In leaving the governor, the general was conducted to the principal balcony of the capitol to be presented to the assembled people. At the moment he advanced between the two central columns of the balcony, an eagle descended and placed a crown of laurels and evergreens upon his head. This was loudly applauded by the numerous spectators.
Before going to the hotel, which had been prepared for our reception, the general wished to visit one of his old companions in arms, Mr. Matthew Gregory, who, in the assault at Yorktown, was one of the first to mount the trenches, with him and Hamilton. We found there a numerous company, composed of judges of the supreme court, the bar and principal officers of the state.
This day of emotions and fatigues, under which a man less robust than Lafayette must have sunk, was terminated by a supper in which toasts were drank to the health of the “Nation’s Guest,” and “to the liberty and sovereignty of the people,” and by a brilliant ball, which we left at midnight in order to seek a little rest.
Albany was founded in 1612, by a colony from Holland, and next to Jamestown in Virginia, is the most ancient settlement in the United States. Situated on the right bank of the Hudson, 150 miles from New York, this city does not present a pleasing aspect: the ground is every where unequal: the streets, it is true, are wide and regular, but the architecture of the houses is in bad taste and reminds one strongly of the old towns in Germany. With the exception of the capitol there is no building which has a monumental aspect; this building produces a very good effect, being situated upon an eminence which terminates a fine street called State street. This edifice which serves for the senate, house of representatives, the courts of justice, the society of arts, of agriculture, and also contains the library, is constructed of granite from the banks of the Hudson, and the columns, as well as all the exterior ornaments are in fine white marble from the quarries of Massachusetts. The principal façade is of the Ionic order. Most of the halls are decorated and furnished with a luxury which one at first admires, but cannot in the end avoid blaming, when it is known that it has brought the corporation into debts which necessarily fall upon the people. The entire expense of the building amounted to 120,000 dollars, of which at least 34,000 have been paid by the city.
The town house, academy, Lancastrian school, arsenal, prison, and some other buildings of public utility are properly and commodiously built of brick.
The city is governed by a corporation composed of a mayor, recorder, and ten aldermen, and ten assistant aldermen, all appointed by the people. To simplify the administration and facilitate the superintendence of the police, it is divided into five sections or wards. The watchmen are especially charged to guard against the dangers of fire, and an excellent organization of firemen, secure prompt assistance in cases of conflagration. These precautions are rendered particularly necessary by the presence of numerous magazines of oil and spirits, imprudently established in the heart of the city.
The police regulations are enforced with a rigidity which allows no class of citizens to think of infringing them with impunity. Among a multitude of examples related to me, the following is very remarkable. It is expressly forbidden to gallop through the streets. A short time since, the mayor was at his country seat, not far from the city. Suddenly the ringing of bells and even the sight of the flames informed him that a fire had broken out; he mounted his horse and set out for town, through which he gallopped to the fire; alighted, and placed himself at the head of the firemen. In a few instants his example and prudent advice, contributed to remove the danger, and he quietly returned to his dwelling. The next morning he received a summons to appear before a justice of the peace, who fined him for breaking the ordinance which forbids gallopping through the streets. The mayor did not in any way attempt to justify his fault by the motive that had caused him to commit it, and submitted without murmuring to the award, which he acknowleged to be just. This submission to the law was a good example, and on going out of the magistrate’s office, he was met by a numerous deputation of citizens, who presented him with the thanks of the public for the eminent services he had rendered the preceding evening, in courageously exposing himself to save the property of his fellow citizens.
The annual expenses of the city amount to about 45,000 dollars; its revenues in 1824 were valued at 49,000, but its debt amounted to more than two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. This debt which necessarily depreciates the value of property situated in Albany, was incurred by the prodigality of former administrations. It is thought that it will speedily be extinguished by a sinking fund of a hundred thousand dollars, and especially by the resources which are daily presented by the constantly increasing prosperity of commerce.
As a commercial place, Albany is one of the most considerable cities in the union. Ever since its foundation it has been the place of deposit for all the western produce; at present the facility of communication with lake Erie by means of the Grand canal gives a still greater increase to its commercial preponderance.
About twenty-four steam-boats ply incessantly between Albany and New York, and the number of sloops that trade between the two cities is very considerable.