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: