Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-07-01
CoSGREss--2d Session
.Mondap, June q.
In SENATE

On motion of Mr. EVANS the reading OF the jour
nal was dispensed with, when message was received
from the House announcing the death OF the Hon WIN
s Hastings Of Massachusetts. Whereupon-
Mr. BATES addressed the Senate us follows: Mr.
President: As advance in age, the notices OF the
ath of those who have been OF our acquaintance oe
come more and more frequent; and give me leave 10
add more and more admonltory. During the present
session of Congress- the House Of Representatives has
announced to The Senate the death Of no less than tour
f lis members and The Senate has been panied by the
loss of the most worthy most respected ana most
cherished Of its own; and- grIeves me TO think II
-auan of another Mr.. President, these events, al
though they cannot stop the progress of the hours upon
the dial plate, demand Of at least pausen pnuse
for our sake; aud not for our own sake merey-a
panse that we may do what we can IN our affection, by
respectful tokens OF sympathy and regard TO mitigate
the affection Of others the relations and friends OF the
deceased.
Mr. Hastings, the subject of the message from the
House, had been, from time to time, in III health A
few weeks since, by the advice OF his physician, he
went 10 the springs in Virginia, in tie hope that the
use of the water would afford him relief Ills hope was
disappointed-as S,r human hopes often are. lie died
on Friday the l7lh. The news Of his death was re-
ceved last Saturday.
MIR Hastings was nnob;rusivc, unpretending, unos.
utatious but Of very sound mind and OF great IN
egri,y and worth; most respected and most esteemed
by those who knew him best. lie was native OF the
county of Worcester. For several years he was IN the
Sc nate of Massachusetts,. As member OF Congress,
he had the confidence Of most respectable constituent
~ in the heart OF the State and well he deserved It,.
gut Sir all that we have now left us is 10 lament the
loss of him. and do the customary honors to his memory
Mr. b. concluded by offering the following resolu-
tons which having teen read, were unanimously
adopted, viz:
Reso;red, That the Senate has received with deep
sensib,ly the communication from the House of Re-
prescntavcs announcing The death of The Hon. WILL
LIAM s. HASTINGS, Representative from the State
Of Massachusetts
Rtsolred, That in token of sincere and high respect
for the memory Of the deceased the Senate and lis of-
GERS will Grape upon the lett arm, as mourning Tor
thirty days. .o..
Mr. MILLER of New Jersey then rose and address,
cd the Senate follows: Mr.. President rise but 10
add another shade to the gloom which now pervades
this Chamber, by communicating TO The Senate the
sad intelligence, which | received this morning OF
the death OF my colleague, the Hon SAMUEL l.. SouTH-
ARD.
lie died yesterday morning at twenty minutes past
ten, at Fredericksburg, in Virginia.
1t is Mr. President, but one short month since our
friend left that honorable seat occupied by your
self lie parted from somewhat broken IN health
and constitution but he carried with him our ardent
hopes and our sincere prayers that short relaxation
from the and labors of official station would soon
restore him to us, in renewed life and health.
But, alas. wise but mysterious Providence has or
dered it otherwise Death has disappointed our hopes,
and our respected friend aud coeaRe has passed tor.
ever from the scene Of his usefunesscut off from all
the active associations Of private ard public life and
we are now called TO mourn over the death OF Inn
whom il was our pleasure IN honor while living.
After announcing this affective event, the feelings Of
my heart urge TO sit down and be still! beneath the
Influences Ct the solemn associations which crowd
around this mournfu dspensaiion Of Providence, eav
ing it to another and ht occasion 10 speak Of
the life and character Of the deceased To speak now
of the many honors which he honestly of the rich
virtues that he cultivated, and of the exalted talents
which, for thirty years he devoted 10 the service oil his
country, would be only sharpen the grief and to
deepen the calamity of this occasion.
Mr.. Southland born the 9th of June, lIS7, al
Baskingridge, county of Somerset, in the State of New
Jersey. Born and brought up under her Tree inslu.
tons educated in her schools, and graduate of her
college, he in principle and in feeling every inch
Jerseyman. Duly approaching his WORTH his native
Slate called him early into her service.
few years after he admitted to The bar, and at
the age of about twcnty.sx lie was placed upon the
bench of our Supreme Court, Atte- iischargin. the
duties OF that responsible Office with distinguished ah
ltv for several years, he was, in The year lc2 first
elected Senator in Congress. file then continued q
member of this body until the 23d of November 1923
when he resigned and the 9th day of December, of
the same year, MIR. Monroe honored him with his con-
fdence by placing him in the Cabine! Secretary OF
the Navy, in which high office he continued during the
whole term of Alr. Adams adminis,r alton.
HIS services in that department are fully known 10
The country ana ou'y apptec'neu ny tpe Navy, "u"se
glory and interest he ever delighted to maintain and
promote.
Upon the retiring OF Mr.. Adams's Cabinet, on the Sd
Of March, 1890, Mr.. Southland returned TO his native
State. She received him with open arms and with all
,he affection due 10 worthy son, who had been alb
sent for time doing good service in the cause OF our
common country.
After serving his State at home in TIE capacity Of
Attorney General and Governor he again. in 1885,
chosen Senator and after serving his term of six years
was reelected for the third and last time the 18Th
November, 1888.