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MOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF TEE
UNITED STATES.
Wednesday, December 18.
A MESSAGE was received from the prefideat of die
United States, by mr. Shaw, his iecretajy, and
read, in-the words following, to wit:
Gentlemen of the finale , and
Gentlemen of the boufi of reprefentatives^
The letter herewith transmitted will inform you that it
has pleased Divine Providence to remove from this life our
excellent fellow citizen George Washington, by the
purity of his character, and a long series of services to his
rendered illustrious through the world. It ! re
mains for an affectionate and grateful people, in whose
hearts he can never die, to pay suitable honor to Ids me
mory. John Adams.
Mount Vernon, December 15, 1799.
Sir,-—lt is with inexpressible grief that 1 have to an
nounce to you the death of the great and good Gen. Walh
ington; he died last evening between 1 o and 11 o’clock,
after a ihort illness of about 24 hours; his disorder was an
inflammatory lore throat, which proceeded from a cold, of
which he made, but.little complaint on Friday. On Satur
day morning* about 3 o’clock be became ill. Dr. Craik
attended him in the morning, and dr. Dick of Alexandria,
and dr. Brown of Port Tobacco, were loon alter called
in. Every medical assistance was offered, but without the
desired effect.. His last iceffe corresponded with the whole
tenor of his life; not a groan rfor a complaint escaped him
in extreme distress; with perfect resignation, and a fuil
poffclfion of his reai'on, lie closed his, well spent life.
I have the honor to be, &c.
Tobias Lear.
The president of the United States.
Thursday, December 19.
The hour having arrived which the president had ap
pointed the house proceeded. to wait on him, and having
returned, mr. fpeaker read the following address of the
lioufe, and the president’s reply thereto:
Sir,-—The house of representatives, penetrated with a
sense of the irreparable loss sustained by the nation, bv the
death of that great and good man, the illustrious and be
loved Washington, wait on you, fir, to express tfieir con
dolence on this melancholy and distressing event.
To which’ the president made the following reply:
Gentlemen of the boufi of representatives,
1 receive with great re)poet and affection the Condolence
of the house of representatives on the melancholy and af
flicting event, in the death of the moft illustrious and be
loved personage which this country ever produced. I fvm
pathize with you, with the nation, and with good men
through the woiii, in this irreparable loss sustained by us
all. John Adams.
United States , December 19, 1799.
A message from the fcnate announced their concurrence
to the resolution appointing a joint committee, passed this
day, and that leven members were appointed on their part.
Sixteen were appointed on the part of this house.
Monday, December 23.
Mr. Marshall, from the joint committee appointed to
report what ttftimony of reipeft ought to be paid to the
memory of the man firft in war, firft in peace, and fin’d; in
the hearts of his countrymen, made a report in part, which
he delivered in at the table, where it was twice read, and
ananimoufly agreed to, in the words following, to wit:
Refolvcd, by the senate and house of representatives of
the United States of America, in congress assembled, That
a marble monument erected by the United States, in
the capitol in the city of IVailhngtcn, and that the family
of gen. Washington be requested to permit his lxnly to be
deposited under it; and that the monument be so designed
as to commemorate the great events of his military and
polirical life.
And be it further refilled, That there be a funeral
procession from congress hall to the German Lutheran
church, in honor of the memory of gen. George Washing
ton, on Thursday the 26th instant, and that an oration be
prepared, at the request of congress, to be delivered before
both houses on that day, and that the president of the se
nate and fpeaker of the house of representatives be desired
to request one of the members of congress to prepare and
deliver the fame.
And be it further refolvcd, That it be recommended
to the people of the United States to wear crape on the
left arm, as mourning, for 30 days.
And be it further refolvcd, That the president of the
United States be requested to dirett a copy of tbefe resolu
tions to be transmitted to mrs. Washington, alluring her
of the profound refpeft congress will ever bear to her per
son and character; of their condolence on the late afflicting
dil'penfation of Providence; and entreating her assent to
the interment of the remains of gen. George Washington
jn the manner exprefled in the firft relbkuion.
And be it further rcfilved. That the president of the
United States be requested to ilfue a proclamation, notify
’ ing to the people throughout the United States the recom
mendation contained in the third resolution.
A message was received from the fcnate, announcing
their concurrence in the report of the joint committee
made tliis day. ,
Tucfday, December 24.
A message was received from the president of the United
States, by his secretary, mr. Shaw, informing the house,
that the president had this day approved and ligned the
refolntions which originated in this house in honor us the
jrjemorv of gen. George Washington.
Mr, Jpeake? informed the house that, pursuant to the
resolution of congress puffed yvflerday, authorizing the
. president of the senate and the fpeaker of the house of re
pleioaiatr/cs to appoint a member of congjreC; to deliver a
fiUieral oration on Thmkliy next, major gen. Lee, of
Virginia, bad been appointed for that purpose, and that
hu had Wen pleated to lignify his acceptance of the ap
pointment. t i
The president with deep regret announces to the army
the death of its beloved chief, gen. George Wafhingtpn.,
Sharing in the grief which every one must feel forfo heavy
and afflicting a public loss, and defiroUs to exprels his high
. rjfenfe of the vast debt of gratitude wiiich is due to the vir
tues, talents, and ever memorable ferviefes, ofthe illustri
ous deceased, he directs that funeral honors be paid to liini
at all the military stations, and that the officers, of the
army and. of the fevedil,corps of volunteers wear crape on,
the left arm, by way of mourniug, for fix months. Ma jor
gen. Hamilton will give the nectffary orders for carrying
iqtoeffetl the foregoing diredions.
Given at the war dftke of the United States in Phi
ladelphia, this 19th day of December, A, D. 1799,
and ia the 24th year of tlte Independence of the
laid states.
By command of the president,
James M‘Henry, secretary at war.
—b. . .
Navy Department , 20 tb December, 1799.
The president with deep afifuftion announces to the
navy, and to the’marines, the death of our beloved fellow
citizen George Washington, comtnander of our armies,
and late president of the United States, but rendered
more illustrious by his eminent virtues, and a long Tories
of the moft important services, than bv the honor which
his grateful country delighted to confer upon him.
Defirftus that the navy and marines Ihould express, in
common with every other defeription of American citizens, ;
the high fenle which all fed! of the loss our country has
sustained in the death of this good and great man, the pre
sident diretfts that the veffeb of the navy, in our own <tnd
foreign ports, l>e put in mourning for one week, by wear
ing their colors half mast high; and that the officers of the
navy, and of the marines, wear crape on the lift ara, be
low the elbow, for, fix mont s. Ben. SxobDEKT.’
Philadelphia, December 25. The senate cf
ited States have come to an order that the members wear >
black during the feflioh, and that the chair of tne president
be shrouded with black, overhung with curtains of black,
and the whole chamber lined in a ihnilar manner, as a tes
timony of respect for the memory of their beloved and re
gretted late fellow citizen George Washington.
Inrefpedl to the memory of opr deceased and illustrious
fellow citizen Ge orge Waftungton the Episcopal churches
in this city (of which he was a member) are to be hung
in black for fevcral months. The pulpit, organs, •&(..
together with the pew in Clirift church formerly occupied
by the general!, have been entirely ftuouded in black.
The following prayer was. read on Sunday in the Epii
copal churches in this city', having been previously read on
Thursday before each house of congress, in memory of the
illustrious perlbnage whole deceaie is at this time the fub
jed't of general lonow.*
4 ALMIGHTY GOD, with whom do live the spirits
of those who depart hence in the Lord* and with whom
the fouls of the faithful, after they are delivered from the
burthen of the flefh, are in joy and felicity, we giv e thee
hearty thanks for thegoothExamples of all those thy lerv
ants, who, having finilhed their course in faith, do now
rest from their labors.” And herein we efipecialiy adore
and magnify thy name, for the eminent virtues and the
illustrious aftions of thy deceased servant, the late com
mander in chief of the armies of tbefe United States: And
while we acknowledge thy undeserved mercies, in having
given him, at sundry times of difficulty and danger, to the
councils and to (he armies of this land, we pray that the j
prel’ent leufon of sensibility may impress us with due grati
tude for the fad.erly protection which, through him, hath
been extended to us by thee, the Supreme Author of all
Good. May his memory be an incentive ro those who
{hall come after him in the presidency, in the command of
armies, and in all the employments of the date. And j
may posterity, while they’ (hall inherit the luftre of his !
name, enjoy the benefit of his life, in a continuance of :
the happy confequeuces of his labors, and in a fucceifion of j
great and good men, to the glory of thy name, and the j
prosperity of thy people, to the end of time.—Finally, we j
pray, “ That we, with all thole who are departed in the
true faith of thy holy name, may have our perfect con- j
summation and bills, both in body and foul, in thy eternal
and everlasting glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord,”
* Those pajjages which are between inverted commas
f thus “ *'J compofi one of the prayers of the burial
service in the Book of Common Prayer.
ADDRESS cf the SENATE.
To the president of the United States.
The senate of the United States refpe&fnlly take leave,
fir, to express to you their deep regret for the lols their
country iuftains in the death of gen. George Washington.
This event, so diftreifing to all our fellow citizens, must
be peculiarly heavy to you, who have long been allociated
with him in deeds of patriotism. Permit us, fir, to mingle
our tears with yours; on this occalion it is manly to weep.
To lose such a man at luch acrifis is no common calamity
to the world; our country mourns her father! The Almioh
ty disposer of human events has taken from 11s our greattft
benefactor and ornament! It becomes us to fubmrt with
reverence to him who “ maketb darkness bis pavilion.”
With patriotic pride we review the life of our Wall),
ington, and compare him with thole of other countries who
have been pre-eminent in fame. Ancient :.**:i modern
names are diminilhed before him. Greatness and guilt
have too often been allied; but his fame is whiter than it
is brilliant. The destroyer of nations stood abalhed at the
majesty of his virtue. It reproved the intemperance of
their ambition, and darkened the splendor of viftorv. The
feene is doled, and we are no longer anxious left rnisfaf.
time (hould fully his glory; he has travelled on to the end
of his journey and carried with him an increasing weight
of honor; he has deposited it fafely where misfortune can
not tarnish it, where malice cannot - * blast it. Favored of
| Heaven, he departed without exhibiting the weakness of
| humanity; magnanimous in death, the.darknefs of the
grave could not obfture his brijjhtnefs.
Such -was the man whom we deplore* Thanks to Csod
his glory is confummatedr Washington yet lives on earth
in his lpotlefs example—-his spirit is in Heaven.
Let his countrymen consecrate the memory of the he*
roic general; the patriotic ftatefinan, and the virtuous fageS
let .them teach their children never to forget that the fruit
ot his labors and his example are their inheritance.
1,0 which the proficient .returned the following anfwert
Gentlemen of tie foliate,
I feCeivc, with relpettful an>i affectionate Sentiments, in
this imprelfive address, the obliging expre (lions of your
regret for the loss our country has ’luftalned in the death
of her moft esteemed, beloved, admired citizen.
In the multitude of my thoughts and rtc'diedlions, on
this melancholy, event, you will permit me only to fay,
that I have seen him in the days of a.lvcriity, in fome of
the feenes of his deepest diflrefs and moil trying perplexities;
I have also attended firm in his bight ft elevation and moft
prolperous felicity, with uniform admiration of his wilclom,
moderation, and confiancy. ‘ , -
Among ail our original aflociates,. in that memorable
league of the continent, in .1774, which full exprefled the
fovercign will of a free nation in America, he was the only
one remaining in the general government. Although, with
a conftituciou more enfeebled than his, at an nge when he
thought it necessary to prepare for retirement, 1 feel myfelf
alone,’bereaved of my laft.brother, yet I derive strong
eoufolation from the unanimous dilpolition which appears
in all ages and dalles to mingle their sorrows with mine
on this common calamity to the world.
The life of our Wafliington cannot fuller bv a compa
ri: on with tlwfe of other countries who have been nroft ce
lebrated and exalted by Fame. The attributes and deco
ration of royalty could have only feryed to eclipie tlie
majesty of thole virtues which mads him, from being a
modtft citizen, a morerefpkndtnt luminary.- Misfortune,
haci he lived, could hereafter have fuilied his glory only
with tftefe fuperficial minds who, believing that characters
and at; ions are marked by fuic'Ts alone,, rarely’ deserved
to, enjoy it. Malice could never have bbifkdt his honor;
> and envy made him a lingular exception to her univerlal
rule. For himfelf he had lived enough, to life and to glory.
For Ins fellow citizens, if their prayers could have been
answered, he would have -been immortal. For me, his
departure is at a moR unfortunate moment. Trailing,
however, in lire wife and righteous dominion of Providence
over the pailious of men, and rClults of their councils and
adlions, as well as over their lives, nothing remains forme
but humble rtfignation.
His example is now complete, and it will teach jvifdom
and virtue to magistrates. citizens, and men, not only in
ti e prelent age, but in future generations, as long as our
liiftory shall be read. If a Trajan found a Pliny, Marcus
Aurelius can never want biographers, euh'gifls, or hiftpri
ans* Johx Adams.
BOSTON , December 20.
r FHE fliip Sally, capt. Pierpoint, a cartel, fr m the,
X Me of France, went on Ihore on Cape Cod in the
ftorni on Thurlday.
Five vei&ls went on shore in various parts of the Cape
on Tburfctey; among them brig , Rogers, from Ire
land, fuppoied will not be got off; a Hoop from Salem,
capt. 1 yler, for Deer Itland; and a sloop from Portsmouth
for Philadelphia,
On Monday last the ft tip Britannia, capt. Norwood,
1 from Jamaica, and owned by mr. Samuel Smith of thjf
town, was wiecked on Cos ballet rocks. XVe hear that the
lliip and cargo are 1011, but are happy that the people are
ail laved.
Ship Sultan, Bovd, of Boston, outward bound, is oil
; more near Cohaflet rocks. We were last evening informed
that the Sultan, after being got off, funk.
December
. from the file ot France August 27, came paflenger, capt.
S. Ingraham, of the ship Pacific, from Calcutta to New
I York, captured on the 23d March bv the Clarissa French
j privateer of 16 guns and 120 men. ‘ Ihe Pacific was af
terwards driven on ftiore at Black River by an Englilh {qua
| dron commanded by commodore Lofack, who, after taking
j out chief part of her cargo, confuting of piece goods and
lugar, burnt her.
aVw Tork , December 26. In the general orders of
New Jeriey we mid that the commander in chief requeftg
every military gentleman cf New Jerky to wear a black
crape upon his left arm, and, when in regimentals, a black
■Word knot, or narrow black ribbon, for one entire year.’*
i helegiilature of JPennfylvama, on hearing of the death
of gen. W 1 alhington, relolved to wear crape during the
fefhon.
J. B. Ricketts oßers 1000 dollars for the apprehension
of the incendiary who set his ckcus on fire.
December 27. The corvette brig Arethufa, of 14
guns and 140 men, from L’Orient to Cayenne, was cap
tured October 10th by the Excellent,, a 74.
ihe governor of Maryland, by proclamation, recom
mends the nth day of February next as a day of mourn
ing, humiliation, and prayer, on account of the death of
gen. Wafliington.
January 1.
Extra# cf a letter foom St . SebajHan’s , dated October
28, 1799.
“ It appears that France is at open war with the people
of Hamburgh, and that their envoy at Paris has received
orders to quit the territory of the republic.”
Extra# cf a letter from a gentlatqp. in St. Pierre’s tt
a gent 1 email in Philadelphia, dated November 19.
“ lhe Infurgente frigate has returned from Gibraltar,
after an uniutcfcfsful ofuife, having captured nothing; {he
is now off Guadaloupe, and has sent in here a French pri
vateer of 4 guns and 69 men; also recaptured an Efiglifh
Guinea man. She, as well as the frigate Adams, are ex*
petted here on the 25th to water.”
Philadelphia, December 25. Arrived, brig Planter,
Jacobs; failed from Batavia 19th July.