Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-03-01

A mourn(nl and agi,a,ing event occurred in the
House of Representatives yesterday, which, as the
news of it spread through the city, engrossed all
thoughts aud filled all hearts with sympathy.
just after the yeas and nays were taken on a
question, and the Speaker had risen to put another
question to the House, sudden cry was heard on
the left Of the chair, ''Mr. ADAMS is dying !''-
Turning our eyes to the spot, we beheld the veneer
able man in the act of falling the left arm of
his chair, while his right arm was extended, grasp
ing 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 quar-
ters 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 gentleman
move an adjournment, which being promptly done,
the House adjourned. A sula was brought, and
Mr.. Adams, i'm a state of perfect heplessness,
though not of entire insensbiliiy, was gently laid
upon it, The sofa was then taken up and borne
out Of the Hall into the Rotundo, where it was set
down, and the members of both Houses and slran-
gers who were fast crowdng around were with
some difficulty repressed and an open space cleared
in its immediate vicinity but medical gentleman,
a member of the House, (who was prompt, active,
and self-possessed throughout the whole painful
scene,) advised that he be removed to the door of
the Rotundo opening on the east portico, where a
fresh wind was blowing. This was done; but the
air being chilly and loaded with vapor, the sofa
was, at the suggestion of MIR. Winthrop, once more
taken up and removed to the Speakers apartment
the doors of which were forthwith closed TO all but
professional gentlemen, several of whom arrived in
succession as the news spread into the city While
lying in this apartment Mr.. Adams partially recov-
cred the of his speech, and observed, in falter
ing accents ''This is the end of earth but quick
ly added, 81 am composed" Members had by
this time reached Mr.. A.. IS abode with the melan-
choly intelligence, and soon after, Mrs. Adams and
his nephew and niece arrived and made their way
to the appalling scene. Mrs. A. was deeply affect
ed, and for some moments quite Frustrated by the
sight of her husband, now insensible the palor OF
death upon his countenance, and those sad premon-
itories fast making their appearance which fall
with such chill upon the heart
In the Hall, meanwhile, gloomy pause occur
red in the usual hum of voices that fills it. Some
members sat I'm mute SUSPENSE others stood in
groups, and made or answered inquiries as 10 the
cause and the probable issue of the attack; others
fastened toward the Speakers to get the latest
intelligence of the sufferers condition while many
were busily engaged in writing TO their friends a,
home the alarming news. remark very frequent
ly heard was, swell. 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, il
his usual health, and had but few minutes before
delivered his vote, motion before the House
in an unu 'ually distinct and emphatic manner
The attack was believed, at first, TO have been
fainting fit but this idea gave place TO the APP
Palling conviction that it a recurrence of para
lysis, which has twice before affected Mr.. Adams
though in a mder degree. Very Slight hopes ar,
entertained of his recovering Mr.. A. attained hi;
eightieth year in July last
At eleven O'Clock last night the venerable suffer
or still lay in the Speakers chamber, nsensble to
all external objects, but apparently more comtorta
BILE, and his symptoms giving hope to his medca
attendants that he might revive sufficiently by th.
morning 10 bear removal TO his own residence
AS soon as the news of the painful occurrence
reached the Senate, that body likewise adjourned
--.Nat Int Feb %