Local Historical Momiments. 



139 



few followers, aud the cost can be a definite ascertained sum, and as the 

 building would be the property of all, all might easily bear the outlay. 

 It is in the preservation of these things that a people show their intel- 

 ligence, and strangers come to see them. If any man doubts this, let 

 him consult the expense account of our people who go to Europe. They 

 go to see the old — the crumbling, ruined, but not obliterated past. 

 The grandeur of all things new, and of to-day, they can see at home. 



While the Schuyler Mansion is in the occupancy of the Messrs. 

 Tracey, your committee rest satisfied; but they would appeal to the 

 State to possess itself of the house, where the young battle-torn, in- 

 dependence-seeking State of Xew York, as early as 1TT7, dared, after 

 victory on the field of battle — a battle which won to us the belief in 

 strength which turned to us the fervor of European power — the 

 higher moral courage of a victory over the hate of war, and where was 

 exercised the grandeur of a hospitality to the conquered, the praise of 

 which was uttered in the British Parliament, when such words were 

 tribute to our civilization. It showed of what American soldiers were 

 made. It was our triumph in the dignity of a great nation. The 

 State may well take this house to itself and care for it. It has waited 

 more than the century to do so. It is proof how that mansion is re- 

 membered, that so late as 1879 it was visited by a lady, a relative of Gen- 

 eral Burgoyne, who had also visited the battle field of Saratoga. We 

 do not name other incidents in its annals, as of giving its hospitalities 

 to Washington, of being the scene of Alexander Hamilton's wedding, 

 its attack by Indian raid, because in most of these features other places 

 share the history. Nor need the expenditure be great. The price is 

 fair subject of determination by fair authority, and the State would be 

 the richer for such enlightened gift to history. Such acquisitions are 

 really part of our educational system." It is the facts of the past 

 placed before the observation of the present without passing through 

 the opinions or prejudices of any man. 



And now your committee come to their immediate duty of present- 

 ing, through the Institute, to the consideration of the citizens of 

 Albany its wishes respecting the memorials of localities. We, in each 

 case, point only to a moderate expenditure. We intend the Institute 

 shall recognize that whatever may be the warmth of our antiquarian 

 zeal, we comprehend the cold safety of economy. We would rather 

 that the surprise of our fellow-citizens should be at our self-restraint 

 than at our recklessness. 



First, we respectfully urge that at the north lines of the ancient 

 stockade defense of the old city which is at, or near, the former resi- 



