Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-10-14

DEATH OF GEN. LEE.

demise first reached here, on nesdsy night
last, the people at large. irrespective Of their
POLITICAL opinions, have talked aud, apparently,
thought, Of nothing else, and expressions oil
heartfelt sorrow for the personal loss each one
seems to have sustained, and of sincere sym
patty for the family OF the dead gentleman.
have been general and continuous. All the
Corporation Offices, the Gazette Office, the
telegraph Offices, Adam express Office, nearly
all the stores on King street, land many private
residences are draped 10 morning, the flags
of the steamers and shipping in port are flying
at half mast, and the bells of the city are toled
at intervals
MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
The Common Council met at its chamber
last night short time before eight O'clock
There was but small attendance within the
bar and fewer spectators than usual without.
The Chair announced that the meeting had
been cllled to take into consideration the
following communication from the Mayor:
MAJORS COMMUNICATIONS.
MAYORS OFFICE,
ALEXANDRIA, October IL, 1870.
To the Honorable City Council:
Geutlemen-The sad and mournful duty de-
vo.ves upon mo to inform you officially of the
death OF the patriot, General Robert E. Lee
He died at his residence, in Lexington, Va, on
the 18th instant.
Tho language Of eulogy is mute; tho clio
quenco OF the orator is vain in sny attempt to
add lustre to the character or fame Of that truly
great man.
The peoples Of the world, VIII ere his name and
deeds are known, with one accord, acknowledge
his virtues and his greatness.
Calm and judicious in council; brave, skill.
full and energetic in tho field ;nereiful and
magnsni,ncus in victory; adversely could not
depress him success could not make him for.
get that he was n christian aCd soldier.
The world will mourn his death tis coun.
try will grieve, and the South. the chief mourn
or, will bow with humble submission to tho Di-
vine will and sorrow for this great bereave-
ment. but not as those without hope.
To you. gentlemen, is assigned the duty OF
testfj ing the feelings of this unity.at this
dispensaton Of Providence
HUGH LATHAM, Mayor.
Alter the communication had been read the
Chair suggested that ,int meeting should be
held to take the su:j:ct into consideration.
Upon the motion of Mr. Shinn, the Alder,
men We're invited to the Council chamber and
came in the President OF the Aldermen, w.
H. Marbury, taking d seat on the right of
the Chair
The Chair having announced the object of
the meeting,
Mr. Shinn introduced the following resou
ton, which was unanimously adopted:
Rssol0ed, That a Committee of two from each
Board be appointed by the Chair to draft reso
munity, occasioned by the sad announcement
Of the death of Gen. Robt. E. Lee.
Aldermen French and Markell, and Coun
cilmen Wheat and Wedderburn we're appointed
said committee.
The committee retired and on their return,
through MIR. French, who paid compliment
to the Mayors communication, reported the
following which were unanimously adopted
WHEREAS, in the dispensation of an all wise
and merciful Providence, we are called upon to
mourn tho death of General Robert Edward
Lee; as his friends and former nelghbors, we
have assembled 10 unite in expressing our heart
felt sorrow at the great Fiction which has be-
fallen his family and humanity at large In
his conduct through life he was an ornament OF
the age in which he lived; his memory Is en-.
shrined in the hearts Of MS countrymen, and
his life adorns the pages of our country's hlsto-
ry; be it. therefore,
Resolvsd by the Board of Aldermen and the
Common Council of the city Of Alexandria,
That we have heard With deep and heart felt sor
row of the death of Gen Robert Edward Leo "a
christian gentleman, whom we mourn as
friend endeared to our community by his resi-
dence near us and his associations with us IN
the past.
In him we Geplore the loss of one. who, by
precept and example, has ennobled and adorned
human nature liberty never had moro sim
cero and disnterested votary, nor humanity
truer friend.
The land Of his birth sorrows, weeping over
its loss but it does not bound mis- fame; for in
the hearts of the good and great thoroughout
the civilized world, responsive throbs Will
beat in unison with our own az the SAD lhte!ll-
gence that he has been called away from US.
reaches them.
With his afflicted family We condolo and but
unite our sympsthies with those OF the country
at large.
Resolved, Ths: the public buildings in this
city be drsped in mourning for the period OF
thirty days.
Resolved, That the town bell be tolled at in
tervss of three minutes on the day of the fu-
neral ceremonies, and that the owners OF other
alarm bells be requested to canse such an OBJ
servance of respect.
RESOLVED, That The merchants and business
men of our city be requested to close their places
Of business on the day Of the funeral.
Resolved, That the above preamble and reso'
buttons be recorded among the minutes OF the
Common Council, and that u copy Of them be
forwarded to the family OF tho deceased.
The Chair stated that there was no inIorma
ton as to the time or place OF Gen. Lee
funeral 1t was supposed by some that his re-
mains would be brought here Tor ioterment. In
that case further action on the part OF the
Council would be necessary.
Mr.. Wedderburn stated that he had sent
dispatch to Senator Snowden making Inquiries
but had as yet received 20 answer.
r. uoo Gnollu aoroe1 that in case Inflammation
needing further action was received, called
meeting of the Council should take place. and
with this understanding the boards separated
and severay adjourned.
MEETING OF THE CORN EXCHANGE.
An adjourned meeting OF the Alexandra
Corn and Produce Exchange was held at the