ALBANY, the capital of the state of New York in North America, on the western bank of the river Hudson, about 145 miles above the city of New York. Placed on one of the noblest rivers of that part of America, and backed by a rich country, it has every natural requisite for commercial importance. These natural advantages have been increased by canals connecting it with Lakes Erie and Champlain; while a tissue of railways unites it with Boston and the valley of the Mohawk. It contains many handsome buildings, and valuable institutions of various kinds. Of its public buildings, the principal are the capitol, a handsome stone edifice 115 feet in length by 90 in width, with richly furnished apartments for the Senate and Assembly, &c.; the city hall, a superb building of white marble, surmounted with a large gilded dome; the exchange, &c. On 17th August 1848, a dreadful fire broke out which consumed one-eighth of the city. Its population in 1850 amounted to 50,771. Lat. 42. 39. N. Long. 73. 32. W.