The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-04-26
Our Albany Correspondence,


A Dinrr, G,rtn 10 the Members of the Legislature
Cards of invitation, of which the following is a
copy, were distributed among the members Of the
Legislature, and other distinguished persons, yes
terday -
representing the city and county Of Albany, I'm tho
.grlaure5 request the pleasure Of your company at
Congress Hall, this evening" at O'Clock.
RonrRr II. PRurs, HIRAM BARBER,
JOEL A. WING, DAVID VAN ASxxs.
Albany, Saturday, April 2, 1s49"
This invitation was very generally accepted
and at o'clock last evening the elegant parlors
of Congress Hall, having been thrown open, were
Immediately thronged with people, consisting of
members and officers of the Legislature, members
Of the lobby, and citizens of Albany, This spen-
did dinner was given by citizens OF Albany as a
consideration for the valuable services rendered
them by the Legislature in voting large sum of
money TO the city of Albany to pay her for ex-
penses which she processes to have incurred in
"ceaning out'' or ''clearing OUT pond, which
is as yet unexplored, but which has been
named by somebody "the Albany Basin;" whether
it be wash basin, or pool, or, sink,
do not know but ! do know that almost every
year, under some shallow pretext, the State is
called upon to appropriate immense sums OF
and prop up this antiquated and sinking city,
which, venture to say, the capital was removed,
would be depopulated within ten years by every
body except the Dutch aristocracy. harbor no
that members of this and former Legislatures, have,
with singular unanimlty, declared to me that Al
bany and its fashionable society were intoerable,
and that they were heartily sick oft. A very apt
illustration of the selshness and inactivity OF these
people may be cited here with great propriety. 1t
is considered singular circumstance that the city
of Albany, though built upon beth sides Of the
Hudson river at this point, cannot, or will not,
establish ferry across the river adequate to the
necessities OF the people; the principal ferry, which
is totally inefficient, was established and is main
tanned by foreign corporation, (the Boston Rail-
road Company and the ferry boat, except on the
arrival and departure of the trains at and from
East Albany, is very irregular and uncertain in its
movements. The consequence is, that many teams
and foot passengers may be seen at all hours
of the. day waiting upon both sides OF the.
the foot passengers cross in skIffs which are
constantly running. This is a highly interesting
illustration of the enterprise and public spirit OF the
get the dinner, which was splendid affair, got up
as it was, under the auspices of Messrs. Landon
and Mitchell, the worthy proprletors Of Congress
DINING hall were opened, and the members, Off
GERS, and citizens entered 1t arm-in-arm. A brass
band, stationed at the lower end of the hall, "dis-
coursed most eloquent music" while the members
entered, and afterwards, at intervals, during the
evening.
The room was deliberately and richly furnished,
and the viands provided for the occas on were re-
maIkable for their variety and pr3aslon, and tor
brands were supplied without stint, and the dinner
was. on the whole, magnificent and indispensable
After the cloth was removed, toasts were the
order of the evening At present have no time
to give detailed report of the felcitous and elo
quent sentiments which were uttered On another
occasion will give full report. cannot, how
ever, omit to notice toast gwen by Mr. X ii.
Pruyn. 1t was as follows =
The NeW York Herdd-Untrammelled and incorrup-
tibe. May its editor long live to be what he is
knowledged to be by the civilized world" the Ma
poleon Of the Newspaper Press
correspondent Of the Herald, who was present,
said =
Being the only representative here Of the newspaper
named by the honorable gentleman, will venture,
behalf of the editor to return my most hearty thanks
for the attering in which he has alluded to the
Ne,r York Herald. ] assure you, gentlemen, that in my
judgment il the sincere desire Of the proprietor Of
the Herald to make his paper what 1t purports to be
untrammelled and incorruptibe the foe of vice. the
friend of virtue and the vigilant guardian Of the ber
ties and interests of the people cherish very great
generation for the principles Of reciprocity love to
it practsed among nations well az individuals.
will therefore, give you in reply to the above sentiment
the name Of
Robert H. Pruyn-The accomplished member Of the
Assembly from Albany and the chairman Of this meet
ing.
A VoIcr-Threc cheers for MIR. rruyn and they
were given with tremendous effect