Jenks's Portland Gazette

Portland
Monday, December 30, '99.

AGONIZING MORTALITY!

WASHINGTON.

THE FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY, AND THE
ADMIRATION OF THE WORLD
IS DEAD!

It is the inexpressibly grievous task of this day, to announce to the people of Maine, the melancholy tidings of the Death of the illustriously Great and Good
General George Washington
Who Died Suddenly,
On Saturday, the 14th of December, 1799
At his Seat at Mount-Vernon,

The intelligence of this afflicting event, so distressing to the bosoms of Americans, was brought to this town on Thursday evening last, by Maj. Rowe, of the U. S. Infantry. The morning following, the Selectmen, moved with the same sorrow which touched the hearts of all the grateful inhabitants of the town, judging they wished to manifest their respect to the memory of that justly esteemed man, recommended a suspension of business and amusements from one o'clock 'till the close of the day, ordered the bells to be tolled, and engaged the Rev. Dr. Deane, to deliver a Funeral Oration in the evening, on the solemn occasion. They judged rightly—for the recommendation was almost universally complied with ;—the shops and stores, as well as the public offices were closed, and tokens of grief very generally observed. Minute guns were fired, and the U. S. flag displayed at half mast from the Shipping. It was truly affecting to see the change which suddenly took place. The bustle of business gave way at once to the silence of sympathetic sorrow.— The solemn services of the evening, which were attended by a numerous assemblage, were performed to general satisfaction. They were commenced by a funeral hymn. A pathetic and affecting address to the Supreme Being was then made by the Rev. Mr. Kellock which was followed by another hymn. An pertinent funeral oration, meriting the approbation of the audience, was then delivered by the Rev. Dr. Deane; and a funeral anthem closed the solemnities. -The music did credit to the performers. For them, as well as to the Rev. Orator, who readily complied with the request of the Selectmen, tho' the notice given him was short, and to the other Rev. Gentleman, and also to Capt. Moody and his company of artillery, for their services, the Selectmen have desired thus publicly to present their thanks.

CONGRESS. HOUSE, &c. Dec. 19.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

Gentlemen of the House of Representatives

The letter herewith transmitted will inform you that it has pleased Divine Providence to remove from this life our excellent fellow-citizen, GEORGE WASHINGTON, by the purity of his character, and a long series of services to his country, rendered illustrious through the world. It remains for an affectionate and grateful people, in whose hearts he can never die, to pay suitable honor to his memory.

JOHN ADAMS.

'SIR,

'MOUNT-VERNON, DEC, 16,

'IT is with inexpressible grief, that I am.

'announce to you the death of the great and good

'General Washington. He died last evening,

'between 10 and 11 o'clock, after a short illness of

'about twenty four hours. His disorder was an

'inflammatory sore throat, which proceeded from

'a cold, of which he made but little complaint

'on Friday. On Saturday morning, about three

'o'clock, he became ill. Dr. Dick attended him

'in the morning, and Dr. Craik, of Alexandria,

'and Dr. Brown of Port Tobacco, were soon af-

'ter called in. Every medical assistance was of-

'fered, but without the desired effect. His last

'scene corresponded with the whole tenor of his

'life. Not a groan nor a complaint escaped him

'though in extreme distress. With perfect resig-

'nation, and full possession of his reason, he clo-

'sed his well spent life.'

'I have the honor to be, &c.

'TOBIAS LEAR.'

'The President of the United States.'

House of Representatives, Dec. 19

Mr. Marshall, with deep sorrow on his countenance, and in a low, pathetic tone of voice, rose and addressed the House as follows:

The melancholy event which was yesterday announced with doubt, has been rendered but too certain. Our WASHINGTON is no more! The hero, the sage, and the patriot 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 affected people.

If, sir, it had not been usual, openly to testify respect for the memory of those whom heaven had 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 A. merican nation, impelled by the same feelings, would call with one voice for a 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 its independence and its freedom. 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 plough share and voluntarily sink the soldier in the citizen.

When the debility of our federal system had become manifest, and the bonds which connected the parts of 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 our revolution had promised to bestow.

In obedience to the general voice of his country, calling on 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 honor, and our independence.—

Having been twice unanimously chosen the Chief Magistrate of a free people, we see him at a time when his re election with the universal suffrage could not have been doubted, affording the world a rare instance of moderation, by withdrawing from his high station to the peace ful walks of private life:

However public confidence may change and the public affections fluctuate with respect to others, yet 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 will take the liberty to offer to the house.

Resolved, That this House will wait on the President of the United States, in condolence of the great 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 honor to the memory of the man FIRST IN WAR, FIRST IN PEACE, and first in the HEARTS of his country."

[Sixteen members were appointed on the third motion.

Generals Marshall and Smith, having waited on the President to know when he would be ready to receive them -The President named one o'clock this day. The House accordingly waited on him, when the Speaker thus addressed the President;

SIR,

THE House of Representatives, penetrated with a sense of the irreparable loss sustained by the nation, by the death of that great and good Man, the illustrious and beloved WASHINGTON, wait on you, sir. to express their condolence on this melancholy and distressing event.

To which THE PRESIDENT replied.

Gentlemen of the House of Representatives

I RECEIVE with great respect and affection, the condolence of the House of Representatives, on the melancholy and afflicting event in the death of the most illustrious and beloved Personage which the country ever produced. I sympathize with you--with the nation, and with good men, thro' the world, in the irreparable loss sustained by us all.

JOHN ADAMS.

[The Senate concurred with the House in the appointment of a joint committee -and named seven members.]

WAR DEPARTMENT.

The President, with deep regret announces to the army, the death of its beloved Chief.
GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON.

Sharing in the grief which every heart must feel for so heavy and afflicting a public loss; and desirous to express his high sense of the vast debt of gratitude which is due to the virtues, talents, and ever-memorable services of the illustrious deceased, he directs that FUNERAL HONORS be paid to him at all the military stations. And that the Officers of the army and of the several corps of volunteers wear crape on the left arm, by way of mourning, for six months. Majr General Hamilton will give the necessary orders for carrying into effect the foregoing directions.

Given at the War-Office of the United States. &c

JAMES McHENRY, Sec'y at War.

December 19th, 1799:

General Washington's Death;

Has justly caused a general and solemn mourning throughout the United States. In most populous places public amusements are suspended-
And proper methods adopted to express the universal grief of the people. Well may our country deplore the loss of so much human excellence—For sure

"A nation ne'er lost a man of so much worth."

The Festival of St. John, was celebrated by the Portland Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, on Friday last. Their hall was shrouded in black, for the loss of their illustrious brother Gen. WASHINGTON.