In pursuance of the arrangements concluded on by the Committee of the Corporation and the citizens of New York, and the citizens of Albany, Alderman Wyckoff and Mr. Assistant Hone proceeded to Albany to tender to the Municipality and the citizens of that place, and the several Committees from Buffalo, and the other towns of the north and west, the congratulations of the Corporation of the City of New York, upon the completion of the Great Canal. Those gentlemen, after their arrival in Albany, proceeded a few miles from Albany, and there met the Canal boats, on board of which were the Committees from the west, and Aldermen King and Davis, of New York. They embarked on board of the boats, and went with them to the City of Albany, where they united in the procession formed by the citizens of Albany, and with them proceeded to the Capitol. At that place were assembled the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor of the State, - several Members of the Senate and House of Assembly, - the Officers of State, - the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Albany, - the various Committees from the west and the north, and a large concourse of strangers and citizens.

At this place, Mr. Hone, in behalf of the Corporation and citizens of the City of New York, made the following address: -

GENTLEMEN,

"We are deputed by the Corporation of the City of New York, to communicate to the citizens of our sister city Albany, and to the Committees representing the flourishing counties of the western section of the State, their congratulations on the successful completion of the Great Western Canal.

"This event has already been announced from the shores of Lake Erie, to where the waters of the Hudson unite with the Atlantic; and the report of the cannon, which lately defended our country's honor, has triumphantly conveyed to us the intelligence that the work is completed. The importance of this event is attested by the glowing interest evinced by all classes of our fellow-citizens, and by the joyous alacrity with which all unite in this day's Celebration.

"It is not my intention to give a history of the origin and progress of this great work; that task is assigned to abler hands, and the gentleman who has undertaken it will, no doubt, do justice to the merits of all who have contributed to its success - those who first conceived the noble project - the Members of our State Legislature, who rendered to it, in all its stages, an honest and efficient support - and the Executive of the State, who, boldly, contending against the opposition of the prejudiced, and removing the doubts of the timid, did not hesitate to risk his personal popularity on the issue.

"The pen of the historian will inscribe on the tablet of fame, the names of Schuyler, Morris, Clinton, Van Rensselaer, De Witt, Porter, North, Eddy, Platt, and Forman, and other supporters of the Canal system, and posterity will award to them the illustrious title of benefactors of the State.

"The work is completed; its beneficial effects are already felt and acknowledged, and the mind of the patriot looks forward with proud anticipation to the future. A friendly and profitable intercourse is at once opened to distant parts of our country - the exchange of the products of the soil for the commodities of foreign parts, which use, and the force of habit have rendered necessary to the enjoyment of life, being effected with facility, and at a trifling expense, will tend to enrich the State, and to accelerate the progress of refinement; while the friendly interchange of kind offices and good feelings between the citizens of distant sections of our country, will serve to consolidate the Union of the States, and to preserve our republican institutions, under which we have risen to an unexampled degree of national and individual prosperity, and by which alone we are rendered capable to appreciate and enjoy it.

"The complete success which has attended this first work of internal navigation, has communicated to all parts of the nation a degree of enterprise and public spirit hitherto unknown; already have other States embarked with zeal in the same career, and associations of individuals, encouraged by the example now before us, have engaged in similar undertakings, undismayed by the chilling apprehension that works of public utility can be accomplished only by the sacrifice of private wealth.

"As members of a great National Confederacy, we have much cause for rejoicing at the accomplishment of an undertaking by which all must be benefitted; but, on the present occasion, I should do injustice to my feelings, as a citizen of New York, if I did not remind you", in a strain of pride and exultation, that this is exclusively a State Work. In its infancy its feeble hands were in vain extended to the General Government for aid and support, and the State of New York, unaided, unsupported, and relying only upon its own energies, and the patriotism of its own citizens, began with zeal, prosecuted with spirit, and has now successfully completed an enterprise which seemed to require the power and resources of an empire to accomplish.

"I hope my language may not be misconstrued, but I declare, with the pride which becomes a citizen of the State of New York, I rejoice, from my heart, that every dollar of its cost has been drawn from our own pockets. Let us then, fellow-citizens, regard in the event we now celebrate, an earnest of what may be effected by unanimity, and a devotion to the public service; let no sectional views, no party prejudices, no unworthy jealousies, mar the glorious prospect now before us. By union among ourselves we shall concentrate the force of the State - its voice will be heard in the councils of the nation, and it will form, as was intended by the God of nature, the proudest pillar in the noblest edifice which has ever been reared upon the foundations of rational liberty and equal rights.

"In tendering the congratulations of the Corporation of New York, we are instructed to invite the Corporation of this City, together with the several Committees assembled here, to repair with us to New York, where they will be received by a Deputation from that Body, and will unite with them in the celebration of this joyful event."

After Mr. Hone's address, Mr. James, in behalf of the citizens of Albany, addressed the persons assembled; after which, the Honourable James Tallmadge, Lieutenant-Governor, for and on behalf of the Committees from the west and north, made the following reply: -

MR. CHAIRMAN,

"In behalf of the several Committees from the west, who are now present, I am desired to tender their thanks for the kind and cordial reception bestowed upon them by the citizens of Albany, while touching at this place, on their voyage from Erie to the ocean. They direct me to reciprocate the sentiments expressed by you, and by him (Mr. Hone) who preceded you, and to tender to you, to him, and to this people, congratulations on the joyful event which we this day celebrate.

"That Erie should have been united to the Hudson and to the ocean, is a proud triumph of the arts over the works of nature. It is a just cause of joy to this people, and affords matter for the admiration of this age. But that this great work should have been accomplished by the enterprises and resources of a single State, is the best basis for our future glory. The conquering hero may bespangle his banners with the tears of the widow and the orphan; but it is our high ambition to gain the civic wreath. May our glories ever be numbered by the benefits conferred, rather than by the injuries inflicted upon our fellow-mortals.

"The industry and the enterprise of our citizens have subdued the wilderness of the west. The land where so lately the wild beast prowled, and the wild man roamed, is occupied by peaceful husbandmen, and now resounds with the industrious hum of man in the industrious pursuits of civilized life. The mighty stream, which wildly running in its precipitous course, leapt from the dizzy height into the deep abyss, dashing its foaming billows on the cataract below, tamed by the enterprise and industry of our citizens, abstains from its mad career, and guided by the plastic hand of art, now meanders through your settlements, administering not only to agriculture, commerce, and manufactures, but to all the purposes of civilized life. That such mighty doings are this day accomplished, here are the witnesses," (pointing to the several Committees from the west.) "These are the navigators from the west, who come bringing with them the waters of Erie, to commingle with the waters of the ocean.

"Believing that the people of this State, would be pleased to be represented in the celebration of an event so important to their prosperity and honor, the Governor and Lieut.-Governor have partaken, as guests, on the voyage from Buffalo to this place, and will continue onward to the ocean. It has been one continued scene of welcome, joy, and hilarity. Our brethren of the west have deputed these Committees as representatives to the brethren of the east and south. These are the navigators who sailed the first vessel from Erie to the ocean. Permit me, sir, to introduce these men to you, and to this people, as gentlemen whose merits entitle them to respect and to hospitality.

The procession was then again formed, and marched to the bridge across the Albany basin, where they partook of an elegant collation, prepared by the citizens of Albany.

The next morning the Committees from New York, with their guests, the gentlemen composing the Committees from the west, went on board the steam boat, Chancellor Livingston, engaged for the occasion, accompanied by the Seneca Chief, which was towed by the Chancellor Livingston; the Young Lion of the West, by the Constitution; and the Black Rock boat by the Chief Justice Marshall. Five other steam boats, thronged with citizens, left at the same time. They proceeded to the City of New York. During their passage down the Hudson, they received the congratulations of the several towns on the river, and at Newburgh partook of a collation prepared for them.

November, 1825.

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Transcribed from the original text and html prepared by Bill Carr, last updated 5/21/99.