IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, UNITED STATES,

Monday, February 28, 1848.

Mr. ASHMUN moved the following resolution, which was adopted: Resolved, That the Committee of Arrangements be directed to cause to be published, in pamphlet form, and in such manner as may seem to them appropriate, for the use of the House, twenty thousand copies of the Addresses made by the Speaker and the Members of this House, and of the Addresses made to the Senate, together with the discourse of the Rev. Mr. GURLEY, upon the occasion of the death of the Hon. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.

INTRODUCTION.

The circumstances connected with the death of the venerable Representative from Massachusetts were so peculiar, that we deem it proper to register them in this "Token of a nation's sorrow"-this frail tribute of respect to the memory of departed worth.

Though he had been quite feeble for the last year, MR. ADAMS entered the Hall of the House of Representatives on Monday, the 21st of February, in his usual health and spirits. When the House had been in session about an hour, the yeas and nays being ordered on a question, he responded in a voice unusually clear, and with more than ordinary emphasis. The painful scene that followed is thus described with accuracy and feeling in the National Intelligencer of the next morning:

"Just after the yeas and nays were taken on a question, and the Speaker had risen to put another question to the House, a sudden cry was heard on the left of the chair, "Mr. ADAMS is dying!" Turning our eyes to the spot, we beheld the venerable man in the act of falling over the left arm of his chair, while his right arm was extended, grasping his desk for support. He would have dropped upon the floor had he not been caught in the arms of the member sitting next to him. A great sensation was created in the House; members from all quarters rushing from their seats and gathering round the fallen statesman, who was immediately lifted into the area in front of the Clerk's table. The Speaker instantly suggested that some gentleman move an adjournment, which being promptly done, the House adjourned. A sofa was brought, and Mr. ADAMS, in a state of perfect helplessness, though not of entire insensibility, was gently laid upon it. The sofa was then taken up and borne out of the Hall into the Rotundo, where it was set down, and

the members of both Houses and strangers, who were fast crowding around, were with some difficulty repressed, and an open space cleared in its immediate vicinity; but a medical gentleman, a member of the House, (who was prompt, active, and self-possessed throughout the whole painful scene,) advised that he be removed to the door of the Rotundo opening on the east portico, where a fresh wind was blowing. This was done; but the air being chilly and loaded with vapor, the sofa was, at the suggestion of Mr. WINTHROP, once more taken up and removed to the Speaker's apartment, the doors of which were forthwith closed to all but professional gentlemen and particular friends. While lying in this apartment, Mr. ADAMS partially recovered the use of his speech, and observed, in faltering accents, "This is the end of earth;" but quickly added, "I am composed." Members had by this time reached Mr. A.'s abode with the melancholy intelligence, and, soon after, Mrs. ADAMS and his nephew and niece arrived, and made their way to the appalling scene. Mrs. A. was deeply affected, and for some moments quite prostrated by the sight of her husband, now insensible, the pallor of death upon his countenance, and those sad premonitories fast making their appearance which fall with such a chill upon the heart."

Soon after being taken to the Speaker's room, Mr. ADAMS sank into a state of apparent insensibility, gradually growing weaker and weaker, till on Wednesday evening, February 23d, at a quarter past 7 o'clock, he expired without a struggle.

While he was lying in the Speaker's room, all business was suspended in the Capitol. On Tuesday morning, the House came together at the usual hour. The Speaker on taking the chair announced, in a feeling manner, that his venerable colleague was still lingering in a state of insensibility in the adjoining apartment; whereupon, the House in solemn stillness immediately adjourned. The same thing occurred on the following morning. The Senate also, and the Supreme Court, testified their grief by suspending all business.

Though the health of Mrs. ADAMS did not allow her remaining constantly with her husband, she has the consolation of knowing that every