Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1848-03-04
III. rn...., c.r..no.,.. 10 nr Adam.

Are described in the Washington papers as an
occasion Of great pomp and ceremony The csrs.
money was senerally participated in by the citi.
zens Of Washington and by visitors from the sur.
rounding country. The whole city exhibited
the ont tward indications Of sorrow. The Ma.
tional Ihtelfisencer says
BY sjudicicus arrangement, the doors Of the
capital were thrown open TO- the gathering multi.
tudes, while those Of the hall Of the House of
Representatives, where the funeral ceremonies
wefe.to take plsce. wee closed IT, all but the
members and officers Of the House. The ladies'
gallery was rapidly iled NJ, all gentlemen with.
out distinction being peremptorily excluded. A
certain portion OF the emi.circular gallery (usu.
ally occupied throughout BY gentlemen only
was partitioned off for the accommodation OF a
very large choir Of singers selected from those Of
the several churches OF the city.
The hall was shrouded 10 black, and presented
a very solemn appearance. This part Of the ar.
rangements was executed with great taste and
judgment by the officers Of the House. under the
suggestions and kind supervision Of distinguish.
ed lady. The figure OF History, especially,
(whose graceful form surmounts the clock. hold.
ing in her hands a tablet and pen,) was robed
with consummate taste and judgment, the black
drspery covering her entire person, with the ex.
cep,ion Of the arm holding the recording pen
whose a;abster whiteness, in strong contrast
with the surrounding stole, had fine effect !;
heightened as it was by the attitude Of the head.
which, turning toward one side, happened to
have its countenanee in the very direction where
stood :he vat ant seat Of Mr. Adams, as if in the
act Of recording the solemn circumstances Of his
death. That seat by order Of the House was dra.
ped in the deepest mourning. apd. BY the fact Of
its vacancy, recalled every beholder to the blow
which had there fallen. Ikea thunderbolt from
q cloudtess sky The portraits Of Washington
and Of Lafayette. on either hand Of the chair,
were covered over with thin Grape, c1stins
melancholy dimness over the features, without
entirely concealing them, the frames being co.
vered with deeper black. The effect Of this,
too, was very fine, most truly respecting what
would have been the feeling Of both those distin
gushed men, if alive TO wifness the solemn
scene for Washington gave the deceased his
fist commission, and Lafayette embraced him
in his arms when taking his last adieu of Anne.
RIGA. , .-
The Washington correspondent Of the Balti
more Sun relates the following incident =
Meanwhile, an affecting interview had taken
place within the walls Of that edi6ce, eonse.
Grated to freeSom-in the very room where lay
the mortal remains Of one Of the richest trea
sures of America The entire Massachusetts
delegation. including Mr.. Webster. the commit
tee Of arrangements, the pail bearers, and Ser.
geant. had convened together for the
purpose Of taking last farewell of their deceas.
past and future, and, on concerted signal from
the Speaker announcing the organization Of the
House Of Representatives, to escort the body to
the place assigned TO il in the centre Of the hall
As they entered, the entire audience rose an6
| stood In profound silence until the coffin was
tirely new and admirable arrangement. never
observed before.
The numerous military and civic associations
were now drawn up in line on the eastern square.
The House Of Representatives was again in
session, Mr.. Speaker Winthrop in his seat-,he
President OF the United States occupied chair
on his right, and the Vice President one on the
ieft-whilst the diplomatic corps, nearly every
member present, attired in rich costume, occu
| pied seats around the clerks desk-aye, and
| there stood the desk and chair Of the 'oid man
eloquent placed 10 morning. and attracting the
notice OF every eye
Al this juneture, a solemn stiffness reignet
throughou the Hail. and in few moments the
little band OF patriots were seen accompan ini
the body--hrst the delegation. then the coffin
followed by The PaIl.bearers, COMMITTEES of Ar
rangemen;s and :he Seargeat.at-arms, to the usu'
al place in the circle. Immediately in front of the
Speaker. The coffin having been placed in itl
position, a discourse was delivered BY the Rev
| Mr.. Gurley. Chaplain Of the House Of Represen
tatives. which is pronounced to have been ex
eeedingly ebssie. appropriate and elegant. and
with other services, by the same gentleman
elected high admiration
Mrs. Polk, the lady Of the President. accom-
panied by the venerable Mrs. Madison, were a!
so noticed in the audience.
He described the funeral car in this manner
Then came the Funeral Ger, the main body o
which 10 i2 feet by feet in length, 4 feet II
inches high, and forms the stage. On the top il
battery 9 feet long by feet 10 inches wide
This stands upon four pillars, with an arch q
90 inches circle, surmounted with 4 spleadi'
fuil.sized gold eagle. shrouded with Grape. A
each corner OF the stage 10 q torch, emblemati,