Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-05-19
From the N. Y. Commercial Advertiser, May ID.

| Our report yesterday concluded with the arr-
val of the steamboat Erie at Castle Garden
Within that building were assembled a large party
OF invited guests, ladies and gentlemen, DESTROYS
of being present at the official reception of the
President by the Mayor of the city. In the galle-
ry Immediately in front of the stage were ranged
the Wing General committee and the General COM
mittee of Wing Young Men with badges, banners
and other insignia. On the platform, seats were
provided for the members of the Common Coun-
Gil, distinguished officers of the army and navy,
and delegations of invitation from other cities and
states. On their entrance the President and his
suite were greeted with nine enthusiastic cheers.
So soon as the applause had subsidized, Mayor
Kingsland stepped forward and read the following
address
Mr., President: shall ever consider it one of
the most acceptable honors of my office, that by
my occupancy of it, at this time, it becomes my
person to welcome you home to your native state,
in the first hour when you tread its soil as Pre-
sident of the United States,
1t is not many months q believe it is hardly a
Year, since you were last on New York ground.
You left then, not as private citizen, but in an
honorable otfice,-an office second to but one in
America.
By the act of God, in removing venerable
patriot and hero,-whose death you as well as we
and the whole nation vet lament, you have been
since elevated from that second station to the
highest in the Government of the United States.
We, your fellow citizens of New York, proud
of your elevation, and cordially approving ofyour
conduct in it, now meet you here, on your first
return. to give you a glad and hearty "welcome
home"
| And with you we joyfully welcome the illus
trious members of that able administration, with
viii oh you have surrounded yourself among
whom we recognize the eloquent Defender of the
Constitution, the glory and boast of the nation.
New York this day opens to you new route
from the ocean to the lakes.
| The Mayor then turned toward the assemblage
and said "Fellow citizens |! the Presidento of the
United States"
This introduction was received with renewed
cheering, and the President responded as fol-
| lows
Mr. Mayor, and fellow citzens-I have neither
the voice nor the language to express the CRATE
full emotions ofmy heart for this cordial reception
from the citizens of my native state If this be
day on which you have reason to congratulate
|
guest of city which is the grand emporium Of the
Union, whose commerce whitens every sea, and
which is now connected by iron bands with the
great lakes of the West, / congratulate you, fell.
| low citizens, that we now stand on consecrated
ground. Here, Washington took his first oath to
support the Constitution of the United States ::
here the first Congress assembled, and here see
the same city, and the same spirit of patriotism,
as bright and as brilliant as on that suspicious
day. If could, for moment, appropriate these
honors to myself, should feel overwhelmed by
my feelings but know they are not intended for
me. l know that this exhibition of feeling and
patriotism is only an evidence of your devotion to
your country, and of your loyalty to the Union
| Mr.. Mayor, you have done the noble spirits,
with whom am associated, no more than Justice,
| in attrbutng to them all that have been able to
accomplish for the benefit of our common coun-
try; and sir, beg leave to return to you, and
through you to the citizens of this great city, my
most grateful thanks for the assistance which they
give us under the most trying circumstances-at
all times true to themselves, true to the constitu-
tion and true TO the country again return you
and them, my most grateful Acknowledgements
During this speech the President was frequent
Nv interrupted with loud and enthusiastic cheering
Incessant calls were then made for Daniel Web
ster, and yielding to The imperious desire OF the
assemblage, the great statesman at length came
! forward and said
Fellow citizens Of New York-Under the cir.
cumstances of this occasion it will be proper for
me to say what have to say in very few words.
You have assembled here to give cordial welcome
to the Chief Magistrate of the country, and in the
invitation extended to him you have been pleased
to associate those who have assisted him in the
administration of the government. 1t would mel.
Their be graceful or decnrous, gentlemen, for me to
speak Of him-of his merits, his deserts-of bis
devotion to the Union, and of that singeness Of
heart with which he pursues whatever he thinks
calculated to propote the honor, the interests and
the renown of the country. But for those who
have assisted him, may perhaps be permitted tic
say that on all great national quest:ons-in every
thing touching the peace, the harmony and wei
fare of our country, the stability and perpetuy O
the Union and the constitution, there has nevei
been the slightest difference between him and one
! Of us.
i Gentlemen--In making progress from the Soutf