; was forwarded thence to Moira, in Franklin County ; was thence returned to Albany ; thence forwarded to New York ; thence sent back, and has just reached me here. I regret, exceedingly, this long delay in the receipt of your letter, as it has prevented its earlier and due acknow- ledgment. Had it, however, reached me in season, my indispensable public duties here would not have permitted me the great pleasure it oifered me. It would otherwise have afforded me the highest gratification, to unite with the Common Council and citizens of 232 CELEBRATION OF THE New York, in the celebration of an event, as important to the interests, as it is honorable to the character, of your city. The completion of the Croton Aqueduct, and the supply- ing of a great city with pure and wholesome water, would have illustrated any age of any country. Their achievement is a fit subject of the high congratulation and just pride of ours. I beg you will, although late, be pleased to receive for yourselves, and eommunicate to those you represent, my due acknowledgments for the courtesy extended to me on this oc- casion. And believe me to be, Gentlemen, With sentiments of great respect, Your obedient servant, L. BRADISH. To C. CROLIUS, Jr., 1 E. D. WEST, > Committee. WILLIAM DODGE, Esquires. J From the Secretary of State. Albany, 6th October, 1842. GENTLEMEN : — After an absence of several days from the city, in consequence of sickness in my family, I have received, through you, the polite invitation of the Common Council, to at- tend the celebration of the introduction of the Croton Water in the city of New York, on the 14th instant. I have some doubts whether I shall be able to avail myself of the invi- tation ; I will, however, be with you if I can. Very respectfully Your obedient servant, S. YOUNG. To CLARKSON CROLIUS, Jr.,-] EDWARD D. WEST, ' *> Committee of Invitation, $c., $c.: New York. fv] WILLIAM DODGE, Esqrs.J CROTON AQ.UEDUCT. 333 From the Comptroller of the State of New York. Comptroller's Office, Albany, October 12, 1842. GENTLEMEN : — I have received your kind invitation in behalf of the Common Council of the city of New York, requesting me to join with them on the 14th instant, in celebrating the intro- duction of the Croton water into the city of New York. My engagements will deprive me of the pleasure of being present on the interesting occasion to which you allude, I am, gentlemen, with great respect, Your obedient servant, A. C. FLAGG. Messrs. CLARKSON CROLIUS, Jr., ) EDWARD D. WEST, } New York. WM. DODGE, ) From the Attorney General of the /State of New York. October 3d, 1842. GENTLEMEN : — I have the honor to be in the receipt of your favor of the 1st inst., inviting me, on behalf of the Common Council of the city of New York, to join with them, on the 14th inst., in celebrating the introduction of the Croton water into the city of New York. I need not assure you that it would give me great pleasure to be present on an occa- sion so interesting, but I regret that professional duties will compel me to decline an invi- tation, the acceptance of which would give me great pleasure. With the highest personal consideration for you, gentlemen, and those you represent, I have the honor to be, your obedient, humble servant. GEORGE P. BARKER. To J. CLARKSON CROLIUS, Jr. Esq., Aid. 6th Ward,-] EDWARD D. WEST, Esq., Aid. 16th Ward, I Committee. WM. DODGE, Esq., Ass't Aid. 3d Ward, J 59 CELEBRATION OP THE From the Surveyor General. Surveyor General's Office, ) Albany, October 21st, 1842. \ GENTLEMEN : — Absence from this place, on official business, prevented me, until the 16th instant, from receiving your polite invitation to join the Common Council of New York, in cele- brating the introduction of the Croton water into your great city. The object of this note is to assure you, gentlemen — though at a late period — that I gratefully appreciate your invitation, and to express to you and the Common Council my regrets, that I could not have participated in the felicitations of an event that will mark an epoch, glorious in the history of New York. With great consideration, Your obedient servant, NATHANIEL JONES. CLARKSON CROLIUS, Esq.,1 EDWARD D. WEST, Esq., V Committee, $c. WM. DODGE, Esq., The replies of the foreign Consuls follow : From the British Consul. Her Britannic Majesty's Consulate, > 3d Oct., 1842. \ GENTLEMEN : — I have the honor to acknowledge, and with feelings of no ordinary kind, accept the invitation of the Common Council, to join with them on the 14th