New Hampshire Statesman

CANAL CELEBRATION AT ALBANY.
We select the following account transmitted by one of the Editors of the N. Y. Daily Advertiser, of this noble and splendid pageant. It is said that there were upwards of 40,000, and the Statesman says, nearly 50,000 spectators present. N. Y. Pat.
Agreeably to previous arrangement, the entrance of the first boat from the Great Western Canal of this State, into the Hudson, was celebrated at Albany on Wednesday, the 8th inst. with every demonstration of joy that the interesting occasion might be expected to call forth. The morning of the day was ushered in by the ringing of the bells of the churches, and a discharge of cannon from the heights in the neighbourhood of the city.
After the military had formed, they marched to the Eagle Tavern for the purpose of receiving the Committee from the city of New-York, and escorting them to Rockwell's Mansion House, where they were met by his Excellency Governor Yates, Lieut Governor Root, the Judges of the Supreme Court State Senators, &c. &c. This service was performed by the troops, in a very handsome and appropriate manner. A procession was then formed under the direction of Gen. S. Van Rensselaer, consisting of the civil officers of the State and city, the committees of the cities of Albany, and New-York, the various societies, the military, &c. which moved to the basin in the Hudson at the termination of the Canal
At 12 o'clock, the elegant Canal Boat, the De Witt Clinton, appeared with colors flying, and superbly ornamented, on board of which were the Canal Commissioners, and other distinguished persons; and followed by four other boats, filled with ladies and gentlemen of the first respectability. On the arrival of the De Witt Clinton the New York Committee were invited on board, and the ceremony of laying the top stone of the Canal, by the Grand Chapter of the State of New-York, commenced by an address to the Throne of Grace, by the Rev. Mr. Lacy; after which the stone was placed agreeably to the rules of Masonry, bearing the following inscription:
ERECTED SEPTEMBER, 1823.
De Witt Clinton, President,
Stephen Van Rensselaer,
Samuel Young,
Myron Holley,
H. Seymour, Secretary,
Wm. C. Bouck.
Benjamin Wright, Chief Engineer
George W. Young, Assistant.
Peter Stewart, Builder.
The ceremony being completed, Dr. Samuel L. Mitchell, of the New-York committee, poured into the Canal a bottle of water from the Pacific ocean, and another from the Atlantic ocean; and thereupon made an address suited to the novel and interesting occasion.
The lock was then opened, and the boat De Witt Clinton passed through towed by twelve full manned barges, under the command of Capt. Center, of the Steam-Boat Chancellor Livingston, and Capt. T. W. Wiswall, of the steam boat Richmond, and the others of ten masters of Albany packets. At the moment of passing into the Hudson, she was saluted by a general discharge of artillery, and the lively huzzas of thousands of persons who witnessed the spectacle. Much feeling was excited by the fact of the Boat being piloted into the river by Capt. Dagget, who is now eighty-four years of age, and who acted as pilot to the French fleet under Count de Grasse, in the war of Independence, when it anchored before York-Town, previously to the capture of Lord Cornwallis and the army under his command. The boat was then towed through the basin, into the North river; and as she passed the steam-boats, which were all elegantly dressed for the occasion, and were crowded with spectators, she was saluted in succession from each steam-boat and a line of sloops with the most enthusiastic cheers.
The Canal Commissioners and their associates were then landed, and the procession was formed in the following order, and moved to the Capitol Hill:
Military under the command of Major Gen. Solomon Van Rensselaer, Marshal, assisted by Major R. I. Knowlson and Captain John Koon.
Sheriff and City Marshal.
Common Council and Committee of Arrangements.
Canal Commissioners.
Engineers and Assistant Engineers.
Commissioners of the Albany Basin Canal and Basin Contractors.
Rev. Clergy.
The Governor and suite, Lieutenant Governor, Chancellor and Judges of the Supreme Circuit, and United States Courts.
Senate and Officers.
Members of Congress, and Civil Authorities of the United States.
Officers of the United States Army and Navy.
Band.
Military Association.
Fire Department, including Engine, Hook and Ladder and Axe Companies.
SOCIETIES.
Cincinnati.
Agricultural Society.
Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons.
Society for the promotion of Useful Arts.
Albany Lyceum.
St. Andrew's Society
St. Patrick's Society,
Mechanics' Society.
Cordwainer's Society.
Citizens and Strangers.
The Canal Commissioners, the Common Council of the city of Albany, and the delegation from the city of New-York, were then conducted to a pavilion erected in front of the capitol, where the proceedings of the occasion commenced by a fervent, appropriate, and most eloquent prayer by the Rev. Dr. Chester. A congratulatory address was then made to the Canal Commissioners, by the Hon. C. F. Dudley, Mayor of the city of Albany; and a reply by the Hon. De Witt Clinton, President of the Board of Commissioners. This was succeeded by an address from the delegation from New-York, by their Chairman, William Bayard, Esq. and an answer on behalf of the citizens of Albany, by William James, Esq.; and the whole closed by an expression of thanks by the New-York Committee, through their Chairman, for the distinguished politeness and respect with which they had been received and entertained by their fellow citizens of Albany on this interesting occasion. The delegation were then invited to a participation in the entertainments provided at Rockwell's Mansion House, in honor of the Day.