Alexandria Gazette, Commercial And Political

NEW-JERSEY COLLEGE.

The annual commencement for conferring degrees in the College of New-Jersey, was held at Princeton on Wednesday, the 30th ultimo. The public exercises of the day were introduced by prayer, by the Rev. Dr. John Woodhull, who, on account of the president's ill state of health, was appointed by the board of trustees to give him some assistance in performing the duties of the day.

After prayer the following orations were delivered-

1. A salutatory oration in the Latin language, by Mr. Howard of Maryland.

2. A salutatory oration in the English language, by Mr. J. S. Haines, of Pennsylvania.

3. An honorary oration in the Latin language, by Mr. Ford, of New Jersey

4. An oration on mathematics, by Mr. Henderson, of Pennsylvania.

5. An oration on natural philosophy. by Mr. Seabrook, of South Carolina.

6. An oration on theology, by Mr. Guildersleeves, of New Jersey.

7. An oration on moral science, by Mr. A. Macwhorter, of New Jersey.

8. An oration on history, by Mr. Vandyke of Delaware.

9. An oration on the classics by Mr. Janvier, of Delaware.

Intermediate Orations.

1. By Mr. Sherrard, of New Jersey.

2. By Mr. Haines, of New Jersey.

3. By Mr. Dorsey, of Maryland.

4. By Mr. Wilkin, of N. York.

An oration by Mr. Wikoff, of New Jersey.

An oration by Mr. Hillyer, of N. Jersey.

An oration by Mr. A. Macwhorter, of New-Jersey.

Debate,
Would not the establishment of a more extensive naval force be a politic measure in the American government?

Affirmative-Mr. Kollock, of N. Jersey

Negative-Mr. Meade of Virginia.

An oration by Mr. Lawrence, of New York.

An oration by Mr. Baynard, of South Carolina.

An oration by Mr. Hone, of N. York

The degree of bachelor of arts was then conferred on the following young gentlemen : Wm G. Baynard, C. B. Belden, Louis D. Bevier, Henry H. Dorsey, Isaac Dewning, John Ford, Cyrus Guildersleeves, Junr. Thomas G. Naith, Job. Haines, John S. Haynes, Wm. Holstead, J. Henderson, Asa Hillyer, jr. Isaac S. Hone. Ebenezer W. Howard, Levi Janvier. Shepard K. Kollock, Edward F. Lawrence, Wm. S. Lee, J. Macall. Bowes R. Macilvaine, Alexander Macwhorter, George H. Macwhorter, David Meade, Charles Morford, Mordecai Myers, John C. Nicoll, Charles H. Ogden, Henry Porter, David Ramsey, Benjamin V. Seabrook, John M Sherrerd, Lambert J. M. Sythoff, John Thompson, Nicholas Vandyke, jun. Wm. Wickham, Peter I. Wikoff, Samuel J. Wilkin.

The following gentlemen alumni of the college were admitted to their second degree in the Arts. Caleb Dusenbury, Thomas B. Saltar, Win. A. McDowell, Lewis P. Bayard, Elias Boudinot. jun. Philip Johnston Scudder John L. Gardiner. John James Marshal. Nicholas G. R. Rhea, Thomas H. Skinner, Clymer Ross. and James Booth.

The honorary degrees of Master of Arts, was conferred on John Tennent Woodhull, M. D. of New-Jersey, and on Dirick Salomons, M. D. of the West Indies.

The conferring of the degrees was the only part of the exercises of the day which President Smith's state of health would permit him to perform. The dignified and impressive manner in which this his last official act was done, and the sympathy which his situation excited in the hearts of a polite, and learned audience, rendered the whole scene greatly interesting and solemn. After 35 years spent in the faithful service of the college, the increasing infirmities of the President, have prompted him to resign his office. Few men have done more to increase the literary reputation of our country than Dr. Smith. His writings will be a monument to his praise, more durable than marble or brass. In his retirement he takes with him the applause and affections of his numerous pupils, and the best wishes of all who know him. After the degrees were conferred, the following orations were pronounced. An honorary oration by Mr. Lee, of South-Carolina. The Valedictory oration by Mr. Wickham, of Virginia. After prayer, the Assembly were dismissed with the usual benediction. On the day after the commencement, the board of trustees of the college, waited in a body, on Dr. Smith, for the purpose of taking an affectionate and respectful leave of him as President of the college. On this occasion, Dr. Woodhull in the name of the trustees declared to the President their tender sympathy on the infirm state of his health—their grateful sentiments towards him for his long and faithful services; and assured him that, although they took leave of him in his official character as President of the college yet as individuals he might depend on their sincere and lasting friendship. To these the President made a suitable reply, and each member of the board taking him by the hand, gave him an affectionate farewell. We are extremely happy to have it in our power to inform the public, that the Rev. Dr. Ashbel Green, of the city of Philadelphia, who on the resignation of Dr. Smith, was unanimously elected President of the college, has declared his acceptance of the office. By a resolution of the board of trustees Dr. Green will be inducted into his office, at Princeton, on Wednesday, the 25th day of November next at eleven o'clock A. M. The ceremonies of induction will be in the Latin language, after which it is expected, that the President will deliver to the audience, convened on the occasion, an inaugural oration in the English language.