Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1853 edition. Excerpt: ... SPECIAL MESSAGES. DEATH OF STEPHEN VAN RENSSELAER. ALBANY, JANUARY 28, 1889. To The Legislature: I Announce the death of Stephen Van Rensselaer, formerly lieutenant-governor, and, at the time of his death, chancellor of the university, president of the canal board, and senior major-general in the militia of this state. Besides having occupied these important stations, the deceased was, at different periods, a member of the convention which framed the constitution of this state, a representative in each house of the legislature, and also a representative in the Congress of the United States. His various and eminent public services, and the universal esteem which he secured by the blamelessness and benevolence of his life, render it proper that I should communicate the mournful event to the legislature, that they may adopt such measures as the occasion requires. Note.--Stephen Van Rensselaer died at the Manor house, in Albany, on the 26th of January, 1839, aged 74 years. Although, in compliance with his request, his funeral obsequies were without any pageant, the legislature, and the officers of the state attended his funeral.--Ed. THE COLONIAL HISTOKY OF THE STATE. ALBANY, FEBRUARY 5, 1839. To The Assembly: Gentlemen.--I have the honor to transmit a memorial from the New York Historical Society, praying for the passage of a law authorizing the appointment of an agent to visit Europe, to transcrihe documents remaining in the public offices of England and Holland, which may serve to illustrate the colonial history of this state. While it is due to ourselves, to the memory of our predecessors, and to a just regard for the respect of posterity, that every important circumstance connected with the rise and progress of our free institutions...