Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-25
Death and Burial OF Hon. John Y. Mason.


PARIS Thursday Oct. &, lS59.--iou will
have already ready heard Of the sudden death
OF the American Minister at Paris, the Hon.
John l. Mason. lie had never recovered
completely from his first attack Of apoplcxy,
which occurred four years ago, and which
then came near terminating his life. An
incomplete paralysis Of the left side remain
ed as Il result OF the first attack, but SO en-
tireiy bad his health Of mind and body been
restored il other respects that thore is rea-
son to believe he looked forward 10 a pro-
lonscl lite. and was far from antclpa-
ting 50 early and so sudden death
To all, however, who knew the lmplacable
character If the disease, and It's tendency 10
surcr and more fatal return, the sad event
was scarcely surprise. Thus without the
slightest prcmouitlon, and in Il state OF per
feet health, was the deceased visited with
the last fatal stroke lie retired TO rest on
Sunday evening after taking leave of party
OF vistcrs who had dincd ut his house, and in
his usual health At one o'clock iii the morn
ing Mrs Mason heard au unusual noise in her
husband sroom. and. approaching his bedside,
found him IN commissions and unconscious. lie
remained in this condition until he died. eight
hours later, suffering intensely. although
unconscious o! surrounding objects. Sever
al physicians were AZ his bedside, but they
We're unable u give any relief.
The body of the deceased has been EN-
balmri and will be taken home. IL was
buried here professionally, however. in a
vault Of the American Chapel in the Rue de
Berri. The funeral ceremony took place
yesterday ut the chapel and was attended
by Il large number Of Americans, by mem
bcrs OF the Government, of the diplomatic
corps, and by all those III fine who had learn
Ell by IL personal association IL esteem the
superior talent and kindly qualities Of heart
of the deceased Mr. Anderson, Of Virginia,
who married Il month ago one of the Misses
Mason. is happily still in Paris, and will take
charge of the family
Mr.. Mason leaves widow and ten children.
OF the latter four are married. \ married
and unmarried son and Two married daugh-
tiers live in Virginia. Mrs. Anderson. three
unmarried daughters. between the ages of
sixteen and twenty, and two sons under tit-
teen are in Paris.
The Government sent to the funeral de.
tachment of two hundred and fifty soldiers
ofthe Twenty-eighth regiment of the Line.
commanded by II chief ol battalion. Soldiers
were placed up and down the alsles Of the
church during the service and each time the
congregation rose 10 sing the captains voice
WAS heard over all. shouting 10 his men,
Shoulder arms And then again, as the
hymn ceased aud the congreg CATION sat down.
Ground arms" was heard. and the muskcts
came down on the stone floor with = stimuli
taneouS clang that startled the audience and
rang through the yaulted roof with more ef-
feet than the deep notes Of the organ. This
novel method of increasing the solemnities of
OF Il funeral occasion broke in Singularly up
on the previous habits of the American part
of the congregation, or ut least that part of
it not accustomed 10 seeing funerals Of high
official persons in France. This is, however,
the French method OF showing honor to the
dead. and must be received ~ Il compliment,
homogeneous and inappropriate rs it appears.
During the course of the funeral sermon
the Rev. Mr. Sccly mentioned among other
things that at the moment OF his death, the
lamentcd desceased was negotiating a very
important commercial treaty with France
1t is indeed to be much regretted that his
life was not spared in order to accomplish
this important work for certainly no Imam in
the United States is more competent to such
II work than was the deceased His long oc-
cupation Of the Navy Department, natural
inclination to the study of commercial affairs,
and remarkable clear headedness on every
subject to which he applied himself. offered
a sure guarantee that the forthcoming treaty
would have added honor to his name and
wealth to his country The great need Of
placing the commercial relations Of the two
countries on better footing has long been
felt, and it is to be hoped that the Govern
ment, in looking about Tor 4 successor to Mr..
Mason, will not forget that this work is un-
finished, and that Il man is required capable
OF completing it. 1t is undoubtedly the most
important work he will have to do.
Mr.. Calhoun, of South Carolina, and Mr..
Wilbor, of New York first and second Sec
rctaries OF Legation, will remain in charge
OF the legation until the appointment of a new
Minister C"rr. ~ tie Mr. loTk Times.
TmE COLUMBIAN COLLEGE. The friends
ana patrons Of the Columbian College will