The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-20
From the New York Morning News. May L
DINNER TO MAJOR A. J DoNELsoN BY THE COM
MON COUNCIL.

DINNER TO MAJOR A DoNELsoN BY THE COM.
! MON COUNCIL,
The committee of both boards of the common
council, composed Of the following gentlemen,
Messrs. Happen, Briggs, Compton, Maclay, Pur-
ser, and Cornell, on Wednesday, agreeaby TO pre-
vIous arrangements, and in company with Major
Donelson, Baron Gerault minister from Prussia TO
this country, Professor Telehamp, and several Of
our most distinguished citizens, visited the public
Institutions of our city-the Asylum for the Blind
other places OF note. The visit to the institution
for the blind was of highly interesting and pleas
ant character.
After partaking of collation. at the Alms-house,
prepared under the direction Of William p. Moss,
esq, the courteous and oblgng superintendent, the
next place visited was Baekwell's Island. Aher
passing through the prison, the work-hoase, the
hospital, and the Insane Asylum, they proceeded
from thence to Nowlan's Hotel at Harlem, where
% sumptuous dinner had been prepared by Nowlan
and his attendants, IN their very best style. The
company now sat down at about 5 o'clock Alder
man Happen, Of the l4th ward taking the chair
Major Donelson and abe other invited guests being
seated. and the merits Of good dinner discussed,
well despatched, and the cloth being removed
Alderman Happen then arose and proposed the
health of Major Donelson first prefacing the sent-
ment by some excellent and appropriate remarks
that elected unbounded applause, and which having
subsided, Major Doneson, IN reply to Alderman
Happen, made very appropriate answer, thanking
the common council for their hospitality and aten-
ton. He concluded by offering the following toast,
which was received with enthusiasm:
The city Of .Ntto Yok-Noble in the possession
and use Of the means that already make her the
metropolis Of America.
The following toasts were then drank.
BY Alderman Brggs-"The President Of the Uni
ted States" Great applause.
By W. J. McApins--"Ths honorable George
Bancroft, the Secretary of the United States Navy"
Great applause
By Alderman Comel-"Marin Van Buren,, the
fsyoriie of New York" Immense applause.
Captain Tyack next gave
"The memory of Andrew Jackson"
Previous, however, TO his proposing this toast,
the venerable captain very feelingy alluded TO his
visit TO the Hermitage-of his interview with Gen.
Jackson, short time previous to his dissolution
and the desolalion which now reigns around that
sacred spot, the Hermitage. His remarks were lis.
tened to with deep attention, and the toas, drank
standing, amidst the most profound silence.
Major Donelson responded, as a relative and long
associate Of Gen. Jackson, and also replied to sew.
ersl other toasts in honor to that revered patriot
and among other things adverted in warm terms to
the support which the Old Hero had received from
New York, and particularly from her favorite son,
Martin Van Buren, He spoke Of Mr. Van Buren,
AS the individual who in the great trials to which
the principles Of the republican party exposed
during the administration Of General Jackson, had
stood by his post with frmness, and contributed as
much as any man living to give success to the
efforts then made to reform the abuses Of the gov.
eminent. Major Doneson then alluded in feeling
manner to the visit which Gen. Jackson paid 10 this
city in 1918, and to the circumstances which pro-
duced it, He spoke Of the sentiment which General
Jackson then gave in reply to the from the patti.
otto authorities, and which he believed was in the
State Of New York" Major Donelson concluded
by remarkng that he thought the toast Of General
Jackson on that occasion was peculiarly applicable
TO the present. to the existing governor Of the State
and he therefore begged leave propose to the COM
pany the health OF Silas Wright 'the talented and
State" Il is hardly necessary ssrthaS this tous
received with immense enthusiasm. Commits
sioner Smith replied to it in the most happy man.
ner.
Alderman Purser, of the Fourth ward, whose
health had been drank, responded in his usual feci
tous manner; and, after speaking Of our army on
the Rio Grande, the dangers by which it was en-
compassed, the honor of the country and the glory
Of its arms being intrusted to their hands, and
which he felt convinced they would not suffer to be
hishonored furnished, he then gave
"The American army on the Rio Grande."
This was received with the most umultuous APP
plause.
Alderman Happen offered the following toast, &C
companed by some appropriate remarks:
"The able and efficient democratic representative
in Congress from this city, William B. Maclay."
After the applause with which this sentiment was
received had subsidized Doctor Robert H. Maclay
in a perspicuous manner, returned thanks for the
compliment paid his brother, and gave as a toast:
The Congress Of The United Siates-"Let them adopt
The recommendations of the President, and our army
will take of itself"
Which was received with unbounded applause.
Alderman Maclay, chairman Of the committee of
arrangements, being called upon returned his thanks
in brief and pertinent speech, and proposed the
following:
"Our distinguished guest, Baron Gerault, minis
ter of Prussia: May the amicable relations sub
sstlng between the two countries the United States
and Prussia, long continue
Applause.
The health Of Baron Gerault, the Prussan minis
ter, being drank, that gentleman replied in a neat
and pertinent speech, and concluded by proposing
the following toast:
"The city of New York and her charitable nsti-
utions."
Several other speeches made and toasts
drank, and the company, after wishing their guest
Major A. J. Donelson, safe, speedy, and prosper
Gus passage across the Atlantic separated, much
gratfed with the agreeable and pleasant manner in
which the day had been passed.