lie down. Dr. Ward was immediately summoned, and directed that he should be taken to his home, which was at once done. He grew rapidly worse, but remained perfectly conscious and rational until a few minutes before his death, which occurred just before nine o'clock last evening. The immediate cause of his death is not definitely known, but it is supposed to have been from an affection of the heart. Richard Van Rensselaer was born in this city in State street near the Old Elm Tree corner, December 24, 1797, and was therefore in the eighty-third year of his age. His father was Killian K. Van Rensselaer, who, it is a notable fact, was the first Representative in the Congress of the United States from this district; and his mother was Margaretta Sanders, great-grandaughter of Robert Sanders, famous in the annals of this city for his knowledge of the Indian languages and his influence over the Five Nations. He graduated at Union College in 1816, in company with his brother William, was admitted to the bar, and made a Master in Chancery by Chancellor Kent. His disposition. was always retiring, and his manners plain and unobtrusive. He never sought nor would accept public or political place, but was content to spend his long and honorable life in a private station, and to the very last he set an example of industry in his business and fidelity in every trust committed to him.

It is a fact worthy of note that his death follows so close upon that of another of Albany's oldest and most respected citizens, Mr. Thos. W. Olcott, whose funeral on Wednesday last Mr. Van Rensselaer was quite desirous to attend. By reason of the inclement weather and advice of his friends, he was obliged to forego the solemn duty. Mr. Van Rensselaer was, at the time of his death, President of the Merchants' National Bank of this city, and a director in the Albany & Schenectady Turnpike Company and of the Albany Gas-light Company.

Albany Argus, March 30, 1880.