"  A  visit  to  your  admirably  conducted  philanthrophic  institutions  filled  us  with  admiration.
We  have  seen  your  delinquents,  as  it  were,  snatched  from  pertlition  and  restored  to  a  society,
to  which  instead  of  being  a  curse,  they  may  yet  become  valuable  members.  We  are  now
fiilly  convinced  that  the  judicious  philanthropist  may  convert  a  dense  population  (too  often  only
the  sinks  of  depravity)  into  the  chosen  abode  of  science,  industry,  and  virtue.
"  To  the  enlightened  and  patriotic  Magistracy  of  this  respectable  city,  we  beg  leave  to  tender
the  acknowledgment  of  our  sincere  gratitude,  for  the  unabated  attention  and  unwearied  exer-
tions, to  render  our  visit  pleasant.  We  must  be  permitted  most  respectfully  to  assure  the  gen-
tlemen collectively  and  individually,  that  on  our  return  to  the  bosoms  of  our  families,  we  bear
with  us  the  most  lively  and  permanent  sense  of  their  kindness  and  flattering  attentions,  and  that
among  the  earlier  lessons  taught  our  children,  will  be  to  cherish  an  ardent  friendship  for
them.  By  the  completion  of  the  Erie  Canal,  we  esteem  her  future  destiny  a.s  placed  beyond
the  control  of  chance.     With  sentiments  of  esteem  and  respect,  we  are,

■'  Your  obedient  Servants,

"  For  ond  in  behalf  of  the  Western  Committee.
"ALEX.  COVENTRY."

Xovember  10.  1825.
'///'/•//


/./././'    L-


J      ^//-
'//'////    -"  7//////"////^/


///  /fe//  .s-/fpj.
THE  MAYOR'S  ANSWER.
CUtj  of  Kew  Y<jrk,  Mayor's  Office,  JVov.  17,
To  Alexander  Coventry,  Esq.
Sir,


"Your  letter  in  brhalf  of  tlic  Committees  floputerl  by  our  fellow-citizens  of  the
West,  to  join  with  iw  in  celebrating  the  completion  of  the  Erie  Ciui;il  has  been  laid  before  the
Common  Council  of  the  City,  which  has  instructed  me  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  very
friendly  and  flattering  communication.
