February 13, 1861; The New York Herald
ALBANY, Feb 12, 1861.
The joint committee to entertain the President elect held a meeting this afternoon in the Executive chamber. Governor Morgan appeared before them, and insisted that he should be his guest whilst here, the State to pay the bills, and that the members and all others should be introduced to him in the Executive chamber, after which he should retire to the Governor’s private residence, and he there entertained, with only such company as the Governor should select.
This absurd proposition came very near kicking up a row in the committee. The Governor was also anxious that the committee should meet Mr. Lincoln at Utica, and he would ride in the carriage with him to the Capitol.
After wrangling some time over the plan they adjourned until tomorrow morning.
There is a large amount of buttonholing tonight with the members on the subject. It is understood that Senator Ferry is doing all that he can to have that plan adopted; but others, including Mr. Bergen, declare that they will not play second fiddle to the Governor in any such arrangement, stating that they will resign first.
Mr. Bergen, in connection with several other members of the committee, have proposed the following plan to submit to the committee tomorrow, which it is now thought will be adopted–The joint committee of the Senate and Assembly to meet the President elect either at Utica or Buffalo, and conduct him to Albany, to be meet at the station by the President of the Senate and Speaker of the Assembly, and the Chairman of the joint committee to occupy the carriage with the President elect, the balance of the committees to follow in the next carriage. Upon the arrival at the Capitol he will be introduced by the Lieutenant Governor to the Governor, who will welcome him to the Capitol of the State. he will then be taken to the Senate Chamber by the Lieutenant Governor and committee, and introduced to the members of that body, who will welcome him.
At six o’clock he will leave the Executive chamber and proceed to apartments provided by the Legislature, where he will receive such ladies as will be pleased to call.
At half past seven he will dine with the Legislature, who will invite the State officers, the Mayor and Common Council of Albany, and such distinguished strangers as they may elect.
On the following morning he will be escorted by the committee and Mayor and Common Council of Albany, and such escorts as they may furnish, to the depot.
Should a majority of the committee reject this plan, and allow the Governor to adopt the Prince of Wales plan of entertainment, there will be a bolt, and the whole subject be referred back to the Legislature. Many of them consider Governor Morgan’ proposition an insult to the Legislature.