The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-05-08

ANDREW COYLE,
s.. JAMES LUSBY,
JOSIAH DENT,
r.. X. HARRIS
Washington City, April 80, lS4l.
NOTICE OF m
GEN. HARRISON WHILE in WASHINGTON.
HIS INAUGURATION.
The three days previous to his Inauguration, after
his arrival in Washington, mostly spent at the
Mansion Of the Mayor Of the city, where he received
at all hours of the day the visits Of his friends and fell
lowcitizens The urbanity Of his manners, the open
hearted frankness with which he received the congra
tuations Of his friends deeply impressed all impartial
and dsDterested persons at the Capital with the con-
fdent assurance that he about to enter upon the
high Office to which he had been called with single
heart and purpose 70 discharge and faithfully execute
the important trust
Numerous strangers, from almost every section Of
this wide spread Republic for days and weeks proceed
ing the 4th of March, had been rushing into this Me-
tropols till the crowd had become immense almost be-
yond calculation. Every hotel and boarding house
was filled to OVERLOOKING, and almost every private
sidence crowded beyond convenient accommodation
The procession for the Inauguration was formed in
beautiful order and as 1t passed along the streets and
avenues to the Capitol the throngng multitude, pres
sing against each other, seemed TO move on like the
ocean wave, and with the noise Of many waters"
The spontaneous expression Of JOY and gadness
even from the aged matron and the blooming maiden,
together with the waving Of handkerchiefs from the
crowded windows, proclaimed to the war-worn vete-
ran welcome to the highest h9nors Of his country
After taking the oath of Office and having delivered
his Inaugural Address, he returned from the Capitol
to the Presidents Mansion amid the increased accla
nation of nearly forty thousand of his admirng
trymen, who there rendered him their cordial congra
tulations Thus passed away this joyous day of his
political triumph, suspectng that in short
month the whole scene would be changed; that GoD
was preparing to summon him away from the height
Of his earthly glory we trust tca more exalted station
at his right hand.
HIS RELIGIOUS CHARACTER.
The next morning (the 9Th of March) Gen. HAIR
RIsoN walked down on the avenue and purchased a
Quarto Bible and Book of Common Prayer, which he
carried home with him, and directed the servant to
place in his bedroom, where saw them the night
of his deaththereby indicating that he had chosen
that Holy Book for the rule Of his faith and guide Of
his life in the execution of the important trust
mtted to his charge This Bible he was seen reading
early every morning and late every evening.
In his first letter to Mrs HARRISON after his Inau-
guraton he states that after he had returned from the
Capitol to the Presidents Mansion, as soon as he
could command any time, he retired to his room and
fell down upon his knees before his Maker, thank
ing him for all his mercies and duplicating his gra-
of his high station to his country and his God
On Sunday morning, the 7th BENJAMIN HARRIsoN,
Esq Of Virginia, at the request Of the President call
&C hSqse desiring 70 knew Whether hs could es
that day. and expressing wish TO obtain the
Gently occupied by Mrs MADISON which the owner
accorded 70 him. In the public worship the church.
he conormed to all her rituals in the audible responses
of the service, and, with that humility SO Expressive Of
devout feelings and humble devotion, bowed himself
on his knees before the Majesty Of Heaven and sup
plcated that mercy of which, as a sinner, however
highly exalted his station, he stood much in need.
Thus following the example of the pious rulers Of
Israel and the llustrous in every age who have
adorned the doctrine Of God their Saviour+
The following day he purchased the pew, and re-
guary attended the service of the church every Sum
day morning until prevented by his last fatal sickness
His high regard for the Sabbath was such, that Of
late years he always avoided travelling that holy
day, unless from absolute necessity and during the
short period he occupied the Presidents Mansion,
carefully avoided all company that day. and dined
at an early hour, that he might attend public worship
in the afternoon with his family, some Of whom be-
longed to tile communion of the Presbyterian Church
His high estimation for the people of Cod was
most nobIy shown in kindness to his Ministers On
a recent occasion, he said to brother clergyman Of
mine, with whom he had been for some time acquaint
ed whom i'll health prevented from the performance Of
his clerical duties, and on whom he had within few
weeks conferred vacant cerkshp until his health
would enable him to resume the duties of his minis
teria Office: ~ company Sunday and dine
in plain way but shall be always happy to see
you At my table, for love to have the Clergy with
| on Sunday" @sf @s 5. l1,5 tfE
In this connexion it may be proper to state that, at
his own hospitabe mansion at North Bend when the
infrm health Of Mrs. HARRISON would not allow her
to attend public worship elsewhere, Gen. III would of
ten obtain the services Of clergyman for the day and
remunerate him literally. Il has also been stated to
me by member of the family that some years since
he accidentally became acquainted with young Min
lister Of the Methodist Church in INDECENT crcumstan
ces whose native talents and powers of mind promised
extensive usefulness If properly cultivated Gen H.
kindly invited him to become member of his family
and offered him the Of his library until well pepa
red for the exercise of his ministry This young cler
qyman is now distinguished and successful aborer
/ in the vineyard of our Lord. -
or late years, notwithstanding his having erected
mostly at his own expense, church in his immediate
vicinity, yet not being able 10 support clergyman for
the regular services Of the church. he in the habit
Of leaving home Saturday afternoon for the sole
purpose Of attending the church in Cincinnati, Of
which the Rev. ]. T. BRooKE is Rector twice thrice
day. He also frequently attended stated weekly
lecture.
bic practice to rise with tho dawn of day. and after
reading the Scripture to take walk for exercise and
seldom did he breakfast dine without old friend
or acquaintance partakng of his hospitality. In this
iffor dscnga ged from his official duties and
the press Of vsiters, he would steal away from his
family and visit Of his old acquaintance with all
that cordially and generous good feeling character
istic of the warm-hearted soldier and devoted friend
HIS DEATH. 3f sya#e saI
With this brief notice of past events, TO the
closing scene of the melancholy drama. On Thurs
day, the 25h Of March, in short interview with him,
he complained Of being quite unwe; and this indis-
position continued to increase until the exposure his
person in the morning walk Of Saturday brought on
severe chill and fever, which the best MEDICAL skill
could not arrest. No human power could stay the
ravages of his disease The community generally in
this city, without distinction Of party manifested much
anxiety for his recovery and in great numbers daily
and hourly called at his residence with anxious inqu-
a. III.
violent and exciting character seemed, in the opinion
Of his physicians forbid the usual religious services
in bis sick room, lest they might produce unfavora
bic effect. ,t Y. Eve, M
On Saturday evening, the Sd instant at o'clock
be rapidly failing, and as little or no hope could be