Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-03-11
Death of the Postmaster General.

and has not yet been arrested Evans wounds are con-
sidered dangerous.-Daay Journal, 10th inst.
Death of the Postmaster General.
The Washington papers come to US filed with parti
cuars relative to the death of the late Postmaster Gen
eral--Hon. A. V. Brown. We take thefolowing from
the correspondence of the Baltimore Sun, dated Wash
ngton March 8th
The Hon. Aaron V. Brown, Postmaster General of
the United States is He survived until about
past nine o'clock this morning. At early dawn
he was visited by President Buchanan. Rev. NJ. Gran
berry, Methodist Church South also called and uni
ted feveren prayer with the departing statesman. This
exercise is described eXcecdng gratifying for the
invocation assembled to the skies it appeared to be ac
compancd on the part of Mr.. Brown with cryent faith
aud hope in the merit OF his Redeemer.
! Precisely fifteen minutes before he drew the last
breath, Mrs. Brown his deeply afflicted wife, stepped
softly to his bedside and gazing for second upon his
countenancc he opened his eyes in full consciousness
raised and placed his arms around her neck pressed her
lips to his and imprinted thereon kiss-a kiss which
will never be forgotten Around him, as he breathed
| his last were Mrs. Brown Miss Narcssns Saunders,
| Cynthia Saunders, Edwin Saunders, Aaron and Gran
vile Brown and Mrs Gwin, Mr. Pillow and DR.. Force.
/ Postmaster General Brown was born in the county
of Brunswick, Va, on the 9th of August 1895. His
father the Rev. Aaron Brown, who enlisted when
not yet OF lawful age in the revolutionary army When
young Aaron was educated in We WcStrayvle Acade-
my, Nash county, North Carolina, and graduated in
1914 in the University Of North Carolina, at Chapel
i Hill lie served State Senator for the counties Of
Lincoln and Giles, Tenn, from l82l to 1927 In 1889
he entered upon duty representative in Congress-
and held that exalted position until 1645 He sub
sequenty by large majority elected Governor of the
State OF Tennessee, all of which he filled with distinguish
ed honor. On the 9th day Of March, 1857, he entered
upon his important duties Postmaster General and
closed his brilliant the morning of the 8th Of
: March, 1859, filling that post two years.
Immediately the announcement OF his dcCeaSe, by
order of the President general suspension of business
the postoe department and in the Office of the sixth
auditor proclaimed. The edlfce at once closed
and draped in mourning.
At nOon the heads of divisions in the neral posOf-
flee and Office Of the sixth auditor, together with the
clerks messengers, aborers and watchmen, held mass
y meeting in the large ROOM The assembage large
and evnced feelings of surprise and subdued grief at
the caamitieS of the past short week. On motion of
the First Assistant Postmaster General, Horato King,
o Esq, Second Assistant Postmaster General unani-
mousy called upon to preside, and Henry st. John Of
fut Esq., of the Auditors Office chosen secretary The
meeting being thus organized, the chair in brief but
eloquent stated the object of the meeting Thos
P. Scott ESQ., offered the following resolutions, which
- were, with deep feeling and unanimity, adopted.
t Resolved, That although we have during several
days received from hour to hour such gloomy reports
from the deathbed of beloved friend and respected
chief, Aaron V. Brown, Postmaster General as have
prepared in some measure for the announcement just
made to us of his decease yet we chilled and sorrow
stricken by the final shock.
Il ReSolued That as some small and inadequate test
monial of our high respect for him public officer
our admiration Tor him high minded gentleman, and
h our love for him kind, genial and true hearted
- friend we will attend his funeral in body
Resolved, That while we well know tLat this is nc
time for to invade the sancity of family grief and
n that do nothing to heal wound recent and
so dreadful the pain of which can only be assuaged and
bunted by time, nevertheless desire to tender to the
family of the deceased our heartfelt sympathy and
" chairman q {
is cause at fitting time, copy of its proceeding to b(
It transmitted to Mrs. Brown.
~ Horatio King, ESQ.,, First Assistant Postmaster
General then advanced and delivered the following ad
dress with such eloquence and feeling that there
e scarcely dry eye in the room.
is We are assembled under circumstances of a mos
extraordinary character Only three days ago We me-
in this place for the purpose of giving uerance to ou
unfeigned grief the death of of our oldest anC
Y most warmly cherished associates
O. We called upon to lament the sudden deIns
of our honorcd and beloved chief, Aaron V. Brown
Only short week has passed since both were with
apparently in good health Both left the Office after th
IL duties OF the day. week ago Monday. Sickness
lie overlook them the night following. Ali that is NOR
tai of the former laid in the cold tomb on Saturda,
10 and but wait to perform the sad Office in
spec to the liteess form of the latter. What al
ne inscrutabe Providence At the very moment when thu
eXgencics of the public service than ever befo
demand all the ability experience and energy with which
each eminenty endowed they have been stricken
down almost without moments warning To me, ant
doubt not to all you, the blow is perfectly stunning
The angel of death to be lowering over us and
It. stand aghast were, in anxious soctude to know
dol who of US is to receive the next summons.
~ would gladly have turned away to seek compoSure
H. and if possible consolation in silence under this mos
at affecting dspensaton but it seemed to devolvc on nc
as Of those occupying intimate relation toward
an the late Postmaster General to make few remarks
this melancholy occasion. | saw Governor Brown 70
the last time on Wednesday forenoon-the day after
m was attacked He taken with severe chill on th
Monday night previous and this followed by no
81 fever resulting in pura Pneumonia at three o'clock
is | called and he was comparatively comfortable.
had sent for me to inquire about the business of the dc
partment and especially anxious to know what Con
gress was doing in regard to the postofce bills befor
Ill it. gave him as brief and favorable an account there
OF as possible for the physician charged me to occp
his attention but few moments and left him in th