JAMES K. POLK.

WAR DEPARTMENT, _February 24, 1848_.

The President of the United States with deep regret announces to the

Army the death of John Quincy Adams, our eminent and venerated

fellow-citizen.

While occupying his seat as a member of the House of Representatives, on

the 21st instant he was suddenly prostrated by disease, and on the 23d

expired, without having been removed from the Capitol. He had filled

many honorable and responsible stations in the service of his country,

and among them that of President of the United States; and he closed his

long and eventful life in the actual discharge of his duties as one of

the Representatives of the people.

From sympathy with his relatives and the American people for his loss

and from respect for his distinguished public services, the President

orders that funeral honors shall be paid to his memory at each of the

military stations.

The Adjutant-General will give the necessary instructions for carrying

into effect the foregoing orders.

W.L. MARCY,

_Secretary of War_.

II. On the day succeeding the arrival of this general order at each

military post the troops will be paraded at 10 o'clock a.m. and the

order read to them, after which all labors for the day will cease.

The national flag will be displayed at half-staff.

At dawn of day thirteen guns will be fired, and afterwards, at intervals

of thirty minutes between the rising and setting sun, a single gun, and

at the close of the day a national salute of twenty-nine guns.

The officers of the Army will wear crape on the left arm and on their

swords and the colors of the several regiments will be put in mourning

for the period of six months.

By order:

R. JONES,

_Adjutant-General._

A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents. Volume 4, part 3: James Knox Polk · 第 254 / 289 题