Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-03-04
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY %, ls4s.
FUNERAL oBsEQUIEs OF Ma. ADAMS.

.,,,ess Saturday was set apart for rendering to the
remains Of the deceased Patriot and Statesman the
last human tribute i'll conducting them TO their rest
inc Mace in the /" City of Silence"
Al an early hour men in uniform might be seen
fastening TO their respective places of parade while
numerous groups of citizens and strangers were
focking from all directions toward the Capitol.
By a udicious arrangement, the doors OF that
vast building were thrown open to the gathering
multitudes, while those of the Hall Of the House OF
Representatives, where the funeral ceremonies were
10 take place, were closed to all but the members
and officers Of the House. The ladies' gallery was
rapidly filled up, all gentlemen without distinction
being peremptorily excluded A certain portion OF
the semcircuar gallery usually occupied through
out by gentlemen only was parioned off for the
accommodation Of very large choir of singers, Sc
leced from those Of the several churches of the city,
The Hall was shrouded in black, and presented
very solemn appearance. This part OF the ar
engagements was executed with great taste and judg
ment by the officers Of the House, under the sug-
gesons and kind supervision of distinguished
lady. The figure of History, especially, Whose
graceful form surmounts the clock, holding in her
hands tablet and pen,) was robed with consum-
mate taste and judgment, the black drapery cover
ing her entire person, with the exception OF the arm
holding the recording pen, whose alabaster white
ness in strong contrast with the surrounding stole,
had fine effect; heightened it was by the atti-
tude of the head which, turning toward one side, hap
pened to have its countenance in the very direction
where stood the vacant seat OF Mr.. ADAMS, as II In
the act of recording the solemn circumstances OF
his death. That seat by order OF the House was
draped in the deepest mourning and by the fact OF
It's vacancy. recalled every beholder to the blow
which had there fallen, like thunderbolt from
cloudess sky. The portraits OF WASHINGTON and
of LAFAYETTE on either hand of the chair were |
covered over with thin Grape, casting melancholy
dmness over the features, without entirely conceal
ing them, the frames being covered with deeper
black. The effect Of this, too, very fine, most
truly representing what would have been the feeling
OF both those distinguished men if alive TO witness
the solemn scene; for WASHINGTON gave the de-
ceased his first commission, and LAFAYETTE en-
braced him in his arms when taking his last adieu
Of America.
The members gradually arrived and filled up their
seats in the hall, portion, however, being reserved
for the Senate.
The space in the central area, in front of the
Clerk table, was furnished with seats for the Judges
the Cabinet the Diplomatic Corps, and the Committee
of Arrangements, consisting of one member from
each State Of the Union: while, in its centre, stood
table, covered with black velvet pail, to support
the corpse.
Officers of the Army and Navy, as they entered
the hall, had seats assigned them next ia the rear Of
the Foreign Ministers. BY unfortunate oms-
sion no seats were reserved for the Clergy; but as
number of them arrived, not only from the city,
but from Baltimore, Alexandra, and several from
Massachusetts, they conducted by the officers
of the House to favorable positions.
The members Of the Diplomatic Body arrived
severally, from time TO time, and not in body:
some of them manifested their respect for the sol
emn occasion, and for the presence Of the assem-
bled authorities of the nation, by appearing in their
full official dresses, with their respective orders and
decorations, while others seem to have deemed it
more appropriate TO appear in simple black. The
contrast could not but strike the eye.
The SPEAKER having taken the chair, the Journal
OF Thursday was read. Soon after, the Senate en-
tered, preceded BY their venerable Presiding OFF,
GET, WnOse Willie anu HOWlng Hdlr TenueTs MIN 50
striking an object in every scene where his erect
and dignifed figure is seen. He took his seat on
the left of the Speaker. As the Senators passed up
the centre aisle and took their seats, the Speaker
and Members of the House rose, and continued
standing till they had taken the seats assigned them
Soon after the President OF the United States en-
tered the hall, and was received by all in like man.
ner while he took his seat on the right Of the Speak
er. The members Of the Cabinet occupied seats in
front OF the Senators and opposite TO the Foreign
Ministers. The Judges of the Supreme Court pre-
ceded by their Officers, passed up TO seats on the
right of the Clerks desk The relatives Of the de-
ceased were next conducted TO position reserved
for them on the extreme left. Next entered the
Corporate authorities Of Washington, headed by
their respective officers, who were conducted 10
places by the officers Of the House. At length
came the Body, escorted by the Committee Of Ar
rangements and followed by the Massachusetts De-
legation as mourners. The Speaker, the President
of the Senate the Officers Of both Houses the Men,
bcrs of the Committee Of Arrangements, the pail
bearers, and attendant physicians wore white scarfs
The whole assembage being thus at length COM