Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-11-17
SAILORS SNUG HARBOUR.

The corner stone ofthc "Sailor's Snug
Harbour" in New-Yo ork, was laid on
the 26th cit. The following address was
delivered by Hon. Reuben III. Walworth,
Chancellor Of the State:
ADDRESS OF CHANCELLOR WALwoRTH.
Before we proceed to lay the corner
stone of this asylum which is to be ercc-
ted and permanently maintained as a
snug and secure retreat for the aged and
sea worn mariner, it is proper to state
that we are not the almoners ofthe boun-
ty of the public, or even ofan assoc iation
Of benevolent citizens who have united
their individual charities for such an OBJ
ject. The funds with which this most
delightful site for the establishment has
been purchased, and with which the hos
pital itself is to be erected and endowed,
are derived solely from the munificent be-
quest of Robert Richard Randall, noble
hearted and generous sailor, whose bark
we trust is now safely moored in the ha-
ven of rest, his anchor having long since
been cast within the vail.
This hardy and enterprsing son ofthe
ocean, whose lberality and benevolence
entitle him to high rank among the ben
eiactors of mankind, was resident of
New York and was also native Of that
city. Like most of his profession, he
was in early life left to buffet the waves
Of adversely alone, and he traversed ma :.
ny stormy sea unaided except by that
assistance which the kind hearted sailor
affords to brother sailor in distress
BY industry, perseverance and success
iul adventures, he soon secured to him
self a comfortable independence, which
he continued to improve, by investing
his wages, primage, and other allowan-
ces in new adventures from time to time,
during his long and circuitous voyage of
life. He also, laid in such stores of vir-
tue and piety, and so skilfully managed
the helm and trimmed his sails to the
breeze as to clear the rocks and quick
sands Of intemperance and vice, which
rendered the latter part ofhs voyage both
calm and pleasant. And when at length,
he arrived in sight ofhis port Of discharge,
he found himself the sole owner Of a rich
and valuable cargo.
About thirty years since this worthy
seaman sailed upon his final and last
voyage upon the broad ocean of eternity.
While preparing for that voyage, and a
short time before he weighed anchor he
conceived the generous and noble pur-
pose of constructing this snug and safe
harbour for such Of his brother sailors as
might in their old age be driven upon the
shore of poverty, or cast upon the bar
ran shoals Of want. Having in his will
provided for such of his relatives s. ship
mates as he supposed had any claims up
on him for bounty or wages, he consigned
the residue of the proceeds of all his for
mer voyages to the Chancellor Of the
State, the Mayor and the Recorder os
New Y York, the President ofthe Chamber
Of Commerce, the President & Vice-Pres-
ident of the Marine Society, and to the
senior ministers of the Episcopal s. Pres
byterian churches, as his agents and fac
tors. He also left orders to have the
profits Of this valuable consignment in :,
vested in the building and outfit Of this
receiving ship, to be called the "Sailor's
Snug Harbor" where at least fifty aged,
decrepid, and worn out sailors might be
constantly provided for and comfortably
maintained.
The property thus consigned to us was
threatened by the land sharks who in
fest the stock exchange, few years
since, and it has likewise been exposed
to the Red Rovers on the sea at other
times, but owing to the vigilance of our
worthy master and supercargo, it has
been preserved from the depredations of
both. The validity of the consig nment
has also been questioned and contested,
but the High Court Of Admiralty to
which the claimants appealed, has dis
missed their libel and declared the con-
signment valid. And now after paying
costs, demurrage, pilotage, post duties,
SC. we find the net produce Of the con-
signment sufficient to enable us to exc
cute the orders of the generous consign-
er. While therefore, we proceed to ex-
ecute those orders we cannot but hope
his disembodied spirit looks down with
delight from aloft, to witness our proceed
ings in this work of benevolence s. char
ity which his philanthropy dictated, and
for which his liberality has thus amply
provided.
And may this edifce long remain as a
monument to transmit to future genera
tons, and especially to his brother sea-
men, the name and the memory of the
benevolen. and worthy sailor who pro-
jected and endowed this institution
And long may the aged and storm beat
en- mariner, when he finds himself safely
and comfortably moored in this snug and
ne eacefil harhOr cnnfinue fo hlesa the