Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-05-17
From The .Nationdl InieLiigepcer.
NOTIClA OF GEN. HARRISON WHILE IN
WASHINGTON
mas iNAUeUs ATIoN.

HisfNAUGU RATION.
The three days previous to his Inauguration, af |
Ter his arrival in Washington, were mostly spent
at the mansiou Of the Mayor of the city, where he
received at elk hours ofthe day visits OF his friends
and fellow citizens. The urhanty of his manners,
the cpen-henrted frankness with which hereceiv-
ed the congratulations of his friends deeply i'm
pressed all impartial and disnterested persons at
the Capital with the confident assurances that he
was about TO enter upon the high Office TO which |
he had been called with single heart and pur
pose TO discharge and faithfully execute the i'm
porTant trust.
Numerous strangers, from almost every section
of this wide spread Republic, for days and weeks
preceding the llh of March, had been rushing into
this Metropolis, till the crowd had become inn
mcnse almost beyond calculation. Every hotel
and boarding hWnse slled 80 overlooking, and
almost every private residence crowded beyond
convenient accommodation. y
The procession for the Inauguration was form
ed in beautiful order and, rs it passed along the
streets and avenues TO the Capitol, the thronglng
multitude, pressing against each other, seemed TO
move on like the ocean wave, and with the "noise
of many waters"
The spontaneous expression Of joy and glad
ness which ever and anon burst forth from young
and old, even from the aged matron and the bloom
ing maiden together with the waving of handker-
chiefs from rhe crowded windows, proclaimed to
the war-worn veteran welcome TO the highest
honors of bis country. After taking the oath of
Office, and having delivered his Inaugural Address,
he returned to the Presidents Mansion amid the
increased reclamation of nearly forty thousand oil
his admring countrymen, who there rendered him
their cordial congratulations. Thus passed away
this joyous day of his political triumph, none sus-
pecting that in one short month the whole scene
would be changed that GoD was preparing TO
summon him away from the height OF his earthly
glory trust to more exalted station at his right
hand.
HIS ELIGIOUS RACTER,
The next morning THE 9Th of March) General
Harrison walked down on the avenue, and pur-
chased a Quarto Bible and Book of Common
PRAYER, which he carried home with him, and d.
rected the servant to place in his bedroom, where
] saw them on the night Of his death-thereby IN
dicatiug that he had chosen that Holy Book for
the rule of his faith and guide OF his life in the eX
ecution of the important trust committed to his
charge. This Bible he reading early
every morning and late every evening.
In his first letter to Mrs. Harrison after his In
auguration, he states that, after he returned from
the Capitol 10 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, thanking him for all his merces and sup
plicatng his gracious guidance in the faithful dis
charge of the duties of his high station to his
country and his God.
On Sunday morning the 9TH, Benjamin Harri-
son, Esq, of Virginia. at the request Of the Presi
dent called at my house, desiring to know whether
he could be accommodated with pew for himself
and family for that day, and expressed wish to
obtain the one recently occupied by Mrs. Madison,
- which the owner accorded to him. In the public
worship of the church ne coniormed to all her rlt-
uals in the audible responses of the service, and
with that humility so expressive OF devout feel
ings and humble devotion, bowed himself on his
knees before the Majesty OF Heaven, and suppl
Gated that mercy, of which, as sinner, however
highly exalted his station, he stood so much in
need Thus following the example of the pious
rulers of Israel and the ilIustrious men in every
age who have adorned the doctrine of God their
Saviour.*
The following day he purchased the pew, and
regularly attended the service of the church every
Sunday morning until prevented by his last fatal
sickness.
His high regard Tor the Sabbath was such, that,
of late years he always avoided travelling on that
day, aud dined at an early hour, that he might at
tend public worship in the afternoon with his fam
lily, some of whom belonged to the communion
of the Presbyterian Church.
His high estimation for the "people of God"
was most nobly shown in kindness to his Minis
tiers. On recent occasion, he said to q brother
clergyman of mine, with whom he had been for
some time acquainted, whom i'll health prevented
from the performance of his clerical duties, and
on whom he had within few weeks conferred O
vacant clerkship until lis health would enable him
to resume the duties of his ministerial Office: 81
see no company on Sunday, and dine in plain
way; but | shall be always happy 10 see you a,
my table, for love TO have the Clergy with me on
Sunday"
In this connection it may be proper to state that
at his own hospitable mansion at North Bend
when the infirm health of Mis-. Harrison would
not allow her to attend public worship elsewhere
General Harrison would often obtain the services
of clergyman for the day and remunerate him
literally. 1t has also been stated to he by mem
Der of the family that some years since, he acct
dentally became acquainted with young Minis
a.,
Stances whose native talents and powers of mint
promised extensive usefulness if properly cult
waited. General Harrison kindly invited him L
become member of his family, and offered hin
the Use of his library until well prepared for tn
exercise of his ministry. This young clergyman
is now distinguished and successful laborer il
4. the vineyard of our Lord.
Of late years, notwithstanding his having erect
ed, mostly at his own expense, a church in hi
immediate vicinity, yet, not being able to supper
acIergyman for the regular services of the church
he was in the habit of leaving home on Saturda
afternoon for the sole purpose of attending tn
church in CINCINNATI OF which the Rev. j. ]
Brooke is Rector, twice or thrice day. He ais
frequently attended stated weekly lecture.
From the day of his Inauguration, it was hi
nyarable practice to rise with the dawn of da
and after reading the Scripture to take a walk ft
exercise and seldom did he breakfast or din
without some old friend or acquaintance partakn
of his hospitality. In this manner his whole tin
was occupied. Occasionally, if for moment "
engaged from his official duties, aud the press
visitors, he would steal away from his family, an
visit some of his old acquaintance, with all tn
cordially and generous good feeling SO characte
istic of the warm hearted soldier and devote
friend.
HIS DEATH.
With this brief notice of past events, we con
TO the closing scene OF the melancholy drama. U
Thursday, the 25th of March, in short intervie
xnfh of iin "A
and this indisposton continued to increase uni
the exposure OF his person in The morning wa
of Saturday brought on chill and feye
which the best medical skill could not arrest