The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-03-04
Illness and Death of JOHN O.
ADAMS.

We announced TO our readers, last week,
the painful intelligence of the sudden and
probable fatal illness of Mr. ADAMS. Having
survived, in an almost inscnsible condition.
fifty four hours after the attack, he breathed
bis last IN the Capitol of the United States.
Like Chatham, he has fallen in the midst of
his lahors and honors.
Below, collected from various sources of
information,we lay before our readers an ac-
count ofthe illness and last hours of the IL
lustrious sage of Quincyj
THE SCENE AT THE CAPITOL ON
MONDAY.
The National InteIIigencer of Tuesday
gives the following description ofthe affect
ing scene in and about the Hall of the House
of Representatives on Monday:
Just after the yeas and nays were taken on
question, aad the Speaker had risen to put
another question to the House, sudden cry
was heard on the LETT OF the Chair, "Mr Adj
ans is dying" Turning our eyes to the spot
we beheld the venerable man in the act Of
falling over tho left arm of his chair, while
his right arm was extended, grasping his
desk for support. He would have dropped
upon the floor had he not been caught in The
arms ofthe member sitting next him. A
great sensation was created in the House:
members from all quarters rushing from
their seats and gathering round the fallen
statesman. who was Immediately lifted into
the area in front of the clerks table.
The Speaker instantly suggested that some
gentlemen move an adjournment, which be-
ing promptly done, the House adjourned. A
sofa was brought, and Mr. Adams, in II slate
ofperlect helplessness, though not of entire
insensbility was gently laid upon it. The So
ia was then tuken up and borne out of the
He'll Eto the Rotunda, where it was set down,
and the members of both Houses and strang-
ers who were fast croNding around were
with some difficulty repressed aud an open
space cleared in its immediate vicinity; but n
medical gentleman, a member ofthe House,
advised that he he removed to the door of the
Rotnnda opening on the east portico, where
fresh wind was blowing. This was done;
but the air being chilly aud loaded with va
por, the sofa was, at the suggestion of Mr.
Winthrop, once more taken up and removed
TO the Speakers apartment, the doors of
which were forthwith closed TO all but pro-
fessional gentlemen, several of whom arrived
in succession as the news spread into the city.
While lying in this apartments MIR Albums
partially recovered the use ofhs speech, aud
ODS"'
end Of earth," but quickly added 81 am com
posed" Members had by this time reached
Mr. AS abode with the melancholy ntell-
gence, and, soon after, Mrs. Adams end his
nephew and niece arrived and made their
way TO the appalling scene. Mrs. A. was
deeply affected, and for some moments quite
FRUSTRATED by the sight of her husband, now,
insensible, the pallor of death upon his coun-
tenancc, and those sad prenonitories fast
making their appearance which fall with
such chill upon the heart
A remark very frequently heard was, swell,
this is just what Mr. Adams could have wish
ed; 1t is an appropriate ending ofhis public
career-he falls, like q second Chatham, in
the Senate House."
MIR Adams, though for some months very
feeble, was, when he entered the hall i'm the
morning, in his usual health, and had but
few minutes before delivered his vote, on a
motion before the House, in all unusually
distinct and emphatic manner. The attack
was believed, at first. to have been fainting
fit: but this idea soon gave place to the APP
paIling conviction that IL was recurrence of
paralysis which has twice before affected Mr.
Adams, though in milder degree. Mr. Ad- |
ans attained his eightieth year in July last |
Referring to the proceeding in the Senate,
The Union says:
"Mr Benton rose to make painful an
nouncement to the Senate. He had Just been |
that the House of Representatives
lad adjourned under the most affecting cir
caInmitous visitation to its
oldest and most valuable member-one who |
had been President ofthe United States, and
whose character inspired universal respect
and esteem. He spoke ofMr Adams who had
ust sunk down in his chair, and had been
carried into an adjoining room. and, at this
moment, might be passing from the world un-
Ter the very roofwhich covers us, and almos.
n our presence.
mr Adams remained in the Speakers room
gradually sinking until Ibe honr of his death.