Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1842-01-06
COMPLETION OF THE WESTERN RAILROAD.

The Railroad from Boston to Albany
having been completed, the municiPab
authorities of Boston visited Albany on
Tuesday, Dec. 98th, l84I, TO join tho
municipal authorities there and unite in
celebrating the completion Of the great
work. A special meeting Of the Com
mon Council of Albany, having been
convened, for the purpose Of receiving
the Boston delegation, the Mayor OF
Albany then addressed their Eastern
friends and guests, giving them in tho
name of the City, a cordial and hearty
welc ONE, congratula,ing them upon the
comple,ion Of The Railroad communica-
ton between the two cities, &c. &c.
To this address the Hon. JONATHAN
CHAPMAN, Mayor Of the city Of Boston,
responded in substance as follows
Mn. MAYoR,-I can hardly express
the satisfaction felt by myself and tho
Common Council Of the city Of Boston
and our other friends Of Massachusetts,
at meeting you, sir, and the authorities
of Albany, on your own ground. We
had, it is true, anticipated pleasure in
this mutual interchange of congraiula-
,ions. We have heretofore regarded
Albany as being far off from our city Of
Boston. Judge then of our surprise,
when last night we found ourselves in
Albany, after very pleasant r'do OF only
10 or / hours--nnd when asked if wo
did not feel faligued, were obliged to
answer that we knew nothing Of such u
Sc nsation. Our reception, sir, in this
city was unexpected and highly crafty
ing. We anticipated kindly welcome,
but the burst OF enthusiasm which greet
ed Us upon our first arrival in your city,
was so cordial, SO heartfelt, that il has
left an impression OH our minds which we
can never forget.
1t is true, sir, ms you have observed,
that we have antici paied great results
from the enterprise, the consummution OF
which we are net this day to celebrate.
But, however great our unticipations may
have been, have no doubt they will be
infinitely surpassed BY the reality. But,
sir, there is one thing connected with
this event which is to US, more than to
all others, a source Of unningled pleas
ure. 1t is that thereby we have found q
new friend. The capital Of New Eng
land has been made the friend and neigh
Dor Of the capital will not say OF New
York merely, but Of the whole Western
country. This union Of interests and
enterprise is destined to accomplish far
more than any Of us can now anticipate.
TO pain, the realities which the future
will exhibit as resulting from this grand
enterprise, is as far hey ond my powers Of
language or imng gination as were what
we now enjoy beyond the anticipation or
expectation Of those who first landed on
| Plymouth Rock.
/ Our congratulations to-day must there
fore be confined to the pleasures Of the
H intercourse now established between the
cities of Albany and Boston. return
Il you, sir, in behalf Of those | represent,
our sincere congratulations on this occa-
sion--and can only express my ardent
hopes, that this may be but the begin.
ming Of an intercourse, which shall last
long after you and and all with whom
we are connected, shall have passed
away-when the population now scatter
ed along tho line Of this road, shall DO
as nothing compared with that which
shall hereafter throng this region, tracing
its rapid increase and prosperity to tho
results which have grown out Of this en-
terprise.
\ This address was warmly and en,husi-
as,ically received by the crowded audi
tory in attendance.
After the interchange Of mutual intro
duc,ions and congratulations the Board
adjourned.
In the evening, a festival came of at
Stanwix Hall, at which nearly three
hundred sat down about 6 o'clock. His
Honor, the Mayor Of Albany, presided.
After the subs,an,ials had been disposed
of, a number Of toasts were given and
several speeches made.
The fifth regular toast, "The State Of
New York, ,'called up Governor Seward,
who was received with shouts Of applause,
and who spoke for some time with great
effect of the happy results which followed
in The wake Of internal Improvements. -
In illustration Of the advances made in
the commune cntion between the states Of
Massachusetts and New York within
the last two centuries, the Governor read
a letter written in 1879, by the then Co
vernon of New York to the Governor Of
Massachusetts, proposing the establish
men, OF monthly pos,-rider between Bos-
ton and New York
Olher ,oas,s ind speeches succeeded
in grsa, profusion and in excellent taste,
and the festivities wore kept up TO quite
n late hour. The whole affair passed off
in most agreeable manner, to all who
participated.
On the Goth, nj half past 6 A. NJ. tho
Albany City Authorities, and a number
Of invited guests, accompanied by a
number Of gentlemen from Troy and