Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-10-17

witt Clnton, the New York COMMITTEES were
invited on board, and the ceremony of laying
the top-s'oae of the Canal, by the Grand
Chapter Of the state of New York, commence
ed by AN address to the Throne of Grace, by
che Rev. Dir. Lacy; after which the stone was
placed a5reeably To the rules of Masonry, bear
Ing the follow ing inscription
ERECTED SEPTE.JBER, 1928.
DE WITT CLINTON, President ! q
STEPHEN VANRENSSELAER. g
SAMUEL YOUNG,
MYRON HOLLEY,
II. SEYMOUR. Secretary. 6
WM. G.. BOURK.
BENJAMIN WRIGHT, Chief Engineer.
GEORGE w. YOUNG, assistant.
PETER STEWART, Builder.
This ceremony being completed, DR.. Sam
uel l.. Nlichill, ofthe New York committee
poured into the Canal a bottle of water from
the Pacific Ocean, and another iom The A tlan-
Nc ocean; aud thereupOn made AN address
suited Ia the novel and interesting occasion.
The Lock was then opened, and the boat
Dc witt Clinton passed through it, lowed
by twelve full manned barges, under the COM
mand of Captain Center, of the steam boat
Chancellor Livingston, and Captain II. Wis
wall, Of the steam beat Richmond, and the
p'hers OF ten masters of Albany packets. At
thu moment of her passing into the Hudson,
she was saluied by a general discharge of ar
tlllery, and the lively huZzas of thousands of
persons who Witnessed the spectacle Much
feeling WAS excited by the fact of the Boat
nting plotted into the river by Captain Dag
Sett, who is now eighty-lnur years of age, and
who acted as pilot to the French feet under
Count de Grasse, in the war Of Independence.
when it anchored before York Town, preyi-
ousIy To the capture of Lord CornwalIis and
Tue armyIunder his command The boat was
tnt cpI tt,rl, Ill -.
hver and as she passed the steam boats,
which We're all elegantly dressed for the occa-
SION, aud were crowded with spectators, she
was saiufed IN succession from each steam
BOAT and line of sioOps with the most enthu-
slastlc cheers. The Canal Commissioners and
their associates were then landed and the pro
session Was formed according to the order
Published in our paper of the 9th inst and
moved TO the Capitol Hill.
The Canal Commissioners, the Comm on
Council of the city Of Albany, and the delega-
iipn from the city of New York, were then
conducted to pavilion erected in front of the
capitol, where the proceedings of the occasion
commenced by fervent, appropriate, and
most eloquent prayer by the Revd DR.. Ches-
ter. congratulatOry address WAS then made
10 fhe Caoal Commissioners by the Hon.
Charles +. Dudley, mayor the city Of Al ba-
ny and reply by the Hon. Dewitt Clinton,
president of the Board of Commissioners. -
This was succeeded by an address from the
delegation from New York, by their chairman
William Bayard, Esqr. and AN answer on be-
hull of the citizens of Albany, by William
James, Esqr. and the whole closed by an ex-
preston OF thanks 10y the New York commit
tee by their chairman, for the distinguished
p0llteDess and respect with which they had
been received and entertained by their fellow
citizens OF Albany, on this Interesting occasion
The delegation were then invited to "A pariici-
patton IN the entertainments provided AT
RnckwelPs Mansion House in honour of the
DAY.
The proceedings OF the occasion reflected
great credit on the Committee of Arrange
ments and the military parade was in point
oi discipline, equipment, and movement equal
To any thing we have Witnessed, not excepting
the most brilliant display in the city of New
York. Arrangements were made for dD exhi-
iGtlOn of fire works in the evening from the
Capitol Hill No accident Of any kind occur
red during the day, except an injury in the
hand ola person by an injudcious discharge
OF cannon.
The great event thus com neDorated, will
forever hereafter be regarded as most inter
esting era in the history of the State of New
York. BY the eXertion of her own energies.
and without any external aid whatever. This
Stale has thus far accomplished, in the short
space fisk yaars, in the face Of strong opposi-
tion, and vulgar rIdicule, a work which cannot
fail tO astonlsh the oldest and wealihiesf gov
eminent and nations OfEurope--a work which
will reflect The highest praise upon the man
VINO devised. recommended, and by his innn-
encc, public spirit, and energy, induced the
state ia execGfe--aDd equal honour upon the
community who seconded and accomplished
Ebis magnificent enterprise.
Every portion of HE state is Interested in
the SUCCESS Of this uneXampled project. The
inhabitants on It's borders and within the reach
offs navigation, are by IFS advantages brought
iuto The neiSbbourhood Of the great market OF
the State. and the great trading capital Of the
natiOn.-To those who now de-, or at auy IN
ture period may, inhabt the vast region. Dor
dcripg upon fle great Western Lakes, it is not
less interesting or Important Though the
CANAL, their products will hud arradv.
cheap, and convenient transportation 10 The
sea. coast, where alone they would ever exppct
70 find valuable and satisfactory MARKET
To the cts ~ New York, this event is Of high
and peculiar interest. THIS is the great outlet
for all the productions of territory almost
immeasur;iblc IN exicnt, and rarely exceeded
IN fertility. Here those products will he dis
posed Of. and the avails be received IN mcr-
chaudZe provided by the enterprise Of Oui
citizens far the supply Of the wanis of the ma
ny milIirus Ofiahahitanjs that within the com
ing century will people those regions.
The following IS the Address delivered by
HIN. Bqy1rd Esq.
CepGemsn.--ln behalf Of o meeting Of the