from the legislature of the Union, to the memory of the departed patriot and sage, the native of their soil, and the citizen of their community.

"It is not without some hesitation and some diffidence, that I have risen to offer, in my own behalf, and in that of my colleagues upon this floor, and of our common constituents, to join our voice at once of mourning and of exultation, at the event announced to both Houses of Congress, by the message from the President of the United States-of mourning at the bereavement which has befallen our common country, by the decease of one of her most illustrious sons; of exultation at the spectacle afforded to the observation of the civilized world, and for the emulation of aftertimes, by the close of a life of usefulness and glory, after forty years of service in trusts of the highest dignity and splendour that a confiding country could bestow, succeeded by twenty years of retirement and private life, not inferior in the estimation of the virtuous and the wise, to the honours of the highest station that ambition can ever attain.

"Of the public life of JAMES MADISON, what could I say that is not deeply impressed upon the memory and upon the heart of every one within the sound of my voice? Of his private life, what but must meet an echoing shout of applause from every voice within this hall? Is it not, in a pre-eminent degree, by emanations from his mind that we are assembled here as the representatives of the people and States of this Union? Is it not transcendantly by his exertions that we all address each other here by the endearing appellation of countrymen and fellow-citizens? Of that band of benefactors of the human race, the founders of the Constitution of the United States, JAMES MADISON is the last who has gone to his reward. Their glori ous work has survived them all. They have transmitted the A*

precious bond of union to us, now entirely a succeeding generation to them. May it never cease to be a voice of admonition to us of our duty to transmit the inheritance unimpaired to our children of the rising age.

"Of the personal relations of this great man, which gave rise to the long career of public service in which twenty years of my own life have been engaged, it becomes me not to speak. The fulness of the heart must be silent, even to the suppression of the overflowings of gratitude and affection."

The resolution was then unanimously adopted, and the following named members were appointed of the committee on the part of the House: Messrs.

The same day Mr. RIVES reported to the Senate, and Mr. PATTON to the House of Representatives, from the Joint Committee, the following:

"The President of the United States having communicated to the two Houses of Congress, the melancholy intelligence of the death of their illustrious and beloved fellow-citizen, JAMES MADISON of Virginia, late President of the United States, and

the two Houses sharing in the general grief which this distressing event must produce,

"Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the chairs of the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives be shrouded in black during the present session; and that the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the members and officers of both Houses wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days.

"Resolved, That it be recommended to the people of the United States to wear crape on the left arm, as mourning, for thirty days.

Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to transmit a copy of these resolutions to Mrs. MADISON, and to assure her of the profound respect of the two Houses of Congress for her person and character, and of their sincere condolence on the late afflicting dispensation of Providence."

The report and resolutions were unanimously adopted in both Houses.

On the same day the following General Orders were issued from the Navy Department:

"NAVY DEPARTMENT, 30th June, 1836.

"To the officers of the Navy and Marine Corps:

"The President of the United States, with deep affliction, announces to the navy and marine corps the death of the illustrious statesman and patriot JAMES MADISON, late President of the United States, who died at Montpelier on the morning of the 28th instant.

"As a testimony of the high sense of feeling for the loss. which our country has sustained, in the death of this great and

good man, and in which the navy and marine corps participate with the whole American people, the President directs that funeral honors be paid to him by the vessels of the navy in our own and foreign ports, by wearing their colours half-mast, for one week; that twenty-one minute guns be fired at each navy yard and in all public vessels in commission at 12 o'clock, M. on the day after this order shall be received; and that the officers of the navy and marine corps wear crape on the left arm for six months. "MAHLON DICKERSON."

On the next day the following General Orders were issued from the War Department:

"HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,

"The Major General commanding in Chief, has received through the War Department the commands of the President to announce to the Army the death of the illustrious statesman and patriot Ex-President MADISON; who died at his seat at Montpelier, in Virginia, on the morning of the 28th of June.

"As a testimony of the feeling for the loss which the nation has sustained in the death of this great and distinguished citizen, in which the Army participates, the PRESIDENT directs that funeral honors, agreeably to the regulations, be paid to the memory of the deceased, at all the military posts, the day after the receipt of this Order; and by the army in the field, where circumstances will permit.

"BY COMMAND OF MAJOR GENERAL MACOMB.

On the 9th of July, 1836, the President of the United States transmitted the resolutions of the Senate and House of Representatives to Mrs. MADISON with the following letter:

"WASHINGTON, July 9th, 1836.

"MADAM: It appearing to have been the intention of Congress to make me the organ of assuring you of the profound respect entertained by both its branches for your person and character, and of their sincere condolence in the late afflicting dispensation of Providence, which has at once deprived you of a beloved companion, and your country of one of its most valued citizens; I perform that duty by transmitting the documents herewith enclosed.

"No expression of my own sensibility at the loss sustained by yourself and the nation could add to the consolation to be derived from these high evidences of the public sympathy. Be assured, Madam, that there is not one of your countrymen who feels more poignantly the stroke which has fallen upon you, or who will cherish with a more enduring constancy the memory of the virtues, the services, and the purity of the illustrious man, whose glorious and patriotic life has been just terminated by a tranquil death.

"I have the honour to be, Madam, your most obedient servant,

"To Mrs. D. P. MADISON,

“Montpelier, Virginia.”

"ANDREW JACKSON.

The following is the reply of Mrs. MADISON:

'MONTPELIER, August 20, 1836. "I received, sir, in due time, your letter conveying to me the resolutions Congress were pleased to adopt on the occasion of the death of my beloved husband-a communication made the more grateful by the kind expression of your sympathy which it contained.

"The high and just estimation of my husband by my countrymen and friends, and their generous participation in the