The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-03-04
Funeral ofHon. John Q. Adams.


Correspondence ofthe Journal of Commerce.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 26.
The funeral ofthe late ex-President Adams
was celebrated today, with great solemnity,
and every manifestation of deep feeling. "A
more impressive scene was never Witnessed
in this city-not even at the funeral of Gen.
Harrison. The occasion was, however, very
different from that, The feeling ofthe pub
lie, though solemn, was not on this occasion
one of gloom and the object appeared to be,
less to express grief at the happy death, than
admiration ofthe ilustrous life of the depart
ed patriarch.
According to an order from the War De-
partment, minute guns were fired from sun
rise till IL o'clock. The Executive Depart
ments were put in mourning, and many of
the private buildings in Pennsylvania Avenue
were also hung with black. The stores were
closed, and all business suspended The
various societies and public bodies COM
menced forming at IL O'clock, and moved
towards the Capitol under military escort
The crowd in and around the Capitol was
Unprecedented. Many people had come in
from the country around to witness the cere-
monies A large portion of the Legislature
of Maryland and many citizens from Annap-
oils and Baltimore were present
Atten minutes before IL O'Clock the Speak
err called the House to order, at which mo-
nent the bell on Capitol Hill commenced its
solemn tolling as The signal for the coin
mencement of the ceremonies. The Presi-
dent of the United States and Heads of the
Departments entered the hall-the former
taking his seat on the right of the Speaker
The Judges of the Supreme Court in their
gowns the Officers Of the Army and Navy,
in full uniform the Foreign Ministers and
their suits, in splendid costume, followed, and
1aff -
area in front of the Speakers chair. The
Senate of the United States then entered with
the Vice President, the latter taking his seat
on the Speakers left. Mr. G.. F. Adams and
others ofthe family, and friends of the de-
ceased, occupied range of seats provided
for them at the left of the area.
After a prayer of some minutes, Senator
Webster and Davis and the Massachusetts
delegation, as mourners, in black scarfS and
bands, entered the hall, preceding the coffin,
which was brought in in charge of the PAIL
Bearers and the Committee Of Arrangements.
The coffin was placed on a bier i'm the area in |
front of the Speaker After deposting the
coffin, those who had it in charge remained
standing around it for a number of minutes
in impressive silence, while the whole assem-
bly, rose.
The coffin, which was of lead, enclosed in |
mahogany, was silver mounted, and covered |
with black silk velvet, trimmed with silver
A silver heart-shaped plate, decorated with
spread-engle, bears the following inscription,
which was written at the request of the Mas
Sachusetts delegation, by DANIEL WEBSTER,
TO wit -
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS
Born,
An inhabitant Of massachusetts, July III, 1867,
Died,
A citizen of The United States
In the Capitol ut Washington,
February %, lS49,
Having served his country for halfa century,
And,
Enjoyed its highest Honors.
The bangings over the Speakers chair
we're suspended in black. as also was the fig
ire of History, over the principal entrance,
nd the portraits of Washington and Lafay-
tie. &c,