Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-07-03
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The SPEAKER called the House to order at twelve
minutes past two o'clock, when
The Rev. G. NJ BUTLER Chaplain to the Senate offered
up appropriate prayer
The Journal of yesterday read and approved
The following message then received from the Sem
ate by Mr.. DIcKISs, their Secretary:
:" Mr.. SPEAKER: am directed to communicate to this
House information Of the decease Of the Hon. HENRY
CLAY, Senator from the State of Kentucky and the pro-
ceedings of the Senate thereon"
The resolutions Of the Senate having been read
Mr.. BRECKENRIDGE, Of Kentucky, rose and said
Mr. Speaker rise to perform the melancholy duty of
nouncing to this body the death of HENRY CLAY late
Senator in Congress from the Commonwealth Of Kentucky
Mr. Clay expired at his lodgings in this city yesterday
morning. ut seventeen eleven O'clock in the
seveny-sxh year Of his age. His noble intellect
unclouded to tho last After protracted suerngs he
passed away without pain and gently did the spirit
leave his frame that the moment of departure
observed by the friends who watched his bedside His
last hours cheered by the Of aectonate
son. and he died surrounded by friends Who during his
long illness, had done all that affection could suggest to
soothe his sufferings
Although this sad event has been expected for MANY
weeks, the shock it produced, and the nnumerable
butes of respect to his memory exhibited every side
and in every FORM prove the depth of the public sorrow
and the greatness Of the public loss.
lmperishaby associated his has been for City
years with every great event affecting the fortunes Of
country 1t is difficult to realize that he is indeed gone
1t is difficult feel that we shall see no more his
noble form within these was-that we shall hear
his patriot tones rousing his countrymen vndi-
cate their rights against foreign foe, now mplorng
them to preserve concord among themselves We shall
see him The memory and the fruits Of his
wees alone remain to Amidst the general gloom the
Capitol itself looks desoate If the genius of the place
had departed Already the intelligence has reached al
most every quarter Of the Republic and great people
mourn with to-day the death Of their lustrous
citizen Sympathizng do deeply, with his family
and friends, yet private affection is absorbed in the gene
raj sorrow The spectacle Of whole community lament
bo onf. Il.
manifestation of private grief In speaking of loss
which is national, win not attempt to describe the uni
versal burst Of grief with which Kentucky will receive
these tdings The attempt would be vain to depict the
gloom that win her people, when they know that
the pillar Of fire has been removed which has guided their
footsteps for the life Of generation.
II is known the country that from the memorable
session of 1849-'50 Mr. Clays health gradually de-
clined Although several years Of his Senatorial term
remained he did not propose to continue in the public
service longer than the present session He came to
Washington chiefly to defend If it should become neces
sary Of adjustment TO the aopton OF which
he largely contributed but the condition of his health
did not allow him at any time TO participate in the dis
cussons of the Senate During the winter he was confined
almost wholly to his ROOM with slight changesin his
don but gradually losing the remnant of his strength
During the long and dreay winter he conversed much and
checrfuy with his friends and expressed deep interest
in public affairs Although he did not expect restoration
to health he cherished the hope that the mild Of
spring would bring him strength enough to return to
Ashland, and die in the bosom of his family But alas
spring, that brings life to all nature brought life
hope to him. After the month Of March his vital powers
rapidly wasted and for weeks he lay patiently awaiting
the stroke OF death But the approach Of the destroyer
had terrors for him No clouds overhung his future
He met the END with compore, and his pathway 70 the
grave was frightened by the cheering hopes which spring
from the Christian faith.
Not long before his death, having just returned from
Kentucky, bore to him token Of affection from his
excellent wife. Never forget his appearance his
manner his words After speaking Of his family, his
friends and his country he changed the conversation to
his own future and looking me with bis fine eve I'm
dimmed and his voice full Of its original compass and
melody, he said: |" L not afraid to die sir have
hope, faith and some confidence. do not think any