The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-01-10
Albany, December, ls47.
The Family Of Smiths.

The Family Of Smiths.
There are five " Smiths" who were members
Of the last House of Assembly. These Smiths
have been organized into select standing COM
mittee, and the reports which they have fire.
quently made upon various subjects which have
been referred to them, have created vast dea |
of fun. Recently the petition of one Albert
Smith, praying that his name may be changed,
was referred to this committee of Smiths. The
committee, after careful deliberation, submitted
the following curious and interesting report -
The Committee Of Smiths report, that They have
taken into careful consideration the only upon
which the prayer Of the petitioner Is based
that Smith could not properly be called name it ap
peared to be incumbent your committee TO examine
whether this position was tsnsble or not.
Your committe after Srduous investigation, ara
prepared to show that Smith Is not only true name
"But it's name 80 spread Ger sir and madam
That would think the arst who bore 1t Adam "
There appear to be various opinions amongst the
learned Is to It's origin.
began to multiply upon the earth in the pauoity OF
language II became doult to find names for them all
dsncy that never iooi: shssd to consequence that
the number yet left should all be called Smith.
i srsa y for
multitude to whom belongs without rssorting to the
highly improbable superstition that the Smiths are
thrifty and prolific than those Of other
name.
There is another opinion Of a distinguished and
attention, via that the name Smith Is mere csrrup-
tion of the term formerly applied to desgnsts the Phry
gian Apollo, whose sirnams Was Sminthsus
Now, by easy transition, may It not be supposed
that this august name has undergone change that
brings 1t to It's present orthogrsphy
smiutbeus- smitheus- smithe-smth
Some of tho family even now assume that this Ii the
true origin Of the name and take a pous pleasure In
writing the name Smithe.
Leaving these opinions, which, to say the least are
somshat apoOryPhsi your committee viii come down 70
g There can be no doubt but It was originally applied to
workers In metal Ono ofths heather poets calls Vulcan
| T" the smith Of Jupiter"
In oyid,s Mstamorphosss, where he describes .
bat with the Centsurs, suson Is made to the hand
craft from which this Ia derived The hair Of
taking are nom burning brand hurled at his head is
"His blasting looks sent forth cracking sound,
And hiss'd like red hot iron, within the 'Smthy'
II to a still later period we nnd notifications
OF the name derived from the German schmssen, to
sm ,h ths swedish t .mids to hammer. and the bs
strike"
great request and they took the appeaton Of smith
In addition to their former name gradually came In
use as sirname This time honored name has become
established, and rendered conspicuous by multitude
Of eminent individpsls- satssmen historians, poca
sSono%i.ts lawyers physcsns merchants and bankers
| name immortal
We nnd examining the public records, cabinet OH
Gers and Governors Of several States bearing the dis
tinguished name of Smith. The newly appointed Go
vernon of the oty of Mexico is General rsrsor smith
The name stands enrolled amongst men holding the
nrst rank In literature and science.
In time OF war, It has always stood out In bold relief
oonolnsivsy that the race are only conspicuous for
their valor and patriotism, but that Of them ct
| least, think with FalstsR, that
"Prudsnss 10 the better part Of vAo..n
Byron, however,. bears testimony to their wsriiks spi
In speaking Of the select who led the attack
| ct the storming Of lsmss, he says:-
'Mossst them were several Enslishnsn Of pith,
sixtssa called Thompson, and nineteen named smith =!
vaav khA SAAr~t ~ In
Committee would briefly call the attention Of the House
to that celebrated member Of the family named John.
John is person OF singular ubiquty, so much So
that 60 where you will you invariably dnd him.
His versatility Of character and talent is no less anna
The FIRST that hear Of him is fighting among the
Turks We ns1t behold him conspicuous in founding
rowly escaped from the Indians through the intsrvsn
ton Of the celebrated Pocshontas
John subsequently found in the SENATE Of the uni
ted Ststes-hs becomes Q member Of Congress-and
finally condescends 10 take seat In the state Lsgiss
ure Strange to relate he again appears as an eminent
John the hrst President Of Union College, in this
State
His warks propsnsitiss again seize him and We nnd
him ngurng In the upon the northeastern boundary
By one OF those strange vcssitudes which sometimes
entirely new In examining tbs police report; Of the
CITY OF New York We then hnd John enrolled IS can
count We have obtained Of Ii. vh.re.sout. he was .uf
fsrne severely from railroad accident from which It
was thought he would not recover
are Of tho opinion that Smith 70 not only .
name, but that it 10 rendered venerable by its an
tiquity, and respectable by the dignity OF Its
origin and the characters Of those who bear tt
II 10 perfectly notorious and your committee state
from personal experience that the gensr have al
ways been to assume this 5unus,i.
when opportunity offered sa aots presented in this
9sp&Ofe, petition like the under consideration
should ever have been pressed upon the notice OF the
Legislature.
The committee would sooner have expected to see pc
titons from individuals praying earnestly to be received
into this eminent family
circumstance has occurred since the petitioner
presented his memorial which, II known to him, might
have induced him to withhold it.
We alude to the that reached Boston few
months since that immenes estatehad been let ~
Of the ancestors of the Smith family, residing In
England, and that meeting would be held on Boston
Common to investigate the matter. Your committee
deem IL just invadato the claim of the petitioner
his share In the estate by changing his before
the contemplated meeting shall have been held.
1t Is apparent that committee In coming to the
conclusion they have aotustsd by selfish motive,
unless IL be suspected that they wish to retain within
the family every one OF lite number to share In the dis
grace Of the numerous crimes which they are fsn 70
to admit, committed amongst them.
Your committee, therefore after divesng themselves
far possible from all personal considsrstions have
to conclusion unfavorabs to tbs prayer Of the
petitioners.
All which Ia respectfully submitted
THOMAS smrrs,
WEssELLL s. SMIrH,
". SMITH,
j. l.. SMITH,
J. B sMIrr.
HoNEsDALE, Dec. 81, 1s4T.
Hons,dais--Hs Progrsss and Business-Th De-
iaDare and Hudson Canal Company.
Among the interesting correspondents to your
excellent journal, from various parts of the Uni