The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1858-04-21
Washington Correspondence.
WASHINGTON, April IA, 1858


Dear Spirit: 1 suppose ere this you
have heard of the death of the Hon.
THOMAS II. BENTON. He died at his res
idence, on G. Street, in this city, on the
morning of the 10th, at IS minutes past
. O'Clock He has resided in this city
for upwards of thirty years, and has in
deed, looked upon Washington as his
home. The funeral ceremonies took place
Monday a, 2 o'clock, and were attended
by the President, several members Of the
cabinet, members of the diplomatic corps,
Judges of the Supreme Court, most of
the Senators and Representatives in Con.
gress, and large concourse of private
citizens and strangers.
After the exercises at his residence
were performed, the procession moved to-
wards the depot The following gentle
men acting as pail bearers: Gen. Jessup
u. S. A. and Gen. Houston of Texas, Sec-
rotary Floyd, Col. VIM. W. Seaton, of
Washington, Hon. Jas. B. Clay, of KY,
W. H. Appleton, of N. Y. the publisher
of Col. Beuton's works, Jacob Hall, Esq.
of Mo-, and Jno. c. Rives, of Washing
ton, editor of the Globe.
The remains of the deceased were
placed in separate car attached to the
three O'Clock train for the West, expected
to reach St Louis this Wednesday even
ing. They were accompanied by VIM.
G. Jones, and Mr.. Jacobs sons-in-law OF
the deceased. The day previous to his
death he addressed note to Gen. Hous.
ton of the Senate and Hon. G. w. Jones
of Ten, of the House, requesting in case
of his death that there be no notice taken
of i. whatever by Congress, thus carrying
out the principle he always advocated,
that no man should he buried at the ex-
pense Of the Government. Both Houses
of Congress, however adjourned on Mon
day to attend the funeral.
1t is said up to Friday evening before
his death he worked with the full force
of his indomitable energy upon bis great
work, the abridgement of the debates Of
Congress When 100 far gone 10 speak
above his breath, he dictated, in whis-
per, to his daughter, who bent over his
head, she conveying it to her husband,
| Mr.. Jones, word for word, who wrote il
down; then it was read to him for .correc.
tion and approval. BY this means the
work was brought down to the time he Sc
much desired it should be, to wit: the end
of the compromise session of 1850. Mr.
Benton's will was opened on Saturday,
which was made last September, aud in
which he names as his executors three oi
his son-in. laws, Messrs. Jones, Fremon,
and Jacobs, and his friends Montgomery
Blair and Phillip. Lee. His entire re-
naming library is bequeathed to Mr.. Jones
who ,thusa becomes the literary lesatee.
Mr.. Jones has long been associated with
lCol Benton in his literary labors and is
/ saidEto be; an -abiep writer and well ae
bq,ainted withpublic affairs. He, bequeatb
led dshissresidencei in this city to Mrs. Jones
| tand the residae Of his property Sis to be
fdivided equally amopgstdis four surviving
| lchildrens@a Sasss' rer9 ~ ~ srrF :
is Thus hos passed away another of Amer.
ica's greatest sta atesman, purest patriot:
iand smost industrious historians. Thus
tanother link that binds the new with the
/ old schootaofz politicians has been broken
! In the Senate Mr.. Benton served
/. for thirty consecutive years, but three o1
his oldassoeiates remain, Crittenden, Bel
and Houston, and their Senatorial careers
ore fast drawing to close, and their