"This monument was erected under the authority of the Congress of the United States and the State of New York, in commemoration of the disbandment under proclamation of the Continental Congress of October 18, 1783, of the armies by whose patriotic and military virtue our national independence and sovereignty were established."
Another noteworthy celebration was the unveiling of the statute of General George Clinton, October 6, 1896. The exercises consisted of a military and civic parade. The presentation address was delivered by Rev. William K. Hall, D.D. and Mayor Odell, in behalf of the city, made the address of acceptance. The statue stands in Clinton Gore, at the junction of Water and Colden Streets. It shows General Clinton resting on his sword, which he holds in his right hand. It was modeled by the late eminent sculptor, Henry K. Brown, and his nephew, Mr. Bush-Brown, had the statue cast and the pedestal carved. The cost to the people of Newburgh was only $3,000, raised by subscriptions undertaken by the local Historical Society, and finished by Mayor Odell. Upon the granite pedestal is this inscription:
GEORGE CLINTON
Member of Continental Congress, 1775-1777. Brigadier-General
Continental Army, 1777. Governor of the State of New York,
1777-1795, 1801-1804. Vice-President of the United States,
1804-1812. Cara Patria Carioe Libertas.
The Newburgh Municipal Centennial was fittingly observed May, 1900. The parade, in which about twenty-eight hundred persons took part, marched through the city's principal thoroughfares, after which the people assembled at Washington's Headquarters, and Mayor Wilson called the gathering to order. The Rev. W. K. Hall, D.D., eloquently reviewed the events of a century in this village and city. Benediction was pronounced by Rev. Father Salley.
Another event of unusual interest was the visit of Lafayette, in 1824, to Newburgh, the place of his headquarters in the Revolution. He was given a great reception, Francis Crawford, President of the village, presented him to the corporation in a brief address, and he was afterwards received with Masonic honors by Hiram Lodge, F. & A. M., where he replied eloquently to an address by Rev. Dr. John Brown. He was banqueted at the Crawford Hotel, with about 100 citizens at the table.
Newburgh's growth has been steady and healthy in recent years, in consequence of civic enterprise and better knowledge of the advantages and attractions of her location. Her compact buildings, mostly of brick, her charming suburbs, with fine country seats, the good and delightful roads extending into the country for carriage drives and automobiles, her excellent harbor and easy access to the Metropolis by rail and steamer, her good schools and churches and her busy manufactories, are enticements which are drawing many new residents. Apart from its population it is the center of trade for many thousands of people.
MANUFACTURES.
The following is a partial list of leading industries: