Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser

ALBANY, April 10

On Friday last, previous to the adjournment of the assembly, the Hon. Dirck Ten Broeck, Esq. the Speaker, rose in his place, and addressed the members as follows:

GENTLEMEN,

The attentions you have shown me as individuals, and as a House collectively, demand my most sincere and cordial thanks; my sensibility is particularly awakened on this occasion—we are now about to part: reflecting on the arduous task your election assigned to me, when you did me the honor to place me in the chair, I cannot but feel a concern as to the discharge of the important duties consequent thereon: I have ever endeavored to perform the promise I made you when you first called me to this honourable situation: If I have erred, it has proceeded from the head, not from the heart; impartiality was the path I assigned to myself, promptness in decision I resolved on, and the promotion of the public good has been my constant aim. Impressed with the idea that decorum and strict order tended in an eminent degree to preserve the dignity of the representatives of a free people, and to facilitate the progression of the business of the house, I have uniformly endeavored to effect this desirable end. If in this I have been mistaken, if my zeal has carried me too far, or either of you should have taken it amiss, at this moment of parting, I rely on your goodness to exchange with me the gage of reconciliation, and renewal of friendship: we meet as friends, let us part as brothers. Citizens, constituting an important part of the union, representing a happy people, let us seriously reflect on our situation: in vain it is for the most enlightened legislature to enact the most salutary laws, if those laws when made, pass unheeded, or unobserved. Let it be our constant aim, at all times, to inculcate in our several and respective situations the importance of religion, virtue, morality, confidence in the constituted authorities, and the necessity of union and one mind; but more especially at this critical juncture of our affairs; by such means we shall ensure obedience and respect to the laws, and promote the peace, good order, and the happiness of the community—Example is a powerful means to effect; and combined with earnestness, a sure method of success to so desirable an object.

My best wishes accompany you: may you be prospered on your way; may you have the pleasure to meet your families and friends with joy and satisfaction, and receive from your constituents the just tribute due for the labors you have bestowed in the service of your country; may a kind and gracious Providence ever be to each of you a guide and friend, and extend to you his choicest blessings; and may you and I long witness the continuance of the happiness, peace, importance and prosperity of our highly favored state and country.

What more shall I add—I only beg leave to subjoin, most affectionately, gentlemen—FAREWELL.

To which address, Doctor Mitchell, rising in behalf of the assembly made the following reply:

It gives this house pleasure, Sir, to hear the words of good will and friendship which you have pronounced. Though the strife of debate, and the zeal of party, may have sometimes stirred up the fiercer passions, and set the members in sharp opposition to each other, yet these violent emotions were but momentary; and at this instant, when on the adjournment of the legislature, the members are about to separate: they will unite in expressing social and benevolent sentiments towards each other, and particularly towards you.

They conceive it superfluous to dwell on the impartiality of your decisions, your discretion in the appointment of committees, the ability you have manifested in the dispatch of business, and the dignity with which you have filled the chair.

The decorum which has prevailed in the house during this long and important session, the magnitude of the subjects which have undergone discussion, the interesting nature of many of the acts which have originated here, and the disposition of both parties to unite cordially on great and general questions for the good of their constituents, not only indicate the temper and industry of the assembly, but also form the best eulogium of its Speaker.

The members of this branch of the Legislature hope, that at this eventful juncture, no commotion at home, no intriguing abroad, may interrupt the peace which this state and nation enjoys. Happy in their remoteness from the eastern world, they trust European connections of a political kind, will be formed with tardiness and distrust, and both private virtue and public happiness will be sought for at home. While war agitates the governments on the other side of the Atlantic, they feel a confidence, that no unmanly resentment, no romantic notion of honour, no blind attachment to this or that contending power will induce the American people to swerve from their upright neutrality, and thereby provoke the hostility of any of the belligerent nations.

May your good genius never forsake you!

But when the little squabbles of politics are past, may you in your retirement, enjoy the delights of a clear conscience and of an approving God!

And on taking a retrospect of the present session, may you find the part you have borne in it, as conducive to your felicity, as it has been to your reputation.