Mr. Marshall, from the joint committee appointed to report what testimony of respect ought to be paid to the memory of the man first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen, made a report in part, which he delivered in at the table, where it was twice read, and unanimously agreed to, in the words following, to wit:
Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That a marble monument be erected by the United States, in the capitol, in the city of Washington, and that the family of General Washington be requested to permit his body to be deposited under it; and that the monument be so designed as to commemorate the great events of his military and political life.
And be it further resolved, That there be a funeral procession from Congress Hall to the German Lutheran Church, in honor of the memory of General George Washington, 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 Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives be desired to request one of the members of Congress to prepare and deliver the same.
And be it further resolved, That it be recommended to the people of the United States to wear crape on the left arm, as mourning for thirty days.
And be it further resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to direct a copy of these resolutions to be transmitted to Mrs. Washington, assuring her of the profound respect Congress will ever bear to her person and character; of their condolence on the late afflicting dispensation of Providence; and entreating her assent to the interment of the remains of General George Washington, in the manner expressed in the first resolution.
And be it further resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to issue a proclamation, notifying to the people throughout the United States the recommendation contained in the third resolution.
Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do carry the said resolutions to the Senate, and desire their concurrence.
Previous to the question being put upon the first resolution, Mr. H. Lee of Virginia, rose, and addressed the Chair as follows:
Mr. Speaker: In executing the task assigned to the committee, it will be observed much remains to be done; so far as they have gone, and as far as they may go, one hope is cherished, that whatever is done, will be unanimously adopted.
This will be most pleasing to our constituents, and most honorable to the character we all honor. Out of a wish to execute in the best manner the direction of the House, a difference of opinion will naturally prevail. This difference of opinion, however commendable, upon ascertaining the mode of public mourning, ought to be suppressed when we come to act; for unanimity then is, as I before stated, most to be wished for, whether the feelings of our constituents, or our intentions, on the celebrity which all desire to give to the high occasion, govern.