The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-02-23
The New CustOm.hOuse.


dressed ladies', for whose accommodation seats had
been provided in such situation that they could
see, if they could not hear, all that passed. The
pressure of the crowd to obtain a view was such
as we do not wish to encounter again in hurry,
and it only by dint of great perseverance that
we managed to get sight The stone was laid by
Denis Prieur, ESQ.,, Collector of the Port, with the
appropriate ceremonies. 1t bears the following
inscription:
COMMISSIONERS:
Denis Prieur. Alcee Labranche, William M. Gwinn.
Alexander T. Wood. Architect.
William Turnbull, Superintendent.
February %, A. D. l849.
In a cavity in the stone copper box, hermeti-
cally sealed, was placed, containing the following
documents ETC., and underneath, several coins pa
pers, ETC., were deposited:
The Annual Message of the President of the United States
and the accompanying documents;
a Letters sRS SsfMft eas IF hf
Constitutions Of the different States of The United States
New oSisans Price Current;
Annual Statement p , Of the same ann poo. 80
. the Port Of New Orleans for the last ten years
CoINNEagle; half Eagle quarter Eagle;
One % piece Georgia Gold, % carats;
Dime half Dime !; Cents.
Impressions of the Seals of the State of Louisiana, City
and Custom House. on a Parchment which
inscribed as follows:
George NJ Dallas, Of Pennsylvania, Vice President;
LANES Of Of " Re
WIis@ l. Mare: Of New York seersisry Of War
q Of s Navy
ROGER B. fancy, Ct MARYLAND Chief Justice Gee-,,.
WaeS Of sns Army
Z mi Tsyo Of Psdps ct
Isaac johnson, Governor of Louisiana:
Trasimon Landry Lieutenant Governor;
iossps #sfs s sss'sfss S5 state
ssSA Gsas MssSs Ct
Me%s5 Of The GGRs of MD es Ham. Mo- n
Fabe L. P Bureau, G. Ciuzat. A; Derbes, Z. Giauei,
Joshua BsG%n Records Po Of the s d Msnepa
Pierre Seuzenesu Recorder Of the Sd MSncpaIy
SaSa 0ee VIM NJ vnn Sss
SoMdS Soe hs % hs o
mssener: :"e0 r. r Wood, Architect K WGaI:
william Tq1nbnll, Major u $. Typographical Engineers
Daily and Weekly Papers of the City Pamphlets, Books,
Letters, etc. etc.
After Mr.. Prieur had laid the stone in its proper
bed, he addressed the assembled multitude briefly
and eloquently as follows:
The ceremony fellow citizen, which you witness.
will form memorable epoch history of New Orleans
and the Great West. The edce about to be raised this
spot testes and will indicate to succeeding the
unexamped increase of commerce. our population and
of every kind. There many around me
who remember when New Orleans numbered fewer nhabi-
than the city eff Lafayette does at this moment and
Lafayette outskrt suburb of New Orleans.
In the lapse of thryseven years. population has in
creased fold In the extent of her trade. domestic and
foreign port rivals New York. which has been Justly
styled the Commercial Emporium of America and second
to only in the whole world.
So much for the present and the past If look to the
future the mind oppressed with the grandeur OF the des
tiny that awaits this great mart this beautiful city that
adons the banks of the majestic Mississippi draining re-
gon which stretches from the Northern lakes to the MeX
can Gulf-a region Astounding than any other with
every thing that contributes to the comfort and convenience
of mankind-wth every thing necessary to sustain the
tence of population greater than that OF three OF the
European empires All this future increase of the West
will be felt in its effects upon and those who come after
Mr. jefferson has said that not spade struck in the
ground not of on the banks of the
Western streams but tribute to the opulence OF New
Orleans.
The edice be constructed this spot will exhibit
significant sign of the difference between the past and the
present In extent and sodity will be fortress and yet
by too extensive for the of augmenting
trade One years from the customs collected at
New Orleans under reasonable system of duties equal to
the whole value Of her imports in years within the memory
of individuals not yet passed the meridian of life.
Let us be thankful to bountfu Providence who has be-
slowed these blessings county and let that
he VIII smile upon pOSterty as ne smiled upon our
fathers and ourseves-and let bear in mind the men,
DRY great whom he raised be the instruments
of his benevolent Decentralization who brought Louisiana
under the flag of Union, and Jackson who by his vao
and skiul conduct preserved almost against hope.
The edice, gentlemen of which have just witnessed
the commencement will be costly but plain solid without
any magncence of architecture but in its simplicity
thy the national character of Republic 1t destined
to last for many ages and let pray that when aconsum
ing time shall sap its foundations, and shake its walls
he
trade of their day and generation, the federation of States
being still entire and stronger than find themselves
living under the Republican Constitution, free.
prosperous and happy. their foreathers and lay the
Cornerstone OF this edce do that OF with
the Star spanged Banner waving over them amid shouts
for Peace, Freedom and Unon-the Parent and Guardian
of both
Among the distinguished persons present on the
occasion, we observed Mr.. Clay, who was seated
among the ladies'. After Mr.. Prieur had finished
his address, Mr.. Clay, attended by the Mayor and
Gen. Walker, the State Treasurer, advanced and
read the inscription the stone, and then after
little lively conversation in his usual animated style,
he took his departure. No sooner, however, was it
known that Mr.. Clay was present. than cheering
long and loud greeted the venerable statesman, and
showed him how much he is admired and esteemed
by his fellow-citizens of all parties. Mr.. Clay
looked WELL but there is perceptbe change in his
carriage. He is rather bent and walks with the
assistance of cane. We should Judge from his
appearance, that his recent illness in Kentucky
and more recent fall since his arrival here, have
had a more serious effect on his health than has
been generally supposed. We sincerely hope he
may speedily recover his usual health, and that his
days may be long in the land in which he has for
so many years held distinguished position, and
performed such important public services.
We are happy to say that no accident occurred,
so far as we have heard. The ceremonies being
concluded, the vast assembage dispersed.
ORLEANS THEATRE-Last Night of the Engage
ment of Mr.. and Mrs. Monplaisir-The magnif-
cent grand opera of Robert lie Dable" will be
played tomorrow evening, with splendid cast of
characters, including Mrs. Monplaisir the nun
Helena, Mesdames Fleury-Joly and Berton and