Thursday, December 19.
Samuel Goode, from Virginia, appeared, produced his credentials, was qualified, and took his seat in the House.
Death of General Washington.
Mr. Marshall addressed the Chair as follows:
Mr. Speaker: The melancholy event which was yesterday announced with doubt, has been rendered but too certain. Our Washington is no more! The Hero, the Sage, and the Patriot of America—the man on whom in times of danger every eye was turned and all hopes were placed—lives now only in his own great actions, and in the hearts of an affectionate and afflicted people.
If, sir, it had even not been usual openly to testify respect for the memory of those whom Heaven had selected as its instruments for dispensing good to men, yet such has been the uncommon worth, and such the extraordinary incidents which have marked the life of him whose loss we all deplore, that the whole American nation, impelled by the same feelings, would call with one voice for a public manifestation of that sorrow which is so deep and so universal.
More than any other individual, and as much as to any one individual was possible, has he contributed to found this our wide-spreading empire, and to give to the Western world its independence and its freedom.
Having effected the great object for which he was placed at the head of our armies, we have seen him converting the sword into the ploughshare, and voluntarily sinking the soldier in the citizen.
When the debility of our federal system had become manifest, and the bonds which connected the parts of this vast continent were dissolving, we have seen him the Chief of those patriots who formed for us a constitution, which, by preserving the Union, will, I trust, substantiate and perpetuate those blessings our Revolution had promised to bestow.
In obedience to the general voice of his country, calling on him to preside over a great people, we have seen him once more quit the retirement he loved, and in a season more stormy and tempestuous than war itself, with calm and wise determination, pursue the true interests of the nation, and contribute, more than any other could contribute, to the establishment of that system of policy which will, I trust, yet preserve our peace, our honor, and our independence.
Having been twice unanimously chosen the Chief Magistrate of a free people, we see him at a time when his re-election, with the universal suffrage, could not have been doubted, affording to the world a rare instance of moderation, by withdrawing from his high station to the peaceful walks of private life.
However the public confidence may change, and the public affections fluctuate with respect to others, yet with respect to him they have in war and in peace, in public and in private life, been as steady as his own firm mind, and as constant as his own exalted virtues.
Let us then, Mr. Speaker, pay the last tribute of respect and affection to our departed friend—let the Grand Council of the nation display those sentiments which the nation feels.
For this purpose I hold in my hand some resolutions, which I will take the liberty to offer to the House.
Mr. Marshall having handed them in at the table, they were read, and unanimously agreed to by the House, in the words following, to wit:
The House of Representatives of the United States, having received intelligence of the death of their highly valued fellow-citizen, George Washington, General of the Armies of the United States, and sharing the universal grief this distressing event must produce, unanimously resolve:
1. That this House will wait on the President of the United States, in condolence of this national calamity.
2. That the Speaker's chair be shrouded with black, and that the members and officers of the House wear mourning, during the session.
3. That a joint committee of both Houses be appointed to report measures suitable to the occasion, and expressive of the profound sorrow with which Congress is penetrated on the loss of a citizen, first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.
4. That when this House adjourn, it will adjourn until Monday next.
Ordered, That Mr. Marshall and Mr. Smith be appointed a committee to wait on the President of the United States, to know when and where he will receive this House for the purpose expressed in the first resolution.
Ordered, That Mr. Marshall, Mr. Craik, Mr. Henry Lee, Mr. Eggleston, Mr. Smith, Mr. Stone, Mr. Rutledge, Mr. Abiel Foster, Mr. Muhlenberg, Mr. Van Cortlandt, Mr. Dwight Foster, Mr. Franklin Davenport, Mr. Claiborne, Mr. Morris, Mr. John Brown, and Mr. Taliaferro, be a committee, jointly with such committee as may be appointed on the part of the Senate, for the purpose expressed in the third resolution.
Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do acquaint the Senate therewith.
A Message was received from the President of the United States, which, together with the letter accompanying the same, was read and referred to the committee last appointed, and is as follows:
Gentlemen of the Senate, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:
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 country, rendered illustrious through the world. It remains for an affectionate and grateful people, in whose hearts he can never die, to pay suitable honor to his memory.
JOHN ADAMS.
United States, Dec. 19, 1799.
"Mount Vernon, Dec. 15, 1799
"Sir: It is with inexpressible grief that I have to announce to you the death of the great and good General Washington. He died last evening, between ten and eleven o'clock, after a short illness of about twenty hours. His disorder was an inflammatory sore throat, which proceeded from a cold, of which he made but little complaint on Friday. On Saturday morning, about three o'clock, he became ill. Doctor Craik attended him in the morning, and Doctor Dick, of Alexandria, and Doctor Brown, of Port Tobacco, were soon after called in. Every medical assistance was offered, but without the desired effect. His last scene corresponded with the whole tenor of his life; not a groan, nor a complaint, escaped him in extreme distress. With perfect resignation, and in full possession of his reason, he closed his well spent life.
"I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient and very humble servant,
"TOBIAS LEAR.
"The President of the United States."
Mr. Marshall, from the committee appointed to wait on the President of the United States, to know when and where it will be convenient for him to receive this House in condolence of the national calamity, reported that the committee had, according to order, performed that service, and that the President signified to them it would be convenient for him to receive this House at one o'clock this afternoon, at his own house.
A message from the Senate informed the House that the Senate have agreed to the resolution passed by the House of Representatives for the appointment of a joint committee of both Houses to report measures suitable to the occasion, and expressive of the profound sorrow with which Congress is penetrated on the loss of a citizen, first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen; and have appointed Mr. Dayton, Mr. Bingham, Mr. Dexter, Mr. Gunn, Mr. Laurance, and Mr. Tracy, a committee on their part.
The Speaker, attended by the House, then withdraw to the house of the President of the United States, when Mr. Speaker addressed the President as follows:
Sir: The House of Representatives, penetrated with a sense of the irreparable loss sustained by the nation in the death of that great and good man, the illustrious and beloved Washington, wait on you, sir, to express their condolence on this melancholy and distressing event.
To which the President replied as follows:
Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:
I receive, with great respect and affection, the condolence of the House of Representatives, on the melancholy and affecting event, in the death of the most illustrious and beloved personage which this country ever produced. I sympathize with you, with the nation, and with good men through the world, in this irreparable loss sustained by us all.
JOHN ADAMS.
United States, Dec. 19, 1799.