Death of

ton,

share in the disputes which had brought the two republics to the verge of war. With him, negotiations were commenced, and soon terminated in a pacific settlement of all differences. The joy to which this event gave birth, was great; but in it general Washington did not partake; for, before accounts arrived of this amicable adjustment, he ceased to be numbered with the living!

While out of doors, on the 13th DeWashing- cember 1799, attending to some improve$799. ments on his estate, his neck and hair, from a slight rain, became wet. In the following night he was seized with an inflammatory affection of the wind-pipe, attended with some pain and difficult deglutition, which was soon succeeded by fever and a laborious respiration.

He was bled in the night, but would not permit his family physician to be sent for before day. About eleven o'clock Dr. Craik arrived, and, rightly judging that the case was serious, recommended that two consulting physicians should be sent for. The united powers of all three were in vain; respiration became more contracted and imperfect. Between eleven and twelve o'clock on Saturday night, and in about thirty-five hours from the time he was in his usual health, he ex

pired without a struggle, and in the perfect use of his reason.

In every stage of his disorder he believed that he should die, and was so much under this impression, that he submitted to the prescriptions of his physicisns more from a sense of duty than expectation of relief. Having

given them a trial, he expressed a wish that he might be permitted to die without farther interruption. After his power of deglutition was gone, he undressed himself and went to bed, to die there. To his friend and physician, Dr. Craik, he said, “I am dying, and have been dying for a long time; but I am not afraid to die." The equanimity which attended him through life did not forsake him in death. He submitted to the inevitable stroke with the dignity of a man, the calmness of a philosopher, and the resignation and confidence of a christian.

On the 18th of July, his body, attended by military honours and the offices of religion, was deposited in the family vault on his

estate.

Intelligence of the death of Washington having reached congress, they instantly adjourned until the next day. When re-assembled, John Marshall, esquire, then a member of the house of representatives, and since chief justice

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justice of the United States, and biographer of Washington, addressed the speaker in the following words:

"The melancholy event which was yesterday announced with doubt, has been rendered but too certain. Our Washington is no more! the hero-the patriot, and the sage of America!-the man on whom, in times of danger, every eye was turned, and all hopes were placed, lives now only in his own great actions and in the hearts of an affectionate and afflicted people!

“If, Sir, it had even not been usual openly to testify respect for the memory of those whom heaven has selected as its instruments for dispensing good to man, yet such has been the uncommon worth, and such the extraordinary incidents which have marked the life of him whose loss we all deplore, that the whole American nation, impelled by the same feelings, would call with one voice for public manifestation of that sorrow, which is so deep and so universal.

"More than any other individual, and as much as to one individual was possible, has he contributed to found this our wide spreading empire, and to give to the western world independence and freedom.

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Having effected the great object for

which he was placed at the head of our armies, we have seen him convert the sword into the ploughshare, and sink the soldier into the citizen.

"When the debility of our federal system had become manifest, and the bonds which connected this vast continent were dissolving, we have seen him the chief of those patriots who formed for us a constitution, which, by preserving the union, will, I trust, substantiate and perpetuate those blessings which our revolution had promised to bestow.

"In obedience to the general voice of his country, calling him to preside over a great people, we have seen him once more quit the retirement he loved, and, in a season more stormy and tempestuous than war itself, with calm and wise determination pursue the true interests of the nation, and contribute more than any other could contribute to the establishment of that system of policy which will, I trust, yet preserve our peace, our honour, and our independence.

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Having been twice unanimously chosen the chief magistrate of a free people, we have seen him, at a time when his re-election with universal suffrage could not be doubted, afford to the world a rare instance of moderation, by withdrawing from his high station tọ the peaceful walks of private life. "However

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However the public confidence may change, and the public affections fluctuate, with respect to others, with respect to him they have, in war and in peace, in public and in private life, been as steady as his own firm mind, and as constant as his own exalted virtues.

"Let us then, Mr. Speaker, pay the last tribute of respect and affection to our departed friend. Let the grand council of the nation display those sentiments which the nation feels. For this purpose I hold in my hand some Resolutions which I take the liberty of offering to the house.

"Resolved, That this house will wait on the president, in condolence of this mournful

event.

"Resolved, That the speaker's chair be shrouded with black, and that the members and officers of the house wear black during the session.

“Resolved, That a committee, in conjunction with one from the senate, be appointed to consider on the most suitable manner of paying honour to the memory of the MAN, first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his fellow-citizens."

The senate of the United States, on this event, addressed the president in these words:

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"The