Phenix Gazette

From the National Gazette.

The dissolution of two of the three survivors of the magnanimous men who raised the perpetual standard of American sovereignty, within the same day, being that which closed the fiftieth year since their glorious deed, makes a coincidence so striking that it has immediately affected every person, and in a former age would have been deemed ominous, or at least a special dispensation of Divine Providence.

The decay of Mr. Adams's bodily faculties proceeded, for several months antecedent to his decease, so as nearly to extinguish all hope of the protraction of his life beyond the present summer. It is said that he rose on the 4th, without any particular increase of his debility, but became quite ill about noon, and then gradually worse. Those who had visited him within the year, are unanimous in stating that he continued to be one of the most interesting objects, that could be formed by a human being, for the veneration of his species. His old age, though feeble, was still manly and spirited--he conversed with apparent satisfaction, with intelligence, & with a copious memory of events and agents--he had not lost his patriotic fire, nor even the characteristic earnestness and minuteness of his concern in the affairs of his country. The general effect of his presence was powerful indeed, and almost unique, when to the impressions produced by those circumstances, was added the recollection of the eminent, perilous, intense part which he had borne in proposing and achieving the National Independence; of the various exalted and arduous public stations which he had filled, of his extensive learning, his sound morals, his simple personal habits, his warm affections, his thorough, inflexible Americanism, and his ultimate felicity in the elevation of his son to the Chief Magistracy of the Republic.

While we rejoice in the signal happiness which individuated the last stage of his career, it is impossible to refrain from recurring to the different final situation of his partner in death, and repeating the expression of a regret, however vain, for the bitterness which mingled with the ebb of nature in the Southern apostle of liberty. Both, certainly, had consolations for whatever physical or domestic ills could have befallen them, in the wonderful triumph of the institutions which they so largely contributed to found; the matchless growth, prosperity and prospects of the Union over which they had presided, and the common homage paid to their services and other deserts, notwithstanding the conflict of party interests and opinions. These political rivals did justice to each other, too; at least, in the period of their retirement. We remember to have heard Mr. Jefferson, in 1816, emphatically mention that his Federal predecessor was the very life of the Congress of 1776--that he urged the assertion of Independence, privately and officially, with incredible zeal and eloquence; and that no man could love his country more, serve her with keener perseverance, or act with more general rectitude, than John Adams.