The Madisonian

HONOR TO THE DEAD AND THE LIVING.

From every quarter, as it flies, the news of the calamitous explosion on board the Princeton is responded to by expressions of private grief, and by resolutions of condolence passed by public bodies.

Though these offerings of respectful regret, profound and universal, may not at once extract the sting of sorrow, they may serve to abate its poignancy, until time shall have done its healing office, when they must be recurred to with mournful pride and satisfaction.

That to the chief, and most afflicted surviving actor, Capt. Stockton, should be meted a full share of these expressions of sympathy and confidence, indicates a generous and refined public spirit, alike honorable to the public, and to him whom they are designed to console.

It may be well supposed that, if one of these demonstrations of regard for his character and feelings can be more acceptable than another to the accomplished and hospitable Commander of the Princeton, it must be such as the following, emanating from the public councils of his native New Jersey, whose military and civil annals from time long past to the present, have been illustrated by the talents and bravery of patriots of his name.

STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

Whereas, authentic information has been received of the recent occurrence of a lamentable accident on board of the United States steam ship Princeton, in the vicinity of Washington, which resulted in the death of several distinguished citizens of the United States, and among them of the Hon. Abel P. Upshur, Secretary of State, and the Hon. Thomas W. Gilmer, Secretary of the Navy,

Resolved, (Council concurring.) That the Legislature of New Jersey regard as a national calamity the sudden and violent decease by a melancholy accident of so many citizens of distinguished worth and talent, and that they deplore, especially, the severe loss which the country has sustained by this awful visitation of Providence in the death of two members of the Cabinet, for whose great abilities and illustrious services, they entertain the most profound respect, and the most sincere gratitude.

Resolved, That this Legislature tender to the President of the United States their deep sense of the affliction which has deprived him of two of his legal and confidential advisers, and to the families of the Hon. Abel P. Upshur, late Secretary of State, and of the Hon. Thomas W. Gilmer, late Secretary of the Navy, the warmest expressions of their sympathy and condolence for the afflicting bereavement, which has converted the houses they adorned into abodes of sorrow and desolation.

Resolved, That while we rejoice at the personal escape of our fellow-citizen, Robert F. Stockton, the gallant commander of the steamship Princeton, and at the complete exoneration from blame of himself, his officers, and crew; yet we deeply sympathize with him in the feelings of anxiety and grief, which must have been excited by the occurrence of so terrible a calamity on board a vessel under his command.

Resolved, That as a mark of respect for the deceased, the members of this Legislature will wear the usual badge of mourning during the remainder of the session.

Resolved, That these resolutions be signed by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, and the Vice-President of the Council, and that copies thereof be transmitted by the Governor of this State to the President of the United States, to the families of the late Secretaries of State and of the Navy, and to Captain Robert F. Stockton, of the United States Navy

JAMES PATTERSON,
Vice President of Council.

JOSEPH TAYLOR, Speaker

Passed 4th March, 1844.