The numerous public testimonials of respect paid to the memory of Governor Clinton, throughout the state and nation, would of themselves compose a volume of inordinate size. The author, therefore, from a regard to the limits which are usually prescribed to works of this nature, and indeed which he fears he has already exceeded, is compelled to omit many of those details which relate to the decease, the funeral obsequies, and the expressions of respect, for the memory of Mr. Clinton, and to confine himself to a brief sketch of the proceedings of the legislature, those of the common council of the cities of Albany and New-York, a reference to the tributes of regard, not heretofore noticed in this work, which have been presented by some of the public institutions with which Governor Clinton had been connected.

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Proceedings of the Legislature of New-York.

On the morning of the 12^th February, agreeably to the adjournment of the preceding day, the senate and assembly were convened in their respective chambers, and the session opened with an appropriate prayer by the chaplain, referring to the dispensation of divine providence in the removal of the governor of the state.

IN ASSEMBLY.

Mr. SPEAKER: – It seems to devolve upon me, as the representative of this city, to call the attention of the house to that awful event, which, since our last sitting, has shrouded this metropolis in mourning. Death has been among us! and he has aimed at no common mark. By one of those signal displays of his power which illustrate the supremacy of the Almighty, and the nothingness of man, he has cut down one not only pre-eminent in station, but most conspicuous for talents and public services. How inscrutable are the ways of Providence! It seems but as yesterday, since we were called to lament the death of an adopted son, whose eloquence created an era in our history, and whose virtues and talents rendered him an ornament alike to the old world and the new; and now, when the tears shed for Emmet are scarcely dried, another – his appointed eulogist – has like him been stricken down, in the fulness of his fame and on the very field of his renown – and that, too, ere he had performed the sad but honourable duty to which he had been called.

In the resolutions which I shall have the honour to submit, I have endeavoured to express the common feelings of this house and of the community. Before they are read, I shall attempt the further duty of saying something of the character and services of the illustrious dead. I do not intend to speak his eulogy – for I have neither sufficient control over my feelings to perform the task, nor would the suddenness of the occasion permit me to do justice to the subject. Other reasons would also restrain me – overwhelmed with that deep sense of the vanity of human greatness, which this event is so well calculated to inspire, I dare not flatter him.

But I may say without offence, and in the spirit of history, that this state, since the formation of its government, nay more, since the settlement of the country, has never produced an individual, who has exerted so great an influence upon the interests of the state, or whose name is more likely to be perpetuated in its history.

It was the fortune of De Witt Clinton, for nearly thirty years, to be the head of a great party: and the mark at which were hurled the shafts of a powerful opposition. Of those who supported or those who opposed him, this is not the occasion to speak. It is known to every member of this house, that ever since my acquaintance with political affairs, I have acted with the latter; but it affords me at this moment unspeakable delight to reflect, that for many years there has been mingled with that opposition nothing personal; save respect for his character and admiration of his talents. That respect and admiration were justly due him; for to his honour be it said, that while he pursued with avidity political distinction, he had the wisdom to seek for enduring fame, not from the possession of power, or the triumphs of the day, but by identifying himself with the great interests of the community. It was his ambition to be distinguished as the friend of learning and of morals, and as the advocate and patron of every measure, calculated to promote the welfare, or increase the glory of the state.

Let the statesmen of the present day, those who are now engaged in the career of ambition, learn wisdom from his example. The grave of Clinton will soon cover the recollections of his political honours, and in it will be buried the triumphs and reverses of the hour. But his fame as the patron of schools and seminaries of learning, as the friend of morals and benevolence, and as the ardent champion of every great public improvement, will flourish while time shall last. Need I remind you of his efforts to call out and to foster the latent genius of our people? Need I speak of his labours in aid of that great work which has conferred so much glory on his native state, and so largely contributed to the happiness of its inhabitants? By connecting his fortunes with the success of that stupendous project, and by devoting to it the best energies of his mind, what an unfading wreath did he secure! So long as the waters of the great lakes shall flow through this new channel to the Atlantic, so long shall history record his name.

I rejoice, sir, that he was not taken from us until he had witnessed the triumphant consummation of that great work. I rejoice still more, that he was permitted to outlive, to a great degree, the collisions, the prejudices, and the asperities of party; and that there is now nothing to prevent the representatives of the people, from awarding to his memory the honours he deserves. I feel, therefore, that I may safely call on the members of this house – on the votaries of science – the friends of humanity and morals – the philanthropist and the patriot – to unite with me in strewing flowers on his bier; and in compliance with usages rendered holy by the best feelings of our nature, to join in a solemn expression of respect for his memory and sorrow for his loss.

The following are the resolutions offered by Mr. Butler.

It having pleased the Almighty, suddenly to remove by death the chief magistrate of this state, and the legislature being desirous to manifest its deep sense of the great public loss sustained by the state and the American nation, it is therefore

Resolved, unanimously, by the senate and assembly of the state of New-York, that in testimony of the profound grief felt by this legislature on the sudden death of De Witt Clinton, Governor of this state, the members of the senate and assembly will wear the usual badges of mourning during the present session.

Resolved, unanimously, that the funeral obsequies of the late governor be conducted under the direction of a joint committee of the two houses, to consist of four members of the senate, and four members of the assembly.

Resolved, unanimously, that the members of the two houses of the legislature will, in their public character, attend the funeral solemnities of the late governor.

Resolved, unanimously, that these resolutions be transmitted to the family of the deceased Governor Clinton, as an evidence of the high estimation entertained by this legislature of his great talents and eminent public services; of the deep regret caused by his sudden and awful removal from the scene of his fame and of his usefulness; and of its sincere condolence with those who have been so deeply afflicted by this dispensation of Providence.

The above resolutions were adopted, and Messrs. Butler of Albany, Porter of Erie, Granger of Ontario, and Brasher of New-York, were appointed the committee on the part of the house. The house adjourned till the 10^th, to receive the report of the committee.

IN SENATE.

The resolutions of the assembly relative to the death of Governor Clinton and his funeral obsequies being announced to the senate,

Mr. Spencer (evidently much affected,) said he rose to move a concurrence in the resolutions. He felt wholly unable to express the emotions which he presumed were experienced by every member of that body. The bereavement was so sudden, so unexpected, that he could scarcely realise the fact that he who yesterday stood before them in the freshness of life and the fullness of his fame, had been summoned to appear in the presence of his Maker. He felt oppressed by the magnitude of the event. Of the character of the deceased, it was needless here to speak. It would evince an ignorance of the history of the state and of the country, not to knew how largely it was identified with it. With the literature, the science, and the improvement of the age, his name would go down to posterity full of honour. He could only add, that the resolutions were such as were due to the occasion, and he hoped they would be adopted. These resolutions were seconded by Mr. Crary, who also, with much feeling, pronounced a panegyric upon the late Governor, and were unanimously concurred in by the senate; whereupon the following committee was appointed, viz. – Messrs. Spencer, of Ontario; Carroll, of Livingston; Allen, of Genesee; and McCarty, of Albany.

Further Proceedings of the two Branches of the Legislature.

The two branches of the legislature met yesterday, at ten o’clock, and after adopting the following report, adjourned till one o’clock this afternoon, when they will assemble at their chambers, and thence proceed to the late dwelling of Governor Clinton.

The joint committee of the senate and assembly, appointed to conduct the funeral obsequies of the late Governor Clinton, reported;

That they have made the arrangements which appeared necessary to conduct the funeral of Governor Clinton, in such a manner as to carry into effect the intentions of the legislature. It is believed they are such as will evince the sentiments of grief expressed by the two houses in their resolutions, and comport with the character of the state. The details of their arrangements, so far as they are necessary to be reported, will appear by the order adopted by the committee, a copy of which is annexed.

In eases somewhat similar, it has been the practice to direct the chairs of the president of the senate, and of the speaker of the assembly, to be shrouded with black. Unwilling to omit the least mark of respect to the memory of the illustrious dead, the committee have followed these precedents. They respectfully recommend that the two houses meet in their respective chambers, to-morrow, at one o’clock P.M. in order to make the necessary preparations to unite in the funeral solemnities.

Order of Arrangements for the Funeral of De Witt Clinton, late Governor of the state of New. York, on Thursday, the 14^th day of February, 1828.

The senate and assembly will meet in their respective chambers, at half-past one p. M. and will proceed to the house of the deceased, escorted by the military who may be assembled for that purpose.

The reverend clergy of the city of Albany, are requested to join in the funeral solemnities, and for that purpose to attend at the same time, at the house of the deceased.

The chancellor, justices of the supreme court, circuit judges who may be in the city, and the state officers, are also requested to attend at the house of the deceased, at the same time, for the same purpose.

The mayor and common council of the city of Albany are invited to attend, and to assemble previous to two o’clock P. it. at some housein the vicinity.

The citizens of the state of New-York, who may be desirous to pay the last tribute of respect to the memory of Governor Clinton, are invited to attend, and assemble at such of the houses in the vicinity as will be open for their reception.

Places will be assigned to any benevolent, religious, literary or other society, and to the members of any particular profession, who may wish to appear as a body in the procession, if notice of their intention be given to the chairman of the committee on the part of the senate, or to the chairman of the committee of the assembly. They will respectively assemble at such place in the vicinity as they may think proper, and will give notice of the place of their meeting to the committee.

In order to avoid an undue collection of citizens at the house of the deceased, it is earnestly desired that those who are not specially invited to assemble there, would meet at some of the adjacent houses.

The procession will begin to move as soon after two o’clock, P.M. as circumstances will permit. The signal of its moving shall be, the firing of minute guns. The bells of the city will then commence tolling, and will continue so long as the minute guns are fired.

The following will be the order of the procession:

The Military Escort.

The Clergy of the city, and the attending Physicians of the deceased.

The hearse and pall bearers.

The relatives of the deceased in carriages.

The military family of the late Commander-in. Chief.

The Joint Committee of Arrangements.

The Lieutenant-Governor of the state.

The Senate, preceded by its officers.

The Assembly, preceded by its officers.

The Chancellor, Justices of the Supreme Court, and Circuit Judges.

The State Officers.

The Common Council of the city of Albany, with their officers.

Judicial and Executive Officers of the County of Albany.

The Members of the Bar.

Citizens, either in societies, or otherwise, as they may choose to appear.

The procession will be formed of six persons abreast, and will move through North Pearl, to Columbia, North Market, State and Washington streets, to the place of sepulture. On arriving there, military honours will be paid to the deceased, and the procession will be dismissed.

The report was accepted, and the senate then adjourned until one o’clock to-morrow afternoon.

The house met at 10 o’clock pursuant to adjournment. After prayer by the Rev. Mr. Young, Mr. Butler, from the joint committee of the senate and assembly, reported the order of arrangements for the funeral of the late governor, (as above) which was read, approved and adopted, when on motion of Mr. Granger, the house adjourned until one o’clock P.M. to-morrow.

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Transcribed from the original text and html prepared by Bill Carr, last updated 5/31/99.