromwell, who, when he had finished the subjugation of his English subjects, turned his attention across the water to Ireland, and made that fair land feel the effects of his bloody invasion. It may well be imagined that his native land did not afford to young Dongan an inviting abiding place. Partisans of the house of Stuart, and more especially Catholic ones, were not much in favor with Cromwell and his followers. At such a time young Dongan came to maturity, and like so many of his race was obliged to seek an asylum in exile. He became a soldier in the famous Irish brigade, and remained in the French service long after the restoration, when Charles the Second regained the English throne. The king not long after bestowed upon his brother, the Duke of York, this province, whence its name is derived, although it was at the time in the possession of the Dutch, a circumstance not regarded of much weight by English kings at any time. While Dongan was still serving as colonel of an Irish regi- ment in the service of the French king in 1677, King Charles issued a peremptory order requiring all English sub- jects to quit France in forty-eight hours. Colonel Dongan, ever loyal, yielded prompt obedience to the royal mandate, and left France with large arrears of pay due him and re- turned to England. In 1682 the Duke of York appointed him Governor of the province of New York, which at that time included a vast territory, embracing part of Maine and extending from the west side of the Connecticut river to Delaware bay. On August 25, 1683, he arrived in the city of New York and assumed the government of the province. It is from this point that the history of Dongan becomes most interesting. It will be necessary to take a brief retrospect of the history of the province prior to Dongan's arrival. In 1664 the province was in the possession of the Dutch, when an Eng- lish fleet bombarded the city of New Amsterdam, as they called it, and the Dutch capitulated, and Gov. Lovelace became Governor. 275 Gov. Lovelace immediately dispatched some soldiers under command of Capt. John ISIanning, to reduce Albany to subjection to the new order of things. Manning fulfilled his mission, and Fort Orange became Fort Albany, and the Dutch garrison gave way to English soldiers. Things re- mained in this shape until 1673, when Capt. Manning, then being commander-in-chief in New York, and Deputy Gov- ernor of the province, the Dutch retook possession. It is interesting here to note that Irishmen were already residents of the province, although I am free to confess that I base the assertion simply upon the names which appear in the records of these times, and the fact that the Duke of York had a great liking for the Irish. Among the soldiers in the fort when the Dutch retook it were Captain John Manning, Sergeants Patrick Dowdall and John Fitzgerald, and Lewis Collins and Thomas Quinn. There were only fifty soldiers in all. That there were Irishmen in the province prior to that time cannot be proved from the absence of Irish names in the records, for the Dutch so modified the orthography that no linguist could trace them. As for instance, in the ancient records of this county will be found that in the year 1657 a conveyance was made to "Jan Andriesse (the Irish- man at Katskill)." Certainly without the addition, nobody would ever suspect his nationality. This great province was then governed with an iron hand ; the powers lodged in the Governor were absolute. He exercised all the functions of government. There was no representation of the people either in legislating or in matters of taxation. Yet one of Dongan's first acts was the calling of a general assembly, elected by the people, which assembled in October, 1683, one of whose first laws was the charter of liberties and priv- ileges, which provided for the election of members of assembly every three years. It also declared liberty of conscience and freedom of worship, and it further established the great principle for the maintenance of which the war of the Revolution was fought, that there should be no taxes im- posed except by act of the Governor and assembly. In 1687, the declaration of indulgence was promulgated, which authorized public worship by any sect and repealed all religious qualifications for office. The duties of Governor Dongan were very severe. At the north he had to protect Albany and the adjacent county from the attacks of the French and hostile Indians. 0)i the 276 Connecticut border he had to repel the encroachment of the New England colonists. On the Pennsylvania border Penn sought to extend his dominions. In his war with the French he was compelled, in order to raise funds, to sell his plate and furniture, and mortgage his lands, at a cost to himself of nearly his entire fortune, $50,000, which an ungrateful government never repaid him. On the 2 2d of July, 1 686, Governor Dongan delivered to the first mayor the charter of the city of Albany, which still exists in the municipal records. A charter which, with few changes, remained in force until the year 1870, and is a model in its way. Of Dongan's character the records of those troublous times speak only in praise. Smith, the colonial historian says : " He was a man of integrity, moderation and genteel manners." Hinckley, of Plymouth, a zealous Puritan, said : " He was of a noble, praiseworthy mind and spirit, taking care that all the people in each town did their duty in maintaining the minister of the place though himself of a difterent opinion of their way," and Dominie Selyns wrote to the classis at Amsterdam, that Governor Dongan was " a man of knowledge, politeness and friendliness." In 1688 Governor Dongan's public life ceased and Gov- ernor Andres succeeded him. He was ofiered a regiment and the rank of major-general by King James, but he re- fused, and retired to his country seat on Long Island. The Enghsh revolution swept King James from his throne, and William and Mary were proclaimed. When the news of the change reached New York, Jacob Leisler, a fanatic and bigot, seized the fort and pretended that the partisans of King James had formed a plot to seize the province. Loud cries of a papist plot were raised. Governor Andres was arrested at Boston. Dongan, charged as a papist, was hunted about from place to place, and writs issued for liis apprehension. After lying in the bay for a fortnight waiting to sail for England, stress of weather compelled his return. He escaped to Rhode Island and reached England in 1691. A new Governor was appointed and Leisler met a deserved fate on the scaffold. Dongan found his brother, the Earl of Limerick, an exile, and the family estates confiscated. His brother died in 1698 and Thomas Dongan became Earl of Limerick. He spent the remainder of his days in a vain 277 endeavor to collect his claim from the government, ^i 7,000. An act of parliament was passed in 1702 recognizing his claim to the family estates, but he could only redeem them on payment of incumbrances placed on them by the Dutch general to whom they were given. In 1704 he petitioned Queen Anne for a third of his debt, offering to release the rest, and stating that it would be better for him to live in Turkey than in England. But it did not seem to avail him, for in 1714 he states that, after paying his brother's debts and his own, he had litde left for his support. In Decem- ber, 1715, the last Earl of Limerick of his race died peace- fully in London. On his tombstone, at St. Pancras, is this simple inscription : "The Right Hon. Thos. Dongan, Earl of Limerick, died Dec. 14, 17 "5, aged 81 years. Requiscat in pace, amen." Hon. James \V. Gerard, to whose essay on the New York charter granted by Dongan about the same time as our charter, I am much indebted for the materials of this address, in concluding a notice of Dongan says: " He was a man of experience in war and politics, and filled the public duties of his difficult post with activity and wisdom. He was considerate and moderate in his government — ^just and tolerant — and his personal character was that of an upright and courteous gentleman." I have devoted considerable time to the consideration of his deeds, but he was a noble Irishman and well deserves it, and the Irish people owe a debt of everlasting gratitude to his memory. The recent foundation of the " Dongan Club," by representative young Irishmen of the city, is a fitting, and I trust a lasting monument to his worth. From the time of Dongan to the Revolution the records do not furnish us many data in reference to the Irish in this city. We find that Dongan himself strongly urged upon his king to send Irish colonists " who could live happily here." This appeal is published in the " Documentary History of New York." Whether they were sent or not is not neces- sary to determine, although as early as 1720 we find among the few city freeholders here such names of Daniel Kelly, William and John Hogan and John Collins, which bear a strong impress of Irish origin. In 1729 we learn that a number of Irish families from county Longford, who had landed at Cape Cod, moved westward to the banks of the Hudson river. Among these was Charles Clinton, whose family gave two governors to the State, George and De Witt 278 Clinton. In 1755 Philip Mullen was firemaster of the city, and in 1755 Philip Ryley was the person in charge of the town clock. In 1770 we find Pat Clark, Pat McGrigor, Owen Lynch, James Marr, Pat Cooney, John Brien, Luke Cassidy, John O'Brien, Pat Gahigan, Ryan, McCue, Moore, Daley and Dempsey among the inhabitants. In the era of the Revolution, while history gives but little light upon the deeds of Irishmen in this locality, save of the heroic Montgomery and Clintons, the action of the race, both at home and abroad, show that their sympathies were with the colonies. At home Burke, Barre and Sheridan eloquently defended the patriotic cause, and the Irish com- mons refused a vote of money to be used against them. Of the fifty six names attached to the Declaration of Independ- ence, nine are of Irish origin. Four Irish commodores, including the illustrious Barry and Charles Stewart, " Old Ironsides," the ancestor of the renowned Parnell, shed lustre on the Irish name. In the army, General Sullivan and Mad Anthony Wayne, both of Irish descent, fought nobly wath their patriotic brethren against the British foe. So it can be fairly assumed that Albany's Irishmen in those stuTing times did their duty. From the time that America shook off the English hold, the records of Irishmen in this city are more numerous and frequent. In 1788 we find Robert and John Barber, Long- ford county Irishmen, settled here as State printers and engaged in publishing the Albany Register. This was more than a century after the granting of the charter, and yet we find that the city had grown very slowly. This was due mainly to the fact that many of the early settlers considered it but a temporary abiding place for purposes of commerce only, and many of the Dutch, after accumulating wealth, returned either to Holland or to New York, where greater conveniences of life could be obtained. The population was in 1790 less than 3,500. But a new order of things ensued and emigrants rapidly arrived who came to stay. In 1796, the Irish had become so numerous that they commenced the erection of the original St. Mary's church, and Thomas Barry, Daniel McEwen, Terence O'Donnell, Jeremiah Driskill, Michael Begley, William Donovan and Philip Farley were the trustees. At this time the population was about 4,000, exclusive of slaves, and was composed of people of all nations, and more tongues were spoken here 279 than in any other part of the country. Ten years later the increase was so great that a special act of the legislature was passed incorporating the St. Patrick's society of the city of Albany, the objects being " to afford relief to indigent and distressed emigrants from the kingdom of Ireland." This act became a law February 6, 1807. So that at this early day we find the Irish already in occu- pancy of their own church and organized into a society for their own protection. The officers, in 1813, were Thomas Hannan, president; Hugh Flynn, vice-president; CorneUus Dunn, treasurer; John Reddy, secretary. In 1813 the first directory of this city was published and is still extant, and a hasty perusal of the few names in it shows that the Emerald Isle was well represented. There were Barrys, Byers and Buckley, Burkes and Cassidys, Clarks, Coles, Connellsand Connellys, Courtneys, Delaneys, Doyles, Dufifys, Dunns, Flynns, Furlongs, Gillespies, Graces, Hogans, Haggertys, Harts, Kanes, Kennedys, Loudens, Lynchs, McCabes, McCarthys, McCoUums, McGills, Maguffins, Mathers, Mannings, Moores, Murphys, Murrays, Nugents, Rileys, Tierneys and Walshs, and yet at this time the population was but little over 10,000. In the year previous, England had resorted to the extreme of boarding our vessels on the high seas and impressing such persons found thqreon whom they deemed to be F^nglish subjects ; in the war which resulted, the Irish of Albany were not unrepresented. James Maher organized an Albany regiment known as the " Irish Greens," which, under his captaincy, did valiant service in the battle against their hereditary enemy at Lundy's Lane and at Sackett's Harbor, and when the English were everywhere repulsed, returned to the city, and were received with the utmost enthusiasm. Captain Maher was also for a considerable period the libra- rian of the State Library. In 1823, when a public ceremony was had in celebration of the completion of the Erie canal, a work undertaken by Governor DeWitt Clinton, a descendant of Charles Clinton, a Longford county Irishman, the St. Patrick's society of this city paraded. John Cassidy was a member of the common council committee which had the matter in charge. The society was under the command, as the records of that early day say, of that veteran river navigator, Captain Peter Donnelly. 280 In 1825 we find Cassidy, Costigan and Maher in the list of aldermanic candidates. In 1829 the litde church was outgrown and a new one erected on the same site and the corner stone laid by John Cassidy. The trustees were Thomas Gough, a well-known banker, James Maher, the valiant captain of the " Irish Greens," John Reynolds, William Howe, Patrick McQuade, Timothy Hayes. In 1833 an act was passed incorporating the Hibernian Provident society, one of whose objects was " to bring be- fore the American people the republican features of the Irish character." The incorporators were James HaUiday, James Maher, William Osborne, Peter C. Doyle, Thomas Gough, William O'Donnel, Michael Cagger and others. This society became a prominent institution of the city, and in its long and honorable career did much to advance the patriotic and charitable purposes of its incorporation. From this time onward the annals of the city are replete with the records of distinguished Irishmen and their de- scendants. Here ministered Father McCloskey, first bishop of the city and first cardinal of the church in America. Dr. Edmund B. O'Callaghan here wrote his History of the New Netherlands and the Documentary History of New York. Peter Cagger, the brilliant lawyer, the astute politician, the Warwick of his time. William Cassidy, the brilliant jour- nalist and accomplished scholar. John Tracey, the philan- thropic and public spirited citizen. John McKnight, John Manning, Dennis B. Gaffney, John J. Marrin, George Hill, David Orr, James Quinn and his son, Terence J. Quinn, ah kindliness and charity. But their names are legion, and it would be invidious to make any selections. Sufiice it to say that in all the walks of life, professional or commercial, the Irish race, for the past half century, has played a promi- nent and creditable part, as it has in the official prepara- tions for the week, wherein we are chiefly represented by the Hon. Michael N. Nolan, Albany's first Irish-born Mayor. And when a quarter of a century ago the dark clouds of civil war swept over the land, no race of men in this nation rallied so quickly and so numerously to secure the safety of the Republic as the Irish. The Irishmen of Albany were no exception. The heroes of that race were legion. The thrilling scenes, the fearful havoc, the valiant deeds of that conflict are fresh in the minds of our people. 281 Among the first to respond to President Lincoln's call for volunteers was the Twenty-fifth regiment of this city, under the command of that heroic Irishman, Col. Michael K. Bryan. The enthusiasm which greeted these noble fellows as the colors of the regiment were handed to the colonel by Mrs. Thacher, the respected wife of the then mayor and father of the gendeman who now fills that honorable office, cannot now be described. And when the news was borne to this city that the fearless soldier had been killed at Port Hudson, on June 14, 1863, the city was wrapped in sorrow. Col. Bryan's memory should ever be kept green in the hearts of his grateful countrymen. But the list of those brave fellows who fought and bled and died that their country might live, is a long and a sad one, and time will not allow more than a brief mention of their sad fate. Col. James P. McMahon, a Wexford boy, fell at Cold Harbor in 1864 with the colors in his hands. Col. Michael B. Stafford, Major Miles McDonald, Capt. Edward B. Carroll, Capt. John McGuire. Capt. John Sullivan, Lieut. Dempsey, Lieut. 'WiUiam Emmet Orr, Lieut. Patrick Maher, Capt. William Murray, Hugh Hammill, were among those brave soldiers who on the battlefield went down, and whose courage in that memorable conflict shed lustre on the Irish name. Let us in this moment of rejoicing not forget the sad fate of these heroes, at the same time remembering that " Whether on the scaffokl high, Or in the liattle's van. The fittest place where man can die Is where he dies for man." The growth of the Irish race in this city is remarkable. The best authority puts the Irish population, including those of immediate Irish descent, at not less than one third of the entire population of 100,000, while some put it at one-half. The last State census of 1875 shows the number of inhabit- ants actually born in Ireland to be 14,184 out of a total of 86,541, or nearly one-sixth. The last United States census of 1880 ascertains the number of our inhabitants actually born in Ireland to be 12,575 '^^^ ^^ "^ total of 90,578, or nearly one-seventh. A careful examination of the assess- ment rolls of the city show that out of the 18,134 pieces of property assessed (which does not include corporations) that 282 5,927 are assessed to persons of distinctive Irish names. And this property has not been acquired for a song or a string of beads from the Indians, but has been purchased by honest beads of perspiration and hteral " sweat of the brow " of the possessors. From these figures it can readily be seen that the Irish and their children will be called upon to take a prominent part in the future of this city, as they have in the past. Even if the tide of emigration from the Emerald Isle should entirely cease the number of the race now here, and their descendants " to the manner born," will necessarily make them a potent factor in municipal affairs. How will that influence be exercised ? The future alone will answer, but in this time of crying need for a belter ad- ministration of the government of cities, I have confidence in the good sense of the Irish race to endeavor to secure needed reforms. If they must take part in the municipal aftairs, why should they not lead in the direction of economy and pure government ? Why should they not emulate the example of their fellow countryman, the illustrious Dongan, and follow in the paths he has made ? We could pay no greater tribute to his memory and worth than by endeavoring manfully to secure a wise, economical and honest adminis- tration of public affairs. Such a course would commend us to our fellow-citizens, and increase the respect and esteem in which they already hold us. The Irish race can have no sympathy or aftiliation with socialism or communism. \Vhile they will struggle manfully in a lawful manner for the rights of the masses, yet when, if ever, the red tide of anarchy assails us, they will be found on the side of law and order, of protection to property and the family relations. In this, as in other duties of citizen- ship, I have implicit faith in the people whose hearts are filled with too much gratitude to the land of their adoption, which received them with open arms in their distress, to per- mit them to destroy or aid in destroying the institutions and laws they have sworn to obey. A duet, Venetian boat song, was then rendered by the Messrs. Phenie and Effie Gannon, and Mr. T. J. Lanahan gave a very excellent recitation, followed by a medley double quartette by Messrs. E. F. Yorke, J. McCormack, C. Colarn, E. Hanlon, J. O'Neill, J. 283 Gallagher, H. Brown, J. Frcnidan. Then Mr. M. J. Louden rendered an excellent poem, written for the occasion. At the conclusion of the exercises at the rink all of the members of the Irish societies marched to Wash- ington park, headed by the Tenth Regiment band, for the purpose of planting their memorial tree. The crowd was so great and pressing that it was necessary for the Hibernian Rifle corps to form a line about the tree. The Rev. Father Burke officiated and assisted in filling the excavation. He made some fitting re- marks, as did also several representative Irish citizens who were present. The tree is set on the east side of the German tree, and in a line with that and the one planted by the colored citizens. German Exercises. PLANTING MEMORIAL TREES. At the conclusion of the parade, the German socie- ties — The Cecelia, Liederkranz, Mozart, Liederkranz O. S. D. P., Eintracht and Harmonia — headed by the Albany City band, proceeded to Washington park to plant the memorial oak. A large crowd had already gathered. In the centre of the croquet lawn a large platform had been erected, which was beautifully decorated, being festooned with the United States colors and bearing the flags of all nations. This stand was occupied by the several societies. Several selections were played by the band. " Das ist der Tag des Herrn " was then sung by the united socie- ties. On its arrival, the Germans headed by Presi- 284 dent Bissikummer, proceeded to the location, where the tree was placed in the excavation made for it by the president, who made some appropriate remarks. The location of the tree is directly north of the plot set aside for the King fountain. After the earth had been thrown about the roots of the tree the soci- eties returned to the grand stand, where the remainder of the exercises were carried out, " Das Deutsche Lied " being sung by a chorus of united singers. AN ELOQUENT ADDRESS was then delivered in German by Emmanuel Labi- shiner. He said that from time immemorial it had been a custom of the Germans to appropriately ob- serve extraordinary historical events by the planting of an oak. The custom was probably brought by the German forefathers from their early home, and it has been retained until the present day. He then spoke in a feeling manner of the commemoration of the two hundredth anniversary of Albany. He op- portunely compared the growth of Albany to the slow and sturdy growth of the oak, which, after a century, is the emblem of strength. In conclusion, he said that the Germans, who were thorough Alba- nians, took a great interest in the growth and pros- perity of the city. The gentleman's remarks were well received. " Schlachtenchor " was then sung by the chorus and a selection rendered by the band. The exercises concluded by singing "America." The societies were then photographed by a well known artist. 285 Exercises by Colored Societies. AN ELM TREE PLANTED WITH IMPOSING CEREMONIES. After the Germans had concluded their exer- cises, the colored citizens proceeded in a body to where their elm tree was to be planted. It is on the same plot, a few rods from the German oak. Reach- ing the place the tree was placed in position, and a short but fervent prayer offered by the Rev. Mr. Der- rick. He thanked God that, as representative of a once down-trodden and despised race, which had been lifted up, they had the privilege enjoyed on that occasion. At the conclusion of the prayer, " Coro- nation " was sung, after which Mr. T. H. S. Pennington, president of the colored society, but residing at Sara- toga Springs, spoke as follows : To THE Mayor, Common Council and others of THE Bi-CeNTENNIAL COMMITTEE : What a wonder ! What a crime ! What a shame ! Two hundred years ago the Dutch settled here to commence life in an independent way. After being here a short time by trading with the Indians, who were then the aborigines of the country, they became rich, and like all others, thought they must have servants, and not being able to make such out of the American Indians, they sought other fields to procure the requisite laborers. After a sliort time Africa was proposed by some inhuman, although Virginia had already commenced the African slave trade. This method of involuntary servitude was carried on in this State until about sixty-eight or sixty-nine years ago, when the Legislature of the State abolished the diabolical system of slavery. This, however, in one sense was true, but taking into consideration the many disadvantages that the descendants of Ham labored under, on account of color, and their former condition, we might almost as well have remained as we were. But the Bi-centennial has brought about a great change. To-day, that once persecuted race, 286 meets here on one broad platform, and independent with all nations, we have met for the purpose of commemorating the settling of Albany, and to perpetuate the celebration of the Bi-centennial. And we, as a part and parcel of this great Republic, in common with others, purpose to plant an elm, with appropriate tablet attached, to show our affiliation with and approval of this movement. Mr. Robert J. Mclntyre then followed with a stir- ring speech in which he accepted the tree from Dr. Thomas E. Elkins, who raised it from a seed. He said : Dr. Elkins : As the chairman of the Colored Citizens' association of this ancient and honorable city, it affords me pleasure to be the Albanian to whom the duty of the receipt of this tree from your hands should fall. You have spent the greater part of your life — now well up in the limit mentioned in Scripture as the time allotted to man — upon this part of the great State of New York known as Albany. When this place was but a wyck, or place of rest, as its name implies, there were among its inhabitants many people, mainly Ger- mans, who, though not the first to settle in this new world, still had foresight enough to sail up the Hudson in search ot a new land flowing with milk and honey. Time will not permit a complete recital of the history of this our native city at this time, still, as you have stated, many years ago the African race which we, in part, represent, were found here serving as servants to the farmers having secured these rich lands from their original owners, the Mohawk tribes of Indians, and were proceeding to till its soil and improve it in every manner till it has reached so near a state of perfec- tion as you find around and within its borders to-day. It is not my purpose to undertake to relate a history of this city or our connection with it ; yet, I desire to say that in answer to those ignorant negroes who were anxious to know of me the color and style of our flag, I point them with pride to the starry flag, whose bright stars and broad stripes float a warning to all who train under or claim any other, and wish to tell them that in Africa, where all of our forefathers came from involuntarily, there was no civilization, no education, no houses and no flag, and that having served and fought and bled and died on America's shores we, too, have a right to 287 feel at home under its flag, which is our flag, and though we appear to-day in Hne as colored people, we are the second best Americans, and I am proud to say, Albanians, I notice that the present of this tree, whilst it marks an era in the history of Albany, is actually presented to the mayor, aldermen and commonalty of Albany. I accept it, therefore, and feel sure that its future welfare will be looked after, and that the people who plant it will exemplify in a strong degree some of its characteristics, foremost of which is its sturdiness. We, like this elm tree, have come here to stay, Our German friends have here erected one to mark their part in the celebration of the two hundredth year of our city's birth. To them I say in closing, that for courtesies extended to us in this Bi-centenary, we return thanks. We know them as a noble, generous, hospitable, loyal people, and I add the hope that this fresh bond of reciprocal union between them and us may soon tie us as firmly together as the ivy does the tree around which it loves to cling. I cannot let this day pass without calhng to your minds a fault in connection with this park. Within this piece of ground many of us have shed many bitter tears upon the graves of loved ones. In my own time I have followed more than a dozen rela- tives to their graves, and here in sight of this place stands the largest tree within this park, an elm at that, and it was planted by my mother when it was but a switch about fifty years ago. Joining with you in the hope that this tree may grow to be so large as to attract attention, I thank you for the patience with which you have listened to my feeble remarks. The exercises closed with singing "America." The tree and assemblage was then photographed by Mr. Ashton. Scottish Games. A GLORIOUS DAY FOR THE CALEDONIANS. The Scottish games at the Fair grounds in the afternoon, under the auspices of the Caledonian club, attracted several thousand people. All trains and horse cars running in that direction were crowded 288 The crowd kept increasing until nearly five o'clock, and it is estimated fully 6,000 men, women and children were scattered about the grounds. All kinds of sport was available. In the main hall Parlati's orchestra furnished most excellent music for dancing. The dance hall was liberally patronized. The princi- pal attraction, however, was the athletic exercises by the representatives of " Bonnie Scotland," who were present in large numbers. The Highland pipers were numerous and attracted much attention. It was nearly three o'clock before the events of the afternoon were started. The contestants were mostly professionals and the records are consequently of the best. The events contested and the winners of the first prizes, which varied from five dollars to fifty dollars, follows : Best Highland costume, gold medal valued at ten dollars, won by W. S. Mitchell, of Albany ; 200 yards race, for members only, Thomas Kirkpatrick ; putting heavy stone, S. D. McLean, thirty- seven feet ten inches ; running hop-step-and-jump, Barrows, forty- one feet; hop-step-and-jump, extra for members, Hyslop, thirty-seven feet eleven inches ; putting light stone, O. Clark, thirty-six feet seven inches ; running long jump. Barrows, twenty-one feet eleven inches; throwing light hammer, O. Clark, ninety-seven feet two inches ; hitch and kick, Slader, nine feet ten inches ; half mile race, Hyslop, two minutes and fifteen seconds ; mile race, Grant, four minutes and nineteen and a half seconds ; tug-of-war between eight men captained by James Cochrane, and a like number captained by George Cruikshank, was won 289 by Cochrane's men. Following was the team : Wil- liam Blackburn, James Kirkpatrick, Robert Lockhart, James Gow, Silas Brewster, Reginald Kirkpatrick and A. Salmond. Bag-pipe competition, Sinclair Swan- son ; tossing the caber, Johnson, forty-one feet and seven and one-half inches ; best highland fling cos- tume, Malcom McNeil; throwing heavy hammer, Cattarnech, eighty-nine feet ten inches ; hurdle race, Barrows; vaulting with pole, tie between Kirkpatrick and Clark, nine feet and seven inches each ; running high jump, Johnston, five feet seven inches; sword dance, Sinclair; five-mile race, James Grant, Boston, twenty-five minutes and twenty-four and a half seconds. The Aquatic Carnival. FIRST DAY OF THE REGATTA AT PLEASURE ISLAND. The weather and water experienced during the first day of the national regatta of the Amateur associa- tion could hardly have been more suitable if it had been especially ordered for the occasion. The severity of the sun's rays was most pleasantly miti- gated by clouds that threatened rain, but which considerately withheld their burden with the exception of a few scattering drops, which did no harm and provided a little pleasant employment, as the spec- tators sought the friendly and convenient shelter of the pavilion. The rain came late and in so small a quantity that no harm ensued, and the people were soon back in their positions on the stand and along the front of the island, placidly awaiting the next 290 event on the programme. A pleasant and exhilara- ting breeze blew on the island during the greater part of the afternoon, but with hardly sufficient force to even ripple the surface of the course over which the contests of the day were so stubbornly fought. The referee was Mr. Harvey K. Hinchman, of Phila- delphia, and a member of the executive committee, Mr. Parker W. Page, judge at the finish, and Messrs. E. Stanley Foster and R. O. Morse as time-keepers. The referee's boat was the tug Susie, while the guests of the committee occupied the Fuller, and the repre- sentative of the press was the Wotkyns, which had been placed by the committee in charge of Mr. Charles J. Hailes. FIRST HEAT OF JUNIOR SINGLES. The weather was lowering, but the rain that threatened kindly held off. The water was in good condition, wind rather flawy from the west, and tide in the ebb. These men started: i. O. W. Dyer, Crescent B. C, Boston, Mass; 2. M. T. Ouigley, Institute B. C, Newark, N. J; 3. Thomas Hield, Pioneer B. C, Brooklyn, N. Y. ; 4. B. J. Mullins, Albany R. C. The start was at i : 50 P. M. Quigley led from start to finish, Mullins being beaten by only a length. Time, 8:59; Mullins, 9 : 03^. THE FIRST HEAT SENIOR SINGLES was started at 2 : 20, and was a magnificent struggle The following three started, the water being in better condition than in the first heat: i. Peter Snyder, Mutual B. C, Albany, N. Y. ; 2. Edward J. Mulcahy, 291 Mutual B. C. Albany, N. Y. ; 3. John D. Ryan, Bradford B. C, Boston, Mass. Mulcahy got the best of the start, and soon settled down to a long, powerful, pretty sweep. He took the lead from the word go, and was not headed, though he apparently had hard work to stay in front until the heat was finished. As they swept past the grand stand it was almost impossible from the press boat to say who was leading. Mulcahy apparently had a little the better of it. So it proved, the judge at the finish deciding that Mulcahy had won by half a length. The time was: Mulcahy, 8:31^; Ryan, 8:33!; Snyder, 8: 41 $. SECOND HEAT, JUNIOR SINGLES. There were three starters in the heat, as follows : I. Edward Hinton, Union Springs Am. B. C. ; 2. W. J. Gugerty, Cohoes B, C. ; 3. James L. Berry, Boihng Springs B, C, Rutherford, N. J. ; 4. H. How- land, Cornell University Navy, Ithaca. The heat was one of the prettiest imaginable. Berry's time was 8: 58, Howland's, 8: 58^, Hinton's, 9 : 065, Gugerty, 9 : 30. Howland was given the heat and will row in the final. Berry was disqualified. THE SECOND H^AT, SENIOR SINGLES, was to have been between the following: J. J. Dono- hoe. Nautilus R. C., Hamilton, Ont. ; E. J. Carney, Institute B. C, Newark, N. J.; James L. Nolan, EHzabeth B. C, Portsmouth, Va. Nolan, who was also entered for the junior race, remained out. Dona- hoe almost paddled over the course in front of Carney, winning in 8 : 49^, Carney, 8 : 53. 292 THE THIRD HEAT, JUNIOR SINGLES, followed and had four starters, as follows: i. Elmer Van Benthuysen, Amber B. C, Amber, N. Y. ; 2. James L. Nolan, Elizabeth B. C, Portsmouth, Va. ; 3. William J. Gleason, Albany R. C, Albany, N. Y. ; 4. John F. Dailey, Bradford B. C, Cambridgeport, Mass. Dailey got considerably the best of the start, and was not headed during the heat. Nolan pressed Dailey very hard, and the latter won by only a few feet, after one of the closest and most exciting fin- ishes of the day. Van Benthuysen was third and Gleason fourth. The time was: Dailey, 8:47^; Nolan, 8:47!; Van Benthuysen, 8:52. It was the first race in which Dailey ever started. The next event was the third heat of senior singles with these starters: i. D. P. Nowlan, Albany R. C, Albany, N. Y. ; 2. S. Scholes, Amateur R. C, To- ronto, Ont. ; 3. Martin F. Monahan, Albany R. C, Albany, N. Y. It was expected to be a great race, and proved to be such as far as it went, though it was marred near the finish by a very unfortunate foul. When Mona- han and Scholes were both heading for the east shore, and well in toward it, their boats came to- gether and remained locked despite all their strug- gles. Meantime Nowlan, while the two faster men were quarreling, went on and won the heat in 8 :49^. The referee promptly disqualified Scholes, who was clearly out of his water, and under regatta rule 23 decided to allow Monahan to compete in the final heat. 293 THE FOURTH HEAT OF JUNIOR SINGLES was another very close and pretty contest. It had these young men as starters: i. T. F. Hill, Crescent B. C, Boston, Mass. ; 2. M. Shea, Don Amateur R. C, Toronto, Ont. ; 3. F. G. McDougall, New York A. C. ; 4. L. S. De Zouche, Laureate B. C, Troy, N. Y. The race all the way was between McDougall and Shea. The former led off and won the heat handily by several lengths. De Zouche and Hill had a pretty race for third place, Hill resigning in favor of the Trojan opposite the anchored barges. The time was, McDougall, 8:49!; Shea, 9:03; De Zouche, 9:13. The last heat but one of the day was the conclud- ing trial heat of senior singles. These two started : J. F. Corbett. Farragut B. C, Chicago, 111. ; J. J. Ryan, Bayside R. C, Toronto, Ont. Corbett, the Chicago giant, had no difficulty what- ever in showing the Canadian the way over the mile and a half course. Corbett's time was 8:46^; Ryan's 8 :57. FAIRMOUNT WINS THE FOUR. The four-oared race, the last of the day's pro- gramme, had these starters : i. Laureate B. C, Troy, N. Y. : A. W. Harrington, bow ; F. S. Holly, 2 ; W. T. Williamson, Jr., 3 ; E. B. Williamson, stroke. 2. Nautilus R. C, Hamilton, Ont. : William Wark, bow; Charles Furlong, 2 ; Donald Irvine, 3 ; D. Donohue, stroke. 3. Fairmount R. Association, Philadelphia, >94 Pa.; W. H. Brownell, bow; N. Hayes, 2; H. A. Root, 3 ; J. H. Boyer, stroke. 4. Argonaut R. C, Toronto, Ont. : R. McKay, bow ; Oliver Murphy, 2 ; A. G. Thompson, 3 ; J. W. Hogg, stroke. Fairmount led off, rowing a beautiful stroke, the Trojans a close second, and working in excellent form. The Canadians steered badly near the finish, and the Philadelphians won by a couple of lengths in 8:01^, Agronauts 8 : o/f, Laureates 8 : 22. Nautilus not timed. Fraternal Emblems. IMPOSING PARADE BY SECRET ORGANIZATIONS. The spirit of jubilation ran to the highest pitch, when the secret organizations made their march through the city. The additional color of evening illumination had been given to the occasion. The parade was through home avenues, and dem- onstrated that the decorations made by our citizens at their residences were equal in unanimity and excel- lence to the superb displays of our principal business streets. Antique buildings vied with modern in their illumination, and Greek fire shed a halo over land- marks two hundred and nineteen years old, untouched and standing intact with the primitive finish of age that we revert to as sacred. Lanterns blazing with decorative hues threw light across bronzed tablets to live for centuries as the permanent establishment of historical fact. 295 THE FOUR FLOATS. The parade was headed by Grand Marshal H. H. Russ, Jr., and his staff, followed by the Twenty-first regiment band, of Poughkeepsie, twenty-one pieces. After this came Canton Nemo, No. i, I. O. O. F., in command of Maj. Henry Reineck, with forty-five men in uniform. There were also many other mem- bers of the order from different lodges in the ranks in citizens' dress. The floats were four in number, and each one possessed much beauty and artistic merit. They were accompanied by uniformed attend- ants bearing hugh lamps and burning colored fire, making the scene, as a whole, of the greatest brilliancy. The first float represented " Friendship," and was an illustration of the well-known story of David and Jonathan a huge rock rises from the float, and grouped around this are "Jonathan," Mr. J. D. Robertson; " David," Mr. R. H. McDonald, and the latter's armor bearer, represented by William Skinner. The second float represented " Brotherly Love." Upon the sward is stretched the Israelite who " fell among the thieves," and leaning over him and binding up his wounds is the Samaritan. The latter character was taken by Augustus Bowers, and the Israelite by George Wentworth. The third float was entitled " Truth," and represented the interior of a temple. Seated upon a throne was the high priest, Charles H. Gamble, and gathered around in their picturesque and striking costumes were the priests, represented by Henry Goertz, Charles Swart, Fred Mayers and Emil Reinkee. The banner bearers were Herman Ryders, Edward Stroebel Benjamin Nelligar and 296 Lyman B. Harvey. All of these floats were con- tributed by the Odd Fellows of the city, and were constructed by John J. Carlin & Co., scenic artists. The fourth and last float, which did not wheel into line until the corner of Lark and Washington avenue was reached, represented the execution scene from Damon and Pythias, showing the interior of the coun- cil chamber. The king was represented by N. M. Wemple, the executioner by T. J. Markay, Pythias by T. Guardineer, and Damon by E. Guardineer. The two marshals in uniform were James Hotaling and G. H. Guardineer. This float was contributed by the Knights of Pythias, and was constructed by Prof. Blair, of the Leland. The entire parade was, perhaps, the most novel which has yet been seen in this city, and it reflects great credit upon its origina- tors. WEDNESDAY, JULY 21 ST. Civic Day. Morning. — Parade of local and visiting civic organizations. Knights of Pythias, Uniformed Odd Fellows, Albany Fire Department, Exempt Firemen, Visiting Firemen, Singing Societies, Political Clubs, etc. Afternoon. — Second and last day of National regatta. Evening. — Historical pageant, with special refer- ence to Albany. 297 RECEPTION OF THE ENVOYS FROM HOLLAND AND THE UNIVERSITY OF LEYDEN AT THE MAYOR'S OFFICE. Shortly before the great procession of civic day- started, a most interesting ceremony was performed at the mayor's office in the city hall. Dr. T. Blom Coster, deputed to represent officially the govern- ment of Holland and the city of Amsterdam at the Bi-centennial celebration, Chevalier T. Antonius de Jonge and Mr. Hermanns J. Coster, jr., representing the University of Leyden, arrived the previous after- noon by the day boat and were met by a deputation of the citizens' reception committee. After dinner at the Delavan the distinguished visitors were driven through the city to the park, where the concert was in progress, and subsequently to the city hall, from the balcony of which they witnessed with the mayor the procession of secret societies. Subsequently they were informally entertained at the Fort Orange club. In the morning at nine o'clock about twenty mem- bers of the Holland society of New York and fifteen members of the Holland society of Albany, decked with orange and gold badges, assembled at the mayor's office to participate in the formal reception of the city's Dutch guests. They reached the city hall in carriages accompanied by Gen. Robert Lenox Banks, Aid. Hitt and other members of the committee, and were escorted into the mayor's room. Dr. Coster presented a distinguished presence. 298 When the gentlemen in turn had been introduced to the mayor by Gen. Banks, Dr. Coster stepped forward and read the following address : To THE Worshipful Mayor and the Corporation OF Albany: We the burgomaster and wethouders of The Hague tender our hearty greetings on the feast that the city of Albany celebrates in honor of the day on which, two hundred years ago, she by charter gained the privileges of a city. We rejoice at the continually increasing prosperity which your city has experienced since that time and wish it a long and bright future. We greatly appreciate the honor of your patriotic invita- tion to participate in your festivities and most wiUing charge our fellow citizen, Dr. Timon Henricus Blom Coster, to offer personally our congratulations. In your invitation you mention Albany was founded by Dutchmen, and at the eventful time you celebrate most of its inhabitants, many of whom had been born in Holland, still adhered to the language and tradition of the Fatherland. It fills us with deep gratitude that you acknowledge how the character of your ancestors and their principles may have contributed to form the foundation on which succeed- ing generations have built your grand republic, attributing to them the handing down to posterity its greatest blessing — independence and freedom. This conviction finds in us, like you, emulating our common forefathers, hearty and warm sympathy, and draws closer the ties of love and veneration which link us to your noble republic, whose greatness and prosperity is our most cordial wish. Patijn Burgomaster, E. EvERS, Secretary. When he had concluded he presented the mayor with the handsomely illuminated original address on parchment, the translation of which he had just read. He also indicated with his left hand five handsome volumes [bound in white vellum of the history of 299 Amsterdam, and a large case containing about fifty large photographs of The Hague and Amsterdam, the mother city. When he had conchided, Mayor Thacher stepped forward and said : Dr. Coster and Gentlemen of the University of Leyden : As the chief magistrate of this ancient city I bid you a hearty welcome. We are not so narrowed by our own importance as to be forgetful of our honorable ancestry, and your presence with us, clothed as you are with official dignity, makes us deeply sensible of the honor which the govern- ment of the Netherlands confers upon us. We thank you for these valuable and interesting volumes relating to the chief city of your country, a city which once christened with its own name the chief city of our own land. We shall keep these books as very precious things, and their possession and the possession of these addresses shall keep us in constant memory not only of the courtesy and friendly interest of the Netherlands, Amsterdam and the university of Leyden, but of the pleasant gift-bearers whom the present occasion makes known to us. Gentlemen, it needs no token of material form, no offer- ing of intrinsic value, no costly remembrance to tell us you were thinking of our city and its origin at this hour when we are rounding a most important and interesting period in our municipal existence. We never think of our own origin, but we sing the praises of the Netherlands. We recognize in the commercial activity, in the sturdy independence and indomitable will of the mother country, those elements of character which in the New Netherlands wrought mighty works and which have preserved for us and incorporated into our national life the pubhc and civic virtues we now believe we somewhat possess. Industry, you gave us as an inheritance. That love for fairness which demands and imparts justice, came to us largely from the Low Countries. Liberty and tolerance ran in our veins, mixed with our Dutch blood. The tireless, dogged insistence upon free- dom, right and truth with which William the Silent, three hundred years ago, worked out the independence of the 300 Netherlands, preserved these principles for two centuries as mighty tools which in the hands of Holland and Dutch decendents helped work out the independence of America. Gentlemen, in your beautiful city of The Hague in that many-sided tower which adorns the greatest of your churches are hung thirty-eight bells. These bells ring out over the canals and through the linden trees and fall on the ears of stranger and traveler within your walls, with pleasant melody and friendly greeting. The Ught of this very day was ushered into our city with thirty-eight guns. These guns were intended to welcome and salute you, but they had another and higher significance. They represented the thirty- eight states which are strongly interwoven into our American Union. It was here, in this Dutch city, that the Union was first suggested one hundred and thirty-two years ago. Your country gave us many of the tools with which in this new world we have builded our present municipal and national structures. If we have used these tools well, wisely, successfully, let us rejoice together and share in the glory. Gentlemen, we feel highly honored that not only the gov- ernment of Holland and the municipality of Amsterdam should so highly consider us, but that the great University of Leyden, which is a century older than our own city, and which has given to the world men who have thought out for it great thoughts, and who in science, philosophy and litera- ture, have opened new paths and smoothed old ways, should have likewise so greatly honored us. Again I bid you welcome, and in the name of our city desire you to convey our thanks and our hearty appreciation of their courtesy and good will to the authorities of The Hague, the city of Amsterdam and the University of Leyden. The envoys bowed low in acknowledgment of the mayor's greeting. The mayor again shook hands with his guests, who were introduced to the American Hollanders present. After a few moments of con- versation the party proceeded to the square and entered the carriages provided to participate in the procession. 301 The Civic Day Parade. General Orders. Headquarters First Division, ^ Civic Day Parade. i Albany, July 20, 1886. ) Orders No. 2 : I. The following are hereby appointed aides on the division stafif: Caughnawaga chief, Capt. Charles H. Wolston, Frederick C. Baker, Albion Ransom, Jr., Harry Simmons, R. V. Stevens, Robert F. Macfarlane, C. C. Mackey, W. J. Hall and F. H. Case. They will be obeyed and respected accordingly. II. Headquarters for Wednesday morning are hereby established at corner North Pearl and State streets, where the stafif will report, mounted, at 8 : 30 o'clock sharp, to chief of stafif. By order H. B. Anable, Marshal. G. James Greene, Chief of Stafif. I. Having been appointed marshal of the eighth division on civic day parade, July 21, 1886, I hereby assume command. II. Captain Joseph Fisher is hereby appointed chief of stafif. III. All parties who have been assigned to the above division will, at the earliest moment, notify the marshal or chief of stafif, in order that they may be assigned a place in line. IV. The following are hereby appointed aides to the marshal, and will report to the chief of stafif: L. B. Combs, A. D. Brink, E. Brumaghim, G. E. Latham, F. N. Sisson, Sol Davis and Frank Herrick. Frank J. Childs, Marshal. Capt. Joseph Fisher, Chief of Stafif. 302 The Unconditionals. Headquarters Unconditional Club, ^ Cor. North Pearl and Steuben Sts., > Albany, July, 15, 1886. ) Paragraph I. Having been elected marshal of the Unconditional Republican club for the Bi-centennial civic day parade, I hereby assume command. Paragraph II. The members of this club are hereby requested to assemble at the club rooms Wednesday, July 21, at 8 : 30 A. M. sharp, for parade. Line will be formed at nine A. M. Paragraph III. Uniform will consist of dark clothes, black derby hat, cane, white necktie and white gloves. Paragraph IV, The club has been assigned an important position in line and it is essential that all should report promptly at the hour named. By order, OsCAR Smith, Marshal. Fire Department. Headquarters Albany Fire Department, 1 Office of Chief Engineer, > Albany, July 17, 1886. ) The officers, hosemen and laddermen of the depart- ment are required to observe the following instruc- tions on the occasion of the parade and inspection of the department Wednesday, July 21, 1886. The uniform to consist of black pants, red shirts, uniform hats and belts and white gloves. Every officer, hose- man and ladderman is expected to parade ; absentees must be reported. At 9 : i 5 A. M. one blow will be given upon the engine-house gongs and bell strikers as a signal to drivers to attach the horses to the o 303 apparatus. At 9 : 30 A. M. one blow will be given upon the engine-house gongs and bell strikers, as a signal to companies to leave their respective houses. Foremen of companies are particularly enjoined to have their companies on the ground of formation promptly. No portion of the apparatus will be per- mitted to leave the line in case of an alarm of fire, except by special orders to that effect. Foremen of companies are hereby directed to report to the chief immediately upon their arrival upon the ground of formation. No decoration of any description will be allowed upon the apparatus. By order of the com- missioners. James McQuade, Chief Engineer. THE parade. At 9 : 30 A. M., the bell in the city hall gave notice that columns must form immediately. The divisions were formed as follows : First division — Independent organizations, North Pearl street, right on State. Second division — Secret societies and floats, South Pearl street, right on State. Third division — Political clubs, State street, right on Pearl. Fourth division — Bobbing clubs, James street, right on State. Fifth division — Visiting firemen, right on State. Sixth division — Visiting firemen. Green street, in rear of fifth division. Seventh division — Albany fire department. South Broadway, right on State. 304 Eighth division — Trades and floats, North Broad- way, right on Clinton avenue. FORMATION OF COLUMN. The formation of the line was as follows : Mounted police ; skirmishers ; Major James O. Woodward, grand marshal ; Col. John S. McEwan, chief of staff; Maj. Lewis Balch, adjutant of staff; Col. Frederick Andes, Col. John S. Robbins, Col. Edmund L. Gaul, Col. Jacob C. Cuyler, Maj. Chas. H. Stott, jr., Capt. Samuel McKeever, U. S. A., Capt. W. E. Milbank, Capt. M. L. Earing, Capt. Albert Albers, Lieut. Robert H. Patterson, U. S. A., Lieut. A. C. Judson, Elliott Danforth, Edwy L. Taylor, Jeremiah Kieley, Edward Perry, George S. Gregory, Edward J. Brennan, Albert C. Goodwin, Reuben H. Clark, Emil Rosche, John Kinnary, George C. Kimball, Fred L. Classen, Justus R. Has- well, Geo. W. Stedman, Capt. A. H. Spierre, Maj. Henry C. Littlefield, Frank Wright, John C. Conner, A. F. Brown, David J. Norton, George W. Smith, Benj. Bamer, Indian Chieftain Joseph, Frank W. Bounds ; executive committee, civic day, A. McD. Shoemaker, chairman ; the Holland society of New York, Judge C. Van Voist, chairman ; local com- mittee of Holland society, vice-president, Albert Vander Veer, chairman ; delegates from Holland. FIRST DIVISION. Marshal H. B. Anable commanding; G. James Green, adjutant, and staff, Capt. Charles H. Wolston, Frederick C. Baker, Albion Ransom, jr., Harry Sim- 305 mons, R. V. Stevens, Robert F. McFarlane, C. C. Mackey, W. J. Hall, F. H. Case. Mayor Thacher, ex-Mayor Banks and Dr. Coster, the official representative of the Hague, rode in a carriage at the head of the first division. Twenty-first regiment band of Poughkeepsie ; Burgesses corps, as escort to mayor and council committee on public celebration, Galen R. Hitt, chairman ; common council of the city ; city officials ; Bi-centennial committee, who followed in carriages : Gen. Robert Lenox Banks, Aldermen Hitt, Norton, Fuller, McCann, Greagan, Harris, Donohue, Fleming, Klaar ; City Chamberlain, Charles A. Hills ; Common Council clerk, Martin Delehanty; Street Commis- sioner Russ, Judge Van Vorst of New York, president of the Holland society, the Rev. Dr. Ten Eyck of New Brunswick, Dr. Albert Vander Veer, the Hon. G. Van Nostrand of Nyack, Theodore V. Van Heusen, James D. Wynkoop, Andrew Van Santvoord of New York, and Mr. Van Schaick of Cobleskill, City Surveyor Horace E. Andrews. G. A. Van Allen, William M. Van Antwerp, J. Townsend Lansing and Matthias Bissikummer, president of the German com- mittee ; Frank Froelich, vice-president ; Emmanuel Labishiner, secretary; Wm. Grandpre, assistant sec- retary; John Zimmerman, treasurer ; Louis Schupp, assistant treasurer; Peter Lasch, Fred. Stackman, Max Kurth, John Haak, John Rummel, F. Lange, Henry Henzel, Charles W. Mueller, Andrew Amend, August Wecka, Victor Kennel, John Kurtz, Casper Muelick. Indians; Scotch band. New York; St. Andrew's 306 society ; Caledonian societies in Highland costumes ; visiting Scotch societies ; float, Boatman's Relief association, ship with sailors ; float, ancient windmill and millers ; float, the first locomotive, Delaware & Hudson Canal company ; band ; Indians, with escort ; German band of Poughkeepsie ; German singing societies in regalia ; Eintracht singing society ; float, " Mozart ; " Harmonia society ; float ; Caecelia singing society, float; Liederkranz singing society, float; German societies, with floats ; French societies, with floats ; Irish societies, with floats ; visiting divisions, United Irishmen of America; other independent associations. SECOND DIVISION. Marshal H. H. Russ, jr., commanding; F. W. Sarauw, adjutant, and staff", Howard B. Hacket, Dr. R. J. Verplank, James Hacket, A. W. La Rose, J. Keenholts, C. P. Roberts ; Germania band of Pitts- field, Mass. ; Patriarchs Militant, Uniformed Odd Fellows, Canton Nemo, No. i, of Albany; visiting Cantons from Troy, Amsterdam and other places ; emblematic floats. Friendship, Love, Truth ; band ; Ancient Order of United Workmen, Select Knights, Scanton Legion, East Albany, in full regalia, Capt. Philip Smith, commanding ; visiting Knights, Ancient Order of the Iron Hall, emblematic float. Pyramid of States, the Order in full regalia ; band ; Knights of Pythias, Albany Division, No. 2, V. R. K. of P., in the full regalia of the Order ; emblematic float, local lodges as escort to float, visiting uniformed divisions, visiting lodges. 307 THIRD DIVISION. Marshal Edward D. Ronan, commanding; W. A. Wallace, adjutant, and staff. J. L. Ten Eyck, John Burning, Fred. E. Wadhams, Dr. VV. J. Nellis, Lewis W.Pratt; band; Unconditional club; Toohey asso- ciation ; athletes in carriages ; Sons of Veterans ; Lan- singburgh post, C. H. Nason commander ; A. B. Uline association ; Catholic Benevolent legion ; Ancient Order of Hibernians ; local and visiting divisions ; Burdette-Coutts association ; social and other organi- zations ; floats. FOURTH DIVISION. Marshal Fred Ewing commanding; Charles H. Clapper adjutant, and staff, Edward Ewing, A. B. Kiernan, J. H. Mulligan and others ; City band of Plattsburgh ; bobbing associations in uniform, with decorated bobs ; Brooklyn Bridge club ; Dasha- way club, '84; May Blossom club; Jolly Eight club ; O'Donovan Rossa club ; Monitor, Deerfoot, Avalanche, Minnie S., Laura C. clubs. Visiting snow shoe clubs; visiting bobbing clubs in uniform with decorated bobs. FIFTH DIVISION. Visiting firemen. Assistant Engineer J. C. Griffin commanding ; Maschke's band, of Troy ; Arba Read steamer company, of Troy ; Eddy steamer company, of Troy ; Volunteer steamer company, of Troy ; Wilber hose company, of Oneonta, N. Y., with hose carriage ; steamer company, Oneonta, N. Y. ; Sand- lake band : J. N. Ring steamer company, of Green- bush, steamer and hose carriage ; band of Rutland ; 308 Reynolds hose drill company, of Rutland, Vt. ; drum corps ; Van Vranken hose company, of Schenectady, with hose carriage ; McCreary hose drill company, of Cohoes, N. Y. SIXTH DIVISION. Visiting firemen, Assistant Engineer George E. Mink commanding; band of New York; Mazeppa hose company, of New York, with ancient hose carriage ; Patrick Gibney, foreman of old engine No. 25 ; Isaac Bush, assistant foreman of old hose No. 13 ; Brooklyn volunteer firemen, with ancient cart ; Mechanics' hook and ladder company, Glovers- ville, N. Y., with truck; Glasshouse band; C. A. Bailly hook and ladder company No. i, Bath- on-Hudson, T. A. Carpenter, foreman, with truck; drum corps ; Niagara engine company, of Schoharie, with carriage; steamer company No. i, of Hudson; hose company of Whitehall. SEVENTH DIVISION. Board of fire commissioners of the city of Albany in carriages ; clerk of department and superintendent of fire alarm telegraph. First subdivision : Tenth Regiment band ; Chief of Department McQuade and assistants; steamer company No. i, S. V. B. Swann, foreman; steamer company No. 2, George S. Tice, foreman; truck company No. i, B. M. Fredendal, foreman; steamer company No. 3, John J. Hughes, foreman ; float containing an old engine of Philadelphia, 1748; steamer No. i and hose carriage; steamer No. 2 and hose carriage; truck 309 No. I ; steamer No. 3 and hose carriage ; reserve steamer and hose carriage. Second subdivision : Steamer company No. 4, Charles E. Marshall, fore- man ; steamer company No. 5, E. J. Keating, fore- man ; steamer company No. 6, John A. Burns, fore- man ; steamer company No. 7, M. C. Clark, foreman ; steamer company No. 8, W. J. Smith, foreman ; steamer No. 4 and hose carriage ; steamer No. 5 and hose carriage ; truck No. 2 ; steamer No. 6 and hose carriage ; steamer No. 7 and hose carriage ; steamer No. 8 and hose carriage; the " Geyser" water tower. EIGHTH DIVISION. Tradesmen with their wagons and floats, Marshal Frank J. Childs commanding ; Captain Joseph Fisher, adjutant, and staff, L. B. Comb, A. D. Brink, Eugene Brumaghim, G. E. Latham, F. N. Sisson, Sol. Davis and Frank Herrick. CLOSING THE REGATTA. The rain threatened for a time about noon, to interfere with the events of the day, but at about I : 30 o'clock the clouds broke away and the sun came out. Governor Hill attended, accompanied by several friends. THE DOUBLE SCULLS. The first event on the card was for double sculls, these crews being entered with positions in the order named: i. C. Hopkins, bow, H. A. Viets, stroke. Laureates of Troy; 2. Thomas H. and M. F. Mona- han, Albany rowing club; 3. J. F. Gumming, D. J. 310 Murphy, Crescents of Boston ; 4, John F. Korf, W. Weinaud, Delawares of Chicago. All four got away to an even start, the Monahans cutting out the pace and taking the lead, with the Chicago men second, Laureates third and Crescents last. This order was maintained for a mile, when the Monahans and Chicago men took the race to them- selves and fought it out toward the east shore, the other doubles hugging the west shore. Entering on the last half the Delawares passed to the front, and, notwithstanding the Monahans made a gallant effort, won in 9: i8j, the Monahans being second in 9: 19. The second event was the first trial heat of pair- oars. The starters and positions were: i. E. C. Stewart, bow, W. W, Smith, stern, Atlantas of New York; 2. George D. Phillips, M. T. Hard, New York Athletics; 3. F. Freeman, J. Weldon, Eurekas, Newark, N. J. The Eurekas took the lead from the word " go," and pulling out a length to the goal maintained their lead entirely throughout, winning by three open lengths in 10: 30. The Atlantas quit at the end of the first quarter. The second heat of pair-oars brought out these scullers : i . J. H. Clegg and F. B. Standish of the Excelsiors, Detroit; 2. C. Lee Andrews and J. C. Livingston of the New York Athletic club ; 3. Robert McCann and William S. Mosely of the Mutuals of Albany. The New York pair took the lead, the Mutuals pair second and the Excelsiors third. These positions were unchanged to the first quarter, when the Mutuals drop- 311 ped to the rear and continued there to the last quarter, when the Excelsiors took the lead. At this point the New Yorks pulled out of their course toward the west shore, allowing the Mutuals to take second place. The Excelsiors, continuing on, won the race by six lengths in 9: 57, the Mutuals time being 10: i8|. The cause of the New Yorks puUing out of the race, became evident when the shell neared the west shore, and C. Lee Andrews, the bow oar, fainted. He was assisted out and carried into the pavilion, where medi- cal aid was summoned. Next was the final heat of junior singles in which the winners of the four trial heats on Tuesday com- peted. They were: i. H. Rowland of the Cornell University navy ; 2. John F. Daily of the Bradfords, Boston ; 3. F. G. McDougall, of the New York Ath- letics ; 4. M. T. Quigley of the Institutes, Newark. McDougall got away with a slight advantage at the start, but was soon overhauled by Rowland, the others being close up. After an exciting finish Rowland won in 10: 08, Quigley's time being 10: 09^ and McDougall's 10: 25. There were but two com- petitors in the junior four-oared. J. E. Knox, Rarry Pierce, F. R. Thompson and Joseph Wright of the Torontos and Romer L. Brayton, John J. Travis, Dominick Fitzpatrick, jr., and John J. Moran of the Albany rowing club. The Canadians won easily in 8 : 30, the Albany's time being 8 : 38. THE BATTLE OF THE SENIORS. The sixth event of the day, the final heat of senior singles, was the most interesting and exciting of the 312 day. It brought together Mulcahy, Monahan and Nowlan of Albany, J. F. Corbett of the Farraguts of Chicago and J. J. Donohue of the Nautilus of Hamil- ton, Ontario. Corbett had the inside position, with the others in this order : Nowlan, Mulcahy, M. F. Monahan and Donohue. Mulcahy was quickest in getting away, with Nowlan second, Donohue third, Corbett fourth and Monahan last. At the mile Donohue still led with Corbett second, when Mona- han put forth his reserve and came down the last half mile like a race horse, passing Donohue and Corbett with ease, and winning by a half dozen lengths in 9:33, Corbett second in 9:47, Mulcahy third in 10:08, Donohue fourth in 10: 49 and Nowlan last in 11:14^. This victory made Monahan the senior champion of American amateurs. THE FINAL EVENT. In the first heat of pairs the Eurekas of Newark won easily from the Excelsiors of Detroit in 9: 33|, the latter's time being 9:56. The Fairmounts of Philadelphia, Columbias of Washington and Concords of Boston competed in the eight-oared race. The Fairmounts who had the inside course led from start to finish, with the Concords second, and won in 8 : 49, the Concord's time being 9: 03^, and the Columbias 9 : 20^. The prizes were presented to the successful oarsmen in the common council chamber in the eve- ning, the presentation address being made by Hon. Francis H. Woods. 313 The Pageant. Headquarters of the Historical Pageant July 21, 1886. General Orders : I. The following are announced as additional aides to the chief marshal: Captain Edgar V. Denison and Lieutenants James M. Ruso, L. H. Washburn and Russell Lyman. They will be obeyed and re- spected accordingly. n. All police arrangements will receive the per- sonal attention of Chief of Police Willard and the captains of the several precincts. III. In accordance with a proclamation issued by His Honor Mayor John B. Thacher, all fireworks or explosives of any character along the line of march are strictly prohibited and offenders will be dealt with according to the letter of the law. IV. The Tenth regiment band and the Albany city band, consolidated, are hereby assigned to the right of the line and the Twenty-first regiment band to the right of the third division. They will report to the chief of staff at eight o'clock sharp at the pageant building. V. The staff will report, mounted, at 7 : 45 P. M. sharp, at the northeast entrance of Washington park, and proceed thence to the pageant building. Uni- form, white helmet with spike, blue blouse and white gloves, VI. All figurantes must be costumed and ready to report for duty at their several headquarters at 7 : 30 P. M. VII. The parade will start at 8 : 30 P. M. sharp, over 314 the following route: Washington avenue to Lark, Lark to State, State to Eagle, Eagle to Washington avenue (where it will be reviewed at the reviewing stand by His Excellency Governor David B. Hill and staff, and His Honor, Mayor John B. Thacher), Washington avenue to Knox, Knox to State, State to Willett, Willett to Hudson avenue, Hudson avenue to Pearl, Pearl to Clinton avenue, Clinton avenue to Lark, where it will be reviewed by the grand marshal and staff and dismissed. VHL The formation of the column will be as fol- lows : Platoon of Police, Tenth regiment and Albany City bands consolidated ; Grand Marshal and staff. FIRST DIVISION. Major H. L. Washburn, commanding, and aides; Float No. I, Emblem; Float No. 2, Discovery; Float No. 3, The Northmen; Float No. 4, Landing of Columbus. SECOND DIVISION. Capt. Wm. E. Milbank, commanding, and aides ; Float No. 5, Fort Orange; Float No. 6, First Land Purchasers ; Float No. 7, Dutch Legends ; Float No. 8, The King's Charter. THIRD DIVISION. Twenty-first Regiment band ; Capt. Harry C. Cush- man, commanding, and aides; Float No. 9, The Dongan Charter; Float No. 10, A Home Scene; Float ). II, Schenectady Massacre; Float No. 12, Surrender of Burgoyne. 315 FOURTH DIVISION. Capt. Wm. M. Whitney, jr., commanding, and aides; Float No. 13, Attack on Schuyler Mansion; Float No. 14, Wedding Scene, Van Rensselaer Schuy- ler; Float No. 15, Erie Canal completed; Float No. 16, Past, Present, Future. IX. Commandants of Divisions will see that the following distances are maintained : Between divis- ions one hundred and twenty-five feet and between floats ninety feet. X. Commandant of police is especially charged with seeing that no advertising or other decorated wagon is permitted within one block of the last float. By command of Lieut. James H. Manning, Grand Marshal. Capt. Henry B. Diamond, Chief of Stafl". In the gathering twilight the army of sightseers began to mass its squadrons in front of the high stock- ade enclosing Col. De Leon's factory and thousands poured in from all quarters until one solid mass filled Washington avenue and Lark street at all points commanding a view of the structure. Within the stockade all was darkness and silence, while the garrison of workmen made final preparations for moving. As soon as the preliminaries were com- pleted a breach was made in the high wooden wall and the advance guard of spectators gazed upon a chaos of shapeless masses dimly outlined within the dark enclosure. This first movement stimulated the excitement in the rear portions of the mass, which attempted to force its way to the scene of action and 316 taxed the muscles and patience of the Httle band of picked officers to hold it in check, ARRANGING THE PAGEANT. Once started, the grorgeous fabrics emerged from their birthplace in a steady stream until all were in position, the first at the corner of State and Lark streets and the last in front of the stockade. Directly the floats had taken positions the work of spacing and illuminating the gorgeous spectacle began. Mar- shal Manning, through the agency of Chief of Staff Henry B. Diamond, distributed his aides along the line and enlarged it until the prescribed ninety feet intervened between each float. The marshal wore a helmet with a flowing plume, and the staff the Na- tional guard regulation helmet and blouses. The assistant marshals were : Capt. H. L. Washburn, Dr. W. E. Milbank, Capt. Harry C. Cushman, Wm. M. Whitney, Jr., and the aides : Eugene Brumaghim, Lawrence J. Prince, G. Edward Graham, Dr. Maurice J. Lewi, Fred C. Ham, J. Howard Browne, Robert G. Scherer, William H. McNaughton, Peter A. Stephens, Fred L. Mix, Finley S. Hayes, James M. Ruso, T. C. DeLeon, Russell Lyman, L. H. Washburn, Charles R. Carroll, Capt. Edgar V. Denison, J. W. Cox, jr., Buel C. Andrews, Howard Paddock, Dr. Wm. Hailes, Fred W. Wad- hams, Walter D. Frothingham, Edward R. Perry. THE START. After half an hour's steady work the pageant was ready to move. Every torch-bearer was in position 317 and every one of the illuminators, with haversack well filled with red fire, was at his post. The figurantes were all picturesquely grouped and the order for moving was passed. As the line moved down State street the spectacle presented was singularly beauti- ful. To the spectators standing in the middle of the street directly in the line of march the approaching column appeared shrouded in a crimson halo. The handsomely-uniformed staff upon their high-stepping horses appeared in strong relief upon a blood-red background, while looming up amid the volumes of radiant smoke the floats appeared like visions from fairyland. The smoke from the red fire, fading to a faint pink as it rose, capped the most splendid spec- tacle ever seen in the Northern States. As the great pageant approached and passed in review it presented these pictures : The Emblem: The first float was indeed introduc- tory. The idea of city government was symbolized by the representation of Albany's civic shield. From a base showing the national colors, rises on each side a trophy representing the national shield, surmounted by every flag that has found a home in Albany. In front and in rear are shields bearing the arms of the State of New York. The familiar farmer and the In- dian appear in stately posture with faces looking in opposite directions, while over the civic shield floats a sloop. This Indian is sitting upon a huge rock, bow in hand. The farmer has in his hand a sickle. The shield is gold embossed, and from its upper background of silver appear the busy beaver and his tree. The golden wheat sheaves loomed up beauti- 318 fully in their rich green background, and the entire tableaux was a fitting and successful introduction. Spirit of Discovery: This second float was an inspiration ; a glittering dream. From the sea, im- mense and boundless upon a gigantic wave, lightly floats a broad bejeweled shell : and standing central in this is a female representing the genius of discov- ery, her brilliant eyes gazing intently into space, and her erect form betokening that determination which sees no impossibilities. In her right hand is a sextant, and about her dash silvery foam and golden shafts of light. Her glittering diadem typifies success, and beside her are two waiting sisters, beautiful attend- ants. Dolphins sport before the shallop, and the floating debris indicates land to leeward. The Northmen : The element of time now arrives and the hardy Northmen of nearly nine centuries ago appear. Their war vessel is massive, the mast clumsy, the waters icy, and the sea dreary. Sword in hand, at the bow stands Lief, son of King Erie, a picture of stern purpose and physical power, gray bearded, peering into the dim distance. Heavy, sinewy men row hard, as did their fellows who came to Newport and left their mural monuments. The rowers are picturesquely clad in skins trimmed with gold, and their arms remind one of Roman conquest. Bare- armed, brown-visaged and with flowing locks, they are a hardy and strangely interesting crew. Landing of Columbus : The graceful foliage of palm trees, green and golden, illumined in the lurid 319 light, catches the eye. Behind them stealthy, inquisi- tive, half-fearful Indians lurk and peer to watch the group in front. Beside them a tropical, long-necked flamingo and immense gray crane set off the adorn- ings. But in front the interest centres upon the sea-beach, where rest two sailors, while on the land he has just claimed, stands Columbus, in full court dress, bare-headed, sword in hand, and staff of flag planted, while near by a priest rises to bless the cross. The representation is gorgeous, delights the eye and reminds one of the historic truth in elaborate detail. Fort Orange in 1624: The massive gates of the fort are open and towering high in air ; the loopholes show where muskets do deadly defensive service ; Dutchmen with blouse and breeches stand in front, while one of their number barters for furs with an Indian. The lace-trimmed collars and cuffs of the Dutchmen are a striking contrast to the feathers and blanket of the Indian chief. The fort has a massive appearance, and vines climb about the base of the rough walls. A birch bark canoe rests upon the bank and in it an Indian takes his ease watching the scene. The first Land Purchases : This represents a winter scene in 1 630. Bales of merchandise are placed in front of a peaked skin tent, while the aspect of winter touches every feature of the scene. Smoke from the wigwam, a squaw before the fire, icicles from the trees, the chief blanketed and feather-crowned, all speak of cold weather. Van Curler, the first patroon, two Dutchmen and another Indian, armed, complete the scene. The illuminated effect is magnificent. 320 Dutch Legends : This unique float shows a vivid scene in the Catskills. Irving's legend of the bowl- ing scene is grimly represented with the Demon of the mountain high perched. In the foreground grim mariners and the white-bearded chief are engaged in the game, while ever and anon the thunder rolls and lightning flashes. The bowls are rolled toward a dark corner, from whose awful depths the agitated waves give back a sound " hollow and dismal as the sullen roar of the volcano's depths." The King's Charter : This is a high court scene occuring in the palace of Charles II. From the rear a gorgeous canopy covers the throne and steps on either side, Charles II, with plumed hat, seated on the throne. British lions, life size and gilded, guard the way, waving tapestry and glittering gold and crimson foil give warmth against the cold marble and onyx pedestals from which rise golden candlesticks with rainbow-tipped pendants. Standing guard are royal soldiers with battle axes, while the central figure is James, Duke of York and Albany, in woven steel armor. His head is bared, his sword is two-handed, and behind him his squire bears his helmet. The bishop of York, standing near, sanctions the grant. Pages in court costume are moving about. The Dongan Charter : This float did not afford the designers opportunity for much display if they were to represent truthfully the history of the occa- sion. The British headquarters are plain in contrast with the preceding gorgeous scene. The old Dutch unused fireplace forms a background. The British 321 shield is seen. By the fireplace stands Livingston. Governor Dongan stands by the centre table dressed as an English cavalier, and Peter Schuyler receives from him the charter ; Schuyler is in uniform as col- onel. Two Dutch settlers are complacently viewing the scene, little mindful of the nineteenth century aspects to be developed. The Home Scene : This is located in old Albany in 1686. The float is quaint in design. The rail fence of the door-yard, the grass plot, the cobble pave, the Indian on a stump talking with a Dutch settler, the quaint house with peaked gable and weathercock, the porch with housewife and husband, the foliage of the trees, the on-looking dog, all lend a vivid reality to the scene. The Massacre at Schenectady : The terror of this scene of 1 690 is sufficient to paralyze the small boy and frighten timid maidens. In midwinter a hideous warrior binds an awakening settler arising from his bed, a father lies killed on his threshold, a mother and babe are at the mercy of a blood-thirsty Indian, and crowning the work of destruction flames are seen bursting from the windows and cabin in lurid mag- nificence as the spectacle passes by. Surrender of Burgoyne: The first thing seen upon this float is cannon. Then Continental soldiers are noticed, ensigns and color guards are seen. The detail of accoutrement and costume are faithfully observed. The officer's horse upon the float was a much admired adjunct. 322 The Attack on the Schuyler Mansion : This scene was powerfully impressive. The form of Mar- garet Schuyler half way up the stairway escaping with the sleeping babe is a striking picture. Burly yet foiled Indians are seen dodging about the dark hallway and one has thrown his tomahawk at the escaping woman, which, glancing from its mark has landed, stuck in the handrail at her side. The courage and endurance of American women are here nobly set forth in con- trast to the despicable methods of their British opponents and red-faced allies. The Wedding Scene of 1783 : This is a fine pen- dant to the preceding float and shows a garden party at the Schuyler mansion, and presents varying and notable features. The last patroon stands with his bride, the Margaret of the preceding float. Near by are Alexander Hamilton and wife. Not far away is Gen. Philip Schuyler, in full dress ; but probably the most interesting feature is the carved fountain whose wonderful waters are constantly playing in rainbow colors. The Erie Canal : This float represents a canal lock with the boat Seneca Chief just coming down stream drawn by a magnificent bay. Upon the bow stand Governor Clinton, Governor Yates and others. Over the rainbow, prophetic of promise, which spanned the water, sat the genius of Commerce bearing a golden urn. The whole scene was a fitting commem- oration of the opening of the canal in 1825. Past, Present, Future : The last float was a bank of clouds, soft and radiant. A dazzling sun revolves 323 with glittering rays and flashing speed, and the sea beneath catches the reflection, and from crested bil- low to foam-capped wavelet it reflects the moving and evanescent glory of the shimmering scene. The river banks at sunset are seen, upon the river the steamboat palace of to-day rides in resplendent beauty, and upon shore an engine and train of cars arrive. The Clermont paddles in the dim distance. In the cloudy dimness rests the graybeard Time and his scythe. And high above is youthful Albany symbolized in youth, strength and vigor. THE MYSTERY OF MOMUS. At midnight a ghostly procession emerged from beneath the Columbia street bridge, bearing a sombre coffin in their midst, and a banner with the inscription " Mystic Order of Momus," surmounted by a skull and cross-bones. The leader of the procession wore white robes and a black mask and had a deep sepulchral voice. The others wore black robes and masks The weird column moved down Broadway, up State, over Capitol place, and down Washington avenue to the roped inclosure, where, in the glare of the electric lights and in full view of the assembled thousands, the mystic services of the order were performed. An invocation to the elements was first in order, as the ghostly crowd circled about the coffin. THE HIGH priest's ADDRESS. Then the most wonderful high priest of the Mystic Order of Momus (H. C. Staats) delivered this address : Brethren of the Order: We are now assembled about the inanimate form of the departed. Before us lies the record of the past two hundred years of our native city. 324 It is customary, upon an occasion of this nature, to eulogize the character of the deceased, to pass hghtly over his many errors, and to dwell at length upon his virtues. But our day is of too high and solemn a character to permit us to do aught, save proceed with the strictest regard to truth and justice. Two hundred years ago to-day, the morning sun- light, as it flashed upon the old Dutch roofs and pavements, and was again reflected back into the soft summer sky, carried with it the news that Albany oflicially assumed the rank to which her wealth, populace and situation entitled her. But few of the old roofs remain to greet this anniver- sary, although many of the pavements are still here. These, added to the number of hills which ornament our beloved city, combine to furnish a greater amount of exercise for the distance traveled, than any modern city in the Union, This is a great point, and all our old Fogies are proud of it. We also point with pride to the fact that few towns could ever have attained the greatness of Albany, and still have managed to retain so large a number of its primitive ways as we have done. We feel assured that no other city of the same magnitude, so closely resembles a country village, as to tolerate the gossip, the slander, and the miserable, small meannesses, which the dear departed delighted in. And, as we reflect upon these, and kindred facts, and gaze upon our casket of virtues, our breasts throb with mingled pride and grief, — utterance fails us, and our silent tears alone, mark our loss. But, my brethren, while we mourn our dead, it is but meet that we temper our grief with tender reminiscences of the past. Dear Old Fogies ! Old Antideluvians, whose lumbering, tortoise-like pace has held us back in the race of progress for so many years ! Is it, indeed, true that we are to part from you forever ? That you are about to vanish from our gaze in a cloud of flames and smoke, even like the obstacles which you were so wont to strew in our pathway. And, as the flames ascend skyward, and the glowing sparks are all borne upward on the bosom of the billowy vapors, will we perchance view your disembodied spirits ? Perhaps, my brethren, we will even be able to recognize some of them. Oh, what joy to be able to point out the patriotic soul of him who spoke the immortal words, " I see no necessity for commemorating our Two Hundredth Birthday." What bhss to distinguish, 'midst the curhng smoke, the shining immor- tality of that ancient relic who remarked, " Yes, by all 325 means, let us have a celebration. I see opportunities for earning much by it, but I can't afford to give anything." Or even to view the mis-shapen, deformed vital spark that animated the man of wealth, who subscribed $5.00. But oh, my brethren ! while the past centuries are slipping onward toward the brink of eternity, let us pause in our lamentations. I offer you, in your great grief, words of comfort and of joy. There is yet a future ahead — a future before which the history of the past will sink into oblivion — a future in which the years to come shall retrieve the errors of those that are gone. Let us, then, exchange tears for the dead and smiles for the living, while we congratulate ourselves that there is among us an element batthng nobly for prosperity. The seed is sown, and it needs but time to bring forth the harvest, and " by their fruits shall we know them." Then, brethren, when the " ancients " awake to find themselves the " Rip Van Winkles " of modem times, and realize that their sun is set, and they must " move on," then will Albany rise to the dignity which it deserves, and on our next centennial anniversary may the half-civilized Trojan, as he hangs over the fence which marks the boundary between ancient Troy and the rest of Albany, exclaim, as he gazes seriously upon our fair proportions, " This is indeed a city." Amen. As the address drew near a conclusion, the torch was applied to the tarred lid of the coffin and in an instant the flames leaped high in air, and the mystic brethren, burning blue lights, joined in a ghostly dance about the burning pyre. The banner was thrust in and added fresh fuel to the flames, and finally the high priest kicked over the pyre, and amid an uproar that was deafening the mystic crew re-formed, marched out of the inclosure down Pine street to Lodge, over Lodge and up Maiden lane to Russell's stable, where robes and masks were removed and they were recognized as common mortals after all. They were : Officers— H. C. Staats, M. W. H. P. ; T. E. Burn- 326 ham, W. H. P. ; H. W. Robbins, H. P. ; A. A. Allen, A. H. P. ; J. F. Umpleby, jr., secretary; C. B. Staats, treasurer; Horace Hogle, warden; H, G. Stevens, marshal ; Frank Winnie, first assistant marshal ; W. E. Bortle, second assistant marshal ; B. F. Waite, H. S.; A. Harding, A. H. S. ; J. A. Selkirk, I. G. ; E. L. M. Robbins, C. R. B. ; R. G. Bingham, A. R. B. ; I. H. Meroth, R. B. Members — J. A. Daniels, H. B. Winne, D. M. Alexander, G. H. Sharp, W. J. Hall, J. W. Ten Eyck, G. P. Bingham, W. J. S. Killicorn, A. H. Rennie, L. J. Barhydt, C. Strevel, J. A. Howe, jr., F. W. Hem- ming, W. M. Crehan, W. L. Becker, H, Simmons, G. F. Whysley, H. D. Buck, A. E. Bachelder, C. A. Eversten, G. E. Uline, H. P. Williamson, J. Long, G. J. Green, D. M. Kinnear, J. M. Holler, B. F. Haight, D. W. Bugle, W. H. Branion, J. Q. Van Alstyne, E. E. Wygant, J. F. Kennedy, W. F. Clark, C. W. Brown, D. H. Johnson, C. J. Sohni, D. M. Watkins, J. G. Agar, D. E. B. Fales, J. D. Rockefeller, C. G. Hubbell, G. H. Parker, W. W. Mink, A. K. Sang- master. THURSDAY, JULY 22ND. Bi-Centennial Day. Sunrise. — Salute of two hundred guns — fifty from four different points. Morning. — Grand parade of local and visiting mili- tary organizations and Grand Army posts, acting as escort to President Cleveland, to Governor David B. 327 Hill, Orator of the Day; William H. McElroy, Poet, and to distinguished guests, among whom are Mem- bers of the cabinet. Governors of the States, mem- bers of Congress, mayors of the leading cities, and others. Afternoon. — Oration, poem and addresses com- memorative of the Two Hundredth Anniversary. The literary exercises interspersed with orchestral and choral music on a grand scale. Evening. — Municipal reception in Senate chamber, State Capitol, to President Cleveland and cabinet, Federal and State officials, and other invited guests. After the reception, grand display of fire-works in Washington park. The Military Parade, general orders. Headquarters Bi-Centenial ^ Military Day Parade. > Albany, July 15, 1886. ) General Orders No. i : I. Having been elected marshal of the day, I do hereby assume command and appoint Col. Alexander Strain adjutant and chief of staff. n. The following officers are assigned as division marshals : First division, Brig.-Gen. Robert Shaw Oliver, Na- tional Guard. Second division, Maj. George H. Treadwell, Grand Army. Third division, Capt. Thomas W. Cantwell, inde- pendent military organizations. 328 Fourth division, Maj. Edward D. Ronan, escort division. III. The following are appointed assistant mar- shals and aids-de-camp : Col, Theodore E. Weiders- heim, Maj. John Newman, Maj. Hiram L. Wash- burn, jr., Capts. James H. Manning, John Palmer, Henry B. Diamond, Joseph Fisher, Wm. E. Milbank, Benj. R. Spellman, jr., Frank Childs, G. Henry Secor, George H. Mackey, Simeon Lodewick, John B. Mil- ler, Lewis H. Smith, Lieuts. James McNaughton, Wm. M. Whitney, jr., Amasa J. Parker, 3d, Alexan- der Strain, jr., William Wallace, Peyton F. Miller, John W. McKnight, James Purcell, Kyran Cleary, George Story, Isaac Hungerford. IV. The above named officers will be obeyed and respected accordingly. Amasa J. Parker, Jr., Marshal of the Day. Alexander Strain, Adjutant and Chief of Staff. FORMATION AND ROUTE. First division, Brig.-Gen. Robert S. Oliver, will form on North Pearl street, right resting on Steuben. Second division, Maj. Geo. H. Treadwell, will form on Broadway, right resting on Steuben. Third division, Capt. Thos. W. Cantwell, will form on South Broad- way, right resting on State. Fourth division, Maj. Edward D. Ronan, will form on Eagle, right resting on State. Route — State to Eagle, to Washington avenue, to Lark, to Clinton avenue, to North Pearl, to Columbia, 329 to Broadway, to State, to South Pearl, to Hudson avenue, to Dove, to State street. Parade will be dismissed corner State and Eagle streets, after the fourth division has passed in review of the first, second and third divisions on State street. At conclusion of the parade, the staff, with the Troy Citizens' Corps and band, will proceed to the Delavan House, and escort the Senate and Assembly and all ex-senators and assemblymen to the tent in Capitol park. The heavy bass of two hundred cannon sang in continuous strain that morning to greet the sunrise of Bi-centennial Day. Tenor and soprano of horn, pistol, cheer and fire-cracker, long before daybreak had made sleep well nigh impossible and the heavy tone of the guns roused half-awake Albany, or at least that portion of its inhabitants that had secured any sleep at all, to participate in the exercises of the clos- ing day. Down town the shrill notes of the fife and the rataplan of the drum betokened the early arrival of the visiting military companies. The sun was not high in the sky when the red line of the Burgesses corps was drawn up to receive President Cleveland and party at the railway station. The pomp and circumstance of war had been reserved for the last day. The soldiers were to surround with evidences of power and perpetuity the end of the celebration. Two hundred guns then hailed the dawn ; men pano- plied in all the might of arms tramped the street and with them those to whom war had once been a stern reality. With this display of might, honored by the presence of the chief magistrate of the nation and of 330 the representatives of Holland, whence Albany drew its first strong blood, praised in eloquent words by the Governor of the first State of the Union of which she has long been the capital city, and sung by the poet, Albany celebrated the day, marking the completion of its two centuries of municipal life. By ten o'clock, all the troops were in position ready to move and the leading thoroughfares were so thronged that passage through them was almost impossible. The four mounted police riding ahead of the column were able to clear the pavements only with great difficulty. The First Division. The Pearl street sidewalks from State to Steuben streets were fenced in with heavy ropes, and the crowd kept back of them by a liberal cordon of policemen. Brig.-Gen. Robert Shaw Oliver com- manded the First division and formed it in the space named. He was ably assisted by these staff offi- cers, Capt. Harry C. Cushman, A. A. A. G. ; Maj. Samuel G. Ward, Maj. Jacob H. Tremper, Maj. Albert Hoysradt, Maj. Henry A. Allen, Maj. Richard T. Lockley, Maj. James O. Woodward, Maj. Harmon P. Read, Maj. Robert L. Banks, jr., Capt. Guy E. Baker. The division was composed of the various com- panies and the battalion of the Fifth brigade and was divided in two regiments and a provisional battalion. The First regiment, in command of Lieut.-Col. William E. Fitch, was headed by the Tenth regiment band and composed as follows : Tenth battalion drum corps, twenty men; Company B, Tenth battalion, 331 Lieut. A. K. Sangmaster, commanding, one officer and forty-eight men ; Company C, Tenth battalion (color company), Capt. James L. Hyatt, commanding, one officer and forty men ; Company A, Tenth battalion, Capt. Albert J. Wing, commanding, one officer and forty-three men ; Company D, Tenth battalion, Capt. Edgar V. Denison, commanding, one officer and forty-five men ; Twelfth separate company of Troy, Capt. Joseph Egolf, commanding, one officer and sixty-eight men ; Twenty-first separate company of Troy, Capt. Samuel Foster, commanding, two officers and sixty-three men ; Sixth separate company of Troy, Lieut. -Col. James W. Cusack, commanding, three officers and ninety-five men ; Gatling gun squad, eight men, Capt. Wm. B. Thompson, com- manding. The Second regiment was in command of Maj, William Haubennestel, with John P. Wilson of Pough- keepsie as adjutant, John L Pruyn of Yonkers, as quartermaster, and Stewart B. Carlisle, of Mt. Vernon, surgeon. It moved in this order : Twenty-first regi- ment band, twenty-one pieces ; Nineteenth separate company of Poughkeepsie, Lieut. Lewis P. Hauben- nestel, in command, four officers and eighty-seven men ; Fifteenth separate company of Poughkeepsie, Capt. Berthold Myers, commanding, two officers and forty-three men ; Twenty-third separate company of Hudson, Capt. William B. Elting, commanding, two officers and fifty men ; Fourth separate company of Yonkers, Capt. Raffaelle Cobb, commanding, three officers and fifty-eight men ; Fifth separate company of Newburgh, Capt. Joseph C. Chase, commanding, 332 two officers and thirty-nine men ; Eleventh separate company of Mt. Vernon, Capt. I. N. Pressey, com- manding, four officers and fifty-two men ; Sixteenth separate company of Catskill, Capt. A. M. Murphy, commanding, three officers and forty-two men ; Four- teenth separate company of Kingston, four officers and fifty-four men. Both regiments were in full State service uniform. The right of the provisional battalion was given to Co. D, First regiment of Philadelphia, the Zouave Cadets' guests, Capt. Henry O. Hastings command- ing. The command was dressed in blue blouse of Prussian pattern, white helmets and wore white trou- sers. They were preceded by the Waccaco band of Philadelphia. The battalion was in command of Maj. Norton Chase, with Lieut. Albert L. Judson as adjutant, and moved in this order, following Co. D. of Philadelphia: Thirty-sixth separate company of Schenectady, Lieut, Joseph F. White, commanding, two officers and forty- eight men ; Ninth separate company of Whitehall, Lieut. R. H. Davis, commanding, three officers and sixty-five men; Twenty-second separate company of Saratoga, Capt. Robert C. McEwen, commanding, three officers and fifty-five men. The Second Division. The Second division formed on Broadway with the right resting on Steuben street. It was the division in which were all the veterans of the late war who paraded. Men were there who marched just as steadily and sturdily amid the tempest of shot and 333 shell on the battle-field as they did to-day over the pavements of Albany. Men were there, too, who bore on their persons the marks of gallant and honor- able service. It was the division of the Grand Army of the Republic. The marshal in command was Maj. George H. Treadwell, and his aids were Capt. A. H. Spierre of Lew. O. Morris Post No. I2i as chief of staff. Commander William A. Wallace, Commander Abram Ashley and Comrades C. F. R. Coe and J. G. Breckenridge. All of them were mounted. The City band of Plattsburgh, numbering fifty-two pieces, headed the division, which was divided in two regi- ments, one commanded by Col. M. J. Severance and the other by Capt. W. Green. The right of the First regiment was occupied by the Tibbitts Veteran Corps association of Troy, in full uni- form, under command of Lieut. Walter L. Davis, and numbering thirty-five musketmen. Next came Lew. Benedict Post No. 5 of this city, who did full honor to the Bi-centennial anniversary by turning out two hun- dred strong, under command of Capt. Geo. W. Davey. Capt. Frank Edgerton was in command of the post staff. The post's drum corps of twelve pieces were also on hand. Following them came Lewis O. Morris Post No. 121, one hundred and twenty strong, under command of Capt. William W. Bennett, headed by the drum corps of Dahlgreen Post No. 113, numbering forty-four. G. L. Willard Post No. 34 of Troy, under command of Judge L. E. Griffith, numbering sixty-five men, came next, and were headed by a drum corps of eight pieces. Kane Post No. 3 12 of West Troy came next with fifty men and the Watervliet band of eighteen 334 pieces. Thurlow Weed Post No. 400 of East Albany came over the bridge with fifty battle-scarred veterans, commanded by N. W. Bell. Following came E. S. Young Post No. 33 of Amsterdam, thirty-four strong, under command of Capt. J. W. Kimball. The next post in order was R. L. Lathrop No. 138 of Hudson, T. Berridge commander, all uniformed, and numbered fifty men. Thomas M. Burt Post No. 171 of Valatie, put in an appearance with forty men, T. Goldsmith commander. New Baltimore contributed a delegation of twenty members of A, O. Bliss Post No. 305, with H. W. Mead as commander, and thirty members of Tyler Post No. 1 3 1 of Jefferson were in line under com- mand of Comrade R. S. Taber. Washington county was represented by ten members of Post No. 309 of Cam- bridge, of which W. J. Gibson is commander, united with twenty-six members of Post No. 570 of Salem, and came down together under command of Maj. W, J. Cruikshank of the latter post. Saratoga county was represented by twenty-five members of Gilbert Thomas Post No. 480 of Still- water, under command of Capt. John Ward, and several members of Wheeler Post No. 92 of Saratoga Springs. Eighteen members of Henry Ensign Post No. 568, under command of R. Hulbert, representing Brunswick, Rensselaer county. In carriages at the end of the division were contained these veterans: Commander R. F. Knapp of Wheeler Post No. 92 of Saratoga, Col. George T. T. Downing, aid-de-camp on the staff of Department Commander Sayles, Junior Vice-Commander Ormsby of Wheeler Post No. 92, comrade L. C. Ormsby of Lew. O. Morris Post No. 335 121, Commander Daniel Gleason, John S. Chandel, Henry Baker and W. H. Shants, of Post No. 121 ; John Nott, of Post No. 305 ; A. R. Johnson, of Post No. 5 : E. V. Reckmyer, of Post No. 215 of Sauger- ties, and Angevine Himes, of Post No. 34 of Troy. When the first division swept down Broadway and up State in splendid form, all the veterans dipped their colors and came to a present arms with their rattan canes. There were about nine hundred and fifty in line. The Third Division. Although smaller numerically than the other divis- ions, the third composed, with a single exception, of companies outside of the national guard, presented a fine display and was greatly admired. The division was under command of Marshal Thomas W. Cantwell and the following efficient aids : Chief of staff, Thomas C. Walsh ; aids, Joseph B. Zeiser, John J. Mulderry, John J. Cassidy, Jeremiah J. Maher, Frank S. Niver, James C. Farrell, James Brennan, Henry J. Kearney, jr., Joseph A. Wisely, John J. Creagan and George E. Latham. The crowds at the foot of State street were very large. The Athletic band of twenty-two pieces of Philadelphia, led the division. They accompanied the Rose Guard of Philadelphia, who appeared as the guests of the Jackson Corps. They were under the command of Captain James P. Holt, First Lieutenant Harry Hilbourn, Second Lieutenant Harry Cole. They had thirty rifles and three line officers. They appeared in dark blue uniforms, with cap of same color bearing the inscription, " Guard 94." The 336 guard is connected with post ninety-four, G. A. R., of Philadelphia, a delegation of which accompanied them as guests. The following composed the delega- tion : Commander Fred. J. Cotton, senior vice-com- mander, Alfred O. Kurtz ; junior vice-commander, William Tinsley and five comrades. The guard were entertained afterwards at the armory of the Jackson corps, where they made their headquarters while in the city. The Schenectady Washington Continentals, Captain George W. Marlette commanding, preceded by their own drum corps of eleven men, followed. The com- pany paraded sixty rifles and three line officers, and attracted applause all along the line ; appeared in an independent uniform, consisting of red coat, light blue trowsers and bearskin shakos. The Severance Cadets, under command of Captain William Addington, and with two line officers and twenty-seven men followed the Continentals. They appeared in new uniform pants of dark blue with white stripe. The Johnstown band of twenty pieces followed, and preceded the famous Keck Zouaves, accompanied by fifty well-known citizens of Johns- town, who are honorary members of the company. They were commanded by Captain P. F. Case and had three hne officers and forty men in the procession. The uniforms worn by the command consisting of red and white fez, light-blue blouse, dark-blue jacket, red pants and white leggins, presented a handsome ap- pearance. The following disabled veterans of the Albany Re- publican Artillery appeared in carriages, following the 337 zouaves : J. S. Graves, John Fredenrich, C. V. Gibson, Jacob Fredenrich, J. W. Baker, John Guardineer, Peter Hilton, John S. Clarke, Edmund Nesbitt, John Niblock, A. S. Richard, S. P. Winne, A. Austin, John Morrison, John L. Coon, John Travers, J. W. Upjohn, S. L. Bridgeford. Captain Philip Guardineer was in command of the latter. Frederick Townsend Post, No. i, Sons of Vet- erans, preceded by their drum corps of twenty-two men, had the left of the line. The post turned out three line officers and sixty men under the command of Commander James F. McCabe. The fourth division, occupying the left of the col- umn, though the smallest, held the position of guard of honor to the President, Governor, poet, orator and officers of the municipality. It was under command of Col. Edward D. Ronan, and comprised of the most celebrated military organizations of New York and the New England States. It formed on Eagle street, right resting on State. At the head of the division rode Col. Ronan, with staff as follows : Col. Wm. H. Terrell, chief of staff. Aids, Col. Joseph P. Eustace, Col. E. J. Bennett, Capt. S. Y. Southard, Capt. Wm. Todd, Capt. George W. Hobbs, Capt. S. S. Mitchell, Capt. David Teller, Sergt. A. Sliter, Wm. J. Nellis, Fred. E. Wadhams, Solan Slade, Frank Lodewick, Thomas Bishop, Robert Webster. The staff, in semi-military dress and finely mounted, appeared to advantage at the head of this distin- guished division. Following was the staff of the Burgesses Corps, with an honorary staff of delegates from the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company 338 of Boston, Boston Light Infantry Veteran Corps, Charlestown Cadets Veteran Association, Worcester Continentals, Governor's Foot Guard of Hartford ; Sixth battery. Fourth division, N. G. S. N. Y. ; Sec- ond battery. First division, N. G. S. N. Y. ; Hart- ford City Guard, veterans ; Twenty-third regiment, N. G. S. N. Y. ; veterans. Twenty-second regiment, N. G. S. N. Y. ; Old Guard, New York ; Utica Citi- zens' Corps ; Providence Light Infantry : Capt. Oscar Smith, acting adjutant. The honorary staff numbers fifty-four, and was conspicuous for the richness of its uniforms, and was headed by the Germania band of Pittsfield, twenty-three pieces. The Burgesses them- selves were close behind their visitors, and made a splendid showing at every point, in scarlet and gold uniforms and bearskin shakos. Their strength was six staff, three line and fifty-six muskets. The Old Guard veterans' battalion of the Seventh regiment, two hundred strong, commanded by Col. Locke W. Winchester, and headed by Cappa's Seventh regiment band, whose music was a continuous delight, held the extreme left of the military column. At the head of the carriages rode City Marshal Thomas H. Craven. THE PRESIDENT. In the third carriage, seated beside Mayor Thacher, was President Cleveland, who was saluted with cheers as he passed. William H. McElroy, poet of the day, and President McCann of the com- mon council, followed, and in the fifth carriage was Governor Hill and Gen. James W. Husted, while behind it rode the Governor's staff in gorgeous uni- 339 form. Last of all were the members of the common council and Bi-centennial committee in carriages. President Cleveland kept his head uncovered through- out the line of march, and acknowledged the cheers and other demonstrations with which he was greeted almost continuously. EXERCISES AT THE RINK. About I : 30 in the afternoon Mayor Thacher, accompanied by the President, Secretaries Bayard and Whitney, Governor Hill and Bishop Doane entered the rink and took their places on the stage. Several aids escorted them. The Schubert club and Troy vocal society were seated on the stage, behind many invited guests, among whom were : Lieutenant-Gov- ernor Jones, Secretary of State Cook, Attorney-Gen- eral O'Brien, Judge Alton B. Parker, Insurance Superintendent Maxwell, Judge Muller and other State officers and their families were given seats on the platform, and Mrs. John Boyd Thacher was the centre of a group of Albany ladies. About two P. M. the legislative members arrived, two hundred in number, and took seats which had been reserved for them in the centre of the audito- rium. The crowd was now dense ; there was a black mass of people throughout the house, a perfect sea of faces. Conductor Greig immediately lifted his baton and the overture from "William Tell" commenced. 340 THE bishop's prayer. Bishop Doane then offered the following prayer: *' O God, the protector of all that trust in Thee, without Whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy," Who hast given us the inheritance of our fathers, that we may dwell in this city, which they founded in Thy fear, " increase and multiply upon us Thy mercy." EstabUsh and make sure the firm foundations of civil and religious liberty, on which they began to build ; and while Thou keepest us secure in all our rights, make us faithful to all our duties, and careful of all our trusts. Bless the magistrates and all whom we entrust with the authority of governance. Behold with Thy favor and replenish with Thy grace, Thy servants, the President of the United States, the Governor of this State, and the Mayor of this city. Strengthen and uphold their hands for the maintenance of order, the furtherance of morality, the advancement of true religion, and the preservation of peace. Prosper all works undertaken to Thy honor and glory, for the promotion of sound learning, the healing of the sick, the relief of the poor, and the care of the aged, the widowed and the fatherless. Send Thy blessing with power upon every effort to build up and extend the Kingdom of Thy dear Son in our city, and throughout our land ; in the hearts of our citizens, and of all mankind. Hallow and make happy the peoples' homes. Prosper our industries. Guide and enlarge and give the increase to enterprise and labor. Teach us to love things that are true, and honest, and just, and pure, and lovely, and of good report. Make us of one mind as citizens, in all that concerns the welfare of the city, and give us grace to dwell together in unity. Help us who honor the names, to maintain the virtues of our fathers, and hand down our heritage unharmed and increased to " the children of the generations to come, that they may know the mighty and wonderful works which Thou hast done." Keep us under the protection of Thy good Providence, strong and steadfast in Thy faith and fear ; that loving our city and our country, we may live as men who " desire a better Country, that is, an heavenly," and who look for the "City which hath foundations, whose builder and maker" Thou art. And give us grace " so to pass through things temporal, that we finally lose not the things eternal," through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 341 THE mayor's felicitous ADDRESS. Mayor Thacher then delivered the following felici- tous address : Citizens : Back of Albany to-day lie two hundred years of municipal history. Behind these two hundred are two and seventy other years of recorded and authentic events. Back of these two and seventy years, enshrouded in mist and cloud, are the uncertain forms and shadowy shapes of the years which belong to the beginning of our ancient town. We lay our hands upon our first charter and we touch one of the oldest municipal documents in America. It shall be the task of the student of chronology to estabhsh the date when the first men of Europe occupied this site. We can with confidence claim an older history than the Puritan colony. Jamestown died intestate and there is now no place to dispute our tide until we reach on the southern coast what was once the Spanish possessions. This river of ours, which seemed to flow from out the mouth of the great north, allured the early navigators up its course with the hope that it was an easy road to Asia. It was no siren song, and though the navigator failed to inter- pret it correctly, it sang to him of a beautiful country, of a rich land, of beaver skin and trade. His report brought to this hillside men honest and industrious, who kept a simple faith and wrought a determined work. It was for a home somewhere here that the Puritans in February, 1620, made bargain with the Prince of Orange. The patent, for some reason, was not granted and the less hospitable New England shore received them some months later. We lost the Puritans but we gained the Dutchmen, and while in some respects our history may not be as sdrring or eventful as theirs, our records make no mention of Salem burnings or Quaker scourgings. If witches were among us they walked the earth or rode the air unmolested and the Quaker, unreviled, went about his peaceful way. If ancientness of days was all our claim for distinction and honor, we should merit no great memorial. Our war- rant for renown is based on the good report those days have borne to the judgment place of the world. The philosopher has observed that history is made up of distinct and advanc- ing moves hke those in a game of chess. In the making of American history Albany has been an important piece upon 342 the board, and has been the castle which more than once has checked the course of kings. Our Dutch city stood like a mighty fortress against the French, shielding and protecting the English in New York and in New England. When the Dutch gave in their allegiance to English rule, they trans- ferred with it the friendship of the Five Nations and effected new and lasting treaties. Whoever reads American history must observe the great importance of this alliance with the Iroquois. They acted as guards, as scouts, as skirmishers. Again and again these friendly relations were strained and nearly sundered by mdiscreet and selfish men and the inhabi- tants of Albany were frequent but always successful peace- makers. There never was a year from the first settlement until the middle of the eighteeth century in which a war with the Iroquois would not have meant French ascendency and a changed destiny for America. Albany was the key to the situation in the great game of war. It is given to others this day to speak of our city's worth and to tell her glories. I would add to the chaplet to be laid upon her brow a single tribute. Here in the year 1754 was assembled the first colonial congress. Province and colony sent their delegates to consider a confederation of eleven of the States. That was a memorable gathering. In this city, and in no other place, American liberty was born ! In this city, and in no other place, the American Union was born ! In this city, and in no other place, was born that two-fold principle made up of liberty and union, one and inseparable ; that principle which shall ever live and never die ; that principle which is broad like the continents, deep like the seas, and which for per- petuity is like the stars fixed against the skies. Mayor Thacher then announced the poet of the day, William H. McElroy. The Poem. I. One fateful day, a people dear to God, Strong in his strength the house of bondage fleeing, Between the parted waves in triumph trod. The sea herself their valiant ally being ; The free-born sea rose up on either hand And made a pathway to the Promised Land. 343 But when along that wond'rous, wave-walled path The tyrant pressed, the fugitives pursuing, The free-born sea was moved to righteous wrath, And fiercely charging for the wrong's undoing The whelmed Egyptians agonized in vain — The longed-for further shore they might not gain. And so time's flood to stem, this lustrous hour. Behold what troops of memories are striving — O, may its waters wield the Red Sea's powder. Thus what is precious in our past surviving. All vanished ills, the ages' cumbering dross, Like Pharaoh's host — they shall not get across ! II. As the minstrel bends over his lyre And strikes it with fingers that falter, Aflame with the filial desire That the song shall be worthy the altar. When the jubilee's ended that still Some note that his anthem discloses Shall linger o'er valley and hill. Like the scent of the Bendemeer roses, — Lo, a voice — lo! a shape in the air, — What ghost with a taste for the merry, In the joy of this pageant to share Comes back o'er the Stygian ferry ? What phantom, the lyre to thrill, Has left the Delectable mountain. Where the Muses the nectar distil That is hoarded in Helicon's fountain ? There's a sword at the side of the ghost. At its wrists is a flourish of laces. Of a wonderful wig it can boast, Its waistcoat much broidery graces ; The hat it removes from its head Has too many corners for fashion. While its coat is so vividly red It would do for the genius of passion ! With a bow that is gracious and low, With smiles and the kindliest glances. With a step that is stately and slow, The mystical figure advances ; And the minstrel, though startled the while, Finds naught in the presence unnerving, For its face is as kind as the smile That plays on the pages of Irving ! <' I am here," said the radiant ghost, " Pressing back through eternity's portal From the distant, unspeakable coast That never was trodden by mortal ; — 344 It is love that the ages outwears, Its kingdom survives every other, So Schuyler, the first of the mayors. Comes back to revisit his mother ! " Uncovered each child of hers stands As round her we ardently rally, Her hills clap their verdure-clad hands, Joy's cup runneth o'er in the valley ; The river that hails her as queen. Is freighted with lender emotion, And sings of the beautiful scene Far down to the gate of the ocean. " And now as you reach for your lyre, And strike it with fingers that falter, Aflame with the filial desire That the song shall be worthy the altar, I charge you to Freedom be true If the strain's to be worthy our mother, And O, let the Dutch have their due, And their glory not go to another! " When the knights of humanity shine In the light of her final reviewing, You shall see — at the right of the line — Who most for her cause have been doing ; You shall see in that glorified host The Hollander, ne'er a pretender, Whom the Pilgrim could ever outboast. Named Liberty's stanchest defender ! "Turn not on the Pilgrim with jeers — He thought he was serving his Maker When he cut from the Baptist his ears And strangled the decorous Quaker — His witchcraft you're not to unhood. Nor tell of the saints that he banished, For we know his intentions were good. And his bigotry long ago vanished. " But fervent for justice I plead As you ponder the tomes of the ages ; Look well to the record, take heed To the light that illumines their pages ; — There — that is my mission — adieu — If your tribute's to honor our mother, Let the Dutch, let the Dutch have their due. And their glory not go to another." III. Good Peter Schuyler, there was little need To leave this mandate in the minstrel's ear ; Unwarned of thee he still had taken heed. The Dutch had had their due. Oh, never fear : 345 Or else the spirit of this grateful year Has lit in vain the torch of recollection, Whose searching light as sun-kissed dew is clear, And placed it in the hands of fond affection. As the dead centuries have resurrection ! Two humble little barques forever more Outrank the stateliest vessels of the line. And true hearts give them hail from every shore Whereon the blessed beams of Freedom shine : Lo, there the May Flower, like the ark divine. New England guards with passionate devotion ; With kindling eyes she claims that in its sign Right wins its way from ocean unto ocean — And e'en the universe retains its motion ! But while our brethren on the eastern coast Extol the Pilgrim barque with grand acclaim. Clan Hudson voices pledge a different toast — The Dutch Half Moon with swelling pride they name. Whose light on history's page shall never wane ! Roll back, ye ages, to that morn afar When the Grande River kissed its anchor chain And Freedom cried, her western gates ajar. Behold a Half Moon is my Morning Star! Then burst the sunlight on the Hudson's shores, — The precious torch that Heaven's pathway lights, The precious key of learning's priceless stores. The precious legacy to equal rights, The precious chart to Freedom's bracing heights, The golden rule, the Lord's supreme command, That every plant of bigotry but blights, — These were the boons that dropped from Holland's hand When the Half Moon had spied our goodly land! And long as floats the Union's ship of State, So long these pilot barques shall lead the way On to that blissful anchorage of fate Where hope to full fruition yields her sway, 'Neath that supernal light that floods the perfect day : Till cold the heart and motionless the lip, Our souls shall magnify those days of yore, We'll not forget — we'll not give up the ship. Nor love the May Flower less, but love the Half Moon more ! O, Mayor the First, that in these scenes would mix For justice to thine own to fervent sue. Return in peace to realms beyond the Styx, W^e also to the pioneers are true, O, fond and faithful heart, we give the Dutch their due ! 346 IV. But, Schuyler, as we hold the ship, we pray thee, tell us true — When last this jubilee was kept, had then the Dutch their due ? That first Centennial of the town, who is it knows its story, From age to age where gleams the page o'er which it trails its glory? The Press was very modest then and left a thing or two Beneath the rose — the bashful rose that shuns the public view; So when the Charter feast occurred, the scanty record teaches, No paper even tried to print the after-dmner speeches ! We know the grand procession formed the City Hall before. That bells were rung and banners hung and anthems sung galore. We know the spirit of the day, we know— and more's the pity — That sundry spirits of the day were summoned by the city ! We know that ere the shadows fell the jocund fathers dined, But further annals of the feast we vainly seek to find ; — Who was the chaplain at the board, and did it boast a bard. And what the gastronomic gems that graced the menu card ? Who made the most alluring speech and who the saddest pun. What local chaff provoked a laugh and what the gossip spun ? — Ah, bootless is the tempting quest; the children may not know How 'twas the fathers kept the Day, one hundred years ago. But Fancy, kindling at the thought, would fain the scene portray, Would place upon the present's shrine that reminiscence gay ; Across the chasm of the past would stretch her magic wire And catch the echoes, faint and far, that never quite expire ! The banquet hall was plainly dressed — they did not dine in state — Mayhap a Haarlem tulip lay beside each feaster's plate, And, serving as a centre-piece, a ship in sugar done, With Hendrick Hudson on the deck, delighted everyone. An inkling of the courses served we hardly hope to gain, We know they relished simple food and drank their liquor plain; We know they loved the soothmg schnapps and safely may declare. Whatever else the dinner lacked, the olykoek was there ! The feasting o'er, the cloth removed, the long-stemmed pipes were lit^ Then burst the floods of eloquence, of sentiment, of wit — And when the curfew bell was heard, its pious precepts scorning. They sang in jubilant accord, We won't go home till morning ! The burden of the speeches made 'tis easy to surmise, George Washington they toasted first and praised him to the skies. And when they heard his deeds rehearsed for man's undying cause, They made that ancient tavern ring with rapturous applause. And then a toast extolled The State, and he who made reply Fixed on that babe in swaddling-clothes a prophet's glowing eye; He knew the blood, he knew the nurse, he knew what prospects smiled,. And so foretold she'd ever be the Nation's favorite child. 347 And speaking thus he raised his glass and uttered Clinton's name — They hailed him first of Governors, and gloried in his fame; They felt each ruler in the line would win the smile of God, If but he followed in the path the noble Clinton trod. And then, the dearest toast of all was summoned to the fore — With cheer on cheer, with smile and tear, with clamorous encore; The Mayor, with eyes that overflowed, sprang to his feet to say, <'Now is the flood-tide of the feast— I give The Charter Day! " At which arose from all their throats so long and loud a roar. The startled echoes raised their voice far up and down the shore. Till ancient vrouws, aroused from sleep, exclaimed — the simple souls — That Hendrick Hudson's phantom crew again was playing bowls ! The gallant son that made response was but a modest man, So though he placed the little town in all the ages' van. He spoke in such impassioned tones, with such a candid air. That those that hung upon his words were sure he witnessed fair. He said within her palisades the Nation had been born. The child was but a feeble thing, its future looked forlorn, But when her Court-House ope'd its doors to greet that Congress bold Then on his fairest prize of all the Lion lost his hold ! He said that when the war cloud burst, with loyalty intense The town became the Nation's hope, its rock of sure defence ; 'Twas her's to hold the vital gate and — let it still be heard — She held the gate, she played the part that conquered George the Third ! The plaudits of the table rang about the speaker's ears, Those that had fought the rash Burgoyne gave nine tremendous cheers, While all declared with shake of head — why should they not, forsooth ? — He spoke the words of soberness, of plain unvarnished truth. Before the panegyrist stopped he spread before their eyes The signs of promise in the town, of growth in grand emprise; Indeed, such cheerful local signs were not deceptive tales. For as he spoke the boast went round of semi-weekly mails ! Besides, the bellman, strong of lungs, whose duty 'twas to tell, As every nightly hour struck, if all went ill or well, Declared unless the city checked its energetic stride He could not cover all the ground — some wards must go uncried ! The streets that once had gone unlit the cheerless darkness through Now were ablaze with fifty lamps, and nine of them were new ! While bowing to that giant force, the Spirit of the Age, They shamed the lazy-gliding sloop with lightning-rapid — stage. 'Twas thus he of the silver tongue, before he sat him down, Did homage pay to local pride and glorify the town ; 'Twas thus he deepened their belief that on from age to age Their home should be what then it was — a goodly heritage. 348 Then joining hands about the board, a stout and loving grip, They toasted Holland and the Dutch, and hailed their patron ship; They called to mind the blessings rich that followed in its wake, And vowed the things for which it stood they never would forsake. Such was, if Fancy's not deceived, one hundred years ago The dinner of the Charter Day and such its after-glow ; The tale cannot be verified for — thus the record teaches — No paper even tried to print the after-dinner speeches ! This Charter Day another strain rings out — They sang the seed, we sing the garnered grain ; They sang by faith that routed every doubt. We sing by sight- — each hill they knew, each plain Is vocal with our Harvest Home refrain! But O, they did not die without the sight Of the rich fruitage it is ours to gain ; They saw it all on many a vision's height, And so took heart, nor faltered in their fight. But fate to us, e'en as it did to them. Beckons ahead to duties manifold ; Nor might we dare to touch their memory's hem. If with a consistancy less true and bold We strove to hasten on the age of gold ; That age of gold, dispelling error's night. When ignorance shall be a tale that's told, When pale the lower lamps in Heaven's light And Right shall rule and be the only Might. Nor shall the fathers smite us with their scorn Because of ancient landmarks now no more ; Because when progress blew her magic horn The town renounced its walls ; and from the shore Fort Orange crumbled ; and the tavern door That ope'd to Washington and hence to fame Became unhinged ; and curfew time was o'er ; And on the hill — where hides thy blush, O shame ! The old-time Market bides but in its name. But there are landmarks of supremest worth — Seen of the soul, but not by mortal eye, And should they ever perish from the earth Then, though upon her hills exalted high, This city of our hearts shall surely die ; The courage calm that any fate defied. The civic fealty no bribe could buy. The sturdy faith in God as guard and guide — O, may such ancient landmarks e'er abide ! They shall abide — long as the Hudson rolls ! For though beneath the sod the old guard rests, Yet still each hero broods above the souls That glow within the children's loving breasts, 349 Thus sons of God in every age and clime The grave defied, still makes a noble quest, Though dead they speak, their counsels seem sublime, They conquer Death, they triumph over Time ! They shall abide — O, Schuyler, hear our vow And may it win us favor in thine eyes, — Thou loyal ghost, we pray thee tell us now What thoughts within thy swelling bosom rise As thou this Charter Day dost scrutinize ; — And Schuyler, like some watchman by his bell Who from a lookout tower Time's passage cries, Responds in accents that of rapture tell, Tivo by the century's clock, and all is -well ! As the applause subsided, the vocal societies again ranged themselves before the platform and the orchestra began the undulatory preface to Mr. George Edgar Oliver's impressive setting of Bishop Doane's Bi-centennial ode. The ode was rendered with mag- nificent effect and was rapturously received. The event of the programme, the historical oration of Governor Hill, had been awaited with interest. As he stepped forward handkerchiefs fluttered in the air, cheers rang out, and the band struck up " Hail to the Chief," as it had on the entrance of President Cleve- land. The Oration Fellow-citizens : The traveler upon the ocean, ap- proaching the magnificent harbor of New York, instinctively turns his eye northward toward the beautiful waters of the picturesque Hudson. Passing in his view the grand and imposing Palisades, thence along the majestic barriers of West Point and under the deep shadow of the Storm King, and still to the north- ward, beyond the line of the lofty Catskills, he beholds in the distance the craggy and precipitous Helderbergs, and seemingly hovering at their feet, although really far removed from their base, there appear, emerging close by the west bank of the Hudson, surrounded on every side by beautiful 3SO and commanding scenery, the three broad and spacious hills upon which the city of Albany is so grandly built. It was here, upon this romantic spot, originally called by the euphonious name of "Aurania," that your Dutch fore- fathers settled with their families and planted the germs of civihzation, nearly three hundred years ago. Here, by the side of this " inlet of the sea," in the interior of a vast wilderness, yet where the tide of the great ocean ebbed and flowed, the heroic yeomanry of Holland came to this country and laid the foundation of the New Netherlands. It was as early as 1609, nearly a dozen years before the Mayflower landed at Plymouth, that Hendrick Hudson in his Dutch vessel, the " Half Moon," sailed into the mouth of the noble river which now bears his name, and landed at this historic spot. It was not, however, until a few years later, the precise date of which is uncertain, that any distinct settlement appeared at this point, but it is claimed that it is the most ancient existing settlement in the original thirteen colonies. What wonderful changes have since been wrought ! The rude hamlet of Aurania has prospered and grown until it is to-day the imperial capital of the greatest State in the Union — a city containing a population of over a hundred thousand inhabitants, who proudly claim the honor of its citizenship. History informs us that the emigrants from Holland were themselves of the most various lineage, for Holland had long been the gathering place of the unfortunate of other lands. It is said, that could we trace the descent of the emigrants from the Low Countries to New Netherlands, we should be carried, not only to the banks of the Rhine and the borders of the German Sea, but to the martyrs who escaped from France by reason of religious persecution, and to those earlier inquirers who were swayed by the voice of Huss in the heart of Bohemia. It is claimed by a very respectable historical authority, tliat a large number of the first settlers of Albany were Walloons — French people — but this claim may not be well founded. Nevertheless, it is true that New York was always peculiarly cosmopolitan in its character. Its settlers came from every clime and every land, and there were among them relics of the first fruits of the Reformation chosen from the Belgic provinces and England, from France and Bohemia, from Germany and Switzerland, from Pied- mont and the Italian Alps. 351 Resistance to wrong, oppression and persecution accus- tomed this people to seek the blessings of religious and political freedom wherever such freedom could be found. They zealously preferred national libery to the demands of arbitrary power; and their experience of intolerance had made them liberal in thought and action, and paved the way for their own and their decendants' subsequent efforts in behalf of independence and a free and representative form of government to which they were early instinctively inclined. A learned writer has thoughtfully said : " In the deepest and widest sense our American history does not begin with the Declaration of Independence, or even with the settle- ment of Jamestown and Plymouth, but it descends in unbroken continuity from the days when stout Arminius, in the forests of northern Germany, defied the might of imperial Rome." Such was the history and such were the characteristics of those who became the early settlers of this city. WHAT THE DUTCH BROUGHT. The eloquent Storrs has pertinently said that the Dutch brought to this country " the patience, the enterprise and the courage, the indomitable spirit and the hatred of tyranny, into which they had been born, into which their nation had been baptized with blood. Education came with them ; the free schools, in which Holland had led the van of the world, being early transplanted to these shores. * * * An energetic Christian faith came with them, with its bibles, its ministers, its interpreting books." They brought with them their virtues and their vices, their thrift and their lethargy, and all their social tendencies and national peculiarities. A critical and amusing historian wrote, many years ago concerning the appearance of this place : "Albany was indeed Dutch, in all its moods and tenses — thoroughly and inveterately Dutch. The buildings were Dutch — Dutch in style, in position, attitude and aspect. The people were Dutch, the horses were Dutch, and even the dogs were Dutch. If any confirmation were wanting as to the origin and character of the place, it might be found in the old Dutch church, which was itself always to be found in the middle of State street, looking as if it had been wheeled out of line by the giants of old, and there left; or had been dropped down from the clouds in a dark night, and had stuck fast where it fell." It may have been because Albany and the other towns upon the Hudson river, which were settled by the Dutch emigrants, so much resembled places in northern Germany that the Hudson has sometimes been called the "Rhine of America," although usually other reasons are given for the appellation. The spot where this city stands was, as before stated, originally called Aurania ; then Beverwyck until 1625 ; then Fort Orange until 1647, and Williamstadt until 1664, and then called by its present pleasant name of Albany, in honor of the Duke of York and of Albany. RELATIONS TO THE STATE." In a young nation like ours, a city whose chartered privi- leges and immunities have existed through two centuries, with all the historic memories gathered around it, is so uncommon that the approach of its Bi-centennial Day is an event of great magnitude. It is impossible to recall the associations which center about such an event, without deep and solemn, yet pleasing recollections, for with such recol- lections one generation speaks its thoughts, feelings and hopes to another. The citizens of Albany, have, therefore, appropriately set apart this day and week for mutual con- gratulations over the success and prosperity of their city through a period of two hundred years, the close of which is reached to-day. Not for mutual congratulations alone, but for congratulations with the great State of which the city has so long been the capital ; so long been the center of its executive, legislative and judicial system. Not only this, but the people extend congratulations to the great Republic itself, with which this city has always co-operated in loyalty and faith in advancing the cause of national prosperity. We are celebrating the primal existence of this city, born from a charter granted by the sovereignty of England, a sovereignty to which the city owed and gave allegiance for nearly one hundred years. The city thus created has out- lived the perils and dangers of its situation on the confines of civilization, the attack of savage foes, the wars with the French and their Indian allies, the fearful trials of the Revo- lution, the bitter internal strifes of the turbulent tory element, the dangers arising from a loose confederation and 353 the contention of partisan zealots. It has continued through all this time and through all these events, fortunate in the natural favor of its situation on the bank of the most beauti- ful and most historic river in the nation, sometimes called "the River of the Mountains;" fortunate in the intelligence, cultivation and enterprise of its citizens; fortunate in its municipal, religious and educational advantages. Banners, and badges, music, civic processions, and the parade of accomplished citizen soldiery are fitting accompaniments to the occasion. Thus, in the midst of so much diffused wealth, so much happiness and comfort, so much general indepen- dence and under so many blessings, we indulge in gratifying recollections of the past, in pleasing thoughts of the pros- perity of the present and so many glorious hopes for the future. Two hundred years ago Albany was the scene of an event the importance of which has called this immense concourse together to-day. That event was the birth of this city. The happy citizens who then gathered together, were colonists, subjects of a British monarch, and they were a people of education and refinement. They had brought with them the civilization, the arts, sciences and education of England and of Holland ; accomplished men of business, scholars, jurists, learned and pious ministers of the gospel, the artist, the artisan, and the honest laborer came here from the Old World to make these hills their home. They brought with with them the fundamental principles of jurisprudence — that jurisprudence which was afterwards enlarged and liber- alized by a popular and republican form of government. CHARACTER OF GOVERNOR DONGAN. As has well been said : " The colonists had escaped from the existing political systems of Europe, but they continued in the enjoyment of its sciences and arts, equality of rights, a representative system, free government founded on popu- lar representation, and a general freedom of religious opinion and worship. For they brought with them the Bible, Bacon, Locke, Milton and Shakespeare; they came, not only to form new political systems, but all other institutions that belong to cultivated man." These were the people to whom Thomas Dongan, in 1686, granted that charter which made Albany a city. And who was Thomas Dongan ? His name is to-day upon every 354 lip. All that concerns his character and life is eagerly sought after by the inquiring multitude who throng these streets. You have recently, and with great propriety, organized in this city a social club in his honor and which bears his name. It is meet and proper that I say a few words regarding one whose history is so intimately connected with the antecedents of this place. Of all the P2nglish colonial governors he was the best and ablest ; he possessed discretion which seldom permitted a mistake ; an integrity which always looked to the good of the colonists over whom he ruled; a firmness of purpose that rarely failed, and which yielded to no obstacle or reverses. He began his career in Hfe as a soldier ; he rose to high official rank in the army, and after distinguish- ing himself he retired, becoming a civilian and legist, winning the confidence of Charles II. and his brother, the Duke of York, who found in him those executive abilities which especially qualified him to govern their province of New York, as the successor of Edward Andros. Duly com- missioned for his high office, Dongan landed in New York City in 1682, where he was received with every demonstra- tion of popular favor. One of the first acts of his administration was to grant the prayer of the citizens of the city for a general and popular assembly or convention. This convention, consisting of representatives from different parts of the colony, convened at Hempstead, in 1683. This was really the first representa- tive body of the colony of New York, although other bodies assuming to be popular in their character had assembled. The popular nature of this assemblage at Hempstead is better known by its acts. It passed an act of general natu- ralization, the first important step toward American citizen- ship ; an act declaring the liberties of the people ; an act establishing a bill of rights ; an act defraying the expenses of the colonial government ; an act for regulating the inter- nal affairs of the province, and special acts for the better protection of Albany. This town or burgh was represented in this convention by citizens whose ability, public spirit and influence enabled them then and there to take the initial step for obtaining that charter which three years later was fully granted. They did more than this — they succeeded in interesting the new Governor largely in the affairs of their village, an interest which increased as time went on. At this time James, Duke of York and Albany, was the 355 proprietor, under favor of his royal brother, Charles II , of that vast territory known as the Province of New York, a name derived from its princely proprietor. The critical state of affairs of that part of the colony in which Albany was situated, with the French and Indians, called in requisi- tion every executive ability of Governor Dongan, and they proved amply eftective in coping with the deep, designing and cruel diplomacy of the French government in the Canadas, and he found it necessary to make Albany, in a large degree, the seat of government in the province, where he often came in the discharge of his executive duties. In September, 1683, he made his first visit here, where he met in council the citizens and listened favorably to their requests for executive co-operation. In August, 1685, Governor Dongan presided at the great convention held here, which was attended by delegates from most of the Indian tribes from Virginia to Lake Ontario. JUST DEALINGS WITH THE INDIANS. In August, 1687, he met the Iroquois in convention at Albany, and soon after this he established his executive resi- dence here, where he remained till June, 1688. This step became necessary by the deep-plotted blow by which the French threatened the English interests in North America. This dangerous policy of the French was to be executed by the bold, sagacious and accomplished soldier and civilian, De Nouville, who, at the time of Dongan's arrival in Albany, had, with a large French and Indian army, invaded the country of the Senecas, one of the confederate tribes of the Five Nations, who were friends of the English. But Don- gan's vigorous war policy, inaugurated at Albany, checked the career of De Nouville, and rescued the province from the threatened dangers of his invasion. The distinguishing feature of the conduct of the early setders of the Colony of New York, and particularly those residing in this vicinity, in all their transactions with the Indians, was the endeavor to deal justly with them, to respect their rights, to recognize their title to the soil, and to acquire their property only after fair negotiation and liberal treat- ment. This honorable method of procedure made the Indians their friends, and to a great extent rendered them most serviceable and faithful allies in all the colonists' con- tests with their enemies. In many instances the colonists of 356 New England seemed to pursue a different course, and not only lost the support, but brought upon themselves the active opposition and hostility of the red men of that section, and cost the people much treasure and thousands of valuable lives. Albany was the scene of another convention of the province, which assembled in August, 1689. In the con- vention which assembled in 1683, attended by delegates from all the tribes forming the Five Nations and delegates from the white settlers along the Mohawk and other parts of the province, the delegates from the Five Nations desig- nated Albany as " their covenant house, which was always to be open and kept clean." FIRST IDEA OF AN AMERICAN UNION. It is thus seen that Albany became a representative centre or capital at this early period in her history ; and so it con- tinued, by the frequent representative conventions held here up to the very time of the Revolution. Here, in 1754, was held a convention of delegates from New Hampshire, Mass- achusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maryland and New York. Bancroft says : "America has never seen an assembly so venerable for the States that were represented or for the great and able men who composed it. Every voice declared a union of all the colonies to be absolutely necessary." This convention was perhaps the first step toward a scheme for the common defense. A plan for a pohtical union was drawn by Benjamin Franklin on the fourth of July, 1754, but it met with the singular misfortune of being rejected by the provincial assemblies because it gave too much power to the crown, and rejected by the crown because it gave too much power to the people. But it gave to Albany the distinguished honor of being the place where the first steps toward a Federal Union were taken. THE FAMOUS CHARTER. It was unfortunate that after the accession of James to the throne, though he renewed Dongan's commission, he annulled all the privileges he had granted the province under the convention of 1683, promulgating an order to Dongan to suffer no printing press in the province. But Albany received its charter July 22, 1686, through Dongan's friend- ship and influence with the crown, and the distinguished 357 honors shown the name of Governor Thomas Dongan in this great celebration are fitting tributes to his abiUties, his- successful administration and his unswerving friendship and kindly acts to this city in its infancy. That charter, obtained through his influence, is drawn with all the care, precision and legal learning of that age. Fac similes of this singu- larly beneficent instrument are to be seen everywhere in the city. An inspection of that charter shows how fully it pro- tected the interests of the citizens of Albany, and, though it originated in royal power, it in no way deprived them of their privileges, liberties, franchises, royalties, free customs and immunities. Though written two hundred years ago, in the quaint language of the times, it is appropriate to our own age, and we turn to it with feelings of profound veneration and respect. It is a grand instrument of antiquity which has come down from the past to form a most interesting feature in this celebration. It contains provisions known to few, if any, of the royal charters granted to colonial towns. There was conferred in it the right to purchase from the In- dians large tracts of land to be held as the property of the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city. It also granted to the city certain other large tracts of land which were sources of revenue to the city, and were held by it till they formed the basis of that famous lottery of Yates and Mclntyre, which subsequently became so important a matter in the history of the State, and to-day the city owns parcels of land the title to which was derived from the Dongan charter. The importance of this charter is signified in the extent of the territory which comprised the city. Its limits were one mile north and south on the Hudson, and sixteen miler in a north-west direction. Schuyler's resistance of leisler. The character of the ancient burghers is well illustrated in their treatment of Jacob Leisler, when that stout-hearted but wrong-headed individual assumed to himself the government of the Province of New York. Leisler was a strange mix- ture of Oliver Cromwell and Captain Kidd. He had all the rehgious zeal and ambition after power which distin- guished the former, while his boldness of action and his disregard for methods were Kidd's very best designs. When James II. retired, and William and Mary came upon the throne, the colonies were in much confusion over 358 the change. New York was left without any governing head other than a sort of executive council. It was the opportu- nity for an ambitious man who could take a chance. Leisler, who had hitherto been known as a successful merchant and a captain of miUtia, took possession of the government. Albany, alone of all the province, refused to acknowledge him. He sent his son-in-law, Milbourne, to this city and demanded his recognition of his authority, even declaring that this old charter of yours, which you guard with so much tenderness, was illegal, null and void. Peter Schuyler, your first Mayor, was as determined as Leisler, and had the guns and barricade of a fort to help him in his resistance, and compelled Milbourne's retirement. Afterward, when your sister city, Schenectady, was burned by Frontenac's forces, a sort of truce was patched up with the strong-willed Dutch- man, but, while the rest of the province always humbled itself to him, and employed terms of the highest regard, addressing him as " His Excellency " and " Their Majesties' Lieutenant," the Albanians prided themselves on always calling him in their public communications, as well as in their private conversation, " Captain Jacob Leisler." When, as time rolled on, the wheel had completed its revolution, and Albany was on top and Leisler underneath, the burghers enjoyed a pleasure which has never since been afforded them, and that was the execution, for high crime and mis- demeanor, of the Chief Executive of the Province. I have no doubt this terrible fate which came upon Jacob Leisler — whatever the formidable document which constituted his death warrant may have called it — was in reality due to his attitude of hostility to the Albanians, and it certainly is true that since that time no Executive of this State has ever dared to put himself in a position of antagonism to the inhabitants of the place that Washington styled " this ancient and respect- able town." THE END OF THE FIRST CENTURY. A hundred years of the city's existence was completed in 1786, and the anniversary was appropriately celebrated. The Revolutionary war had 'but recently closed, and the Dongan City Charter, modified in a few essential particulars, was still the fundamental law of the city. At the beginning of the struggle for independence, the clarion voice of liberty, which resounded over the colonies, had little effect on the 359 people of Albany. The tory element in the city was large, and for a time held the balance of power ; but the news of the conflicts at Concord and Bunker Hill soon reached it, and then the voice of toryism was silenced, and the Decla- ration of Independence, subsequently read from a historic spot in the city, was hailed with loud and prolonged applause by the assembled people. Historians have told us of the sufferings and privations of the people of Albany during the struggle for independence. To the north and north-west, and up the Mohawk River, all the horrors of border and terrible civil warfare raged, ren- dering the city a scene of terror. The city suffered greatly. If it was not a decisive battle ground, if it was not devastated by the march of opposing armies, or cannonaded by the enemy, it was in constant danger of many of these fearful visitations. The roar of Burgoyne's cannon from Saratoga, answered by the guns of the Continentals, reverberated over it ; while the citizens knew the fleet of Sir William Howe and his army were endeavoring to make their way up the Hudson to fall upon them from the south. The position of Albany rendered it one of the most im- portant points in the struggle. Situated almost midway in the territory, which by the great plan of the British generals to crush the rebellion — as they termed the patriotic cause — was to be swept by Burgoyne from the north and Howe from the south, whose armies were to unite at Albany, it became a great strategic point, made so by its geographical position. For not dissimilar reasons it afterwards became a political and governmental center. A STRATEGIC POINT. The importance of Albany's position to the State and Nation is illustrated by an incident connected with the soldierly foresight and discernment of General Winfield Scott. He was once riding with a distinguished citizen of the State from Sharon Springs to Cherry Valley, by the route known as the Ridge road, twelve hundred feet above tide water, which overlooks to the north, to the east and to the west, regions below embracing the confluence of the Hudson and the Mohawk. As they were gazing in admira- tion upon this magnificent view, stretching over into Ver- mont and Massachusetts, General Scott exclaimed, as he pointed in the direction where the two rivers approached 360 each other : " There is the grand strategic point of the American continent, and Albany is next in importance. An invading army that could take and hold those points could dictate terms to the Republic." On one of General Grant's visits to Albany this point was shown him, and General Scott's remarks related to him. After reflecting a few moments he rephed, with his characteristic brevity: " Yes, General Scott was right." " It was," said Governor Seymour, in his centennial address at Schuylerville, " the design of the British govern- ment in the campaign of 1777 to capture the center and stronghold of this commanding system of mountains and valleys. It aimed at its very heart — the confluence of the Hudson and the Mohawk. The fleets, the armies and the savage allies of Britain were to follow their converging lines to Albany, and there strike the decisive blow." The importance of Albany during the Revolution was fully understood by the British ministry ; carefully drawn views of the interior and exterior of old Fort Frederick, whose guns swept the river and the surrounding country, were seen in London and Paris, and were carefully studied by engineers and soldiers. Its proximity to the great strategic point described caused them, as weU as Washington and his generals, to watch the movements of Burgoyne and his powerful army with the most intense interest. Sherman's march to the sea, in the late Rebellion, did not, in the beginning, promise more favorable or decisive results to the Union cause than did the invasion of Burgoyne to the cause of Britain in the Revolution. The progress of the British ships up the Hudson to a point east of the Allegany range, the capture and burning of Kingston, where the British admiral awaited communication from Burgoyne, are events familiar to the readers of history. There were those in Albany at that time who knew full well that the cause of free- dom was suspended in a balance. They knew if Howe pushed rapidly to Albany he would soon unite with Burgoyne, and the American commander would be forced to retreat to New England, if he escaped the powerful combination against him. But for some cause Howe delayed, and his delay was fatal to Burgoyne, and his troops were marched prisoners of war through Albany, and himself also became a prisoner of war in one of the mansions of the city, whose 361 old walls saw this proud commander a prisoner-guest of one of Albany's most illustrious citizen-soldiers. HONOR TO PHILIP SCHUYLER. The central figure of the Albany heroes of the Revolution was General Philip Schuyler. He was one of the ablest and most distinguished of the officers who served the patriot cause, and impartial history concedes the fact that it was under his generalship that the plans were matured and the movements conceived which subsequently led to the victory of Saratoga ; deprived of the honor of actually participating in that memorable and decisive engagement, by the unwise action of Congress in removing hun from his command shortly before that battle, he, nevertheless, did not permit the personal wrong to himself to swerve his loyalty to the American cause. While Gates was the immediate commander under whom the contest was fought, the glory belonged, in reality, greatly to Schuyler. His is not the only instance in history where the laurels of one commander, who had patiendy disciplined his army, formulated his campaign, and planned his victory, have been snatched from him by another, who, at the eleventh hour, was put in command, and, by the fortunes of war, was enabled to reap what the former had sown. Military reputation is fickle at the best, but, notwithstand- ing the ill-fortune that overtook the gallant Schuyler on the eve of his greatest triumph, he maintained the confidence — if not of Congress — at least of the people of the country and the warm friendship of Washington, the Commander-in- Chief. The people have always respected his memory, and forts, garrisons and public institutions without number in various parts of the country have been named in his honor. With pleasure I recall the fact that the youngest county in the State of New York — my own native county — bears the name of Albany's most distinguished soldier. Albany, as we have before seen, was, by natural causes, destined to be not only a point of great importance in colonial history and in the War of the Revolution, but in her relations with the distant Indian tribes and the early set- tlers. She did not lose the benefit of her advantages in her later history, for she possessed those which always tend to establish the capital of the country. As the Acropolis and Mars Hill, in view of the " Eye of Greece," made Athens, 362 despite every opposing influence the capital of an early republic ; as Rome, situated on her seven hills, was the most fitting place for the capitolium of her mighty empire ; as Edinburgh, London and Dublin became the capitals of their respective countries, so Albany, with its Capitol Hill, as beautiful as that seen from the Acropolis of Athens, became the capitol of the Empire State. On March 21, 1787, after a long and bitter opposition, an act for altering the chartered rights of the city passed both branches of the Legislature and became a law. Down to that period the Dongan charter had continued to exist, with a few changes rendered necessary by the State Constitution. This act did not effect a radical change in the charter; it merely divested the Mayor of the power of acting as sole coroner of the city and county, and deprived the aldermen and Mayor of the exclusive right to the regulation of trade with the Indians. The charter amended by this act con- tinued to be the fundamental law of the city, with some amendments, until March 16, 1870, when it was changed by extensive amendments with which you are all familiar. MADE CAPITAL OF THE STATE. With this glance at the charter, I return to the considera- tion of Albany as the capital and its relation to the State. Immediately after the Revolution, the location of the State capital became a great and absorbing question to the people. The important position of Albany during the colonial period and the Revolution made it, in the estimation of a large class of the people, as well as many statesmen and legislators of the period, a most proper place for the capital. It was not, however, without antagonism from poHtical influence, and from rival cities and towns claiming to possess superior advantages, that it was finally established here. For a time the prolonged contest over the seat of the capital gave the seat of State Government and the State Legislature a kind of mercurial existence, and the State had no estabhshed capital. The first session of the Legislature v/as held at Kingston and Poughkeepsie in 1777-8; the second session at Pough- keepsie, 1778-9; the third Legislature held three meetings, one at Kingston in 1779, one at Albany and one at King- ston in 1780 ; the fourth had three meetings, one at Pough- keepsie in 1780, and at Albany and Poughkeepsie in 1781 ; the fifth Legislature met at Poughkeepsie in 1781-2 ; the sixth session was held at Poughkeepsie and Kingston in 1782-3; the seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth sessions in the city of New York from 17S4 to 1787; in 1788 the eleventh session at Poughkeepsie; the twelfth session, 1788-9, at Albany; from 1789 to 1793, the Legislature met in the city of New York; the seventeenth session was at Albany, 1794; the eighteenth at Poughkeepsie and New York city ; the next session was held m New York, 1796, and the twentieth session, 1796-7, at New York and Albany. At this latter session the question as to the site of the future capital was settled, and Albany became the perpetual seat of govern- ment in the State. It was not political influence alone, nor the influence of wealth, nor the weight of local importunity that decided this great question. It was, to a great extent, those natural advantages which have been already described. Albany became the capital of the State the same year the United States Constitution was transmitted to Congress for ratification or rejection. Its ratification met the strongest opposition in our own State, the center of which was in Al- bany, where it engendered a fierce contest. RATIFYING THE CONSTITUTION. A singular feature of this contest was that Hamilton, the leader of the Federalists in this State and Nation, favored the Constitution, while many of the anti-Federalists, despair- ing of anything better, united with him in favoring the rati- fication. This arrayed old political friends against each other with that intensity of hatred which seems to have been incident to such contests in the early days of the Republic. The discussions in the city over this question rendered it almost the pivotal point touching the adoption or rejection of the Constitution. George Chnton, the grand old soldier of the Revolution, the venerated patriot and statesman, who sat in the Executive Chair of the State twenty-one years, the uncompromising enemy of the Fed- eralists, the unswerving friend of popular and State rights, and his friends in the city, who were powerful, opposed the ratification of the Constitution with most intense determination. Political writers have attributed Clinton's policy in this regard to his hatred of Hamil- ton. It is believed, however, that his opposition was stimulated by higher and loftier motives. He regarded 364 the Constitution as fantastic and experimental — a fit instrument to deprive the people of the State of their liberties. The convention for ratifying it met at Pough- keepsie, June 17, 1788. Of the seven delegates from Albany, at the head of whom was one of its most beloved and honored citizens and jurists, John Lansing, jr., four voted against the ratification and three declined to vote. At this time Clinton was Governor of the State and a resident of Albany, but he represented Ulster, his native county, in this convention, and was president of that body. He also declined to vote on the question. On July 26, the Constitution was ratified by a vote of thirty to twenty-seven. When this result was announced in Albany the city became the scene of a memorable contest between the friends and opponents of the Constitution. The greatest and most dis- tinguished citizens participated in it. Though Clinton and his friends were overthrown in their opposition, a brilliant triumph awaited them in the amendments to the Constitution which he had favored, and which were soon made. He and the Albany delegates caused these amendments to the Con- stitution, in accordance with their views to be proposed at the first session of the first Congress. In securing the adoption of these they were successful. Ten of these amendments were ratified by the Legislature of 1790, and another by the Legislature of 1791. These eleven amend- ments, originally favored by Governor Clinton and the Albany delegates, and a few delegates from other parts of the State, were added so soon after the adoption of the Constitution that they may fairly be considered a part of the original instrument. Thus it will be seen the opposition to the Constitution by Chnton and his Albany friends was just and honest, and the amendments which he had urged were in accordance with the true doctrines of a Republican government. CONTEST IN THE FIRST LEGISLATURE. The first session of the Legislature, which assembled after the events which I have described at Albany, December 11, 1788, was the scene of another contest, to which, from our standpoint to-day, it is proper to refer: The Federalists controlled the Senate, but Clinton had a large majority in the House. This resulted in an uncompromising dead-lock over the choice of presidential electors and the election of 365 a United States Senator. So the State was not represented in the first Electoral College which voted for George Wash- ington, and was also unrepresented in the Senate of the next Congress. This session was convened by Governor Clinton for the purpose of choosing these electors and a United States Senator. One of the strong charges made against Clinton was his delay in convening this Legislature so that the electors chosen by it had not time to receive the legal notice of their election and to be present at the time assigned by the Constitution for the meeting of the college. But it was the protracted contest in the Legislature that delayed the selection, and not the action of the Governor. Those who have examined the State journals of that day will see how deep and radical was the contest over these matters. They will also see with gratification how a large majority of the citizens of Albany united in sustaining the Governor not only during this contest, but in the gubernatorial contest which soon followed, in which he was again a candidate for Governor, and which resulted in his election. LONG A JUDICIAL CENTER. During the Dutch colonial period, and that of the English, Albany was largely the center of provincial jurisprudence. Here the Dutch courts of Burgomasters and Scheppens were held in the old Stadt Huys or State House, erected soon after the settlement of Albany. When the English took possession of the colony, courts of justice were organ- ized here, under the authority known as the Duke's laws, a name derived from the Duke of York. In 1685, one year before the city charter was granted, Governor Dongan estabhshed in the colony a Court of Ex- chequer, which was composed of the Governor and his council. The history of this tribunal exhibits the judicial wisdom of this accomplished Chief Magistrate. The court had jurisdiction over all matters relating to the lands, rents, rights, profits and revenues belonging to the crown. On the abolishment of this court in 1691, the Colonial Supreme Court was given jurisdiction in these matters. After the adoption of the State Constitution this court was reorgan- ized as a branch of the State Supreme Court, for the better levying and accounting for the fines, forfeitures and debts due the people of the State. One term of Governor Don- gan's court was held in Albany in the fall of 1685. Z66 We have seen that long before the adoption of the Fed- eral Constitution, and even before the city became the capi- tal of the State, Albany was what might be termed a judicial center. From the time it became the State capital to the present time, the great courts of the State have held their sittings here. The great Court of Dernier Resort — the court for the correction of errors — composed of State Sena- tors, Justices of the Supreme Court and the Chancellor of the State, held its sittings here from its organization under the Constitution until abolished by the changes in the Con- stitution of 1846. Here, too, the Court of Appeals, the highest judicial tribunal of our State, has mostly held its sittings since its establishment under that Constitution. Over our early tribunals presided the great expounders of our legal and judicial system : Jay, Hobart, Benson, Brock- hoist, Livingston, James Kent and others. The early decis- ions of these courts exhibit the trained minds, enlarged legal abilities and unwearied industry of the judicial officers who resided in this city — Woodworth, Lansing, Yates, Spencer and Marcy ; while the latter decisions also show the abun- dant talents of Albany jurists equally esteemed. Here Henry, Van Vechten, Van Buren and Butler, and at a later period, Reynolds, Stevens, Wheaton, Hill, Cagger, Peck- ham, Tremain, Hand and others, became renowned at the Albany bar. GREAT CENTER OF POLITICAL POWER. From the adoption of the Constitution to the present time, Albany has been a great center of political power. From here have extended the arteries which have sent their pulsations into every town and into almost every home in the State. We are standing to-day on ground where great political campaigns have been planned since the organiza- tion of the State government. Not far from us stood the mansion of the first Clinton, and that of Jay and Van Vechten, and yonder was the house of Schuyler, within the rooms of which not only personal poUtical plans were ma- tured, but plans of wholesome State pohcy and legislation had their origin. In this mansion Hamilton wrote some of the best pages of the " Federalist," a work which stands pre- eminent for its far-seeing wisdom and is honored as the most powerful literary influence that was wielded in behalf of the Constitution. Whatever ground we here tread seems 367 consecrated to those primal principlesof legislation, jurispru- dence, fundamental laws and equitable systems which aided much in causing New York to be regarded as the Empire State of the Federal Union. We pass the Old Elm Tree Corner and memories of the Declaration of Independence, with all the thousand associa- tions of that event, come upon us, for there lived Philip Livingston, one of its signers. Among the many great political contests between the intellects of other days, which recollections of Albany bring up, is the one between De Witt Clinton and his opponents ; a contest which culminated in 1824, in his sudden removal, by a concurrent resolution of the Senate and Assembly, from the office of Canal Commissioner, which he held so long, with honor to himself and profit to the State. Few events of the past created such popular indignation as this ; and the ground on which we stand is rendered memorable by the immense gathering of people who came to express their dissatisfaction at this excessive measure of political warfare. To this great meet- ing came distinguished citizens from every part of the State. From the city of New York came the illustrious Irish lawyer, orator and exile, Thomas Addis Emmet; with him were other eminent sons of the metropolis. They came to express their regard for the man whose creative energy, great native ability and self-sacrifice, aided largely in creating those improvements that have given so much happiness and pros- perity to the people of this State ; their admiration for the man who took an appeal from the passions, prejudices and jealousies of his own time to the future for his reward, and whose appeal has been abundantly and grandly sustained. THE FAMOUS ALBANY REGENCY. In the midst of these scenes another citizen of Albany, a statesman of the Republic, a leader of a great party, was developing the force and power of his abilities. He was the leading spirit in the famous Albany Regency, which was as powerful here as was the Areopagus at Athens, the Decem- viri at Rome, the Council of Ten in Venice, or the famous Cabal in the reign of the Second Charles of England. This personage was Martin Van Buren, who wielded power with all the subtlety of a Richelieu, a Buckingham or a Halifax. With him were associated William L. Marcy, the first of American statesmen ; Benjamin F. Butler, the learned and 368 accomplished reviser of the statutes; and Edwin Croswell, whose trenchant pen in journahsm never found but one rival in the State. Amid the coUisions of Clinton and Tompkins, and the collisions between Clinton and his adversaries when Tompkins left the field, these master minds deepened the foundations of a party that ruled the State and largely the Nation for many years. Whatever were the faults of this regency, it was not a junta of petty politicians ; it was formed of men whose intellects placed them in the front rank of American statesmen and commanded the respect of men of all parties. What other city in the Nation, if we except Washington, has been the theatre of such political action and policy as that planned and carried into effect by this Albany Regency? It made Albany the home of a President, the home of Governors, of United States Sena- tors, Cabinet Ministers, Diplomats and Foreign Ambassa- dors ; for its influence was most extensive and controlling. A TRIBUTE TO ALBANY JOURNALISTS. A few years later and Albany was the home of another regency scarcely less powerful — a regency which largely aided in forming the great and now historical Whig Party, and whose activities afterward guided its destinies in the State and largely in the Nation. At the head of this regency stood Thurlow Weed, who might have said, "I am the Whig Party of the State of New York ! " with more force and with more truth than did Louis XIV. when he ex- claimed, " I am France ! " One who made journahsm his truncheon of political power ; one who, without personal ambition, caused the most ambitious and aspiring to ac- knowledge their fealty to him ere their own political schemes could succeed, or their pohtical ambition be gratified. What thoughtful man can walk the streets of Albany without call- ing up the remembrance of this prominent Albanian — this great Richelieu of State and National pohtics ; so perfectly acquainted with the temperament of the people ; knowing so well how to bear with their caprices, to foresee their wishes, awaken their sympathies and stimulate them to action. It was the fortune of Mr. Weed to encounter in his pohti- cal orbit another mind, gifted with equal powers of com- manding success ; quite as fortunate in possessing elements, serviceable at the time, for securing popular favor. The 369 struggle was what might have been expected from the colh- sion of two such powerful antagonists. It rendered Albany the center of a prolonged newspaper warfare unequaled in the history of the Nation. Both men had surprising quick- ness of thought ; they seemed to invent arguments and to pour out their views and arrive at conclusions almost in- stinctively. Many of their editorials were written during the night preceding pubHcation, without correction or previous preparation ; yet they compared favorably with the more elaborate compositions of the magazines. It is singular that what they did on so short notice bore so few marks of haste. Mr. Weed's editorials were brief, sharp, incisive ; their etiect was like the quick thrust of a rapier ; while Mr. Croswell's words were as plain as those of Swift, as piercing and con- vincing as those of Junius. His editorials had that perfect union of elegance and strength, logical finish, and a refined intensity of argument which always told with effect. Intim- ately associated with the work of Croswell, and in fact his successor, was one whose name will always be held in affec- tionate and honored remembrance — the genial, the brilliant, the accomplished William Cassidy. ANOTHER NOTED NAME. There was another name connected with this latter regency, that of William H. Seward, who often declared that Albany was his second home. It was here he arose from one position of political eminence to another, from a State Senator to the Executive Chair of the State ; from thence to the Senate of the Nation, and then to become Premier of a Presidential Cabinet. On his return from his notable journey around the world he said Albany, next to his own loved Auburn, was a resting-place from his toils, the center of memories which left their impress on almost every page of the history of his life. Upon his death it was fitting that the Legislature of the State joined, as it did, with the citizens of this city in honoring his memory by an appro- priate memorial service, held in the North Reformed Dutch Church, April i8, 1873, at which the distinguished orator, Charles Francis Adams, delivered a most eloquent and able address. Albany is everywhere full of the recollections of men great in its own history, great in the history of the State, and great in the history of the Nation. We open one page of history and there is recorded the career of William 370 L. Marcy ; another page is adorned by the great name of Horatio Seymour, a name that will ever grow brighter and more illustrious as the years pass by. Here has been the permanent location of the Legislature or law-making department of the State for nearly a century. P'or good or for evil the laws which have been here enacted have made their impress upon the history and affected the destiny of our Commonwealth. Whatever of them have aided to safely, wisely and successfully guide and administer the affairs of this great State — a State which in its extent, resources and power is almost a Nation of itself — may be attributable in part to the wholesome influence of the local associations which have surrounded this law-abiding and peace-loving city. MEMORIES OF THE OLD CAPITOL. Near the very spot where we stand the corner-stone of the Old Capitol was laid in 1806 by PhiHp S. Van Rensselaer, who was the Mayor of the city, in the presence of the Chancellor, the judges of the higher courts and prominent citizens. To this Old Capitol, first occupied in 1S08, came over nine hundred Senators and over five thousand Assemblymen during the whole period of its use. What a multitude of law-makers ! The elder of them have long since been gathered to the homes of their ancestors, and those who survive have, during this anniversary week, assembled here in large numbers to unite with you in this demonstration. The Old Capitol has gone, with all its pleasant associations and tender memories. How frequently its walls resounded with brilliant legislative oratory and parliamentary debate ! There were often heard the voices of Tallmadge, Butler, Emmet, Seward, Dix, Seymour and a hundred others whose names come crowding upon our memories. Twice on its steps stood the immortal Webster, in 1844 and in 1851, and addressed the citizens of Albany in that grand eloquence, never equaled in modern times, and seldom excelled in the best efforts of the famous orators of antiquity. Hear him as he exclaimed to the young men of the city : " Go on, young men of Albany; early manhood is the chief prop and support, the great reliance and hope for the perservation of public liberty and the institutions of the land. It looks for- ward to a long life of honor or dishonor ; and it means that it shall, by the blessing of God, be a life of honor, usefulness 371 and success in all the professions and pursuits of life ; in all that would bring happiness and prosperity to your beautiful city. You are manly ; you are bold ; you fear nothing but to do wrong — dread nothing but to be recreant to your country." THE NEW CAPITOL. In the place of the old building the State has erected and is now engaged in completing a new Capitol. (I venture to indulge in the hope that it may be fully completed by your next Centennial Day.) While it has occupied many long years in its construction, and has cost up to the present time about seventeen millions of dollars, and while it has many defects and might well have been better adapted to the practical uses of the State, yet, admitting all these things, it is one of the most important structures upon the continent. Its appearance is grand and imposing ; its splendid architecture, in some respects, equals anything in the world ; its magnificent corridors, its unrivaled stairways, its beautiful legislative chambers, its admirable court-rooms and elegant public ofifices, render it, all in all, the greatest of modern buildings. I make the prediction that if it shall be permitted to be finished according to the designs pro- posed by its present able and most accomplished architect and builder, it will be an ornament not only to the city, but to the State and country as well, and will provide the State with a Capitol of which all its citizens may justly be proud. PROVERBIAL HOSPITALITY. The patriotism and hospitality of the citizens of Albany have been proverbial from its early history. I can speak without reserve upon this subject, not being a resident of your city, but having only an official habitation among you. The stranger has ever found a most cordial welcome at the homes of your citizens and the right hand of fellowship is always extended. The State officers, the judges of your courts, the thousands of prominent citizens from all parts of the State who have respectively served in the Legislature during the century just closing and passed their winters here, can testify their appreciation of the innumerable acts of kindness, the unafiected politeness, the pleasant courtesies and the genuine hospitality of which they have been the 372 grateful recipients at the hands of the good people of this Capitol City. The brilliant receptions of the Fort Orange Club, given in later years upon every memorable occasion and extended not only to the most distinguished men of the Nation visiting Albany, but annually to the Legislature of the State, have established for your city a reputation for elegant civilities and generous entertainment to your visitors as far-famed as it is deserved. 'I'he liberal and hospitable spirit to which I refer, manifested itself as early as General Washington's visit to Albany on June 27, 1782, when he was presented by the city authorities witli the freedom of the city and an address of welcome, " the document being con- tained in a gold box." The bells of all the churches were rung, a salute of thirteen guns was fired from the fort, and at night the city was illuminated. Afterwards, on the occa- sion of another visit of General Washington, accompanied by Governor CHnton, on July 19, 1783, they were received as the guests of the city, and invited by the Common Council to a public dinner, which they accepted, " the city officers going in a body to the inn of Hugh Denniston, where an address was presented to the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Army," to which Washington responded, say- ing, among other things: "While I contemplate with irre- pressible pleasure the future tranquillity and glory of our common country, I cannot but take a peculiar interest in the anticipation of the increase in prosperity and greatness of this ancient and respectable city of Albany, from whose citizens I have received such distinguished tokens of their approbation and affection." Forty-two years afterwards Albany welcomed to her borders the compatriot of Washing- ton, the immortal La Fayette, who arrived in the city from Vermont on July i, 1825, accompanied by the Governor of the State and a military escort from Troy. At four o'clock in the afternoon a dinner was served in his honor by the citizens in the Capitol, at which Judge Story and Daniel Webster of Boston, John Woodworth, Ambrose Spencer and Stephen Van Rensselaer are mentioned among the guests of distinction, and among the toasts was the following, proposed by La Fayette himself: "Albany as I have known it, and Albany as it is now — a comparative standard between royal guardianship and the self-government of the people; may this difference be more and more illustrated at home and understood abroad." Upon the same occasion 373 Daniel Webster proposed this toast : " The ancient and hospitable city of Albany ; where General La Fayette found his head-quarters in 1778, and where men of his principles find good quarters at all times." The hospitality to which I refer has endeared Albany to all the Governors of the State, and to none more than to my immediate predecessor, who, upon every occasion, has kindly referred to the pleasantness of his home when here among you, and the warm place that Albany ever holds in his memory. That esteem and that warmth of recollection have led him to come here to-day to join with you in rejoicings, and as the Chief Magistrate of the Nation to honor the cele- bration of the beginning of the third century of your life as a city. And with him he has brought to the home of the distinguished Secretary of the Treasury two others, honored members of his Cabinet, to all of whom the citizens of Al- bany and all here assembled extend a most cordial welcome. THE GREAT SANITARY BAZAAR. The patriotism exhibited by the citizens of Albany during the war of the Rebellion needs no eulogy at my hands. The pen of history has well performed the noble task of re- cording the important part which tliis city took in that memorable contest. Being the seat of the State govern- ment, it was early made a military rendezvous — ordinary business was greatly suspended ; its streets resounded with the tread of armed men ; tlie appeals of the government were loyally answered, and in the matter of voluntary con- tributions for the comfort of our soldiers and their families, and for the sick and wounded in camps and hospitals, the citizens of Albany manifested the greatest liberality during the entire period of the struggle, and poured forth their treasures like water. It was in part due to the extraordinary exertions of your local officials in aiding the efforts of the State administration in the prompt raising of troops, that it was the glory of New York to be enabled to be always in advance of the calls upon her by the government for men. In the endeavors which were made to provide for the fami- lies of soldiers needing assistance, a committee was appointed to raise a fund called the " Citizens' Military Relief Fund," and this was soon supplemented by the " Ladies' Army Re- lief Association of Albany," which was organized in Novem ber, 1 86 1, to co-operate with the United States Sanitary 374 Commission in aid of the sick and womided, the first presi- dent of such association being the wife of Governor Morgan, and its first executive committee being composed of the leading ladies of the city. In the months of February and March, 1864, there was held in the city the great Sanitary Fair, in a beautiful build- ing erected for this special purpose in the Academy park, it being designated as " The Army ReHef Bazaar," and the credit for the organization of which belonged to the patriotic ladies of the Army Relief Association. On February 22, 1864, the fair was inaugurated amid the greatest enthusiasm, before an immense audience and under brilliant auspices, an eloquent and appropriate introductory address being deliv- ered by the president of the fair, ex-Mayor George H. Thacher, the father of the present Mayor of this city, who so ably and gracefully presides upon this occasion, followed by an address from Horatio Seymour, then Governor of the State — the city and State then, as now, cordially uniting in all that conduces to the welfare and honor of the Capital City. Governor Seymour's remarks were, as usual, scholarly and most admirable, his opening sentences being as follows : " Upon a day sacred to the memory of our greatest and purest statesmen, upon a spot made famous by historical incidents, we meet for a purpose which appeals to our Hveli- est sympathy. It is fit that the capital of a great State which furnishes so large a share of the armies of the country, and which is so numerously represented amid the sick and wounded of our hospitals and among the graves of our battle fields should be prominent in eftbrts to soften the calamities of war. Upon this occasion the historical events connected with this city and the adjacent towns are brought back to our meniories." He then referred to several histori- cal matters of interest, and among other things mentioned the fact that the first colonial congress or convention presided over by Benjamin Franklin was held here, and said ; " This was the first distinct movement to a union among the colo- nies looking to strength and protection from united counsels and combined efforts. Thus Albany became the birth-place of our Union. In God's name, then, let it be upheld and cherished here. The first time that the stars and stripes were ever displayed upon our national banner — the first time that its emblems of State sovereignties and national unity were ever given to the winds of heaven — the first 375 time that that flag was ever displayed which now kindles the enthusiasm and patriotism of the American in whatever part of the world he may see it, and under whose folds; in devo- tion to its sacred import, a million of men have battled within the last three years — that flag was first borne into the dangers of the battle field in the defense of this city. It was "also first used to defeat an effort to divide the united colonies." * * * " This most formidable attempt " (which he had previously described), "upon our national existence, was defeated upon the plains of Saratoga, and the three-fold attack upon Albany was bafiied and defeated. It was in that battle of Saratoga that our national flag was first used. If we regard, then, the object for which we are assembled, and the relationship which that object bears to the union of our country and its glorious flag, we find that the associations which cluster around this spot are all in fit keeping, and well calculated to excite our interest and our enthusiasm." Albany's prominence in education and art. Your city has always stood in the front rank of those of our State and land in the excellence of its provisions for the education of its children. The common schools take a place second to none in the whole State, and the numerous insti- tutions of learning which had their origin in the public spirit of private citizens, attest the interest which has been taken in this most important feature of the growth of a well- organized city. The Albany Academy is one of the oldest incorporated institutions of learning in the United States, and has sent far and wide its pupils to fill with credit to you and to it the places of responsibility and usefulness in which their fellow-citizens have placed them. Over its teachings have presided such men as Beck, the author of the well- known work on medical jurisprudence which bears his name ; Bullions, the Latin and Greek grammarian, and Joseph Henry, the Henry now famous in history as the one who in that very academy was the first to practically demon- strate the availability of the principle of the magnetic tele- graph ; and from among the long array of the academy's students a hundred names come at once to your memory of those who have taken their stand among the citizens of New York, strong for the right and well-equipped to carry for- ward every just cause. The State Normal School, the first 376 institution of that character in the State, whose new home overlooks the freshness and beauty of Washington park, has furnished the primary schools of the State with many of their best teachers. The influences for lives of integrity and helpful service thrown about those thousands of pupils while their home was among you who have borne fruit in the good citizenship of multitudes of men and women about you and in distant towns and villages throughout the State whom these teachers, in their turn, have influenced. To the Al- bany Female Academy, incorporated in 1821, whose classic front for many years has stood a feature in the now busy thoroughfare of North Pearl street, have come the daughters of our own and neighboring States, going out from here to join that company of noble and educated women whose is the power that so greatly controls the destinies of our Re- public. And in this fraternity of schools there are younger members whose names and characteristics I will not stop to mention, who are, with their older companions, yearly add- ing to the renown of Albany as one of the most etfective educational centers of the State. The medical and legal professions of the State and county also have been, and continue to be, indebted to the schools of medicine and law, situated here, for many of their most active and able members. In the faculty of the Medical College have appeared the names of such honored Alba- nians as March, Armsby, Dean, who was also the author of a standard work on medical jurisprudence ; James Mc- Naughton, Townsend, Mosher and Vanderpoel, all now passed away, but succeeded by professors no less able and faithful in the work. The Law School has had among its instructors, who were Albanians, Ira Harris, Amos Dean, Amasa J. Parker, Isaac Edwards, and with them, at various times, have been associated many of the judges of our highest tribunals, whose homes temporarily or permanently have been in this city. Often as the birth-place, and often as the home of those skilled in art, with brush and with chisel, has Albany been famed. Their works on canvas, in marble and in bronze, are in every city in our land. In the notable collection of paintings and statuary appropriately gathered in the Acad- emy building, near at hand, Albany artists bear their part with honor and with praise. For half a century this has been the home of that distinguished among American 377 sculptors — Palmer — whose grandest work adorns, in all its majesty, your neighboring city of the dead. Here lived Ezra Ames, whose stately portrait of the great first Gov- ernor of the State, General George Clinton, has for years occupied a conspicuous place of honor in the Executive Chamber of the Capitol. Time would fail me to enumerate all these noted artists and all their works. What memories awaken at the names of Brown and Hartley, and Thompson and Calverly ; of Boughton, Elliott, Gay, the Harts, Inman, McGrath, Iwitchell, Ferguson and Kidd. And may those of our own years — Low, Martin, Lang, Palmer, Ochtman, Pennie, Engle, Davidson and the rest — fulfill the future that there works of to-day foreshadow. THE FUTURE OF ALBANY. What shall be said of the future of Albany ? That it will largely share in the prosperity, growth, honor and renown that surely awaits this progressive country of ours in the years which are to follow, may be safely predicted. That it will remain the proud capital of the Empire State as long as the State itself shall endure may well be anticipated. There are too many pleasant associations connected with yonder square ; too many glorious incidents of history have occured there ; too much treasure has been expended on yonder structure (the Capitol building) ; too many eloquent words have been uttered and noble deeds performed on this sacred spot to think for a single moment that the people of this State will ever consent to a change of its present seat of government. As well might we rudely snatch the infant from its mother's arms as to attempt to take away from this venerable city the designation as the capital which it has cherished, protected and prized for nearly a century. The oldest city in the State deserves this recognition of its merits, based upon its antiquity, even if upon nothing else. It has been said that Albany must necessarily be retarded or contracted in its growth, because it is not situated adjoin- ing the ocean or upon any of the great lakes. This is a mistake. Its natural advantages are ample and sufficient to ensure the greatest development, and, although not upon an ocean port, it is upon tide-water and upon a river capable of immense commerce. London is situated on the Thames sixty miles west from the sea. Paris is traversed by the Seine one hundred and eleven miles from its mouth on the 378 ocean. Philadelphia adjoins the Delaware ninety-six miles from the waters of the Atlantic. It is thus to be seen that natural advantages alone do not make great municipalities. No one can foresee the possibilities which are open before this large, busy manufacturing and commercial town. Wealth and intelligence your citizens already have. Trade and com- merce are here to remain, if properly fostered and protected. Labor is here without limit to build up your industries, if it is suitably rewarded. The facilities for liberal education are nowhere better or more abundant. Your free schools and your generous charities are the pride of the State. The fifty-seven spires of your churches, pointing to the heavens, attest the religious character and piety of a Christian com- munity. Your city has furnished to the religious world an illustrious Archbishop and Cardinal and several Bishops, for this place was the scene of the early ministrations of some as well as the present abode of others. The future of this city depends, as does that of every other community, much upon the enterprise, the thrift, the industry, the ambitions and the virtues of the people themselves. It can almost be truthfully said that a city is what its citizens make it. Its honor, its purity, its enterprise, its glory — in fact its whole character — is greatly in its ovvn keeping. A few leading citizens of public spirit and indomitable will can almost alone shape its fortunes and control its destinies. Even one resolute man alone can sometimes do much for good or evil in dictating the policy or progress of a municipality. The inflexible purpose and iron will of Napoleon made him a leader even in his youth, and led to his subsepuently being made the Emperor of France. The scholarly and eloquent Wendell Phillips thus relates an interesting incident in the life of the Emperor, and says that : " We are apt to trace his control of France to some noted victory, to the time when he camped in the Tuilleries, or when he dissolved the Assembly by the stamp of his foot. He reigned, in fact, when his hand was first felt on the helm of the vessel of State, and that was far back of the time when he had con- quered in Italy, or his name had been echoed over two continents. It was on the day when five hundred irresolute men were met in that Assembly, which called itself and pre- tended to be the Government of France. They heard that the mob of Paris was coming the next morning, thirty thousand strong, to turn them, as was usual in those days, 379 out of doors. And where did this seemingly great power go for its support and refuge ? They sent Tallien to seek out a boy Heutenant — the shadow of an officer — so thin and paUid that, when he was placed on the stand before them, President of the Assembly, fearful, if the fate of France rested on the slight form, the pale cheek before him, that all hope was gone, asked : ' Young man, can you protect the Assembly ? ' And the stern lips of the reserved and digni- fied Corsican boy parted only to reply : ' I always do what I undertake.' Then and there Napoleon may be deemed to have ascended his throne and the next day, from the steps of St. Roche, thundered forth the cannon which taught the mob of Paris for the first time that it had a master. That was, indeed, the commencement of the empire." ALBANY ALWAYS DOES WELL. Citizens of Albany, I cannot pay you a higher compli- ment upon this occasion than to say that from the time you, through your forefathers, first demanded from kingly power a royal charter for this city, and secured it ; and later sought to keep and bravely kept that city free from British subjection and control during substantially the whole Revolutionary period, and, later still, you aspired to make that beloved city the capital of your State and accomplished it ; down to the eventful period when Albany capitalists projected the first railroad ever constructed in the State, if not in the country, and successfully built it from Schenectady to this place ; and during recent years in the planning and laying out by your public-spirited officials of those magnificent grounds in the western part of the city known as Washington park, which, although not great in extent, are unsurpassed for beauty and taste in the whole country ; and in founding, by private munificence, of the far-famed Dudley Observatory, which is an honor and credit to the city, and a noble contribution to science ; in the designing and construction of yonder stately City Hall, one of the architectural successes of the age ; in the institution and successful maintenance in your city of one of the oldest banking institutions in the country ; in the organization and continuance, for over fifty years, of that renowned military organization known as the " Burgesses Corps," which has participated in nearly every prominent patriotic celebration that has occurred in our State and country during its existence ; in the increase of its railroad -.80 facilities ; in the rise, progress and development of the com- mercial, manufacturing and industrial interests of the city ; in all these varied achievements the citizens of Albany have illustrated that Napoleonic spirit to which I have referred, and grandly done whatever they have undertaken. The success which attends this magnificent celebration of to-day is only another evidence that you have faithfully performed what you undertook to do, and demonstrates what Albany can accomplish when it is fully aroused and its old Dutch blood is stirred, especially when patriotically assisted by Irish enthusiasm, German zeal, Yankee ingenuity and the kind efforts of those of every other nationality — American citizens all — who are proud to call this venerable city their home. In all the years of its past history, this city has been com- pamtively free from pestilence ; it has escaped the horrors of famine ; no great adversity has overtaken it ; its citizens have enjoyed the blessings of health, prosperity and abun- dance ; kind Providence has watched over its destinies with tender care, and it is peculiarly fitting, in the light of these manifestations of Divine favor, that the people should give thanks to the Great Ruler of the Universe, and that we should mingle our prayers and rejoicings together : " Let the heavens rejoice and let the earth be glad." " Let the floods clap their hands ; let the hills be joyful together." " Let the field be joyful and all that is therein, then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice." " Let the sea roar and the fullness thereof; the world and they that dwell tlierein." GLORIOUS MEMORIES OF THE DAY. Every expression of rejoiciug this day given is an evidence of your gratitude for all these blessings ; they are also your tribute of respect to the many heroes who constituted your early settlers. Every bell that rang out on this morning air was in remembrance of the virtues of those who secured your chartered rights in the days of 1686. Every rocket that shoots up into the heavens is in honor of the soldiers who periled their lives in defense of your city behind the barri- cade of old Fort Orange. Every cannon that belches forth its thunder tones speaks praises in behalf of the brave men and earnest women who have preserved for you the priceless heritage of your city's freedom during the past two hundred years. Every banner that is grandly spread in the breeze, 381 every beautiful decoration that adorns your homes or places of business, every display of your citizen soldiery, every im- posing procession that is formed in your streets, every gun that is fired, every bugle note that is sounded, every flag that is unfurled, every song that is sung, every eloquent word that is uttered — all these are the tokens of your ap- preciation of the achievements of your patriotic Revolution- ary sires, of the inestimable value of municipal independence and chartered rights, and of all the glorious memories which cluster around this Bi-Centennial Day. As the orator concluded, the large assemblage rose and applauded. In response to repeated calls from among the audience, and which soon became general, President Cleveland, addessing them, said : " Citizens of Albany : I came here to-day as an invited guest to a family reunion. I desire to be modest and not mingle too freely in the congratulations and celebrations which belong more properly to you. I do not wish to sound a single note of discord, but I have heard so much of the Dutch, and of this being a Dutch city, so much talk of the olden time and of its customs, that when I remember that I dwelt two years among you, I wonder whether I am in the right place or not. At the risk of creating discord- ance, I will say that in my time Dutch was not the language of the town. The people spoke English, and to me words in English of kindness that I shall never forget. I am glad, however, that you got your charter. When I lived here I think you also had a charter, but, according to my remem- brance, it was a charter passed by the Legislature of the State in the first year I spent here and approved by me. I must not detain you longer, but I cannot refrain from express- ing to you my appreciation of the kindness with which you have received me, and from repeating the homely and old- fashioned wish — may the citizens of Albany and their descendants see many happy returns of the day." He was followed by Secretary Bayard, who said : " Ladies and Gentlemen, Citizens of Albany : I thank you most profoundly for your kindness in thus recog- nizing my presence among you. I came here as the friend .-.82 and companion of one whom it is my honor and pleasure to assist in the administration of our pubHc affairs. It is my further pleasure as an American citizen to take part in the commemoration of honorable American traditions that so frequently take place in all parts of our country, and I rejoice to see them so worthily celebrated here. I have something in my traditional ancestry of the blood of the early Dutch founders of this city, and I thank you for the opportunity of saying so." Secretary Whitney being loudly called for, re- sponded, saying: " I will occupy but a moment of your time, ladies and gentlemen, in expressing to you that which must be the common sentiment of every one present inspired by such a beautiful day, by such a gathering of people, and by the interesting exercises at which we have been present for several hours. It is an additional pleasure to have the opportunity of thanking you for the courtesy shown us and of saying that I shall bear away grateful recollections of the reception we have received this afternoon. Nothing more than this expression, I am sure, is called for from me." The programme ended with the audience singing "America," in chorus with the orchestra and Bi-cen- tennial chorus. The Legislative Reunion. the reunion a decided success — a large attendance. The legislative reunion proved one of the most notable of the many features of the grand celebra- tion. Parlor fifty-seven at the Delevan house was thronged with members and ex-members of the Leg- islature. AN INFORMAL REUNION. The informal reunion was a most enjoyable and agreeable affair, and it was the unanimous voice of those present that Albany had added greatly to her 383 renown for hospitality. The members reviewed the procession from the spacious appartments assigned them, and subsequently were escorted to the rink by Col. Parker and the Troy Citizens' Corps, where they listened to the interesting exercises. At the close of these ceremonies they returned to the Delavan. In the evening they paid their respects to President Cleveland and Governor Hill at the capitol. The following members reported : Lieutenant-Gov- ernor Jones, Assemblyman M. F. Collins, Assembly- man J. Stanley Browne, Assemblyman Fremont Cole, Assemblyman H. J. Coffey, Assemblyman John C. Hogeboom, Assemblyman Thomas McCarthy, As- semblyman Stephen T. Hopkins, Assemblyman John Barnes, Senator Edward S. Esty, Assemblyman C. M. Titus, St. Lawrence county; Assemblyman L. E. Bowen, Otsego county ; Assemblyman W. F. Taylor, Rensselaer county; Assemblyman John Buckman, Kings county; Assemblyman " Uncle" David Grey, Oneida county; Assemblyman N. M. Curtis, St. Lawrence county ; Assemblyman D. S. Potter, Saratoga county ; Assemblyman E. P. Hagan, New York; Assemblyman Norton Chase, Albany; As- semblyman Thomas H. Tremper, Kingston ; ex-Sena- tor John Van Schaick, Cobleskill ; Senator M. C. Murphy, New York ; Asssemblyman James E. Mor- rison, New York; Assemblyman Alex. Robertson, Albany ; Assemblyman Thomas Kearney, Albany ; Assemblyman R. C. Blackall, Albany ; Assemblyman Robert Frazier, Oneida county; Assemblyman George W. Greene, Orange county ; Assemblyman Wm. Dalton, New York; Assemblyman A. T. Ackert, 384 Dutchess county ; Assemblyman Alfred E. Stacey, Onondaga county ; Senator James Arkell, Canajo- harie ; Senator John Raines, Canandaigua; Senator Francis Hendricks, Syracuse ; Senator Henry A. Fos- ter (1 83 1, '32, '33, '34, '41, '42, '43, '44) ; Senator Chas. F. Barager, Tioga county; Senator William Voor- his, Rockland county ; Senator Charles L. Knapp, Lowville ; Senator H. J. Coggeshall, Oneida county; Senator Peter S. Danforth, Schoharie county; Sen- ator Andrew J. Colvin, Albany; Senator George S. Nichols, Greene county ; Senator Lorenzo D. Col- lins, Albany county ; Senator Charles Hughes, Wash- ington county ; Assemblymen Frank B. Arnold, Ot- sego county; Charles A. Chickering, Lewis county; William Lewis, Delaware county ; Thomas Farrelh Brooklyn ; Thomas Dickson, Troy ; Peter Schoon- maker, Albany county; Ed. D. Cutler, Schenectady county ; Francis H. Woods, Albany county ; Frank W. Vosburgh, Albany county; R. W. Evans, Oneida county ; John N. Foster, Albany county ; George W- Clarke, New York ; D. L. Boardman, Troy ; William S. Clark, Schoharie county; Charles Brewster, Scho- harie county ; Robert H. Smith, Orange county ; L D. Leverich, Seneca county ; Diedrich Willers, jr., Seneca county ; R. A. Derrick, Rensselaer county ; C. D. Fellows, Otsego county; Andrew Blessing, New York; James J. Graham, Orange county (1849, '66, '77, '78); H. A. Phillips, Lewis county; A. S. Draper, Albany county ; Perrin A. McGraw, Cort- land county; E. J. Shelley, New York; W. F. Shee- han, Erie county ; Daniel Bradley, Kings county ; Wm. M. Donald, Saratoga county; J. H. Manville, 385 VV^ashington county ; O. F. Potter, Albain^ county ; VV. D. Gorsline, Herkimer county; John P. Windolph, New York ; Charles D. Baker, Steuben county; H. C. Gifford, Rensselaer county ; A. G. Allen, Waverly ; F. Sanderson, Sidney Centre ; C. C. Lodewick, Rens- selaer county ; William Brooks, Otsego count}' ; Wm. W. Lawson, Erie county; A. H. Baker, Erie county; D. H. Roche, Kings county; J. W. Chese- bro, Albany county; John Tighe, Albany county; John McShea, Schenectady county : R. G. Havens, Schoharie county; J. H. Brown, Schoharie county; Wm. H. Singerland, Albany county ; E. B. Osborn, Dutchess county ; Andrew A. Mather, Otsego county ; Fordyce L. Laflin, Ulster county; Charles R. Skinner* Jefferson county; Shotwell Powell, Ontario county; Charles H. Krack, Ulster county; William T. Miles, Rensselaer county ; F. B. Freligh, Ulster county; Wm. P. Moores, Clinton county; Senators George B. Sloan, Oswego county; J. W. Hoysradt, Columbia county ; E. F. Reilly, New York ; Assem- blymen T. J. Hardin, Albany county; John B. Van Pelt, Herkimer county ; John E. Gillette, Columbia county; A. L. Schermerhorn, Columbia county; Isaac L. Hunt, jr., Jefferson county; John J. Piatt, Dutchess county; D. Beckman, Schoharie county; Jas. Shanahan, Montgomery count}' ; James R. Snell, Montgomery county: William I. Perry, Washington county; George M. Voorhees, Montgomery county; D. M. Westfall, Washington county; John M. Kim- ball, Albany county ; Henr}' D. Hotchkiss, Kings county; Homer N. Lockwood, Cayuga county; James D. Decker, Sulli\'an county; Benjamin Hall, 386 Oneida county; Aaron B. Pratt, Albany county; L. C. G. Kshinka, Albany county; Amos Miller, Col- umbia county; Tobias Buck, Schoharie county; J. F. Crawford, Albany county ; James Oliver, New York ; Thomas Liddle, Montgomery county. The Municipal Reception. brilliant scenes in the magnificent senate chamber — the distinguished guests present. The municipal reception was held in the evening in the senate chamber in honor of President Cleveland and Secretaries Manning, Bayard and Whitney, and was the most pleasant kind of an informal gathering. The seats of the senators and reporters had been removed, leaving the entire room unobstructed for the occasion. Palms and ferns decorated the lieutenant-governor's desk as well as the clerks' circle, giving a tropical appearance to the room. Shortly after nine o'clock the President and ex-Mayor A. Bleecker Banks appeared, followed by Secretaries Manning, Bay- ard and Whitney and Governor Hill and staff and Mayor Thacher. The President, looking unchanged since his residence in Washington, seemed in the best of humor, and received his many Albany friends with a warmth of greeting characteristic of his easy man- ner. For over an hour and a half the stream of callers continued, and included State officials, mem- bers and ex-members of the Legislature and prominent guests of the city. 387 DISTINGUISHED PERSONS PRESENT. The President stood directly in front of the clerk's desk. On his left stood Mayor Thatcher, and to his right Governor Hill and Secretaries Bayard and Whit- ney. Back of him were Hon. Francis Kernan, Col. Daniel S. Lamont and Lieutenant-Governor Jones. Among the distinguished out-of-town guests and state officers were Hon. John B. Manning, of Buffalo ; Sec- retary of State Cook, Comptroller Alfred C. Chapin, Attorney-General O'Brien, Superintendent of Insur- ance Robert A. Maxwell, Forestry Commissioner Townsend Cox, ex-Judge of the Court of Claims Lyman H. Northrup, ex-Senator Edward F. Esty, Senators Henry J. Coggeshall, Edward Wemple, Amasa J. Parker, jr., John Raines, Assemblymen Alden W. Berry, Terence L Hardin, A. G. Allen, Colonel Samuel J.Tilden, jr.. Judge George M. Beebe, Judge Alton B. Parker, Gen. Newton M. Curtis, Adjutant-General Josiah Porter, General James W. Husted, Charles C. Ely, of Owego, Assemblymen Little and Charles M. Titus, Regent Daniel Beach, William H. McElroy, Deputy Attorney-Generals E. G. Whittaker and Charles F. Tabor, Judge Charles R. Miller, Judge William L. Mueller. The attendance of gentlemen from Albany in- cluded : E:x-Mayor A. B. Banks, Robert D. Williams, J. Townsend Lansing, Simon W. Rosendale, Alderman Hitt, Dr. Lewis Balch, Dr. Samuel B. Ward, William H. Johnson, Frederick C. Manning, Hon. D. Cady Herrick, John E. McElroy, Judge Amasa J. Parker, Herman H. Russ, Rev. Joseph Paige Davis, William H. Haskell, Scott D'M. Goodwin, Irving F. Cragin, Dr. 388 John B. Stonehouse, William W. Hill, John G. Mc- Elroy, Colonel John S. McEwan, Captain McKeever, L. C. G. Kshinka, Albert Goodwin, George Douglass Miller, Nathaniel C. Moak, Hon. A. B. Pratt, W. W. Crannell, Monroe Crannell, Dr. Albert L. Watkins, Isaac Schell, Goodwin Brown, Hugh Reilly, Mark Colin, Hon. Andrew Hamilton. RECEPTION AT THE FORT ORANGE CLUB. The subjoined invitation had been quite generally distributed : " Fort Orange club, reception. The honor of your company is requested at the club-house, on Thursday evening, July 22, 1886, from nine until twelve o'clock. Bi-centennial day of the city of Albany, 1 686-1 886." A very delightful reception was so given to Presi- dent Cleveland and Governor Hill at the Fort Orange club at the conclusion of the public reception to the President in the senate chamber. It was half past ten when the President left the capitol, and on his arrival at the club-house he found most of the members had already assembled. The reception here was of an entirely informal character, and the invited guests included only gentlemen of prominence visiting in the city. No ladies were present, and if the scene lost the charm of their conversation and the brilliancy of their toilets, it was made necessary by the limited time at the disposal of the President. An orchestra rendered appropriate selections during the evening, and the decorations were artistically designed and excellently carried out. After all present had paid their respects to the eminent guests, in whose honor 389 the reception was given, the President and Governor were ushered into the supper room, where an elabo- rate collation was served. The table was decorated with the exquisite art which has made this club famous wherever its hospitality is known. Flowers and ferns served to bring out in stronger relief the glitter of the crystal and silver and the beauty of the viands. One novel feature in the decoration was the individual bouquet holders at each plate. These were in the form of lions, of porcelain, drawing a small vase upon wheels. On the face of the vase was an excellent photographic likeness of President Cleve- land. All of the guests preserved these holders as mementoes of the occasion. THE GUEST.S. Among the invited guests present were Secretaries Bayard and Whitney, Senator J. W. Hoysradt, ex- Senator Edward F. Esty, Governor Hill's staff, in uniform ; Gen. R. S. Oliver and his staff, in uniform ; Dairy Commissioner J. K. Brown, ex-Mayor Murphy, of Troy ; Congressman Timothy J. Campbell, of New York ; Assemblyman John I. Piatt, of Pough- keepsie ; Hon. William E. Smith, of Plattsburgh ; ex-Minister to France Levi P. Morton, of New York ; Assemblyman Hotchkiss, of Brooklyn ; Hon. Henry S. Hyde, ex-Governor Eliphalet Trask and Henry F. Trask, of Springfield ; J. V. Newcomb and W. W. Newcomb, of New York; Edgar Wendell and S. O. Gleason, of Troy ; Killian Van Rensselaer and ex- Assemblyman James Oliver, of New York; ex-Speaker Titus Sheard, of Little P'alls ; Civil Service Commis- 390 missioner Augustus Schoonmaker of Kingston ; Dr. Grinnell, of Burlington, Vt. ; Assemblyman N. M. Curtis, Judge Hooper C. Van Vorst, of New York ; ex-Sentor John Van Schaick, of Cobleskill ; William Richardson, of New York ; Senator Francis Hen- dricks, of Syracuse ; Assemblyman S. D. Leverick, of Seneca county ; Regent Daniel Beach of Watkins ; Deputy State Treasurer Eliott Danforth, of Bain- bridge ; Senator Andrew C. Stone, of Massachusetts ; O. Carleton Sunde, and J. C. Elliott, of the New York Daily Press; Mayor Joseph M. Johnson, of Binghamton, and many others. Among the members of the club present were the following: Richard L. Annesley, C. E. Argensinger, J. M. Bailey, Lewis Balch, A. Bleecker Banks, Robert Lenox Banks, Edwin C. Baxter, D. C. Bennett, Edward Bowditch, J. P. Boyd, John E. Bradley, Jonas H. Brooks, W. Howard Brown, Charles J. Buchanan, W. VV. Byington, William R. Cassidy, E. T. Cham- berlain, Ledyard Cogswell, Erastus Corning, E. Countryman, William H. Craig, Charles G. Craft, Paul Cushman, Harry C. Cushman, Walter Dickson, James K. Dunscomb, J. G. Farnsworth, Douw H. Fonda, R. W. Gibson, Anthony Gould, William Gould, jr., F. E. Griswold, E. F. Hackett, Matthew Hale, Henry Hun, Marcus T. Hun, Charles E Jones, Frank- lin Jones, Wm. Kidd, Howard J. King, Rufus H. King, Leonard Kip, Abraham Lansing, E. J. Larrabee, W. L. Learned, Daniel Leonard, Henry C. Littlefield, Charles C. Lodewick, Thomas McCredie, jr., James McCredie, John McDonald, John McEwen, James McNaughton, W. E. Millbank, Peyton F. Miller, Samuel L. Munson, 391 Elijah W, Murphy, John G. Myers, Edward Newcomb, Dudley Olcott, Robert S. Oliver, Amasa J. Parker, Amasa J. Parker jr., John D. Parsons, jr., R. W. Peckham, John S. Perry, John T. Perry, H. R, Pierson, jr., Jesse W. Potts, J. V. L. Pruyn, J. H. Quinby, Clarence Rathbone, John F. Rathbone, J. H. Rice, S. W. Rosendale, Grange Sard, Charles G. Saxe, Frank J. Saxe, John A. Sleicher, H. E. Sickels, N. E. Sisson, Edwy L. Taylor, Henry J. Ten Eyck, J. H. Ten Eyck, John B. Thacher, Lemon Thompson, J W. Tillinghast, E. B. Toedt, S. B. Towner, Frederick Townsend, James F. Tracey, Charles Tracey, Luther H. Tucker, T. J. Van Alstyne. J. H. Van Antwerp, R. L. Vandenburgh, W. B. Van Rensselaer, A. Van Vechten, A. Van Vechten, jr., Samuel B. Ward, J. M. Warner, James D. Wasson, George S. Weaver, D. W. Wemple, W. M. Whitney, W. M. Whitney, jr., Robert D. Williams, James C. Wing, Albert J. Wing, James Otis Woodward, Edwin Young. THE DEPARTURE OF THE PRESIDENT. The festivities were hardly opened when the Presi- dent was obliged to make his adieus to his hosts of the evening. Shortly after midnight, with Secretaries Bayard and Whitney and Private Secretary Lamont, he left the club-house amid the heartiest god-speeds. He was driven to the West Shore depot, where a special train was waiting to carry him to Washington. President Cleveland expressed himself as delighted with his brief visit. He always cherished the fondest memories of Albany, and was both surprised and pleased to see the royal and enthusiastic manner in 392 which her Bi-centennial was celebrated. Secretaries Bayard and Whitney also declared themselves charmed with the hospitality of the city. The Pyrotechnic Display, a vast concourse of fifty thousand. The spectacle witnessed at Washington park at night possessed merit and attraction for ev^ery one. No better spectacle had ever been seen in Albany, A crowd of immense proportions greeted the first rocket with cheers. Long before the time for the affair to commence a crowd surged around the ropes strung up to enclose the space set apart for the pieces. A careful estimate showed that there were fully fifty thousand people who witnessed the scene. The police had the greatest difficulty in keeping people out of the enclosure long enough to get started. Only by telling those next to the ropes that they were in great danger could the crowd be kept back. At first only the common council, the police and the press were allowed to go within the rope, but this bound was soon overstepped. By dark everything was in perfect readiness, all the pieces mounted and set, and no delay was experienced in getting the display started. The first pieces, though of minor importance, called forth immense applause. The shells began their flight into the air, and when the showers of beautiful colored balls of fire, the gold rain, the floating animals commenced to be evolved from them, the crowds settled down to enjoy the scene. 393 The four great pieces, Dongan handing the charter to Schuyler, the landing of Hendrick Hudson, the city coat-of-arms, and Niagara Falls, were excellent. Their beauty cannot be told. Raised up at a height of forty feet, they could easily be seen by every one. The applause for them was universal. The different displays numbered one hundred and seven. After the spectacle was ended the vast crowd started down the hills. All the avenues leading in that direction were blocked for an hour and a half. 394 SUBSCRIHERS TO THE Bl-CENTENNIAL FUND. 1886. Albany Burgesses Corps $100 Albany City National Bank.. 250 American Express Company. 250 Albany & Troy Steamboat Co. 350 Albany City Band 50 "Albany Evening Times" (T. (C. Callicot) 100 American Hotel 100 Anteman, W. F 5 Albany Insurance Company, 125 Annesley & Co 50 Albany County Bank 250 Albany Railway Company... 250 Albany Card & Paper Co 50 Adelphi Club 25 Aaron Lodge, No. 64 15 Albany City Lodge, No. 68.. 10 Albany P. W. Paper Co 20 Albany Mutual Fire Insurance Company 125 .\lbany P.lectric lUu'ating Co. 250 Albany Pharmaceutical Co... 50 Amsdell Brothers 200 Albany Safe Deposit Co 25 Anderson, G. W 5 Albany Stove Company 25 "Alpha .Sigma " 50 Andrews, Horace 10 "Argus Company " 100 Armour & Company 50 Auer, Louis 3 Austin, Thomas 10 Ahern, James E 50 Barry, John A 50 Barber, Fletcher 10 Bacon, .Stickney & Company, lOO Battersby, John 10 Ball, Dayton & Co 25 Brainard & Shepard 10 Brannigan, John 10 Banks, Rol^ert Lennox lOO Banks Brothers 100 Barnet Brothers & Aufsesser, 15 Bates & Johnson 10 Baldwin, Bryson 5 Ballard, S. M 25 Brady, A. N 100 Barnes, T. W 25 Bradt, S. C 5 Bailey, Dr. W. H 10 Bradbury, E. K $10 Bailly, J. P 5 Baxter, E. C 3 Bradley, John E 10 Barnes, William 25 Brady, James N 25 Bellvidere Hotel 100 Brennan, James 50 Bensen, A. V 25 Bentley, C. VV 2 Birch, George .'\. & Co 25 Benedict, E. G 25 Bleecker & Corcoran 10 Beckford, C. A 2 Bridge, Charles 10 Bender, H. H 5 BishoD, T. J 10 Bedell', E. A 5 Belden, George D $3-82 Brown, Luddington & Co... 20 Boughton & Vine 10 Bondy, L. & Bro 5 Boss, Lewis 25 Bloomingdale, P 2 Boyd & Company 25 Bonsilate Button Company.. 15 Boardman & Gray 5 Blocksidge, James 5 Boyd, James P 10 Brunswick Hotel 75 Byrne, R. H 5 Bull, M. V. B 25 Burdette-Coutts Association . . 25 Buchanan, C. J 5 Burlingame, Eugene 5 Boyce & Milwain 25 Bryce, Robert 20 Burgess, W. T. & Son 10 Cleveland Brothers 25 Craft, Charles G 50 Capron, W. J 5 Cranneli, Monroe 5 Carr, Frederick 10 Chase & Delehanty 10 Chanil^erlain, Eugene T 20 Cranneli, W. W.\ 5 Crane, I. E 5 Clark, W. G 5 Cash 25 Cash 10 395 Cash $1 Cash lo Cash lo Cash S Cash 5 Cash 5 Cash lo Cash 5 Cash 5 Cottrell & Leonard 25 Converse, P". & Son 10 Crocker & Effler 50 Commerce Insurance Co 125 Cohn, facob 20 Cooper,' T. C 15 Cook, Adam & Son 20 Corning, Erastus 250 Cohn, Gilbert 15 Crounse, D.J 5 Cox, J. W 10 Clute, W. L 2 Cluett & Sons 25 Cushman & Company lOO Cunningham, W.J 10 Cutler, T. R 2 Delaware & I lud. Canal Co.. 1,000 Day Line Steamboats 100 Delavan House 350 Devine, Thomas J 50 Dey Ermand, \Vm 50 Dickson, \V. J., Jr 5 Dearstyne, C. V 10 Deitz, Lewis 10 Day, John H 25 De Witt, \. V 20 Davenport, S. J 5 Delehanty, M. & Son 25 Devine, J. H 5 De Witt, Ira 5 Dawson, George S. Post 10 Davidson, G. G 10 Danaher, Franklin M 5 Dwight, Harvey A 10 Dorr, Henry 50 Dumary & Farrell 50 Dobler Brewery loo Dun, R. G., & Co 25 Dyer, Bradbury 25 Doane, Rt. Rev. Wm. C 10 Dunham, J. W. & Co 20 Durant, E. P 10 Dugan, John 15 Evertsen, Evert 5 Exchange Bank, Nat'l 250 Easton, C. P. & Co $25 " Express, Morning " 100 Eichenbroner, 1 5 Engel, E 5 Eyres & Co., 11. G ID First National Bank, Albany, 250 Fitzpatrick, Dominick 50 Fearey Manufacturing Co... 25 French, W. B 5 " Female Lundy Society ". .. 25 Freeman, W. F 25 Fearey, Joseph & Son 25 Fleischmann & Co 23 Fisher, Joseph 5 Fonda, Douw H 50 Fort Orange Brewing Co 100 Fort, P. V. & Company 25 Fort Orange Club 250 Fuller & Wheeler 10 Fonda, John 5 Fuld cS: Bocklowitz 15 Flynn, Wm. J 10 Fryer, Robert 1/ 25 Germania Hotel 75 Garrity, John J 50 Gannon, John G 10 Gideon Lodge 25 Granger & Story 100 Gaus, C. H 5 Gay & Quinby 25 Gregory, Geo. Stuart 5 Click & Sayles 10 Ciazeley, James 25 Gips & Bro., E 10 Gray, S. R 25 Gregory, C. D 10 Geer, Robert 20 Gibson, R. W 10 Globe Hotel loo Gloeckner, S 5 Goldsmith, S 2 Guion, William 5 Goold, J. cS: Co 25 Gould, Wm. Jr. & Co 25 Gould, Anthony 50 Gomph, William C 2 Guthmann cS: Bro., R 10 Groesbeck, A. E 25 Hackett, Edward F 50 Hackett, T. M. & Company, 20 Hale & Bulkley 25 Harris, Hamilton 20 Harris, Samuel C 5 Hall, Parker 10 396 Hickey,S. M $750 Heiser, M. & Co 10 Hein, Morris 20 Hinckle, F., estate 250 Hendrick, James 25 Heusted, A. B 5 Hedrick, John F 50 Hill, D. B 10 Hess, Isban 10 Hamlin, C. J 5 Hobbs, E. A 5 Hodgkins, S. C 5 Howell, E. W 10 Hotaling, L 10 Hoy, John 10 " Huylers " 25 Hussey, W. M 10 Hutman, John S 5 Hyatt, Chas. M 5 Hudson Valley Paper Co 25 Hun, M. T 25 Hun, L. G 25 Hurlburt, G. D. W 2 Hydeman, M. M 10 Huyck & Argersinger 25 Hughson & Company 50 Hun, Thomas 25 Hun, Dr. Henry 15 Hunter, H. Hofif 5 Isaacs, J 2 Industrial School 125 Johnston & Reilly 250 "Journal Company" 100 Johnston, W. S. & Bro 50 Jones, Charles E 25 Johnson & Johnson 25 Johnson, B. W 5 Jermain, James B 20 Kenmore Hotel 200 Keeler, John 100 Keeler, W. H 25 King, Rufus H 250 King, J. Howard 250 Kinnear, Peter 25 Kip, Leonard 10 Killeen, William M 5 King, W. H 10 Laventall, J lo Livingston, W. H 25 Levy, S. & Bro 5 Lansing, J. Townsend 50 Lansing, Charles B 1 50 Leonard & Youngman 25 Larrabee, E. J. & Co 50 Lee, James $2 Lewis, R. P. & Son 25 " Legislative Ball Match "... 32 Littletield, H. C 10 Lansing, A 50 Little, W. C. & Co 25 Lawrence & Stewart 5 La Grange, S. D 10 Learned, Wm. L 25 Lawson, Isaac 5 Lawson, J. M 5 Lansing, Richard 10 Liscomb, O. P lo Lansing, E. Y 5 Lansing, G. Y 5 La Moure, U. B., Dr 10 Lawrence R. & Bro 10 Lord, E. T 5 Lyon, J. B. & Co 5 Lodge, Gideon 25 Long & Silsby 10 Mechanics & P'armers' Bank, 250 Merchants' National Bank... 250 Meneely, George R 25 Mather Bros 100 Mansion House 5° Messenger House 5*-* Mitchell, William 50 Mack & Company 5*^ Miller, L. & Bro 5 Marshall & Wendell Piano Co. 50 Mann, Waldman & Co 50 Mix, James 25 Marvin, S. E 25 Miller, G. D 5 Mead, J. H. & F. A 10 Mayell," H. & Son 20 Mills, C. H 5 Mead & Hatt 10 Marsh & Hoffman 25 Meegan, E. J 25 Miller, A. R 5 Manning, James H 25 Mattoon & Robinson 25 Miller, S. Ed., Jr 5 Marx Brothers 25 Miller, Charles, J r 5 Miller, Wm. D 5 Merrill, C. S lo Mills, Arthur D 5 Martin, E. P 10 McElveny, D 25 McKinney, J. & Son 100 McClure, Archibald 100 397 McElroy, J. K $25 McCredie, Thomas 50 McCurdy, John A 25 McArdle, John 5 McNamara, M. G 10 McClure, W. H 25 McArdle, P. J 25 Mc Kench, D. B 10 McCall, H. S., Jr 5 McHugh, J. H 5 McQuade, James 25 McEvven, John 10 McHaffie, "L., Miss 5 McDonough, M 10 McKinlay & Co 25 McElroy, James 5 Mount Vernon Lodge 50 Moore, R. H. & Zimmerman, 25 Mordecai Lodge, No. 96 10 Morris, R. S 10 Moir, James 25 Morange, J. W 10 Mmison, S. L 50 Myers, John G 250 Municipal Gas Company 250 Muller, W. L. (Elmira) 25! N. Y. State National Bank.. 250 National Commercial Bank.. 250 Newman, Charles 25] Newman, John L 25 Nusbaum, Myer 5 Nott, John C 25! N. Y. Cen. & H. R. R. Co.. 1,000 [ National Express Company.. 100 Nellis, T. VV 10 Nichols, W. R 5 Olcott, Dudley 250 O'Brien, D. A 50 O'Byrne, T. E 50 O'Brien, B 5 Olcott, John T 150 Odell, J. \V.". 10 O'Leary, D. V 10 Order of the Iron Hall 25 O'Brien, I'hilip 10 Ortton, John 5 Parsons, S. H 25 Patterson, H 2 Perry & Company 100 Page, Isaiah & Son 25 Pratt, James H 100 Peckham, R. W 25 Palmer, John 10 " Press and Knickerbocker " 225 Parker, A. J., Jr $25 Parker, Aniasa J 25 Patton & Company 25 Patterson, P. J 10 Prentice, E. P., estate lOO Payn's, B. Son 5 Parsons, J. D 5 People's Line Boats 500 Pladwell, J. & Sen 5 Paige, Leonard 3 Pruyn, Robert C 250 Pohly & Company 25 Price, Joseph J 25 Pruyn, Charles L 100 Pierson, H. R 50 Pike & Capron 50 Potts, Jesse C 20 Pruyn, J. V. L 25 Public School 25 $3-75 Porter, C. H ' 10 Pohlman, J. I) 50 Quinn, B 5 Quinn & Nolan 500 Quinn, James 10 Quayle, R. K 30 Quinby, John H 25 Rathbone, Clarence 25 Rathbone, Sard & Co lOO Raynsford, G. W 10 Reed & Knickerbocker 25 Rathbun, J. & Co 100 Read, Harmon P 20 Rawson & Colburn 25 Reese, Rev. J. L 10 Reilly & Hamilton 25 Rooney, James \V 50 Russell, Henry 25 Roach, Mrs. James 25 Rosendale, S. W 25 Russell, Geo. L 10 Russell, Joseph W 25 Rowland, Henry 20 Ronan, Patrick 25 Ronan, E. D 15 Romeyn, T. F 5 Robbins, John S 10 Rodgers & Ruso 15 Ruggles, W. B 10 Russ, H. H 10 Robinson & Dayton 10 Stanwix Hall 150 Sautter, L 10 Stark, B. & Co 50 Sanders, G. V. S 25 398 Strasser, M. & Company $20 Saul, Julius 50 Strain, Robert 5 Sage, H. W. & Co 100 Shaw & Robinson 10 Shattuck, J. A 10 Sanders, B. & J. B 20 Sanders, Jacob G 50 Sweney, P. J 2 Sleeping Car Co., N. Y. C. .. 300 Stedman, Thompson & An- drews 25 Stevens, J. W 25 Schell, E 10 Stevens, Ed 5 Stevens, George H 5 Stevens, Thomas 10 Seaman, J.F 3 Stevens, A. P 10 Speir, S. T 3 Stewart, CM 5 Strevel, W. D 10 Stephenson, Samuel 10 Scherer, R. G 5 Schermerhorn, B. S 5 Stevens, Samuel 10 Smith, Henry L 25 Skinner, John W 25 Shiloh Lodge, I. O. B. B.... 25 Shields, Frank 50 Skinner & Arnold 25 Sickles & Miller 25 Simpson, Alex 10 Smith, Craig & Company 25 Smith, Cornelius 10 Smith, Covert & Co 25 Shoemaker & Pabst 25 Strong, Wm. N 50 Spoor, C. T. F 10 Sporborg, Joseph, & Son 20 Sumner, Chas., Benefit Ass'n, 25 Sumner & Hascy 100 Sullivan & Ehlers 25 Stone & Shanks 25 Snow, H. N 5 St. Agnes' School 25 Schuyler, Samuel 5° Schuster, Harry 10 Tenth Regiment Band 25 Treadwell & Co 250 Thacher, John Boyd 100 Thacher, George H., Jr 100 Ten Eyck, J. H 20 Tracey, Charles 50 Thacher, R. W $10 Tracey, Wilson & Co 25 Taylor, J. E. & Company... 10 Tremper, Captain J. H 25 Tebbutts, M. Sons 10 Thieson, J. L 5 Tillinghast, J. W 25 Toedt, E. B." 25 Townsend, Franklin 50 Townsend, Rufus K 25 Townsend, Frederick 50 Tucker, L. & Son 25 Thornton, William 5 Turner, H. L 5 Townsend, J. D. P 5 Townsend, Theo 5 Thomson, L. & Company 25 Towner, Samuel B 25 Tibbits, Bleecker 20 Trask, Spencer & Co. 100 Tucker, Willis G 10 Thorn, R. P. & Son 10 Union Clothing Company ... 50 Underbill, E 2 Van Heusen, Charles & Co.. 25 Van Gaasbeek, A. B. &Co.. 25 Van Benthuysen, C 50 Van Antwerp, J. H 50 Valkenburgh, S. M. & Co... 15 Van Antwerp, U. L 20 Van Denburgh, R. L 50 Van Antwerp, William M 25 Vrooman, Sanford lO Viele, M. E 50 Van Slyke, G. A. & Co 50 Van Wormer, J 25 Visscher, John B 20 Van Vecliten, Abm 20 Van Vliet, Dudley 10 Van Uer Veer, A 25 Vint, James lo Van Rensselaer, William B.. 100 Van Alstyne, J. B 5 Van Allen, C.'H 5 Van Rensselaer, P 10 Van Ness, Edward 500 VanAllen, G. A 25 Van Gaasbeek, W 5 Van Alstyne, W. C 5 Vrooman, J. H 5 Van Rensselaer, heirs W. P. . 100 Walsh, William E. & Son... 50 Waldman, S. M 10 Ward, Samuel B 25 399 Watervliet T. & H. R. R. Co.$ioo Wadhams, F. E 5 Ward, W.J 15 Waterman, J. & Son 25 Walter, Joseph 10 Walker, J. E 25 Washburn, H. L., Jr 10 Ward, C. M 5 Weller, Anton 20 Wendell, C. E. & Co 25 Weed, Parsons & Co 100 Weaver, George S 25 Weaver, William J 10 Wheeler, C. F 10 Wemple, D. W 25 Weber, George 15 Weaver, W. II. & Co 25 Wendell, J. 1 10 Weir & Chism 10 Weidman & Kelly 25 Western Union Tel. Co 25 Wheeler, F. F 5 Whitney, W. M. A: Co 250 Wilson & Gross 25 " Windsor, The " 100 Wilson, Lansing & Co $50 Wright, H. K 5 White, J. G. & Co 50 White, Isaac & Sons, Co 25 Wilber, R. G 10 Wiley, Ignatius 10 Winchell & Davis 25 Williams, R. D 25 Winne, C. H 10 White, D. S. & Co 25 Whitney, S. W 3 Winship, W. F 5 Whitney, W. M., Jr 10 Wing, R. B 20 Wickham, Richard 5 Willard, Thomas 10 Woodward & Hill 10 Woodruff, C. L 10 Woolverton, George A 20 Woodward, James O 25 Wooster, F. & Co 25 Woodruff, W. H. D 5 Yerks, George W 20 Young, H. G 25 Zelie, Rufus 50 400 THE FLAGS OF ALBANY. From time immemorial, flags have been used to determine rank, to mark organization, and to distin- guish tribe and nationality. At first they were personal to the king, commander or chief, or local with reference to district or tribal relations, and only national when they represented symbolically the religion or the gods of the people who fought under them. In battle they were rallying points for defence or attack. In time some particular emblem having been con- nected with deeds of national valor, or historical from association or tradition, or being the insignia of a conquering tribe or chieftain came to be recog- nized as the symbol of the country, a representation of its power and majesty to be guarded with reverence, to be defended to death, and so personal that an insult offered to it was and is considered an insult to the people whom it represented and a casus belli at all times. This idea of the personality of a flag and as standing for the people who adopted it, best finds expression in modern times, in national apologies being made by saluting the flag of the nation to whom reparation is due ; by indicating surrender by striking the flag, and conquest by raising that of the victor over or in the place of the flag of the defeated. 401 The early discoverers in America formally took possession of new found lands by raising the flag of their country to denote the new sov^ereignty, and the transmutations of government were completed by changing them. For an American colony, New York saw many changes in government and ownership, and as the dom- inant power was always evidenced by its flag which floated over its cities and fortifications, Albany's po- litical vicissitudes make the subject of the colors which have floated over it, or which have been con- nected with its history both interesting and pictur- esque. For historical purposes Henry Hudson is con- sidered the first white person to have ascended the Hudson River. We may safely set aside as with- out foundation in fact the tradition, that the French visited the site of Albany before Hudson did, and it is not even claimed that the Norsemen or Icelanders were ever near us. From the journal of Robert Juet, the master's mate of the Half Moon, Hudson's ship, it appears that he " and foure more of the Companie went up with our Boat to sound the river higher up," and visited the present site of Albany on September 22d, 1609, receiving visits from the neighboring Indian chiefs, and people. Hudson was an English mariner in the service of the Dutch East India Company, then under the pro- tection of the government of the Netherlands, and floated the flags of both from the masts of the Half Moon. 402 After the treaty at Utretch and in 1582, the United Netherlands adopted as its flag, to denote its union, a banner of three equal horizontal stripes, alternately yellow, white and blue, represented in the illustra- tions as figure i, and that was its flag in 1609. The flag of the East India Company was the flag of the Netherlands, with the letters A. O. C. in the center of the white stripe, the letters being the abbre- viation of the name of the company, "Algeemeue Oost Indise Coinpagnic. " " The general East India Com- pany " (figure 3). The East India Company, under the protection of the general Government, ruled over Albany until 1622, when the control of the colony fell into the hands of the " Gooctroyeerde West Indise Coinpagnie" or " The privileged West India Company," whose flag was the national ensign, with the letters " G, W. C." in mono- gram, as represented in figure 4. In 1650, after the death of William II, the Nether- lands changed the national flag by substituting a red stripe for the orange (fig. 2), and it is fair to presume that the West India Company altered its flag to cor- respond. The, flag of the West India Company, under the protection of the national flag, floated over Albany's battlements until the English conquered the province in 1664. On the 29th day of July, 1673, a Dutch fleet of twenty-three vessels, carrying 1,600 men, forced the resurrender of New York, and three days later Lieu- tenant Salisbury, the English commandant, surren- dered Fort Albany to the victors. It was at once 403 renamed Willemstadt, and the presence of its new masters made known by the red, white and blue flag of the States General again floating over its battle- ments. A year later, in November, 1674, the Dutch Gov- ernor, Colve, surrendered the province of New York to his English successor, Major Edmond Andros. Willemstadt submitted to the inevitable, and the flag of the India Companies and of the United Nether- lands that bore testimony of their dominion and gov- ernment for 65 years, were forever furled, and that of England appeared, to have in time an equally inglori- ous exit. The early EngHsh flag was called the flag of St. George, and without reference to technical descrip- tion was a red cross on a white field. The Scotch flag was the Cross of St. Andrew, a white saltaire on a blue field. On the union of the crowns of England and Scot- land, James I. issued a proclamation that " all the subjects of this isle and the kingdom of Great Britain should bear in the main-top the red cross, commonly called St. George's Cross, and the white cross, com- monly called St. Andrew's Cross, joined together ac- cording to the forms adopted by our own heralds." The British flag as it appears to-day never floated over the American colonies. The banner of St. Patrick was a "saltaire gules on a field argent," a red St. Andrew's Cross on a white field, and was not added to the British flag until 1801. 404 Figure lo represents the British flag from the time of James I. (1606) until 1707. On January 16, 1707, the union of England and Scotland was finally ratified, and the national flag changed to the form depicted in figure ii — the red or " meteor flag," with the Union Jack, so called from Jacques (James I.) who ordained it, in the upper canton, and that was the flag nailed to the staft* in 1783, when the British evacuated New York, and which, when it came down, represented the last act in the drama of the Revolution, and the surrender of British sovereignty over the American colonies. The history of the so-called Colonial flags cannot be written. They appear depicted in old prints and books but their special significance is past finding out, and their origin as a rule unknown. It is neither within the limits nor purposes of this article to enumerate all the colonial flags, but only those which are specially connected with New York's history. The Van Rensselaers, patroons of Albany, early arrogated to themselves feudal honors and privileges, and their historic fort on Baern Island, and brave attempts to levy tribute from the Dutch skippers and dominate the upper Hudson, are graphically described in Irving's Knickerbocker's History, of New York. That they had a flag is certain. In the Historical Documents of New York (vol. i, p. 522) there is a record of a " petition of the Patroon and co-directors of the Colonic of Rensselaer's Wyck," to the East India Company, dated January 17, 1653, which among 405 other grievances speaks of men " coming into the colonic of Rensselaer's Wyck aforesaid, and there causing the petitioners' flag to be hauled down, in opposition to the will and protest of the officers." The design of the Van Rensselaer flag is lost to history, for the most careful research made for years has failed to discover a specimen or description of it. In 1688, after the Duke of York became King of England, Sir Edmond Andros, its Governor, was com- missioned as the Governor of New England in America, with instructions to destroy the seal of New York, to annex its government and territory to New England, and to use the seal appointed for New England on all New York documents. The King at the same time sent over a special flag for the Provinces of New England in America, being the flag proper of England before the union, the red cross of St. George on a white field, charged with the kingly crown and monogram J. R. "Jacobus Rex" (figure 5). Figures 6, 7 and 8, are different forms of a com- mon colonial flag. It appears occasionally green, sometimes red, prin- cipally with a blue fly, but always with the flag of St. George, forming a canton in the upper corner next to the staff. Some were depicted with a tree, usually denominated a pine tree, in the upper left-hand cor- ner of the canton, sometimes it is vacant and often with a globe, with a small section cut out representing a hemisphere discovered. A view of New York harbor in 1697, from the journal of Jasper Bankers and Peter Sluyter, is copied 406 in the reprint of the journal published by the Long Island Historical Society, in 1867. It shows the Union flag (No. 10) floating over the fort, and the Colonial flag (No. 8) flying from a vessel at anchor. On November 13, 1696, Messrs. Brooke and NicoU made application to the Home Government, among other requisites for the defence of the forts in New York, for " six large Union flags " (No. 10), and they were sent on February i, 1696-7. Lieutenant-Governor Nanfan, who succeeded the Earl of Bellemont as Governor of New York in 1701, in a letter to the Lords of Trade, of date of Decem- ber 29, 1 701 (Historical Documents of New York, vol. 4, p. 927), speaks of a special " flag distinct from his majesty's ships of war to be worn by all ships that shall be commissionated by the governor of his majesty's plantations." We cannot describe that flag but believe it to be a flag similar to 6, 7 or 8. When Robert Hunter was made Governor, the draft of his instructions, dated December 27, 1709 (vol. 5 Documents relating to Colonial History of New York, p. 137), among other things reads as follows: "85. Whereas, great inconveniences do happen to merchant ships and other vessels in the plantations wearing the colours borne by our ships of war, under pretence of commissions granted to them by the governors of the said plantations, and that by trading under those colours, not only amongst our own sub- jects, but also those of other princes and states, com- mitting divers irregularities, they do much dishonour our service, for prevention whereof you are to oblige the commanders of all such ships to which you shall 407 grant commissioners, to wear no other Jack than ac- cording to the sample here described, that is to say : Such as is worn by our ships of war, with the distinc- tion of a white escutcheon in the middle thereof, and that the said mark of distinction may extend itself one-half of the depth of the Jack and one-half of the fly thereof." This flag is correctly depicted on page 137 of vol. 5 of the Documentary History of New York and is represented by figure 9. When George Clinton became Governor of the Colony of New York, the draft of his instructions from the Lords of Trade, evidenced by their letter of August 20, 1 74 1, on the subject of the colonial flag, reads as follows : " to wear (for the colonial flag) the same ensign as merchant ships, and a red jack with a union jack in a canton at the upper corner next to the staff, pursuant to the opinion of His Majesty's Commissioners for executing the office of High Ad- miral of Great Britain and agreeable to our repre- sentations to their Excellencies, the Lord Justices, dated August 7, 1740." The last described flag is not illustrated, for the description is very blind, and no copy nor original nor picture of the same is known. When the war of the Revolution broke out, the idea that the flag of the English represented their sovereignty found immediate and determined expres- sion in its repudiation, and the necessity for a symbol to designate the new dominion resulted in the crea- tion of many strange devices, like the Palmetto flag of the South Carolinians, and various other colors, some 408 bearing a snake with the motto, " Don't tread on tne," some crescents, others stars, anything to distinguish those who fought under them from the hated foe. It is said that at the battle of Bunker Hill the American forces carried the colonial flag represented by figure 8. No flag was evidently carried at Lexington on April 19, 1775, nor any recognized standard from that time until Washington raised the first general American flag at Cambridge on January 22, 1776. That was prior to the Declaration of Independence and at a time when the most that any of the patriots expected or demanded was justice and relief from oppression. Independence was not dreamed of, and the idea of Bristish protection and American dependence is re- presented in the flag (figure 12). It consists of thir- teen stripes of alternate red and white, with the Union Jack of England in a canton in the upper corner. Where the idea of the thirteen horizontal stripes of alternate red and white had its origin is not known, but the best authorities believe that they were taken from Washington's coat of arms. The flag was formerly adopted after consultation, and was known as the " Grand Union " flag. The Grand Union Flag continued to be the official American flag long after independence had been de- clared, and the idea of a British protectorate was abandoned and many bloody battles were fought under its folds. The necessity of a permanent and distinct flag had long been discussed, but it was not until June 14, 409 I777> t^^^ '^ t^o^ definite shape. On that day Con- gress passed a resohition adopting a flag in the fol- lowing words : " Resolved, That the flag of the Thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white ; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation." The flag subsequently used during the war of the Revolution is shown in figure 13, the stars being arranged in the form of a circle. The design was to add an additional star and stripe to the flag for every new State, but it was neglected until on January 13, 1794, it was resolved by Con- gress " that from and after the first day of May, Anno Domini 1795, the flag of the United States be fifteen stripes, alternate red and white ; that the union be fifteen stars in a blue field." The flag of fifteen stripes and fifteen stars is repre- sented by figure 14, and that was the standard under which the glorious victories of the war of 1812 were won. No further changes were made in the flag after 1795, until the new States began to clamor for recogni- tion in the National ensign ; the matter was discussed in Congress, the inexpediency of adding a stripe for each new State was conceded, and on April 4, 1818, the flag of these United States was forever fixed at thirteen horizontal stripes of alternate red and white, each State being represented in the blue union by a white star, a star to be added to the constellation for each new State on the 4th day of July next succeed- 410 ing its admission, and that flag as now constituted is represented in figure i6. The flag of the State of New York is represented in figure 15. We cannot find any legislative act, fix- ing either its size or color. The earliest record of any such flag is found in the military regulations promulgated during the time when Edwin D. Morgan was Governor of the State (1859), which prescribed that the State flag should be of white bunting, bearing the arms of the State in the center thereof. Under the general powers given to the military authorities to make regulations that have the force of laws, for the government of the military forces of the State, the designation in the regulations would fix the color and size of the State flag for military, but not for civil, purposes. In fact, the State flag, as such, is not mentioned in any act of the Legislature, except in chapter 190, of the Laws of 1882, entitled "An act to establish the original arms of the State of New York, and to pro- vide for the use thereof on the public seals." Section 7 of that act reads : " During the hours when the Legislature is in session, the State flag, bear- ing the arms of the State, shall be displayed from the Capitol together with the flag of the United States." The act takes it for granted that there is a " State flag." Except in the military regulations we find no au- thority for this flag, but conceding that by implica- tion the act last cited does establish a State flag for 411 civil purposes, what authority is there for making it white any more than red or blue? It may not be a very material issue to raise, but it is nevertheless curious to know that the State of New York floats a flag of a color for which there is no statutory warrant. We distinguish the State flag from the regimental standards or colors. Chap, xii, of the Laws of 1778, entitled " An act further to organize the government of this State," passed March 16, 1778, contains the following: " And whereas, arms have been devised for this State, * * * i^g if therefore further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that the said arms * * * shall be and they are hereby declared to be the arms * * * of this State." Within three weeks from that time, on April 3rd, 1778, an act was passed " regulating the militia of the State of New York," which contained the following: "VI. That each regiment shall be provided with a Standard or Colours at the Expense of the Field Officers."' One of these flags carried by the 3rd New York regiment, commanded by Col. Peter Gansevoort, Jr., in 1778 and through the Revolutionary war, is now in the possession of the colonel's descendants in Albany. It is of blue silk, with the then newly adopted arms painted in the centre thereof. There are a number of statutes fixing the arms and seals of the State, but none establishing either State or regimental colors, and the question arises, 412 why and by what authority was the color of the regi- mental flag made blue, and the State arms put on the same in preference to any other device, or if the flag carried by Col. Gansevoort's regiment was a State and not a regimental flag — and there having been no distinction between the two until the military regulations of 1859, by what authority was the dis- tinction in color made, and when was it adopted, by the State? The regimental flags have been of a blue color since the foundation of the Government, and are so to-day, and many elegant specimens bearing honor- able scars won in the service of the Union during the Rebellion, can be seen daily in the upper corridors of the Capitol in Albany. The municipal flag of Albany is similar in purpose and intent to the State flag, denoting the municipal sovereignty of the city. It is of white with a city coat of arms in the center in blue and is floated over the City Hall in Albany on all occasions of municipal ceremony and on State and National holidays. Figure 18 is the Bi-centennial flag of Albany, de- signed by the writer, as a standard, bearing on its folds the political and dynastic history of Albany for two hundred and seventy-nine years, to mark the celebra- tion of its Bi-centenary as a chartered city. It holds in combination the flags before repre- sented. Next to the staff is the tri-color of the States Gen- eral, in its two-fold form of yellow, white and blue and red, white and blue representing the period of the Dutch supremacy which, during all the time suc- 413 ceeding, had its influence over Albany's history and its people and which holds fast the subsequent periods represented in the quarterings. The first quarter contains Albany's municipal flag, representing the local history of the place and its city government ; the second quarter is the old British jack denoting the days of English ascendency ; the third quarter is the jack of the best recognized colonial flag, representing the colonial period ; and the fourth the union of the stars and stripes, repre- senting the period of free government under the Constitution and Laws of the United States — never to be changed. 414 No. 1. No. 2. No. 3. THE CITY SEALS OF ALBANY. Prior to 1686, Albany was a town governed by Justices of the Peace, under commissions issued by the colonial Governors. As such it had no seal. The Dongan Charter, signed July 22, 1686, which made Albany a city, authorized it to have and use a corporate seal in the words following: "the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of Albany, and their successors shall and may forever hereafter, have one common seal to serve for the sealing of all and singular their affairs and business touching or concerning the said corporation. And it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the said city of Albany, and their successors, as they shall see cause, to break, change, alter and new make their said common seal, and as often as to them shall seem convenient." Prior to the granting of the charter, which at first the Van Rensselaers opposed, they released all their title to the vacant lands within the corporate limits of the new city as fixed by the charter and vested it in the new corporation, a portion of which lands in order to meet the expenses attending the procurement of the document were ordered to be sold " att a publike vendu or outer}' in ye Citty Hall on W'ednesda}', ye first day of December" (1686). 415 A deed from the city of Albany, bearing date in December, 1686, describing a certain " lott of grounde on ye hill where ye gallows stande " sold at public auction pursuant to the above order and signed by Peter Schuyler, the first Mayor for the city, and attested by the city seal, is in existence. The city seal is firmly and clearly impressed on the paper in red wax, and is reproduced in figure i. It is octagonal in shape, with the letters A. L. B. in monogram as depicted, with a crown over them. If the design has any meaning, or there were any special reasons why it was adopted, they are not now known. A copy or description of it was not known until the above deed was found among the old papers of a lineal descendant of the grantee, after a careful search made at the request of the writer in 1886. Munsell. in his valuable and hardly enough appre- ciated books on Albany, has no description or picture of it, although he has engraved all other seals. . During the Bi-centennial year several others were found, one appearing on a grant of the freedom of the city given in 1736. The letters must be an abbreviation of the name of the city. We cannot learn that the crown has any heraldic significance ; it is hardly a kingly crown, nor in shape like a coronet, the head attire of the nobility. The first public seal of the province of the New Netherlands, granted by the State's General, had a coronet for a crest ; so had the second, granted by the Duke of York to the province of New York by royal warrant, dated February 9, 1662. 416 This latter seal being the royal arms of the house of Stuart, bore as a crest, a coronet composed of crosses and fleurs de lis, and was the seal of the prov- ince of New York in 1686, and it is probable that the city followed the colonial seal and the custom of the day, and used the crown as a crest, or charged the monogram of the city with a crown, to show its dependence and loyalty. The city records have little to say concerning the seal ; it seems to have been ambulatory, for at one time the clerk was forbidden to carry it about with him to the detriment of public business. In 1740 the Common Council forbade its use ex- cept when the city fathers were in session, but in 1 741 this rule was so far relaxed that the Mayor could seal "Tavern Keepers Lycences. " In 1742 the aldermen who seemed to be then, as now, jealous of their privileges, re-enacted the rule of 1740, evi- dently intending that if any tavern keepers' licenses were to be granted and sealed (which sealing under the charter was necessary to their validity), they would be on hand and participate in the event. It seems from that and what follows, that some revenue was attached to the use and possesion of the city seal, and the Common Council, the city clerk and the Mayor were fighting for its custody, with the victory in the hands of the aldermen, who forbade its use except when they were in session. But a reformer appeared on the field in the person of Jacob C. Ten Eyck, who was elected Mayor in 1748. He went before the Board of Aldermen im- mediately after his election, produced the city seal 417 and laid it before the Common Council. He said : " that Dirck Ten Broek, Esq., had delivered the same to him, as was formerly usual for the Mayor going off to do to the new Mayor, but as the present Mayor's opinion was that the city seal should be de- livered to the keeping of the clerk of the Common Council, he desired the consent of the Board that the same may be delivered to Mr. Philip G. Livingston, the present clerk." It was so ordered, and a resolution was passed by the board regulating the use of it by the clerk, and requiring him to use it in certain matters in the pres- ence of three aldermen. The Mayor was forbidden " for the future to have the keeping of the city seal* unless in the absence of the clerk." At a meeting of the Common Council, held April 28, 1752, the following was passed: "Resolved and ordered by this Board — That the old seal of this corporation, now in the hands of the Mayor, be changed and altered, and that there be a new seal in its place, which new seal, being now pro- duced to this board and approved of by them, the same is ordered to be lodged in the hands of our present clerk in his office for the use and behoof of this corporation, and that the present now new seal be henceforth our seal and called, deemed and esteemed the common seal of this corporation until it be altered and changed and the aforesaid former seal be null and void and dead in law to all intents and purposes whatsoever;" and again re-enacted the ordinance of 1740, which prohibited its use, "except it be in our Common Council." 418 The new seal above mentioned is represented in figure 2. It displays the Albany beaver, but looking in the original, more like a drowned cat than the fat and sleek animal, it was intended to represent, with the word "Albany " over, and the figures of the year 1752 under it. Neither the resolution nor the records state why the change was made. Albany was certainly more English in 1752 than in 1686, and why the English crown of the latter year should have been changed for the Dutch beaver in 1752 is not apparent, especially as the reason could not have been artistic, for the first seal is certainly handsomer in appearance than the second ; nor because they were tired of it, for it became again in use a few years later. On June 30, 1752, the new seal was ordered to be used on all public documents, and it was ordained that there should be paid to the Mayor or aldermen three shillings for their fees for its use, and to the clerk for putting the seal to any instrument six shil- lings for the use of the corporation, and one shilling to the clerk for his own use. On May 3, 1755, the Common Council passed the following resolution : " Resolved, By this Board, that the old seal now in the custody of the Mayor with the letters thereon, shall be used by the Mayor to lyscense Carmen and Tavern Keepers and to nothing else, and shall be called the publick seal of this city." Thus was the old Dongan seal, a few short years 419 before declared " dead in law," resuscitated ; and Albany had two seals, a city or corporate seal, and a public seal. This state of affairs did not last long, for at a meet- ing of the Common Council held October i6, 1761, the city clerk was allowed one shilling for affixing the city seal to each freedom or other instrument issued by the city, and for each license given to any tavern keeper, and that none be valid without the seal. The old seal here disappears from history. The seal of 1752 continued to be the corporate seal of Albany for many years, and why or when it was changed and the present seal adopted cannot be defi- nitely stated. There is no record, changing either the seal of 1752 or adopting the one now in use. The earliest copy of the shield on the seal (No. 3) is found on an old map of a portion of Albany* made by Simeon De Witt, a brave revolutionary sol- dier on Washington's staff and Surveyor-General of the State, dated in 1790, and now on file in the city surveyor's office. It is the shield of the arms of the city of Albany, for which there also seems to be no record authority, and is described by Mr. Howell, in heraldic language, as follows : " Party per fess argent and gules. Above, a beaver gnawing at the stump of a tree prostrates both proper ; below, two garbs, proper. Crest, a sloop under sail, proper. Motto, Assiduity." The, arms, as depicted on the map of 1790, show supporters, dexter, a farmer, whose left hand sup- 420 ports the shield and whose right rests on his hip with a sickle hung on his wrist; the sinister is an Indian, his right hand supporting the shield, and his left sus- taining a bow, one end of which rests on the ground. But little attention has ever been paid by the city- fathers to the duty of maintaining the arms of Albany as originally designed or according to heraldic rules. The city arms next appear on a map dated in 1795 with variations ; each succeeding artist or engraver taking liberties with the picture, especially the artist who painted the official copy now in the Mayor's office in the City Hall, until the arms as now used have lost all their original significance and point; new additions of landscape and figure have been added without authority, and to cap the climax, the sup- porters have been comfortably seated, in violation of the first principles of heraldry. The present city seal (No. 3) must have been adopted some time between 1790, the date of the above map, and 1795, the date of a city lease in the chamberlain's office, where it appears for the first known time. It has been used as depicted in figure 3 since its first adoption without alteration. It is typical of Albany. The beaver is displayed at work — historical in its connection with the early name, history and wealth of the people of Albany — and their industry ; the rich, harvested grain appears, indicative of its agricultural wealth ; the crest is a Dutch sloop, de- noting Albany's supremacy at the head of the sloop navigation of the Hudson River, and its commercial importance, and the motto, "Assiduity," appropriate 421 to a cit)' noted for the diligence and the close atten- tion to business of its inhabitants. A few years ago the arms of the State of New York, established by authority in 1778. fell into the same condition through neglect that the arms of the city of Albany are now in, and the State thought it of sufficient importance to appoint a commission to re-establish them as they were first designed, and their labors found fruition in the passage by the legislature of chapter 190 of the Laws of 1882, entitled "An act to re-establish the original arms of the State of New York and to provide for the use thereof on the public seals." The State arms are fixed by law, engraved accord- ing to rule, and can never be changed. Few American cities have arms charged on a shield, upheld by supporters ; according to some authorities none except the cities of New York and Albany, and their readoption in a fixed form and their preservation as an honor unique in American municipal history, and as a matter of local pride should engage the attention of our city fathers, as an outcome of Albany's Bi-centenary as a chartered city. 422 THE BI-CENTENNIAL MEDAL. The committee having in charge the celebration of Albany's Bi-centenary as a chartered city, determined to signalize the event by issuing a medal that would be a credit to the occasion, and a reminder of the event for all time. It resulted in the artistic and appropriate medal represented in the engraving. It is two inches in diameter, and one-eighth of an inch thick. A few of a greater thickness were struck off specially. The die was cut by George H. Lovett of New York, one of America's celebrated medalists, noted for the fineness of his engraving. This medal is distinguished for its artistic finish, correctness of detail, historical accuracy, and for the strength and character of its workmanship. The obverse of the medal contains a picture of Governor Dongan signing the parchment which made Albany a city, in the presence of Peter Schuyler and Robert Livingston, and the legend : " PiETER Schuy- ler RECEIVING THE CHARTER FROM GOVERNOR Dongan, July 22, 1686." The scene was suggested to the writer, who devised the detail of the medal, by the following extract from the minutes of the city of Albany (vol. i, p. i) : " In Nomine Domino Jesu Christo. Amen. 423 " Att a meeting of ye justices of ye peace for ye County of Albany, ye 26th day of July, A. D. 1686. " Pieter Schuyler, gent., and Robert Livingston, gent., who were commissionated by ye towne of Albanie to goe to New-Yorke and procure ye charter for this citty, wh. was agreed upon between ye magistrates and ye right hon'l Col. Tho. Dongan, Gov. Gen'll, who accordingly have brought the same along with them, and was published with all ye joy and acclama- tions imaginable, and ye said two gent'm. received ye thanks of ye magistrates for their diligence and care in obtaining ye same." To write the history of Schuyler and Livingston would be to write the history of New York during their time, for no more influential men lived in the colony. Peter Schuyler was a merchant of Albany, and lived in 1703 on Broadway, where Van Benthuysens' print- ing office now stands, his lot extending back to the river. He was first Mayor of Albany, Colonel of the Mili- tia of the county. President and Member of the Gov- ernor's Council, Lidian Commissioner, Judge of the Court of Oyer and Terminer, etc., and the most valu- able man in the colony of New York by reason of his great influence over the Indians. He visited England in 1 710 with a delegation of Indians, and was received by Queen Anne, who ordered his portrait painted by the court painter after he had refused the offer of knighthood from her hands. The painting is still in existence in the posses- 424 sion of his descendants in the town of Watervleit, and the picture of Schuyler in the medal is based upon that portrait. Schuyler died in 1724. Robert Livingston was born at Anacram, Scotland, December 13, 1654; emigrated to America in 1674, and settled in Albany. He was made town clerk of Albany by the charter of 1686, which office he resigned in 1721 ; he was also collector and receiver of public moneys, sub- collector of customs at Albany, Indian Commissioner, etc. He married Alida Schuyler, widow of Rev. Nicholas Van Rensselaer, and had seven children. He was the progenitor of the celebrated Livingston family ; lived where Tweddle building now stands, and died April 20, 1725. There is a picture of him extant representing him to be a swarthy man, with long black hair, wearing the hat and costume then worn by the Dissenters. His portrait has been followed as closely as possi- ble ; the pose and costume being from Boughton's celebrated picture entitled: "The Return of the Mayflower." Thomas Dongan, subsequently Viscount Dongan, and second Earl of Limerick, was, prior to his ap- pointment as the colonial Governor of New York, a brave and gallant colonel in the Irish contingent, serving in the French army. He was made Governor- General by King James II, in August, 1683, and was the chief magistrate of the colony on July 22, 1686, and as such signed the charter which made Albany a city. He was a wise and beneficent Governor, just in his dealings with the colonists and the Indians, and 425 noted for the fairness with which he treated all people in matters of conscience. He was superseded in 1688, and died in London in 1703. The charter which he signed is now among the records of the city of Albany, and consists of sev^eral sheets of parchment rolled, with a very large colonial seal attached. Great attention was paid to the historical detail and accuracy of costume and furniture in the engraving, and it is considered a masterpiece of its kind. The reverse of the medal has in the center the shield and crest of the arms and seal of the city of Albany, described in the article on " The City Seals of Albany," and the legend: " L\ COMMEMORATION OF THE Two Hundredth Anniversary of the City of Albany, N. Y., 1886." The number of medals struck from the die, which was defaced on the 22nd day of July, 1886, is as fol- lows : Ten gold medals ; eight silver medals ; thirty- six in bronze, gilded with a Florentine finish ; thirteen hundred in bronze, and eleven thousand in white metal. The medals thus described were one-eighth of an inch in thickness. A few, three-sixteenths of an inch in thickness, were issued as follows : one in copper, three in bronze and thirty-six in bronze struck up in gold. 426 J'uirr WTY^SD NEW YORK ^^^ THE BI-CENTENNIAL CARD. This card, a copy of which printed on thin paper, is inserted in this book, was issued by the committee as a memento of the anniversary and sent to all sub- scribers to the celebration fund and to distinguished guests. It is a fine steel plate and was printed, for distribution, on very thick card-board of the size eight by eleven inches with gilt beveled edges. The legend is : " The Two Hundredth Anni- versary OF THE City of Albany, New York, July Twenty-second, 1886." It shows a copy of the arms of Albany, in the degenerate form, spoken of in the article on "The City Seals of Albany;" the card having been engraved before the general interest in old Albany, aroused by the Bi-centennial celebra- tion, had contrasted the arms of Albany now in use, with the original design found on Simeon De Witt's old map of Albany, dated 1 790. We regret that the committee did not have a copy of the proper arms engraved for this book ; but a general idea of their appearance can be had from an inspection of the Bi-centennial flag (flag No, 17), where they are re- produced, and from the shield in the engraving of the Bi-centennial medal. In the flag the supporters are standing, according to heraldic rules, not sitting as in the card, and there are no details of landscape in the correct arms. The errors are not the fault of the engraver, but of the authorities which allowed the arms to degenerate. 427 The center of the card contains a contrast between old and new Albany, 1 686-1 886. In 1695 Rev. John Miller visited Albany, and the account of his visit was published in a book entitled : " Description of the Province and City of New York, with the plans of the city and several forts as existed in the year 1695," and accompanying the book there was a map or plan of the city of Albany, drawn with great circumspection and detail. Describing Albany he says: "It is in circumference about six furlongs, and hath therein about 200 houses, a fourth part of what there is reckoned to be in New York. " The form of it is septangular, and the longest line (is) that which buts upon the river running from north to south. On the west angle is the fort, quadrangular, strongly stockadoed and ditched round, having in it twenty-one pieces of ordnance mounted. " On the north-west side are two block-houses, and on the south-west as many ; on the south-east angle stands one block-house ; in the middle of the line from thence northward is a horned work, and on the north-east angle a mount. The whole city is well stockadoed round, and in the several fortifications named are about thirty guns." The artist has endeavored, by closely following the map accompanying the book, to give an idea of Albany as it appeared in 1686, and from the letter-press description accompanying the map, has fairly suc- ceeded in his task. The largest picture is a view of Albany in 1886, looking from Bath ; it illustrates, by the contrast with the 1686 picture, Albany's material growth in two 428 hundred years, and its beauty as a city in the Bi-cen- tennial year. In the lower vignette is an idealized picture of Dongan, Schuyler and Livingston, meeting in Albany in 1686. The house, upon the stoop of which Dongan stands, is a correct drawing of the entrance to the celebrated Lydius house, built of bricks brought from Holland in 1657, which stood on the north-east corner of State and Pearl streets (Dexter's corner, so called). It was torn down in 1832. Opposite is the Schuyler house, lately known as the Staats corner, demolished in 1887 to make room for the Albany County Bank building. The card is an excellent specimen of steel engrav- ing and a credit to Albany art in 1886. 429 DONGAN CHARTER. I. THOMAS DONGAN, Lieutenant and Governor of the Province of New- York, and Dependencies in America, under his most sacred Majesty, JAMES the Second, by the Grace of God, of England, Scot- land, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, and so forth, and Supreme Lord and Proprietor of the said Province of New-York, and its Depend- encies : To all persons to 7vhom these Presents shall or may come, or ill any wise concer?i, Sendeth Greeting : 2. WHEREAS the town of Albany is an ancient town within the said Province, and the inhabitants of the said town have held, used and enjoyed, as well within the same as elsewhere within the said Province, divers and sundry Jiights, Liberties, Privileges, Fi'anchises, Free Ctistoms, Preheniinences, Advantages, Jurisdictions, Etnobiments and Jjnmimities, as well by prescription as by Graiits, Co?iJirma- tions and Proclamations, not only by divers Governors and Commanders-in-Chief in the said Province, under his said Majesty ; but also of several Governors, Generals and Commanders-in-Chief of the Nether Dutch nation, whilst the same was or has been under their power and subjection. And Whereas divers lands, tenements, and hereditaments, jurisdictions, liberties, immunities and privileges, have here- tofore been given and granted to the inhabitants of the said town, sometimes by the name of the Commissaries of the town of Beverwyck ; sometimes by the name of the Com- missaries of the town of Albany ; sometimes by the name of Schepeneti of William- Stadt ; and sometimes by the name of yustices of the Peace for the town of Albany ; and by divers other names, as by their several grants, writings, records and minutes, amongst other things, may more fully appear. And Whereas the inhabitants of the said town 431 have erected, built and appropriated, at their own proper cost and charges, several public buildings, accommodations and conveniences, for the said town, as also certain pieces or parcels of ground for the use of the same, that is to say, the town-hall or stadt-house, with .the ground thereunto belonging ; the church or meeting place, with the ground about the same ; the burial place, adjoining to the pallisades, at the south-east end of the town ; the watch-house and ground thereunto belonging ; a certain piece or parcel of land, commonly called or known by the name of the pas- ture, situate, lying and being to the south-ward of the said town, near the place where the old fort stood, and extending along Hudson's River, till it comes over against the most northerly point of the island, commonly called Martin Gerritsens Jslatid, having to the east Hudsofi's River, to the south, the manor of Refisselaertvick, to the west the highway leading to the town, the pasture late in the tenure and occupation of Martin Gerretse?t, and the pasture late in the tenure and occupation of Casper '^acobse, to the north the several pastures late in the tenure and occupation of Robert Sanders, My7idert Harmense and Evert Wendell, and the several gardens late in the tenure and occupation of Dirk J Vessels, Killian Van Refisselaer and Abraham Staast, with their and every of their appurtenances ; and also have established and settled one ferry from the said town to Greenbush, situate on the other side of Hudso7i's River, for the accommodation and conveniency of passen- gers, the said citizens and travellers : And Whkkeas seve- ral of the inhabitants of the town do hold from and under his most sacred Majesty, respectively, as well by several and respective patents, grants and conveyances, made and granted by the late Governors and Commanders-in-Chief of the said Province, as otherwise, several and respective messuages, lands, tenements and hereditaments, in the town of Albany aforesaid, and that the said inhabitants of the said town of Albany, and their heirs and assigns respectively, may hold, exercise and enjoy, not only such and the same liberties, privileges, franchises, rights, royalties, free customs, jurisdic- tions and immunities, as they anciently have had, held, used and enjoyed, but also such public buildings, accommodations, conveniences, messuages, lands tenements and hereditaments in the said town of Albany, which, as aforesaid, have been by the inhabitants erected and built, or which have, as afore- 432 said, been held, enjoyed, granted and conveyed unto them, or any of them, respectively. 3. Know ye therefore. That I, the said Thomas Don- gafi, by virtue of the commission and authority unto me given and power in me presiding, at the humble petition of the Justices of the Peace of the said town of Albany, and for divers other good causes and considerations me thereunto moving, have given, granted, ratified and confirmed, and by these presents, for and on behalf of his most sacred Majesty aforesaid, his heirs and successors, do give, grant, ratify and confirm unto the said inhabitants of the said town, hereinafter agreed to be called by the name or names of The Mayor, Alde?'/?ien, and Commonalty of the City of Albany, all and every such and the same liberties, privileges, fran- chises, rights, royalties, free customs, jurisdictions and im- munities, which they have anciently had, held and enjoyed ; Provided always. That none of the said liberties, privi- leges, franchises, rights, free customs, jurisdictions or immu- nities, be inconsistent with, or repugnant to, the laws of his Majesty's kingdom of England, or other the laws of the general assembly of this Province ; and the aforesaid public buildings, accommodations and conveniences, pieces or par- cels of ground in the said town, that is to say, The said town-hall or stadt-house, with the ground thereunto belong- ing; the said church or meeting- place, with the ground about the same ; the said burying-place, the watch house and ground thereto belonging ; the said pasture and the afore-mentioned ferry, with their and every of their rights, members and appurtenances, together with all the profits, benefits and advantages that shall or may accrue or arise at all times hereafter, for anchorage or wharfage in the harbor, port or wharf of the said city, with all and singular the rents, issues, profits, gains and advantages which shall or may arise, grow or accrue by the said town-hall or stadt-house, and the ground thereunto belonging ; church or meeting place, with the ground about the same; burying-place, watch-house, pasture, ferry, and other the above mentioned premises, or any of them, and also all and every the streets, lanes, high- ways and alleys, within the said city, for the public use and service of the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the said city, and of the inhabitants of the places adjacent, and travellers there ; together with full power, license and authority to said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty, and 433 their successors for ever, to establish, appoint, order and direct the establishing, making, laying out, ordering, amend- ing and repairing of all streets, lanes, alleys, highways and bridges, water- courses and ferries, in and throughout the said city, or leading to the same, necessary, needful and conven- ient for the inhabitants of the said city and the parts adja- cent, and for travellers there : Provided always. That the said license so as above granted for the establishing, making and laying out streets, lanes, alleys, highways, ferries and bridges, be not extended or construed to extend, to the taking away of any person or persons right or property, without his or their consent, or by some known law of the said Province. And for the consideration aforesaid, I do likewise give, grant, ratify and confirm unto all and every the respective inhabitants of the said city of Albany, and their several and respective heirs and assigns, all and every the several respective messuages, lands, tenements and here- ditaments, situate, lying and being in the said city, to them severally and respectively granted, conveyed and confirmed by any the late Governors, Lieutenants, or Commander-in- Chief of the said Province, or by the Commissaries or Justices of the Peace, or other Magistrates of Albany aforesaid, or otherwise howsoever; To Hold to their sev- eral and respective heirs and assigns for ever. 4. And I do, by these presents, give and grant to the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the said city of Albany, all the waste, vacant, unpatented and unappropri- ated land lying and being within the said city of Albany, and the precincts and liberties thereof, extending and reach- ing to the low water mark, in, by and through all parts of the said city ; together with all rivers, rivulets, coves, creeks, ponds, water- courses, in the said city, not heretofore given or granted by any of the former Governors, Lieutenants, or Commanders-in-Chief, under their or some of their respect- ive hands and seals, or the seal of the Province, to some respective person or persons, late inhabitants of the said city, or of other parts of the said Province ; and also the royalties of fishing, fowling, hunting, hawking, mines, min- erals and other royalties and privileges belonging or apper- taining to the city of Albany, gold and silver mines only excepted. 5. And I do, by these presents, give, grant and confirm unto the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the said 434 city of Albany, and their successors, forever, full and free license and liberty of fishing in Hudso7i's River^ not only within the limits of the said city, but without, even so far northward and southward as the river does extend itself, within the said county of Albany, together with free liberty, license and authority, to and for the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the said city of Albany aforesaid, and their successors, at all time and times hereafter, for and during the space of one and twenty years, from and after the fourth day of November, last past, to be accomplished, and fully to be complete and ended, to cut down and carry away, out of any part of the manor of Rensselaerwyck, (provided it be not within any fenced or enclosed land) such firewood and timber, for building and fencing, as to them shall seem meet and convenient. 6. And 1 do, by these presents, grant unto the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of Albany, and their successors forever hereafter, all such strays as shall be taken within the limit, precincts and bounds of the said city. 7. And I do, by these presents, give and grant unto the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty, of the city of Albany, and their successors, full liberty and license, at their pleasure, to purchase from the huiians, the quantity of five hundred acres of low or meadow land, lying at a certain place, called or known by the name of Schaaghte- cogiie, which quantity of five hundred acres shall and may be, in what part of Schaaghtecogiie, or the land adjacent, as they, the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of Albany, shall think most convenient. 8. And I do, by these presents, give and grant unto the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty, full power and license at their pleasure, likewise to purchase from the Indians, the quantity of one thousand acres of low or meadow land, lying at a certain place, called or known by the name of Tionnojidoroge, which quantity of one thou- sand acres of low or meadow land, shall and may be, in what part of Tio7inondo7'oge, or the land adjacent on both sides of the river, as they the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the said city of Albany, shall think most convenient ; which said several parcels of low or meadow land, I do hereby, in behalf of his said Majesty, his heirs and successors, give, grant and confirm unto the said M ayor. Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of Albany afore- 435 said, to be and remain to the use and behoof of them and their successors forever. To have and to hold, all and singular the premises, to the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the said city of Albany, and their succes- sors forever, RENDERING and paying therefor unto his most sacred Majesty, his heirs, successors and assigns or to such officer or receiver, as shall be appointed to receive the same, yearly, forever hereafter, the annual quit-rent or acknowledgement of one beaver skin, in Albany, on the five and twentieth day of March, yearly and forever. 9. And moreover, I will, and by these presents for his said Majesty, his heirs and successors, grant, appoint, and declare, that the said city of Albany, and the compass, pre- cincts, and limits thereof, and the jurisdiction of the same, shall from henceforth extend and reach itself, and shall and may be able to reach forth and extend itself, as well in length and breadth, as in circuit, on the east by Hudson's River, so far as low water mark ; to the south, by a line to be drawn from the southermost end of the pasture, at the north end of the said island, called Martin Gei-rit son's Island, running back into the woods, sixteen English miles due northwest, to a certain kill or creek, called the Sand- Kill ; on the north, to aline to be drawn from the post, that was set by Governor Stuyvesant, near Hudson's River, running likewise, northwest sixteen English miles ; and on the west by a straight line, to be drawn from the points of the said north and south lines ; wherefore by these presents, I do firmly enjoin and command for and on behalf of his said Majesty, his heirs and successors, that the aforesaid Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city aforesaid, and their successors, shall and may freely and quietly have, hold, use and enjoy the aforesaid liberties, authorities, juris- dictions, franchises, rights, royalties, privileges, advantages, exemptions, lands, tenements, hereditaments and premises, aforesaid, in manner and form aforesaid, according to the tenure and effect of the aforesaid grants, patents, customs, and these letters patent of grant and confirmation, without the let, hindrance or impediment of any of his Majesty's Governors, Lieutenants, or other officers whatsoever; and that the said mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city aforesaid, and their successors or any of them, in the free use and enjoyment of the premises, or any of them, by the Lieutenants or Governors of his said Majesty, his heirs 436 and successors, or by any of them, shall not be hindered, molested, or in any wise disturbed. 10. And also, I do, for and on the behalf of his most sacred Majesty, his heirs and successors, ordain and grant to the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of Albany, and their successors, by these presents, that for the better government of the said city, liberties and precincts thereof, there shall be forever hereafter, within the said city, a Mayor, Recorder, Town-Clerk, and six Aldermen and six Assistants, to be appointed, nominated, elected, chosen and sworn, as hereinafter is particularly and respectively men- tioned, who shall be forever hereafter, called the Mayor, AIder/ne7t, and Commonalty of the city (?/Albany, and that there shall be forever, one Chamberlain or Treasurer, one Sheriff, one Coroner, one Clerk of the Market, one High- Constable, three Sub-Constables, and one Marshal or Ser- geant at Mace, to be appointed, chosen and sworn in man- ner hereinafter mentioned. 11. And I do, by these presents, for and on behalf of his most sacred Majesty, his heirs and successors, ordain, declare, constitute, grant and appoint, that the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen and Assistants of the said city of Albany, for the time being, and their successors forever hereafter, be and shall be, by force of these presents one body corporate and politic, in deed, fact and name, by the name of The Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of Albany ; and them by the name of the Mayor, Aldermen and Common- alty of the city of Albany, one body corporate and politic, in deed, fact and name ; and I do really and fully create, ordain, make, constitute and confirm, by these presents, and that by the name of The Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of Albany, that they may have perpetual suc- cession, and that they and their successors, forever by the name of the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of Albany, be and shall be, forever hereafter, persons able, and in law capable to have, get, receive and possess lands, tenements, rents, liberties, jurisdictions, franchises and hereditaments, to them and their successors, in fee simple, or for term of life, lives or years, or otherwise ; and also goods and chattels, and also other things of what nature, quahty or kind soever ; and also to give, grant, let, set and assign the said lands, tenements, hereditaments, goods and chattels, and to do and execute all other things in and about the same 437 by the name aforesaid ; and also, that they be, and forever shall be, persons able in law, capable to plead, and be im- pleaded, answer, and be answered unto, defend and be de- fended, in all or any of the courts of his said Majesty, and other places whatsoever, and before any Judges, Justices, antl other person or persons whatsoever, in all and all man- ner of actions, suits, complaints, demands, pleas, causes, and matters whatsoever, of what nature,- kind, or quality soever, in the same, and the like manner and form as other people of this Province, being persons able and in law capable, may plead and be impleaded, answer and be answered unto, defend and be defended, by any lawful ways or means what- soever ; and that the said Mayor, Aldermen and Common- alty of the city of Albany, and their successors, shall and may forever hereafter, have one common seal to serve for the sealing of all and singular their affairs and business, touching or concerning the said corporation. And it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the said city of Albany, and their succes- sors, as they shall see cause, to break, change, alter and new make their said common seal, and as often as to them shall seem convenient. 12. And further know ye, that I have assigned, named, ordained and constituted, and by these presents, do assign, name, ordain and constitute, Peter Schuyler, to be the present Mayor of the said city of Albany, and that the said Peter Schuyler shall remain and continue in the office of Mayor there, until another fit person shall be appointed and sworn in the said office, as in and by these presents, is hereafter mentioned and directed. And I have assigned, named, or- dained and constituted, and by these presents do assign, name, ordain and constitute, Isaac Swhiton, to be the present Recorder of the said city, to do and execute all things, which unto the office of Recorder of the said city doth, or may any way appertain or belong. And I have assigned, named, or- dained and constituted, and by these presents do ordain, con- stitute, create and declare, Robert Livingston, Town Clerk of the said city ; to do and execute all things which unto the office of Town Clerk, doth or may belong. And also I have named, assigned, constituted and made, and by these presents do assign, constitute and make Dirk IVessels, "jFan J^ans Bleecker, David Schuyler, j^ohannis Wendell, Lavi?ius Van Schaick and Adrian Garritse, citizens and inhabitants of the 438 said city of Albany, to be the present Aldermen of said city. And also I have made, assigned, named and constituted, and by these presents do make, assign, name and constitute, 'Joachim Staats, y^ohn Lansing, Isaac Verplanck, Lawrence Van Ale, Albert Ryckman, and Melgert Whiantse, citizens and inhabitants of the said city, to be the present Assistants of the said city. Also I have assigned, chosen, named and constituted, J^an Blcecker, citizen and inhabitant of the said city, to be the present Chamberlain or Treasurer of the city aforesaid. And I have assigned, named, constituted and apjiointed, and by these presents do assign, name, constitute and appoint, Richard Pretty, one of the said citizens there, to be the present Sheriff of the said city. And I have assigned, named, constituted and appointed, and by these presents do assign, name, constitute and appoint, yanies Parker, one other of the said citizens, to be the present Marshal of the said city. 13. And I do, by these presents, grant to the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the said city of Albany, and their successors, that the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen and Assistants of the said city, for the time being, or the Mayor and any three or more of the Aldermen, and any three or more of the Assistants, of the said city, for the time being, be, and shall be called, the Common Council of the said city, and that they or the greater part of them, shall or may have full power and authority, by virtue of these presents, from time to time to call and hold Common Coun- cil, within the Common Council House, or City Hall of the said city ; and there, as occasion shall be, to make laws, orders, ordinances, and constitutions in writing ; and to add, alter, diminish, and reform them, from time to time, as to them shall seem necessary and convenient, (not repugnant to the prerogative of the King's Majesty, his heirs or suc- cessors, or to any laws of the kingdom of Engla7id, or other the laws of the General Assembly of the Province of New- York aforesaid) for the good rule, oversight, correction, and government of the said city, and liberties of the same, and of all the officers thereof, and of the several tradesmen, victuallers, artificers, and of all other people and inhabitants of the city, liberties and precincts aforesaid, and for the preservation of government, the l7idian trade, and all other commerce and dealing, and for disposal of all the lands, tenements, and hereditaments, goods and chattels of the 439 said corporation ; which said laws, ordinances, and constitu- tions shall be binding to all the inhabitants of the said city, liberties, and precincts aforesaid ; and which laws, orders, ordinances, and constitutions, so by them to be made as aforesaid, shall be and remain in force, for the space of one year, and no longer, unless they shall be allowed and con- firmed by the Governor and Council, for the time being. 14. And further, I will and grant to the said Common Council of the said city, for the time being, as often as they make, ordain, and establish such laws, orders, ordinances, and constitutions aforesaid, shall or may make, ordain, limit, provide, set, impose, and tax, reasonable fines and amercia- ments, against and upon all persons offending against such laws, orders, ordinances, and constitutions as aforesaid, or any of them, to be made, ordained, and established as afore- said, and the same fines and amerciaments shall and may require, demand, levy, take, and receive, by warrants, under the common seal, to and for the use and behoof of the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the said city, and their suc- cessors, either by distress and sale of the goods and chattels of the offenders therein, if such goods and chattels may be found within the said city, liberties, and precints thereof, rendering to such offender and offenders the overplus, or by any other lawful ways or means whatsoever. 15. And I do, by these presents, for the King's Majesty, his heirs and successors, approve and ordain the assigning, naming and appointing of the Mayor and Sheriff of the said city, that it shall be as followeth, {7u'z.) upon the feast day of St Michael, the arch angel, yearly, the Lieutenant- Governor or Commander-in-Chief, for the time being, by and with the advice of his council, shall nominate and appoint such a person as he shall think fit, to be Mayor of the said city, for the year next ensuing ; and one other person of sufficient ability in estate, and capacity in understanding, to be Sheriff of the said city of Albany, for the year next ensuing ; and that such person as shall be assigned, named, and appointed Mayor, and such person as shall be assigned, named, and appointed Sherift" of the said city as aforesaid, shall, on the 14th day of October, then next following, in the City Hall or Stadt-House aforesaid, take the several and respective corporal oaths before the Recorder, Aldermen and Assistants, or any three of the Aldermen and four of the Assistants of the said city, for the time being, for the 440 due execution of their respective offices as aforesaid ; and that the said Mayor and Sheriff, so to be nominated and appointed as aforesaid, shall remain and continue in their respective offices until another fit person shall be nominated, appointed, and sworn in the place of Mayor, and one other person shall be nominated, appointed, and sworn in the place of Sheriff of the said city, in manner aforesaid ; which oaths the said Recorder, Aldermen, and Assistants, or any three or more of the Aldermen, shall and may lawfully administer, and have hereby power to administer to the said Mayor and the said Sheriff, so nominated and appointed, from time to time, accordingly. 1 6. And further. That according to usage and custom, the Recorder and Town Clerk of the said city, shall be per- sons of good capacity and understanding, such as his most sacred Majesty, his heirs and successors, shall in the said respective offices of Recorder and Town Clerk, respectively appoint and commissionate ; and for defect of such appoint- ment, and commissionating, by his most sacred Majesty as aforesaid, his heirs and successors, to be such persons as the said Governor, Lieutenant or Commander-in-Chief of the said Province, for the time being shall appoint or commis- sionate ; which persons so commissionated to the said office of Recorder and office of Town Clerk respectively, shall have, hold and enjoy the said offices respectively, according to the tenor and effect of the said respective commissions, and not otherwise. 17. And further, I will, that the Recorder, Town Clerk, Aldermen, Assistants, Chamberlain, High- Constables, Petty- Constables, and all other officers of the said city, before they, or any of them shall be admitted to enter upon and execute the respective offices, shall be sworn faithfully to execute the same, before the Mayor, or any three or more of the Alder- men, for the time being. And I do, by these presents, for and on behalf of his said Majesty, his heirs and successors, grant and give power and authority to the Mayor and Re- corder of the said city, for the time being, to administer the same respective oaths to them accordingly. 18. And further, I will, and by these presents, do grant for and on behalf of his most sacred Majesty, his heirs and successors, that the Mayor, Aldermen and Recorder of the said city, for the time being, shall be justices and keepers of the peace of his said Majesty, his heirs and successors, and 441 justices to hear and determine matters and causes within the said city, hberties and precincts thereof; and that they or any three or more of them, shall and may forever hereafter have power and authority, by virtue of these presents, to hear and determine all and all manner of petty larcenies, riots, routs, oppressions, extortions, and all other trespasses and offences whatsoever, within the said city of Albany, and the hmits, precincts and liberties thereof, from time to time, arising and happening, and which shall arise or happen, and any way belong to the office of justice of the peace, and correction and punishment of the offenders aforesaid, and every of them, according to the laws of England, and the laws of the said Province ; and to do and execute all other things in the said city, hberties and precincts as afore- said, so fully and in as ample a manner as to the commis- sioners assigned, and to be assigned for the keeping of the peace in the said city and county of Albany, doth or may belong. 19. And moreover, I do, by these presents, for his Majesty, his heirs and successors, will and appoint that the Aldermen and Assistants, within the said city, be yearly chosen on the feast day of St. Alichael the archangel, for ever, {viz.) two Aldermen and two Assistants for each re- spective ward, in such public place in the said respective wards, as the Aldermen for the time being, for each ward, shall direct and appoint, and that by the majority of voices of the inhabitants of each ward ; and that the Chamberlain shall be yearly chosen, on the said feast day, in the city-hall of the said city, by the said Mayor, Aldermen and Assist- ants of the said city, or by the Mayor or three or more of the Aldermen, and three or more of the Assistants of said city, for the time being. And I do, by these presents, constitute and appoint Robert Livingston to be the present Town Clerk, Clerk of the Peace, and Clerk of the Court of Pleas, to be holden before the Mayor, Recorder and Alder- men within the said city, and the liberties and precincts thereof. 20. And further, I do, by these presents, for his said Majesty, his heirs and successors, require and straitly charge and command, that the sherifi", Town Clerk, Clerk of the Peace, High-Constable, Petty-Constable, and all other sub- ordinate officers in the said city, for the tune being, and every of them respectively, jointly and severally, as causes 442 shall require, shall attend upon the said Mayor, Recorder and Aldermen of the said city for the time being, and every or any of them, accord mg to the duty of their respective place, in and about the executing of such the commands, precepts, warrants and process of them, and every of them, as belongeth and appertaineth to be done or executed. 21. And that the aforesaid Mayor, Recorder and Alder- men, and every one of them, as justices of the peace, for the time being, by their or any of their warrants, all and every person or persons, for high treason or petty treason, or for suspicion thereof, and for other felonies whatsoever, and all malefactors and disturbers of the peace, and other offenders for any other misdemeanors, who shall be appre- hended within the said city or libeties thereof, or without the same in any part within the said county, shall and may send and commit, or cause to be sent and committed to the common gaol of the said city, there to remain and be kept in safe custody by the keeper of the said gaol, or his deputy for the time being, until such offender and offenders shall be lawfully delivered thence. 22. And I do, by these presents, for his said Majesty, his heirs and successors, charge and require the keeper and keepers of the said gaol for the time being, and his and their deputy or deputies, to receive and take into safe cus- tody, to keep all and singular such person and persons so apprehended or to be apprehended, sent and committed unto the said gaol, by warrant of the said justices, or any of them as aforesaid, until he or they so sent and committed to the said gaol, shall from thence be delivered by due course of law. 23. And further, I grant and confirm, for his said Majesty, his heirs and successors, that the said Mayor of the said city for the time being, and no other, shall have power and authority to give and grant licenses annually, under the public seal of the said city, to all tavern-keepers, inn-keepers, ordinary keepers, victuallers, and all public sellers of wine, strong waters, cider, beer, or any other sort of liquors by retail within the city aforesaid, or the liberties and precincts thereof, or without the same in any part of the said county, and that it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Mayor of the said city for the time being, to ask, demand and receive for each license by him to be given and granted as aforesaid, such sum or sums of money, as he and the 443 person to whom such license may be given or granted shall agree for, not exceeding the sum of thirty shillings, current money of this country for each license ; all which money, as by the Mayor shall be so received, shall be used and ap- plied to the public use of the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the said city of Albany, without any ac- count thereof to be rendered, made or done to his said Majesty, his heirs, successors or assigns, or any of his Lieu- tenants or Governors of the said Province, for the time being, or any of their deputies. 24. And further, I do grant for his said Majesty, his heirs and successors, that the said Mayor of the said city for the time being, and no other, be and foi ever shall be Clerk of the market within the said city aforesaid, and the liberties and precincts thereof; and that he, and no other shall and may forever do, execute and perform all and singu- lar acts, deeds and things whatsoever, belonging to the office of Clerk of the market within the city aforesaid, and the liberties and precincts thereof, to be done, executed and performed. And that the said Mayor of the said city for the time being, and no other person or persons, shall or may have assize or assay of bread, wine, beer and wood, and other things to the office of Clerk of the market belong- ing or concerning, as well in the presence as in the absence of his said Majesty, his heirs and successors, or his or their Lieutenants or Governors here. 25. Also, I will and grant for his said Majesty, his heirs and successors, unto the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the said city for the time being, and their successors for ever, that the Mayor of the said city aforesaid, for the time being, during the time that he shall remain in the said office of Mayor, and no other, be, or shall be coroner of his said Majesty, his heirs and successors, as well within the city aforesaid, and the liberties and precincts thereof, as without the same, within the limits or bounds of the said county ; and that he and no other, shall do or cause to be done and executed, within the said city, limits and precincts thereof, or without the same, within the limits and bounds of the county, all and singular matters and things to the said office of Coroner belonging, there to be done. And that the said Mayor of the said city for the time being, shall take his corporal oath before the Recorder, or any three or more of the Aldermen of the said city, well and duly to execute the 444 said office of Clerk of the market and Coroner of the said city and county, before he take upon him the execution of either of the said offices. 26. And also, I do, by these presents, grant unto the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the said city of Albany, that if any of the citizens of the said city, or inhabitants within the limits or precincts thereof, that shall, after being elected, nominated, or chosen to the office of Mayor, Aldermen, Assistants, Sheriff, or Chamberlain of the said city as aforesaid, and have notice of his or their elec- tion, shall refuse or deny to take upon him or them to exe- cute that office to which they shall be so chosen or nomi- nated ; that then, and so often as it shall and may be lawful for the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen, and Assistants of the said city, for the time being, or the Mayor, or any three of the Aldermen, and three or more of the Assistants of the said city, for the time being, to tax, assess, and impose upon such person or persons so refusing or denying, such reason- able or moderate fines or sums of money as to their discre- tion shall be thought most fit, so as the said fine, penalty or sum for refusing or denying to hold and execute the office of Mayor of the said city, do not exceed the sum of twenty pounds, current money of this country; and the fine for refusing or denying to hold and execute the place of an Alderman, do not exceed the sum of ten pounds, like cur- rent money ; and the fine for denying or refusing to hold and execute the place of Chamberlain, Assistant, or Sheriff, the sum of five pounds, like current money. 27. And I do, by these presents, for his said Majesty, his heirs and successors, authorize the Mayor, Recorder, Alder- men, and Assistants of the said city, for the time being, and the Mayor, and three or more of the Aldermen, and three or more of the Assistants there for the time being, to frus- trate and make void the election of such person or persons so refusing or denying as aforesaid ; and then, and in such cases, any other fit and able person and persons, citizen and citizens of the said city, or inhabiting within the Hberties and precincts thereof, in convenient times, to elect anew in the manner aforesaid, directed and prescribed to execute such office and offices so denied or refused to be executed as aforesaid ; and that if it shall happen that such person or persons so to be elected anew, shall refuse or deny to take upon him or them any of the said office or offices unto which 445 he or they shall be chosen and elected as aforesaid ; then and in such case, the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen and Assistants of the said city, for the time being, or the said Mayor, or three or more of the said Aldermen, and three or more of the Assistants of the said city for the time being, shall or may set and impose upon them so denying or refus- ing, such and the like moderate fines as is before set down in hke cases to the respective offices, with such limitations as aforesaid ; and also in such and the like manner as afore- said, to continue and make void such election and elections, and make new elections as often as need shall be and require ; all which said fines so set and imposed, I do by these presents, for and on behalf of his said Majesty, his heirs, successors, and assigns, grant to be, and shall be and remain, and belong unto, and shall be put into the possession and seizen of the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty for the time being, and their successors, to be levied and taken by warrant under the common seal, and by distress and sale of the goods and chattels of the several persons so refusing or denying as aforesaid, if such goods and chattels may be found within the said city, liberties and precincts thereof, rendering to the parties the overplus, or by any other ways or lawful means whatsoever, to the only use of the said Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the city of Albany, and their successors, without any account to be rendered, made or done to the said King's Majesty, his heirs, successors, or assigns for the same. 28. And know ye, that for the better government of the said city, and for the welfare of the citizens, tradesmen, and inhabitants thereof, I do, by these presents, for his said Majesty, his heirs and successors, give and grant to the said Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the said city, and their successors, that the Mayor, Recorder, and Aldermen, or the Mayor or any three or more of tlie Aldermen for the time being, shall from time to time, and at all times here- after, have full power and authority, under the common seal, to make free citizens of the city and liberties thereof; and no person or persons whatsoever, other than such free citi- zens, shall hereafter use any art, trade, mystery, or manual occupation within the said city, liberties and precincts thereof, saving in the times of fairs there to be kept, and during the continuance of such fairs only. And in case any person or persons whatsoever, not being free citizens, shall 446 hereafter use or exercise any art, trade, mystery, or manual occupation, or shall by himself, themselves, or others, sell or expose to sale any manner of merchandise or wares what- soever by retail, in any house, shop or place, or standing within the said city, or the hberties or precincts thereof, no fair being then kept in the said city, and shall persist therein after warning to him or them given or left, by the appointment of the Mayor of said city, for the time being, at the place or places where such person or persons shall so use and exercise any art, trade, mystery, or manual occupa- tion, or shall sell or expose to sale any wares or merchandise as aforesaid by retail ; then it shall be lawful for the Mayor of the said city, for the time being, to cause such shop win- dows to be shut, and also to impose such reasonable fine for such offence, not exceeding twenty shillings for every res- pective offence ; and the same fines so imposed, to levy and take, by warrant, under the common seal of the said city, for the time being, by distress and sale of the goods and chattels of the person or persons so offending in the premises, found within the liberties and precincts of the said city, rendering to the parties the overplus, or by any other lawful ways or means whatsoever, to the only use of the said Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the said city of Albany, and their successors, without any account to be rendered, made, or done to his Majesty, his heirs and suc- cessors, or to his or their Lieutenants, Governors, or Com- manders-in-Chief for the same. Provided always. That no person or persons shall be made free as aforesaid, but such as are his Majesty's natural born subjects, or such as shall be first naturalized by act of the General Assembly, or have obtained letters of denization, under the hand of the Lieutenant or Governor, or Commander-in-Chief for the time being, and the seal of the said Province ; and that all persons to be made free as aforesaid, shall and do pay for the public use of the said Mayor, Aldermen, and Com- monalty of the said city, such sums of money as such person or persons so to be made free, shall respectively agree for, not exceeding the sum of three pounds tzuelve shillings for the admission of each merchant or trader ; and the sum of six and thirty shillings for the admission of each handicraft or tradesman. 29. And whereas, amongst the other rights, privileges, preheminences, and advantages which the citizens and free- 447 men of the said city of Albany, and their predecessors, have for many years last past held, used and enjoyed the privileges, preheminences, and advantages of having within their own walls the sole management of the trade with all the Indians living within and to the eastward, northward and westward of the said county of Albany, within the compass of his said Majesty's dominion here, which hath been from time to time confirmed to them, and their said predecessors, as well by prescription as by divers and sundry grants, orders, confirmations, and proclamations, granted, ordered, confirmed, and issued forth, not only by and from divers Governors and Commanders-in-Chief in the said Province, since the same hath been under his said Majesty's dominion, but also of several Governors, Generals, and Commanders-in-Chief of the Nether Dutch Nation, whilst the same was or has been under their power and subjection, which has always been found by experience to be of great advantage, not only to the said city in particular, but to the whole Province in general ; and that by the care, caution and inspection of the magistrates of the said city, to the well and orderly management and keeping the trade with the Indians within their walls, it hath returned vastly to the advancement of trade and the increase of his Majesty's revenue, and been the sole means, not only of preserving this Province in peace and quiet, whilst the neighboring colonies were imbrued in blood and war, but also of putting an end to the miseries those colonies labored under from the insulting cruelty of the No7-them Indians. AMiereas, on the other hand, it has been no less evident, that whenever there has been any slackness or remissness in the regulation and keeping the Indian trade within the walls of the said city, occasioned by the encroachment of some persons trading with the Indians in places remote, some clandestinely, others upon pretence of hunting passes, and the hke, the trade not only of the said city, but the whole Province, has apparently decreased, the King's revenue has been much impaired, and not only so, but this government has lost much of the repu- tation and management amongst the Indians, which it otherwise had and enjoyed ; wherefore, for and on behalf of his said Majesty, his heirs and successors, I have given, granted, ratified, and confirmed, and by these presents do give, grant, ratify and confirm unto the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the said city of Albany, and their 448 successors forever, the right, privilege, preheminence, and advantage of the sole and only management of the trade with the Indiatis, as well within this whole country, as without the same, to the eastward, northward, and westward thereof, so far as his Majesty's dominion here does or may extend, to be managed and transacted only by the freemen, being actual inhabitants within the said city, and within the now walks and stockades thereof, and not elsewhere. And I do hereby, for his said Majesty, his heirs and successors, absolutely forbid and prohibit all and every the inhabitants of the said Province of JVew-York, (the inhabitants of the said city of Albany only excepted,) to trade or traffic with any of the five nations of Indians, called the Se?iekas, Cayonges, Onondages, Oneydes, and Maqueas, who live to the westward, or with any other Indian or India?is what- soever, within the county of Albany, or to the eastward, northward, or westward thereof, so far as his said Majesty's dominions here do or may extend, or to have or keep in their houses or elsewhere, any Indian goods or merchandize, upon the pain and penalty of the forfeiture and confiscation of such Iidiafi commodities, whether the same be beavers, peltry, or other Indian commodities whatsoever, except Indian corn, venison, and dressed deer skins, to trade for, and upon pain and penalty of the forfeiture and confiscation of all such hidian goods and merchandize, as guns, powder, lead, duffels, rum, and all other Indian goods and merchan- dize, which shall at any time hereafter be found, concealed, or kept in any house or place without the walls of the said city, and within the said county of Albany, and the other limits and boundaries hereinbefore set forth and prescribed ; and in case any person or persons whatsoever shall at any time hereafter, out of the walls of the said city, and within the said county, or the other limits and boundaries hereinbefore set forth and prescribed, trade or traffic with any Indian or Indians, for any beavers, peltry, or other Indian commodi- ties, (except as before excepted,) or there shall conceal or keep any Itidian goods, wares, or merchandize in any house or place as aforesaid, then it shall and may be lawful for the Mayor, Recorder, or any of the Aldermen for the time being, by warrant, under their or any of their hands, to cause such Ifidiaji commodities so traded for, and such goods and merchandize so kept and concealed without the walls of the said city, wheresoever they shall lie found within the said city 449 and county, as without the same within the limits and bound- aries before expressed, to be seized, and the same to be con- demned and confiscated, in the court of pleas or common pleas in the said city, or any other court of record within the said city or Province, one-third part to the Mayor of the city for the time being, one-third part to such person or per- sons as shall inform or sue for the same, and the other third part to the use of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the said city of Albany, and their successors forever. And also, that it shall and may be lawful to and for the Mayor, Recorder and Aldermen of the said city for the time being, by a warrant under their or any of their hands or seals, to cause such person or persons, as shall presume to trade or traffic with the hidians, contrary to the form and effect of these presents, to be apprehended wherever they shall be found, within the limits and boundaries hereinbefore pre- scribed, to answer the same at the court of pleas and com- mon pleas in the said city, or any other court of record within the said city or Province, where being legally con- victed thereof, such person or persons, over and besides the forfeiture and confiscation of such goods, merchandize and commodities as aforesaid, shall be fineable, and fined in such sum or sums of money, (not exceeding twenty powids cur- rent money of this country,) as at the discretion of such court, before whom he or they shall be prosecuted, shall be thought reasonable and convenient ; which said fines shall be one- third part to the person who shall inform and prosecute for the same, and the other two-thirds to the use of the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty, and their successors forever. 30. And further, I do, by these presents, for and on behalf of his said Majesty, his heirs and successors, grant and declare to the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of Albany, and their successors, that his Majesty, his heirs and successors, nor any of his or their Governors, Lieutenants, Commanders-in-Chief or other officers, shall not or will not from henceferth forever hereafter, grant unto any person or persons whatsoever, any license or licenses to hunt within the said county of Albany, or to the eastward, northward or westward, so far as his said Majesty's dominion here doth or may extend, without the consent and approbation of the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the said city of Albany, for the time being, by the said person or persons first to be had and obtained. 450 31. And further, I do, by these presents, for his said Majesty, and his successors, grant to the said Mayor, Alder- men and Commonalty of the said city, that they and their successors be forever, persons able and capable, and shall have power to purchase, have, take and possess in fee simple, lands, tenements, rents and other possessions, within or with- out the same city, to them and their successors forever, so as the same exceed not the yearly value of one thousand pounds per annum, the statute of ?nortfnai7i, or any other law to the contrary notwithstanding ; and the same lands, tenements, hereditaments and premises, or any part thereof to demise, grant, lease, set over, assign and dispose at their own will and pleasure, and to make, seal and accomplish any deed or deeds, lease or leases, evidences or writings for or concerning the same or any part thereof, which shall happen to be made and granted by the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the said city for the time being 32. And further, for and on behalf of his said Majesty, his heirs and successors, I do, by these presents, grant to the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty, that they and their successors shall and may forever hereafter, hold and keep within the said city, in every week in the year, two market days, the one upon Wednesday, and the other upon Satii?'- day, weekly forever. 33. And also, I do by these presents, for and on behalf of his said Majesty, his heirs and successors, grant to the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the said city, that they and their successors and assigns shall and may at any or all times hereafter, build a public weigh-house in such part of the said city, as to them shall seem convenient ; and that they the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty shall and may receive, perceive, and take to their own proper use and behoof all and singular the issues and profits there- from or thereby arising or accruing ; as also, that the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the said city of Albany, their heirs and successors, shall and may at any time or times hereafter, when it to them shall seem fit and convenient, to take in, fill and make up, and lay out all and singular the grounds and lands within the limits and precincts of the said city, and the same to build upon and make use of in other manner or way as to them shall seem fit, as far into the river that passeth by the same as low water mark as aforesaid. 451 34- And further, for and on behalf of his said Majesty, his heirs and successors, I do, by these presents, give and grant unto the aforesaid Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the said city of Albany, and their successors, that they and their successors shall and may have, hold and keep within the said city, liberties and precincts thereof, once every fortnight in every year forever, upon Tuesday^ one court of common pleas for all actions of debt, trespass upon the case, detinue, ejectment, and other personal actions, and the same to be held, before the Mayor, Recorder and Alder- men, or any three of them, (whereof the Mayor or Recorder to be one,) who shall have power to hear and determine the same pleas and actions, according to the rules of the common law, acts of the General Assembly of the said Province, and the course of other corporations in the like nature. 35. And further, for and on the behalf of his said Majesty, his heirs and successors, I do, by these presents, give and grant to the said Mayor, Aldermen and Common alty of the said city of Albany, their successors forever, that the Mayor of the said city for the time being, shall and may determine all and all manner of actions, or causes whatsoever, to be had, moved or depending between party and party, so always as the same exceed not the value of forty shillings, current money of this Province. 36. And further, for and on behalf of his said Majesty, his heirs and successors, I do grant to the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the said city, and their suc- cessors forever, that the Mayor, Recorder and Aldermen of the said city shall always be, so long as they shall continue in their respective offices, Justices of the peace for the said county, and as such shall and may sit in the courts of ses- sions, or county courts, and courts of oyer and terminer, that shall from time to time be held and kept within the said county ; and that the Mayor, Recorder, or some one of the Aldermen of the said city for the time being, shall and may always preside in or be president of such county courts, or courts of sessions, to be held within the said county as afore- said, and that the Sherift" of the said city for the time being, shall always be Sheriff of the said county ; also that the Town Clerk of the said city for the time being, shall always be the clerk of the peace, and Clerk of the court of sessions, or county courts for the said county. 45: 37- And further, I do, for and on behalf of his said Majesty, his heirs and successors, by these presents grant to the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the said city of Albany, and their successors, that the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the said city, and their suc- cessors, shall have and enjoy all the privileges, franchises, and power that they have and use, or that any of their prede- cessors, at any time within the space of twenty years last past, had, took, or enjoyed, or sought to have had, by reason, or under pretence of any further charter, grant, prescription, or any other right, custom or usage, although the same have been forfeit or lost, or hath been ill used, or not used, or abused, or discontinued, albeit they be not particularly therein, under any pretence whatsoever, not only for their future, but the present enjoyment thereof; Provided ALWAYS, That the said privileges, franchises and powers be not inconsistent with, or repugnant to, the laws of his Majesty's kingdom of England or other the laws of the General Assembly as aforesaid, and saving to his heirs, suc- cessors and assigns, and his Commanders-in-Chief, Lieuten- ants, Governors and other officers under him or them in his Fort Albany, in or by the city of Albany, and in all the liberties, boundaries, extent and privileges thereof, for the maintenance of the said fort and garrison there, all the right, use, title, and authority, which his said Majesty, or any of his said Commanders-in-Chief, Lieutenants and other officers have had, used or exercised here (excepting the said pasture hereinbefore granted, or mentioned to be granted, to the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of Albany aforesaid,) and saving to all other persons, bodies politic and corporate, their heirs, successors and assigns, all such right, title and claim, possession, rents, services, com- mons, emoluments and interests, of, in and to anything that is theirs, save only the franchises as aforesaid, in as ample manner as if this charter had not been made 38. And further, I do appoint and declare, that the incorporation to be founded by this charter shall not at any time hereafter do or suffer to be done, any thing by which the lands, tenements or hereditaments, stock, goods or chat- tels thereof, or in the hands, custody or possession of any of the citizens of the said city, such as have been set, let, given, granted, or collected, to and for pious and charitable uses, shall be wasted or misemployed, contrary to the trust or 453 intent of the founder or giver thereof. And that such and no other construction shall be made hereof, than that which may tend most to advance religion, justice, and the public good, and to suppress all acts and contrivances to be inven- ted or put in use contrary thereto. In witness whereof, I have to these presents set my hand, and thereto have affixed the seal of the said Province, and caused the same to be enrolled in the Secretary's office of the said Province, this two and twentieth day of J^uly, in the second year of his said Majesty's reign, and in the year of our Lord one thou- sand six hundred and eighty-six. THOMAS DONGAN. 454 INDEX. '■^ PAGE. Address by J. Howard King 71 Address by Oren E. Wilson 204, 205 Address by Mayor John Boyd Tliaclier, 71, 89, 205, 300, 301, 342 343 Address by Robert F. Mclntyre 287, 288 Address by Dr. T. Blom Coster 299 Address by H. C. Staats, High Priest of Momus 324-326 Address by T. H. S. Pennington 286, 287 Address by President Grover Cleveland 382 Address by Hon. William F. Bayard 382, 383 Address by Hon. William C. Whitney 383 Advisory Committee created 7 Advisory Committee, list of 13, 46 African M. E. Church, services at 188, 189 Albany Burgesses Corps 8, 69 Albany, first charter 43 1 —454 All Nations' Day, programme 252 All Nations' Day, general orders 253-257 All Nations' Day Parade described 257-271 All Nations' Day Parade, first division 259-261 All Nations* Day Parade, second division 261-263 All Nations' Day Parade, third division 263 -265 All Nations' Day Parade, fourth division 265-267 All Nations' Day Parade, fifth division 267-270 All Nations' Day Parade, reviewed 271 Appropriation in Tax Budget 2 Appropriation for Historical Pageant 39 Appropriation for Music 40 Appropriation for Engraving and Printing 43 Appropriation for Fireworks 45 Appropriation for Monumenting, etc 45 Appropriation for Reception Committee 45 Appropriation for Loan Exhilntion 45 Appropriation for Military Committee 66 Award of Prizes for Essays 202-204 455 -'-' PAGE. Bayard, William F., address by 382, 383 Banks, Mayor A . Bleecker, proclamation by 2, 3 Banks, Mayor A. Bleecker, chosen chairman 5 Banks, Mayor A. Bleecker, resignation 41 Baptist Churches, union services of 146-154 Battershall, Rev. Walton W., sermon of 190, 191 Bi-Centennial Card, described 427-429 Bi-Centennial Day, programme 327, 328 Bi-Centennial Day, general orders 328, 329 Bi-Centennial Day Parade, description of 329-340 Bi-Centennial Day Exercises at Rink 340-383 Bi-Centennial Flag 39, 57, 61, 66 Bi-Centennial Flag. (See " The Flags of Albany.") Bi-Centennial Medal 423-426 Boss, Prof. Lewis, report by 14, 17 Bronze Memorial Tablets, description of 46, 55 Bureau of Information 12, 45 c Canoe Races 248-25 1 Catholic Church, services 132--145, 190 Caughnawaga Indians, reception of 88— 91 Centennial Celebration of 1 786, account of 5 Chaplain, selection of. 57 Chapman, Rev. T. Wilbur, sermon of 189 Children's Day, exercises of 194-252 Citizens' Bi-Centennial Committee, membership 6 Citizens' Bi-Centennial Committee, organized 7, 17 Citizens' Bi-Centennial Committee, minutes of 7—69 Citizens' Meeting 2—6 City Gates, opening ceremonies 194--198 City Gates, description of 195, 197 City Seals 415--422 Civic Day, programme 297 Civic Day Parade, general orders 302-305 Civic Day Parade, description of 305~3it> Cleveland, President Grover, letter of 66 Cleveland, President Grover, address by 382 Cleveland, President Grover, reception to 387-389 Clinton Square Presbyterian Church, services at 187 Colored Societies, All Nations' Day 263, 286-288 PAGE. Concert by School Children 251, 252 Coster, Dr. T. Blom, reception of 298-301 Coster, Dr. T. Blom, address by 299 Countermine, Rev. T. D., sermon of 190 D Davidson, Miss Elizabeth G., prize essay by 207-219 Decorations and Monumenting, reports on 43 De Leon, F. C 8,27, 28 Demorest, Rev. David D., sermon of 107-132 Derrick, Rev. Israel, sermon of. 188, 189 Devotional Day, account of exercises 91-194 Dickson, Walter, resolution of thanks to 68 Doane, Rt. Rev. William Croswell, selected as chaplain 57 Doane, Rt. Rev. William Croswell, sermon by 133-145 Dongan Charter 43 1 -454 E Educational Day, reports from Board of Public Instruction 28 Educational Day, exercises on 194-252 Episcopal Churches, union services of 132-145, 190 Essays 207-224 F First Baptist Church, union services at 146-154 First Detailed Programme for Celebration 18-25 First Lutheran Church, services at 178-186 First Methodist Church, union services at 168, 1 78, 192 First Official Action I First Reformed Church, services at 189 First Report of Plan of Celebration 17 Flags of Albany 401--414 Floats described, 316-324 Former Celebrations, account of. 14 - 17 Fort Orange Club, reception by 3^9-392 Foster, Rev. Albert, sermon of 146-154 French Citizens, All Nations' Day 261-263 G German Societies, All Nations' Day 267--270, 284, 285 Grant Club, All Nations' Day 265, 266 457 ^^ PAGE Hill, Governor David B., selected as orator 40 Hill, Governor David B., review of trades parade 247 Hill, Governor David B., review of All Nations' parade 271 Hill, Governor David B., Bi-Centennial oration by 350--382 Historical Pageant 27, 28,29, 3° " 39 Historical Pageant, general orders 314, 315 Historical Pageant, divisions and officers 315, 316 Historical Pageant, description of floats and parade 316-324 Historical Tableaux, school festival 199-202 Hodgson, George L., prize essay by 219-224 Holland, Envoys from, reception of, etc 298-301 Hollanders' division. All Nations' Day 259-261 Holmes, Rev. Dr., sermon of 187--188 Huntington, Rev. Dr. E. A., sermon of 187 Hurlbut, Rev. Merritt, sermon of 170--178 I Invitations to Schools 46 Irish Societies, All Nations' Day, 263-265, 272-284 Italian Citizens, All Nations' Day 270, 271 J Jackson Corps 69, 97, 105 Jewish Synagogue, Beth-Emeth, religious services in 9' ~ 95 Jewish Synagogue, Beth-El-Jacob, religious services in 193 K King, J. Howard, address by 71 Kip, Leonard, oration at Loan Exhibition 78-86 L Legislative Committee, address by 67 Legislative Re-union 3^3~3S7 List of Subscribers to Bi-Centennial Fund 395-400 Loan Exhibition, committee to report on 17 Loan Exhibition, communication suggesting 17, 18 Loan Exhibition, committee on 26, 27 Loan Exhibition, opening exercises 69--86 Loan Exhibition, managers of. 86--88 Local Organizations, represented 4 Lyons, Aid. James, resolution for celeliratmn by i M PAGE. Medal of the Bi-Centennial 423-426 Madison Avenue Reformed Church, services at 106-132 Manufacturers' Day, exercises of. 194-252 McElroy, William H., Bi-Centennial Poem by 343-350 Mclntyre, Robert F., address before Colored societies 287-288 Methodist Churches, union services of. 168-178 Military Mass, account of. 96-106 Miller, Rev. George W., sermon of. 179-186 Morange, William D. , poem by 73-78 Municipal Reception 387-389 Mystic Order of Momus, midnight parade by 324-327 N National Association of Amateur Oarsmen, 27, 29, 290, 295, 310, 313 o Opening the City's Gates, ceremonies at 194-198 Oration of Leonard Kip 78—86 Oration of Hugh Reilly 273-283 Oration of Gov. David B. Hill, Bi-Centennial Day 350-3S2 Orator, selection of 40 Orator, medal for 61 P Parade of Manufacturers, Tradesmen and Mechanics and names of participants 224-248 Parade of Mystic Order of Momus 324-327 Parade of Secret Societies 295-297 Parade of All Nations 252-272 Pennington, T. H. S., address before Colored societies 286, 287 Poem, by William H. McElroy, Bi-Centennial Day 343-35° Poem, by William D. Morange, Loan Exhibition 73-7^ Poet, selection of 40 Poet, medal for 61 Prayer, by Rev. T. Livingston Reese 199 Player, Bi-Centennial Exercises, of Rt. Rev. W. C. Doane 341 Presbyterian Churches, union services of. 154-168, 187 Prize Essays, conditions, etc 29 Prize Essays 207--224 Proclamation for Celebration 2, 3 Proclamation of Opening Exercises 63-65 Proclamation of Opening City Gates 196, 197 Pyrotechnic Display 393, 394 459 ^ PAGE. Reese, Rev. Dr. J. Livingston, prayer by 199 Reformed Churches, union services of 106-132, 189 Regatta, account of 27, 29, 290-295,310-313 Reilly Hugh, oration before Irish Societies 273—283 Rehgious Services, report upon 56 Reply to Invitation, from officials of Antwerp 40 Reply to Invitation, from Mayor of London 42 Reply to Invitation, from Lieutenant-Governor 43 Reply to Invitation, from officials of Amsterdam 46 Reply to Invitation, from officials of The Hague 56, 61 Reply to Invitation, from R. A. Maxwell 62 Reply to Invitation, from N. Y. Holland Society 62 Reply to Invitation, from Samuel J. Tilden 68 Resolution of Common Council to Celebrate i s Schlesinger, Rabbi, sermon of- 93~95 School Children's Festival, exercises at 198-224 Schubert Club 17 Schuyler, Peter, portrait of 61 Scottish Games, All Nations' Day 288—290 Seals of Albany 415-422 Secret Societies, parade by 295--297 Sermon by Rev. Walter W. Battershall 190— 191 Sermon by Rev. J. Wilbur Chapman 189 Sermon by Rev. J. D. Countermine 190 Sermon by Rev. David D. Demorest 107—132 Sermon by Rev. Isarel Derrick 188, 189 Sermon by Rt. Rev. William C. Doane 133—145 Sermon by Rev. Albert Foster 146-154 Sermon by Rev. Dr. Holmes 187, 188 Sermon by Rev. Dr. E. A. Huntington 187 Sermon by Rev. Merritt Hurlbut 170-178 Sermon by Rev. George W. Miller 179-186 Sermon by Rabbi Schlesinger 93"95 Sermon by Rev. Horace C. Stanton 155—168 Sermon by Rev. H. A. Starks 192 Sermon by Rev. Dr. C. H. W. Stocking 193 Sermon by Rev. Dr. Mark Trafton 168-1 70 Sermon by Rev. Clarence Walworth 98--105 Sixth Presbyterian Church, services at 190 Staats, H. C, address by 324-326 Stanton, Rev. Horace C, sermon by 1 55-- 168 460 PAGE. Starks, Rev. H. A., sermon of 192 State Officials, invitation to 39 State Street Presbyterian Church, union services at 154—168 St. Mary's Church, religious services in 96—106 St. Peter's Church, services at 132-145, 190 Stocking, Rev. Dr. C. H. W., sermon of 193 Subscribers to Bi-Centennial Fund 395—400 Subscriptions 8, 28, 66 Sub-Committees, list of 8, 14, 23, 26, 27, 42, 45 T Thacher, Mayor John Boyd, elected chairman 41 Thacher, Mayor John Boyd, address by, 71-73, 89, 205, 300, 301, 342, 343 Tilden, Samuel J., letter of. 68 The City Seals of Albany 415—422 The Flags of Albany 401-414 Trades Day, exercises of 194— 252 Trafton, Rev. Dr. Mark, sermon of 168-170 Trinity Episcopal Church, services at 192, 193 u Unveiling of Bronze Tablets 248 V Van Ness, Edward, letter of 66 w Walworth, Rev. Clarence, sermon of 98—105 Whitney, William C. , address by 383 Wilson, Oren E., address by 204, 205 461 4 V ■- 0" *'. O. * o „ -V '^o O > m J'^^-^^m' ^^\ " ^'J^ ■"' .^' • ^^' ■^ — ^-, \ ^(P /jffi^y -,^_^^^ ^^^'- -. •^0^ i^^- .0^ ^^-^^^ Treatment Date: Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. tYJir<^' * \^ r\ *"^""V Neutralizing Agent: Magnesium Oxide BBRKEEPER cccpv'iTinM TFCHNOLOGIES. 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