Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-12-19
Death OLE MIR. RURNELL..

DIsAI
BARKER BuRxELL Of Massachusetts,, ana ne spoke 90
follows:
AT the second session of the twcnty-sesen'h Con-
press il became my painful duty, AMIDST the arduons
hors and imnor,an Deliberations of the House, to an
nonnce the decease Of one OF my then colleagues, o
member Of The House from The Commonwealth OF Mas
sachusetts. -,
The same melancholy service has No" oeVolVed upon
me AGAIN; and at tie very threshold OF new Com
orass-when eyery heat should bound with hope Ihu!
the LEGISLATION of the nation has fallen into hands busiy
intent and abundan,ly quaied, 10 advance Inc prospe
r,y and promote the general welfare oil tins great com
mun;,y-,he heart saddened with the reflection that
one of our number, among the most ardent, Jealous
uorpbt and intelligent conperators with US ior the ac'
conIl shment of that FL rous purpose-the happiness
of the people, has been taken from US IN the MIDST oil
his useful and honorable career cut down ny The scy the
OF Dea'h.
R.pyrn BuBSrLL, late an active and efficient member
of the 9th Congress- and by the sufages OF an enlar-
yed constituency destined chad so pleased the omni-
po,en Disposer of eyents) 10 take an active vigant,
and luborious part in the proceedings OF Inc Congress
noa f,st assembled in these halls Such has not been
the will Of Heaven. This hall shall hear his voice no
more. a.. ,
he was n native of Nantucket, small island of the
oce,n onpendant to the State Of Massachusetts, long
renowned as the mother of race OF men, Tor unos-
msbed INTEGRITY for perlous enterprise, Tor energy oil
erer,ion and hardiood of endurance, unsurpassed by
any other portion of the dweers upon TINS terraqueous
g be- In saying this, do but repeat, III strain
and simple language, the magnificent tribute OF justice
TO The forefathers OF the present age nearly seventy
vears since pronounced by the most eloquent lips that
sver o,aced the British House Of Commons The pa
neuvric of Edmund Burke upon the Nantucket whale
men of his ace has resounded IN every corner oil the
earth where the English language is spoken or under
stood II has stood the test OF time, and Will De che
rished in the memory of long as that language
he
VIOLENT and the free.
SIR. The islanders of Nantucket our contemporaries
have not degeneraed from the virtues OF their athers
and of that race of men, Mr.. Burnel was the worthy
enresentatye on this floor Born and nurtured among
them as one of themselves and chosen by their volun
t,ry unbourht SURFACES, he reflected upon the de-
Lucrative councils of the nation the express image OF
their character He had represented them before IN
both branches of the Legislature of his native Com
monwenlth Those of us present, who held seats
in this Hall at III. last Congress, have and heard
him here Two years. from last May, he came, tnll OF
life and hope and vigorous energy TO serve ms country
as trus,y Councillor; aud faithfully did he uIhi that
trust So thought his constituents, who, with The IN
creased numbers of congenal spirits on the ADJOINING
continent he'd, with a confidence IN him, nveted by
experience recommted the charge OF their interests TO
his hands already enteebled by that nsdious disease,
which was hurryng him to the tomb ! During great
part of the last session of Congress, be was disabled
for attendance in his seat ant ut the close OF that
Congress-, 9SN
chamber. There, the Is, of May last, took leave
of him. in the tender and afectionate nursing care OF
partner worthy of himself and 10 whom his life was
more precious than her own left him VITA yet lin
gering hope, that we might under happier auspices,
meet here again That hope was doomed to eisappoint-
uent-his dissolution was near at hand-ahd, on the
18th OF last june he expiredia from his beloved ma
tive sland-but with all the appliances OF domestic
love- and friendly Kindness that could smooth the bed
Of denth-
s'By strangers honored, and By strangers mournd'
MIR. A. concluded by Offering the following resolu-
lions:
Rcsoirtd That this House has heard with deep
siby the annuncation of the decease, in this city, on
the 18th of June last, of the Hon Barker Bufnell,
member elect of this House from the Commonwealth
Of Massachusetts,.
Resolred, That this House tenders TO the surviving
widow and relatives Of the deceased the expressions
Of its sympathy this affecting bereavement and,
as testimony of respect for the memory of The de-
ceased, the members and officers of the House will
wear Grape the left arm for thirty days.
ReSoired, That, further mark of respect for the
memory Of the deceased, the House do now adjourn.
Ordered, That the Clerk do inform the Senate there
of.
The resolutions unanimously agreed to; and
The House adjourned.