The Albany Hand-book of 1884 noted that General Washington visited Albany on August 4, 1783 (not his only visit to the area), when he said that,
“While I contemplate with inexpressible pleasure the future tranquility and glory of our common country, I cannot but take particular interest in the anticipation of the increase in prosperity and greatness of the ancient and respectable city of Albany, from whose citizens I have received such distinguished tokens of their approbation and affection.”
The Hand-book reported that:
“The archaeological committee of the Albany Institute have recommended that a tablet bearing these words should be placed in the new City Hall. It has not yet been done.”
Let’s assume someone took a second look at that middling praise and decided it didn’t need to be committed to bronze.