86 



Industrial and Material Progress 



had nu parallel in any couutrv, and which since has onlv been 

 paralleled bv other examples in our own. 



In this general march of prosperity, Albany held a conspicuous 

 rank. Her situation at the head of the naYisration of the Hudson, 

 and in the direct line of travel from Xew England to the West, gave 

 her unrivaled commercial facilities. The lur tmde, which, for a cen- 

 tury, had been the chief reliance of Albany, had, indeed, nearly 

 ceased, or been diverted into other channels. But, instead of it, 

 sprang up a new traffic dependent upon and growing out of the 

 immense immigration into central and western Xew York from Xew 

 England and from foreign countries. From first to last, no American 

 town has had a more varied or interesting history. It is one of the 

 few cities whose diversified experiences have developed in it a distinct 

 individuality. The old Dutch Colonial period; the period of English 

 administration; the long residence here of an English garrison: the 

 intimate and friendly relations which its people -established and inva- 

 riably maintained with the neighboring Indians; its strategic position 

 in the French and revolutionary wars ; its central position for travel 

 and trade ; all these have left their indelible marks upon the town, 

 and have given it a character which is a record of its history. 



Before proceeding to my subject, I cannot forbear making my 

 acknowledgments for the material which I have combined in this 

 address to the labors of a deceased member of this Institute. Xo man 

 can ever hereafter write about the historv of Albanv without bt-inor 

 indebted at every step to the previous labors of Joel ^lunseli. Let us 

 pause a moment at the mention of this name. The words of eulogy, 

 which were spoken on the occasion of his death, are still fresh in your 

 memories. It will always be an honor to the Albany Institute that it 

 gave help and encouragement to him in his work ; that he found, in 

 the meetings and associations of this society, that sympathy and 

 appreciation which led him on year after year in those researches 

 which have made his name a household word in this city. Many of 

 you, I dare say, have read the touching address with which he prefaces 

 the concluding volume of his "Annals of xVlbany.'' While preparing 

 for this address, I chanced upon an explanation of what hiid seemed 

 to me puzzling in the manner and contents of that preface. For the 

 first time in all his writings, he refers to the trials and struggles and 

 unsubstantial recompense of his labors. The explanation will surprise 

 no one who knew the appreciative and generous character of 3Ir. 

 Robert Townsend. In a little manuscript note, appended to the copy 

 I use, Mr. Townsend says: Mr. Munsell had brought to me to touch 



