The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-29
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.


The Journal of yesterday was read when
Mr.. ROCKWELL rose and sad Mr.. Spes ker,
at the suggestion OF the members OF the delegation
from Massachusetts,, rise TO announce the death
Of our colleague, the Hon. DANIEL PUrNAM ktSG,
who represented in this House the second congress
siOnal district Of that State. He died at his resi-
dence in Danyers, in the county Of Essex, on the
evening of Thursday last lie left this city on the
10Th instant for the purpose Of visiting his family
aud attending to some indispensable business ar.
rangemcnts. His writ TO his home was, perhaps
somewhat hastened by a slight temporary indispo-
siiion, Of which he had several times spoken
which, however, oCCationed no alarm. IL seems
that SOON after his arrival at home he atac ked
with the acute and distressing disease which 20
speedily terminated HE life. lie met bis death ne
BE wished TO meet IT, when his time had come In
the bosom Of bis atfectionato family, with the wife
Of is youth, and the children Of ms love- TO soacc
his dying hour, and hear bic lac. earthly words.
Mr.. kiNG was graduated at Harvard University,
IN the year 1923. His classical and scientific stu.
dies, however, were not discontinued at the terIni.
nation Of his collegiate course. Without pursuinR
any particular profession, he became a ripe and
sound general scholar. Devoted principally TO az
ricultural pursuits, for hich he cherishcd an Gu
thusas tic regard, his easy fortune give him leisure
for varied aud rich intellectual acqurcments. Such
man, in - intelligent community AZ that in
which he lived, could hardly avoid public employ
mcnts and distinction. lie first entered the House
of Representative his native Statei In 1885, where
lac served with reputation during that and tho sue
CcCdiug year. Ia lS3-, be fret took hs seat in tho
senate OF mat stale. Ia l7tU hC elected Prcal-
dent OF the Senate, and discharged the duties OF
that station 90 the general satisfaction in time Of
high party excitement.
In lsi3 he was again member Of the popular
braIch II that Legislature, and was hosen Speaker
under circumstance highly honorable 10 his char
acter. lie discharged TIE duties Of that office in
Hc sc almost equally divided in political senti.
mcnt, with the general favor. In June, l5i3 while
holding the Office OF Speaker Of the House Of Rep
fcsentatiycs Of MaPsac husctts be was elected 10
nc twenty eighth Congress, in which he took his
scat in December OF that year Hc has been, 10y
the unsolicited sufirages OF the came constituency,
three times reelected. This il the fourth Congress
TO which he has been elected, and the seventh year
Of his services upon this floor. In each Of these
situations his course has been marked by an unns.
suming, industrious. conscientious discharge Of
every duty.
Upon that portion Of the legislation Of his State
which has been manifested in behalf Of the pufcriug
and the unfortunate his influence has been repeat.
cdly and cnectuslly eScrtcd. lie for five years
an active and dillgcnt member Of the Board OF
Trustees Of the State Lunatic Hoe pial; and con.
tri buted while in the Legislature 90 the enlarge.
mcnt and extended usefulness Of that institution.
highly distinguished as he bad been in Massaohu.
tcts, other paths Of usefulness would there have
been opened before him, had his life been spared,
and other honorable distinctions awaited him,
vi hrs character and conduct in this House, IL is
scaros,y nee ,ssary Tor me to speak. In your hear
ing, Mr.. Speaker, who knew him we'll and in the
hearing Of the older members of this Uouse I bcsi
tate not 70 say, that no member has more con.
stanty and faithfully devoted his time and talents
To The public service than my deceased collea que
lie was daily, hourly, almost continually in bis
seat, with clear and constant undertaking. Of
tho business under consideration. In the die
charge Of his duties upon the various committees
upon which he has been placed, nc has been ,like
industrious and exemplary In attending 10 the
interests OF his constituents, which we're manifold
az his district was highly commercial one his
dlhgence could not be exceeded. He acted and
voted always; lac spoke seldom
IN all TIC relations Of private life he was with
cut reproach; nay, more, bis life was an active
blessing 70 all around hun II was nnsIe such by