Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-10-22
REVOLUTIONARY SCENES.

The painting of TRUMDuLL, in the Rotundo of the
Capitol, representing the Surrender of CORVALLIS
exhibits Gen. WASHINGTON in the most appropr
ate attitude which genius and nice sense of pro.
priety could suggest-that of calm dignity and re-
pose The conquered commander was notbrought
forth in the humiliating condition usual in such
cases to gice APP has spora but simply to indicate,
by the grounding of arms by his army, that the
bloody strife was over. The noble congratulatory
address gives no signs of undue exultation, no
disparagement of the adversary
The reference in the Intellgoncer to the closing
events of the war of the Revolution brings to mind
not generally known or remembered. T is the orr
gin Of the celebrated compliment paid to Washing
ton, rs first in war, first in peace, and first in the
hearts of his counrymen."
| Chief Justice MARSHALL, Representative in
Congress from Virginia in 1899, IS entitled to the
immortal honor Of its authorship. The Resolutions
of the House of Representatives,ir drawn up by him
on the occasion Of Gen. Washingon's death, are in
the following words:
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1. 1799
The House of Representatives of the United States
having received intelligence of the dah of their highly
valued fellowczen, GEORGE WASHINGTON General of the
Armies of the United States and shging the universal
grief this distressing event must produce, unanimously
reSelre-
L. That this House will wait on the President of the
United States in coincidence of this natbnal calamity
2 That the Speakers chair be shrelded with black
and that the members and officers of he House wear
mourning during the session.
8. That joint committee of both Houses be appointed
to report measures suitable to the OCCASION and express
sve of the profound with which Congress pene
trated in the loss of citizen IN WAR, FIRST IN
PEACE, AND FIRST IN THE HEARTS or HIS ouNTEYMEN.
The brief and touching manner il which Pres-
dent ADAMS brought the subject 10 tie attention Of
Congress can scarcely be too often brought to re
membrance
Gentlemen Of The Senate and
Gentlemen Of The House Of Representatives.:
The letter herewith transmitted will inform you TINT it
has pleased Divine Providence from this life
excellent fellow Citizen GEORGE WASHINGTON by the
purity of his character and long series services to
his country rendered illustrous through TIN world 1t
remains for aectionate and grateful peope in whose
hearts he can never die, to pay suitable hnors to his
memory. JOHN ADAMS
UNITED STATES, DECEMBER 10, 1900.
Here followed the letter Of Dr. TOBIAS LEAF announc
ing his death
The Senate concurred in the appointment Of
joint committee and in appropriate honor Gen
HENRY LEE pronounced the funeral ORATOR.
1t was on this occasion that joint resolution was
passed ordering Marble Monument to be erected
by the United States in the Capitol the city Of
Washincta., --1---~.:-s IL r----:ly &c Gen
| Washington to permit his body to be deposited
under it.
Mrs. WASHINGTON reluctantly consented, in tn,
following delicate and sad terms, addressed to Pre-
sident ADAMS:
MouST VERSoS, DECEMBER 81, 1879
/ SIR: While feel, with keenest anguish the late dis
pensaton of Divine Providence cannot be nsensibe 4
the mournfu tributes of respect and veneraon which
paid to the memory Of my dear deceased husband and
his best services and most anxious wishes always
devoted to the welfare and happiness Of his country
know that they truly appreciated and gratefully
membered affords no inconsderable consolation.
Taught by that great example which have long had
before to oppose my private wishes to the pub
lie WILL must consent TO the request made by Congress
which you lave had the goodness to transmit TO and
IN doing this need not cannot, say what sacrifice OF
| individual feeling make TO n sense of public duty
With grateful ackno wledgmens and unfegned thanks
for the personal respect and evidences Of coincidence
pressed by Congress and yourself reman very respect
fully, sir, your most obedient humble servant,
MARTHA WASHINGTON.
These "reminiscences may not be inappropriate at
moment when Mount Vernon itself, the residence
and the tomb Of the Hero is spoken of as likely to
pass from the hands Of the Washington family II
Mrs Washington felt as a sacrifice of individual
feeling the proposition to surrender the remains OF
her ustrous husband to the care of Congress, what
would be her agony now if allowed to hear the pro-
position to give up his home and his tomb to the
purposes Of speculation
How impressivcly did President ADAMS, in his
reply to the Senate, group together the high quail
ties aud noble traits Of the departed chieftan Two
paragraphs convey volumes Of culogy:
!" In the multitude Of my thoughts and recoectons on
this melancholy event, you will permit only say
that have seen him in the days Of adversely in OF
the scenes OF his deepest distress and trying per-
plexities have also attended him in his highest eeva-
ton and most prosperous felicity with uniform admiro
ton Of his wisdom, moderation and constancy. =
" His example is complete and it will teach wis
dom and virtue TO magistrates, citizens, and men, not
only in the present age but in future as long
our history shall be read IL Traian found Pliny
Marcus ureiius want bographers euOgsts,
| or historians"
\ Mr.. WILLIAM II WEBB ship-bulder OF New York
has been awarded contract by the Emperor Nicholas
for the construction Of ine-ofbattc ship for the Rus
sian navy. The ship is to carry hundred guns and
nearly three thousand tens She will be fur
nished with n steam propeller auxiliary and have
double engines Of Eve hundred horse power The work
OF construction will be commenced next spring and two
years viii be required to complete it. The Journal Of
| Commerce adds:
!" In model this vessel will be different from any thinc