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.
Monday, December 23.
Thomas T. Davis, from Kentucky; Robert Williams, from North Carolina; and John Dennis, from Maryland; appeared, produced their credentials, were qualified, and took their seats in the House.