The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-10-24
G,,AND CANAL CELE BRATI0N.

In conformity 10 previous arrangements,
the entrance Of the first boat from the
Grand Canal into the Hudson, was ccic.
bratrd at Albany on ednesday with eve
~ demonstration of JOY. After the pre-
ilmInary arrangements were gone through
with, procession was formed, consisting
of the civil and military officers of The state
and city, and the committees Of Albany
aud New fok, the military, &c which
proceeded ~ the basin. The following
ceremonies, as detailed in the Daily Adj
vertser, then took place -
At IL o'clock, the elegant canal boat,
the Dewitt linton, appeared, with celors
flying, ana suprrbly ornamcutcd, on beard
of which were the Canal Commissioners,
and other distinguished persons, and fol
lowed by four other boats, filed with ladies
and gentlemen Of the first rrspertability.
On The arrival of The Dewitt Clinton, the
New York esmmittec were invited ON
board, and the ceremony of laying the top
stone OF the Canal, by the Grand Chapter
OF The State st New York, commenced by
an addNss 10 the Throne Of Grace, by
the Key. Mr.. Lucy after which the stone
was placed agrceahly 10 the rules ell Ma
sonry, bearing the following inscription
= Erected September, l823.-De Witt
Clinton, President Stephen Van Rensse-
larl, Samuel Young, Myron Holley, Com
mIssnners II, Seymour, Secretary WI
liam t. Bonrck, Benjamin Wright, Chief
Engineers; Geo. w Young, Assistant Pc
ter Stewart, Builder.
THIS ceremony being completed, DR..
Saml l.. Mlchill, of the New York com
mlttee, poured into the Canal bottle OF
water from the Pacific Ocean, aud another
from the Atlantic Ocean aud ihcreupon
made an address suitcl to the novel aud
Interesting occasion.
The Lock was then opened, aud the
boat Dewitt Clinton passed through it,
lowed by twelve full manned brrgrs, un.
der The command of Captain Centre, OF
the steam boat, Chancellor Livingston,
and Captain Il. '. EwaII, of the steamboat
Rlchmond, and the others OF ten masters
of Albany packets. A. the moment other
passing INTO the Hudson, she was saluted
by general discharge of artillery, and the
lively huzzas Of thousands Of persons who
witnessed the spectacle. Much feeling
was excited by the fact of the Boat being
plotted into the river by Capt Daggctt
who Is now eighty four years of age, and
who acted as pilot 10 the French fleet I'M
der Count de Grasse, in tue war Of indie
pendcnce, when il anchored before York
lown, previously To the capture of Lord
C"rnwallis and the army under his com
mand The boat was then tewed through
the basin, into the North River; and as she
passed the steamboats,, which were all
elegantly dressed for the occasion, and
w'rr crowded with spectators, she was sa-
idttd IN succession flon, each steam boat
and line of slonps with the most enthu-
siastlc cheers. The Canal Commissioners
and their associates were then landed, aud
the procession was formed according TO
tile order published in our paper of the
eth inst. and moved 10 the Capitol Hill.
The Canal commissioners, the Com.
mon Council ofthc city ri Albany, and the
delegation from the city of New York,
were then conducted to IA pavilion erected
IN front OF the capitol, where the procee
dings of the occasion commenced Nv a
ier'ent appropriate, and most eloquent
prayer by the Rev. DR.. Chester. a con-
gratuary address was then made to the
Canal Commissioners by the Kon. Chas.
T.. Dudley, Mayor Of the city Of Albany
and reply by the Hon. Dewitt Clinton,
President of the Board of Commissioners $.
TINS vas succeeded by an address from
the delegation from New York, by their
Chairman William Bayard, ESQ. and an
Il sGSwrr on behalf of the citizens OF Albany,
by William James, Esq. and the whole
elo ! by an expression of thanks by the
New York committee by their Chairman,
tor the distinguished poIlteness and respect
with which they had been received and
entertained by their fellow citizens of Al
bany, on this interesting occasion. The
delegation we're then invited TO partic.