The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-11
CONGRESS
FIRST sEssioN.
WEDsEsDAy, July 10, 1850.
SENATE.

DEATH OF PRESIDENT TAYLoR.
few minutes after eleven O'Clock the Senate
was called 10 order by the Secretary.
The Rev. 4. NJ Butler, chaplain TO the Senate.
offered an appropriate prayer to the throne Of d.
Mr. DICKINS. the Secretary Of the Senate.
said that he had received from the late presiding
ofhcer OF the Senate a communication, when, II II
, were the pleasure of the Senate, he would read
Assent being expressed by the Senate, the Secre-
tary read the following communication;
WAsnISGToS, July 10, 1850.
10 le Senate Of Tie United States:
In consequence of the lainented death Of ZACH.
ANY TAyLoR, late President Of the United States,
shall no longer occupy the chair Of the Senate and
i have thought that formal communication to
that effect, through your Secretary, might enable
presiding officer.
WILLARD FILLMORE.
The following message was then received by the
hands of George P. Fisher, esq, from the late Vice
President Of the United States:
WAsHINoTos, July 10, 1850.
FeiiO,c- citi gems If the Senate
and Of the House Of Representatives.:
! have To perform the melancholy duty of an.
nouncng 10 you that it has plcased Almighty God
to remove from this life ZACHARY TAYLOR, late
President Of the United States. He deceased last
evening, at the hour of half past 10 o'clock in the
midst Of his family, and surrounded by affection
ate friends, calmly, and in the full possession Of
all his fac ulties. Among his last words these,
which he uttered with emphatic distnctness 81
have alway. done my duty-l am ready to die; my
only regret is for the friends leave behind me"
Having announced to you, fellow citizens, this
most aihicting bereavement, and assuring You that
1t has penetrated no heart with deeper grief than
mine, il remains for me to say that propose, this
day, at IL O'Clock, in the hall Of the House of Rep
gress, take the oath prescribed by the Constitu
ton, To enable me ~ enter the execution Of the
Office which this event has dcvovcd ON me.
WILLARD FILLMORE
Mr. WEBSTER submitted the following rcsolu
tiOns, which were unanimously agreed to-
Rss0iped, Tint the two Houses will assemble this
day in the hall of the House of Representatives at
~ o'clock. to be present ut the administration OF
the oath prescribed by the Constitution to the late
Vice President Of the United States, to enable him
TO discharge the powers and duties of the office Of
President Of the United States, devolyed on him by
the death Of ZACHARY TAYLOR late President Of
the United States.
Resolped, That the Secretary of the Senate pre-
sent the above resolution to the House of Represeh
tatives, and ask its concurrence therein.
A message received from the House OF Re-
representatives., by X. nj. foUSG, esq., their Clerk
follows:
Mr.. President. the House Of Representatives have
passed the following resolution, in which they re-
quest the concurrence Of the Senate:
Resolred, That the Hon. Messrs. WINTHROP,
MoRsE, and MoREHEAD be appointed a committee
the part Of this House, to join such committee
may be appointed by the Senate, TO wait on the
President Of the United States, and inform him
that the Senate and House Of Representatives will
be in readiness to receive him in the hall Of the
House Of Representatives this day, at IL O'Clock,
for the purpose Of witnessing the administration Of
the oati, prescribed by the Constitution to enable
him TO enter upon the execution OF the office.
The Senate proceeded to consider the resolution :;
and, having concurred therein, il was ordered that
Mr.. SoULE, Mr.. DAVIS Of Massachusetts,, and Mr..
UNDERWOOD be the committee on their part.
Ordered. That the Secretary notify the House Of
Representatives accordingly.
After a short absence OF the committee,
Mr. h. s,fth .tt..
pointed above, 10 wait upon the President, &c,
reported that the committee had performed the
duty assigned 10 them, and had been informed by
the President that at ~ o'clock ne would take the
oath Of Office in the hall of the House Of Represent
atives, and desired the attendance of the Senate.
Whereupon, the Senate proceeded 70 the hall OF
the House of Representatives. IFor proceedings
there, see House report.
The Senate having returned TO their chamber
message was received from the President Of the
United States, by the hands OF George p. Fisher.
esq, which was read. similar message was de
ivered in the House, and 10 given in the proceed
ings Of that body.l
Mr.. DOWNS and said:
Mr. President: rise u member Of the delega
ton Vi the State whose citizen the late President o
the United States WAS, offer resolutions suitable
to the occasion. The announcement OF his dealt
has, been already made officially here and else
where; and on the wings Of lightning, and almost a
swift ~ thought, the sad Intelligence has been con
veyed 10 remote portions OF this great republic
How sublime, ell melancholy, ia the scen
in whichwe are now engaged Buta lew dayssinc
less than week-many II us sat near the then Presi
dent Of the United Slater, and ssiuted him IL
health. at the base of that monument which ib
hands Of n grateful poserty raising To tn
memory Of the first and the greatest OF his prede
cessors-bero, statesman, like himself-and wher'
we had assembled 10 pay devotion 10 the memory
of the ''6rs in war, first in peace and frat il
the hearts Of his countrymen," and 10 reknd'
in the breasts Of ALL that spirit Of union, fra
ternity, and liberty, without which we shall prov
~ys.xtl. ..f walnut
and 4 reproach 10 their memory. Yes, there sat
quiet and placid the gentle breeze from the Poto
that cooled his heated brow, the man who's
very pathway To his log bin schoohousc in Ken
tociy. the ,'Bioody Ground" beset by tn
tomabawk Of the savage, and who had passe
through four ware and many Of the bloodiest an
glorious battle Of his country unscatbcd
nj the head OF the greatest republic Of this o
any other country. protected, not by bsyonets, bu
by the affections Of his countrymen: yet, in a fey
short days, in the midst Of this quiet peace, pro.
perity, and fame, he was TO approach that door
which awaits Va all.
ZAcsAny TAyLon vas born In l7s4, in Orsng
county, Virginia In early life he gave evidence
extraordinary energy and force of character
1895 lie Wa appointed during the Presidency
Mr.. jefferson. lieutenant in the army Of the Unite
States; rose, in 1912, 10 the rank Of captain; AND
after the declaration Of war with Great Britain i
that year, lac was brevctcd major by Prcsiden
Madison for his memorable and gallant defence Q
Fort Harrison, with a handful of men, against
large body Of ssvages. In 1892, then advanced Z
the rank Of colonel he distin gusbed himself in tn
Black Hawk war, was ordered into Florida in 1886
and for his signal services against the savage Sem
inoies created brevet brigsder general an
comma nder in chief in Florida. Subsequently b
WAS transferred TO the command Of the division o
the army In the southwestern portion Of the Union
was ordered into Texas in 1st5; advanced to tn
banks Of the Rio Grande; and afterwards begin
ming with the battles OF the sth and 9Th Of MAJ
1885, at PaIo Alto and Ressos de la Palma, and enc
ing with Buens Vista, he overthrow, with fearil
odds against him, and signally defeated, the mo
sklful Of the Mexican generals, Ampudis, Aristi
Paroles, and even the President Of MEXICO himsel
and by a series of brilliant victories, gained
himself and the brave armies under his commsns
world wide renowD, commanding the verdict an
admiration Of Europe and America, and securin
AN enviable and proud place in the brightest chat
tiers Of the history Of American arms.
Bun why attempt 10 portray bis life or descrit
his sctionsY This s not the time place for sue
a purpose, II had the ability to do il justice II
history in part of the history Of his country, an
theref re needs aid Of friends 10 preserve
The bsttle-felds Of FORT Harrison, of Okeechob
Palo Alto, Re.aca de la Palma, Monterey, and, Il
most glorious Of them all, Bucpa Vista, are at on,
bis monuments and bis eulogiums. He needs
others OF bis political history, this s not the pla
nor I the person to speak. Yet may, hope,