Resolved, That the Senate of the United States accept the prints presented by John Trumbull, Esq., and that their President be requested to inform him, that while they respect the delicacy which dictated the manner of offering this elegant present, they consider their country honored by the genius of one of her sons, by whom these prints are happily designed, to perpetuate two memorable scenes in her progress to independence, and to preserve in lively recollection the names and virtues of heroes who fell in her defence.
Thursday, December 19.
The following Message was received from the President of the United States:
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 honors to his memory.
JOHN ADAMS.
United States, December 19, 1799.
The Message and letter were read and ordered to lie for consideration.
A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House having received intelligence of the death of their highly-valued fellow-citizen, General George Washington, and sharing the universal grief this distressing event must produce, have resolved that a joint committee 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; and, having appointed a committee on their part, desire the concurrence of the Senate.