Evansville weekly journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 184?-18??, 1848-03-02
HON. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.

We copy from the National MtelLigencer, of
the 22d inst. the following painful interesting
details of the particulars attending the recent
illness of the venerable man whose name heads
this paragraph:
A mournful and agitating event occurred in
the House OF Representatives yesterday, which,
as the news of it spread through the city, en-
crossed all thoughts, and filled all hearts with
sympathy.
Just after the yeas and nays were taken on a
question, and the Speaker had risen to put an
other question to the House, a sudden cry was
head on the left of the chair, mi. ADAM isdy-
ing!" Turning our eyes TO the spot, we beheld
the venerable man in the act o ftalling over the
left arm of his chair, while his right arm was
extending, grasping his desk for support. He
would have dropped upon the floor had he not
been caught in the arms of the 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 gentle
man an ad lournment, which being prompt
ly done, the House adjourned. A sofa was
brought, and Mr.. ADAMS, in a state of perfect
helplessness, though not of entire %insensi-
bility, was gently laid upon it. The sofa was
taken up and borne out of the Hall into the
Rotundo, where ii was set down, and the mem
bers of both Houses and strangers who were
fast crowding around were with some Difficult
ty repressed, and an open space cleared in its
immediate vicinity; but a medical gentleman
a member of the House; (who was prompt, &C
tive, and self-possesscd throughout the whole
painful scene.) advised that he be removed to
the door of the Rotundo opening on the east
portico, where the fresh wind was blowing
This was done, but the air being chilly, and
loaded with vapor, the sofa was, at the sugges-
ton of Mr.. WINTHROP; once more taken up and
removed to the Speakers apartment, the doors
of which were forthwith closed to all but pro-
f~essional gentlemen, several of whom arrived
in succession - IT, news spread into tie city.
While lying i'll this apartment, MIR. ADAMS par
TALLY recovered the use of This speech, and OBJ
served in faltering accents, ''This is the end OF
EARTH but quickly added, Il am composed.
Members had by this time reached Mrs. AS
abode with the melancholy Intelligence, and,
soon after, Mrs. A. and 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, and those sad promonitories fast
making their appearance which fall with such
oSAtl ulOh
In the Hall, meanwhile, gloomy pause oc-
CURED in the usual hum of voices that fill it.
Some member sat IN mute suspense; others in
groups, and made or answered inquiries IS to
the cause and the probable issue of the attack,
others fastened towards the Speakers room to
get the latest intelligence of the sufferers con-
dition; while many were busily engaged in wri-
ting to theirfriends at nome the alarming news.
A remark very frequently heard was, "WelI
this is just what Mr.. ADAMS could have wished;
it is an appropriate ending of his public career:
he falls like a second Chatham, in the Senate
House."
Mr.. ADAMS, though for some months very
feeble, was, when he entered the hall in the
morning, in his usual health, and had but a few
minutes before delivered his vote, Il a motion
before the House, in an unusually distinct and
emphatic manner. The attack was believed.
at first, to have been a fainting fit; but this
idea soon gave place to the appalling conviction
that it was recurrence of paralysis, which has
twice before effected Mr.. ADAMS. though in a
milder degree. Very slight hopes are enter
tanned of his recovering. Mr.. A. attained his
eightieth year inJuly last.
At eleven O'Clock last night the venerable
suffererstill lay in the Speakers chamber, in
sensible to all external objects, but apparently
more &C comfortable, and his symptoms giving
hope to his medical attendants that he might
revive sufficiently by this morning to bear re-
moval to his own residence.
AS soon as the news of the poinful occur
renee reached the Senate, that body likewise
adjourned.