The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-12-20
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
DEATH OF THE HON. r.. w. HABERsHAM
mmedlaielx after The reading of The Journal

DEATH OF THE HON. r. w. HABERsHAM
Immediately after the reading Of the Journal
MIR. GAMBLE arose and spoke as follows;
The present Congress, IL is believed, has oiener
performed the painful duty of announcing the death
of its members, than any which has preceded il UNI
der the Government. In the first week of our session
we were called upon to pay the last tribute oil respect
to the memory of one who died on his way to the
seat OF Government to resume his duties as mem
Der of this body; and to-day, the duty has devolved
upon me to communicate TO the House the mourniul
intelligence which has reached us of the death OF
another member of this branch of the National lIe-
gslaure. For some time we entertained hopes that
the rumor Of his death was unfounded, or, at most,
premature but is at length reduced to painful GER
tanty, that RICHARD w. HABERsHAM Is no more.
He has finished his course on earth his seat in this
Hall is vacant and he now sleeps IN the silent tomb
His constitution being naturally feeble, and his health
somewhat impaired when he first took his seat as a
member Of this body which added to the severity OF
the climate and his laborious and close attention 10
his duties, was than he was able 10 endure,
brought on disease which has only terminated In
his death which painful event. as we are informed,
took place at his residence in Habersham county,
Georgia. the second day of this month, surround
ed by his family and friends Mr. Habersham was
descendant of one of the most honorable and disin-
guished families in Georgia. He was endowed win
more than ordinary powers Of mind which was en-
larged and cultivated by liberal education. Being
thus qualified he early engaged in public lie, and, by
gritty, he acquired degree of confidence which few
attain, and what is still rare which he never
abused He has occupied stations Of honor and trust,
both under the Federal and State Governments, the
duties of which he discharged to the full acquisitions
of the law, and entire satisfaction OF those with whom
he had official transaction.
In eighteen hundred and thirty Eight, he was elect
ed member of Congress, and continued in that cha
racter until his death. To you, sir, and his associates
here | need say thing. You have witnessed his
course; you appreciate his worth as man, and his
usefulness as a member Of this body And notwith-
standing the political asperity of the times during
which he has been a member, and although he has
been firm and unwavering in his political course, yet
believe he never INDUCED in sentiment or suffer-
ed an expression to escape his lips, at which even
the most sensitive political opponent could justly take
exception. His errors and nfirmites, if he had any,
and none are fautess, " were Of the head, and not
of the heart" He was amable, generous, and for
giving in his disposition his home the centre of
kindness and hospitality, and his hand ever open to
the calls Of charity II mag be said of him, what can
with truth be said of him, that he ha, gone and not
left enemy behind him. In his lamented death,
Georgia has lost of her most useful, yrtuous and
talented citizens one of her most distinguished, pa
trotc, and cherished sons and his family have sus
tanned loss which cannot be repaired by time
May that Being who tempers the wind TO the shorn
lamb" comfort and sustain them in this, their deep
atliction; and may this memento OF our mortality
make deep and lasting impression upon our hearts,
and cause us well to consider the admonition adj
dressed to us in the 1rord of truth which enforced
by this solemn dispensaon " BE ye also ready, for
in such an hour we think not the Son of Man
cometh."
Mr.. GAMBLE submitted several resolutions
that the House have heard with deep regret, of the
death of the Hon. II. W. HaNersham, and that,
stimony of respect, they will wear Grape upon the
left arm for thirty days.
AS further marx of respect, the House ad-
journed.