Respect to the Memory of General Washington.
On a motion made and seconded that the House do come to the following resolution, to wit:
"The House of Representatives of the United States, highly gratified with the manner in which Mr. Lee has performed the service assigned to him under the resolution desiring the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives to request one of the members of Congress to prepare and deliver a funeral oration on the death of George Washington; and desirous of communicating to their fellow-citizens, through the medium of the press those sentiments of respect for the character, of gratitude for the services, and of grief for the death of that illustrious personage, which, felt by all, have on this melancholy occasion been so well expressed:
"Resolved, That the Speaker present the thanks of this House to Mr. Lee, for the oration delivered by him to both Houses of Congress on Thursday, the twenty-sixth instant; and request that he will permit a copy thereof to be taken for publication:"
The question was taken that the House do agree to the same, and unanimously resolved in the affirmative.
Monday, December 30.
Respect to the Memory of General Washington.
The Speaker informed the House that, in pursuance of the resolution of Friday last, he had addressed to Major General Henry Lee, one of the members for the State of Virginia, the following letter:
"Philadelphia, Dec. 27, 1799.
"Dear Sir: The enclosed resolutions, which unanimously passed the House of Representatives this day, will make known to you how highly they have been gratified with the manner in which you have performed the service assigned to you, in preparing and delivering a funeral oration on the death of General Washington. That our constituents may participate in the gratification we have received, from your having so well expressed those sentiments of respect for the character, of gratitude for the services, and of grief for the death of that illustrious personage, I flatter myself you will not hesitate to comply with the request of the House, by furnishing a copy of your oration, to be taken for publication.