UNITED STATES, _December 23, 1799_.
The Senate returned to their own Chamber.
A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the
joint committee appointed on the part of the House of Representatives,
on the 19th instant, on the receipt of the intelligence of the death of
General GEORGE WASHINGTON, having made report to that House, they have
agreed to sundry resolutions thereupon, in which they desire the
concurrence of the Senate.
Mr. DAYTON, from the joint committee appointed the 19th instant, on the
part of the Senate, on the receipt of the intelligence of the death of
General GEORGE WASHINGTON, reported in part, and the report was agreed
to. Whereupon,
The Senate took into consideration the resolutions of the House of
Representatives, of this day, on the report of the joint committee on
the subject above mentioned, and which resolutions are as follows:
_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, at 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.
_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.
_Resolved, unanimously_, That the Senate do concur in the aforesaid
resolutions.
THURSDAY, December 26.
In conformity to the resolve of the 23d instant, the Senate went in
procession to the German Lutheran Church, where was delivered an oration
in honor of the memory of General GEORGE WASHINGTON. After which, they
returned to their own Chamber, and adjourned.
FRIDAY, December 27.
_Resolved_, That the thanks of the Senate be communicated, through their
President, to General HENRY LEE, for the eloquent and impressive oration
to the memory of General GEORGE WASHINGTON, which he prepared and
delivered at the request of Congress.
_Resolved_, That the Secretary be directed to apply to General LEE for a
copy of the same.
MONDAY, December 30.
THOMAS JEFFERSON, Vice President of the United States, and President of
the Senate, attended.
JESSE FRANKLIN, appointed a Senator by the Legislature of the State of
North Carolina, produced his credentials, was qualified, and took his
seat in the Senate.
The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate a letter signed John Cleves
Symmes, stating the reasons why Congress should be induced to receive
of him the purchase money for certain public lands at the contract
price; and the letter was read.
Mr. LIVERMORE laid before the Senate a letter signed Henry Lee, in
answer to their vote of thanks of the 27th instant, and request of a
copy of his oration; which was read.
Mr. DAYTON, from the joint committee appointed the 19th instant, on the
intelligence of the death of General GEORGE WASHINGTON, made a further
report, in part, and it was agreed that the consideration thereof be
postponed.
TUESDAY, December 31.
A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the
House have passed "Resolutions directing further measures in honor of
the memory of General George Washington," in which they desire the
concurrence of the Senate.
The resolutions were read, as follows:
_Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled_, That
it be recommended to the people of the United States to
assemble on the 22d day of February next, in such numbers
and manner as may be convenient, publicly to testify their
grief for the death of General GEORGE WASHINGTON, by
suitable eulogies, orations, and discourses, or by public
prayers.
_And be it further resolved_, That the PRESIDENT be
requested to issue a proclamation for the purpose of
carrying the foregoing resolution into effect.
Whereupon, _Resolved_, That the Senate do concur in the said resolution.
FRIDAY, January 3, 1800.
WILSON CARY NICHOLAS, appointed a Senator by the Legislature of the
State of Virginia, to supply the vacancy occasioned by the death of
Henry Tazewell, Esq., produced his credentials, was qualified, and took
his seat in the Senate.
TUESDAY, January 7.
STEPHENS THOMPSON MASON, from the State of Virginia, attended.
WEDNESDAY, January 8.
The following Message was received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES:
_Gentlemen of the Senate, and Gentlemen of the House of
Representatives:_
In compliance with the request in one of the resolutions of
Congress, of the 21st of December last, I transmitted a
copy of those resolutions, by my Secretary, Mr. Shaw, to
Mrs. WASHINGTON, assuring her of the profound respect
Congress will ever bear to her person and character; of
their condolence in 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. As the sentiments of
that virtuous lady, not less beloved by this nation than
she is at present greatly afflicted, can never be so well
expressed as in her own words, I transmit to Congress her
original letter.
It would be an attempt of too much delicacy to make any
comments upon it; but there can be no doubt that the nation
at large, as well as all the branches of the Government,
will be highly gratified by any arrangement which may
diminish the sacrifice she makes of her individual
feelings.