This day we have a melancholy duty to perform. Another of the Worthies of the Revolution, the tried Patriot and consistent Politician, the second Officer of our Government, the venerable Gerry, is no more! Yesterday, between the hours of ten and eleven, he breathed his last.
His death was as sudden as it was unexpected. In apparent health he presided in the Senate during an arduous sitting on the preceding day; fifteen minutes before his death, although in his seventieth year, he bade fair to outlive many of those who read these lines. At a few minutes warning, the thread of life was cut, and his spirit winged its flight to happier realms.
The circumstances of the Death of our lamented fellow-citizen, Elbridge Gerry, were nearly these. He breakfasted at the common table at his boarding house, at the usual hour, in apparent health, with the exception of a transient complaint of slight oppression at his breast. A short time afterwards, he went out on business to one of the public offices, a few yards distant only from his lodgings, where after a few minutes, he found himself indisposed, and intimated a wish to return to his residence. Being placed again in the carriage, he was reconveyed to his lodgings. On the arrival of the carriage there, he was found to be insensible, and expired immediately after, almost without a groan or sigh.
In consequence of the death of the Vice President of the United States, no business was yesterday done in Senate, and but little in the House of Representatives. None will be done in either house today. The Funeral is expected to take place at three o'clock this day.
In Senate., Wednesday, November 23
About the hour of meeting a report having reached the Senate Chamber of the death of the Vice President of the United States, the Members from Massachusetts, Mr. Varnum and Mr. Gore, proceeded to his lodgings to ascertain the fact; and on their return, having announced the fact to the Senate, the following proceeding took place, on motion of Mr. Bledsoe.
The Senate, being informed of the Death of their distinguished fellow-citizen, Elbridge Gerry, Vice President of the United States, Do Resolve, That a committee be appointed, jointly with such committee as may be appointed on the part of the House of Representatives, to consider and report measures most proper to manifest the public respect for the memory of the deceased, and expressive of the deep regret of the Congress of the United States for the loss of a citizen so highly respected and revered.
Ordered, that Mr. Gore, Mr. Varnum, Mr. Smith, Mr. Anderson and Mr. Gaillard by the committee.
On motion of Mr. Bledsoe, Ordered that the Secretary inform the House of Representatives of the decease of the Vice President of the United States, and communicate the foregoing resolution.
House of Representatives, Wednesday, November 23
... The Secretary of the Senate was announced, and, in becoming terms, informed the house of the decease of the Vice President of the United States, and the resolution the Senate had thereupon adopted.
On motion of Mr. Findley of Pa. the business on hand was ordered to lie on the table.
On motion of Mr. Wm. Reed, Resolved unanimously, That this house doth concur in the resolution of the Senate for the appointment of a joint committee "to consider and report measures proper to manifest the public respect for the memory of the deceased," and expressive the deep regret of the Congress of the United States, for the loss of a citizen so highly respected and revered.
And then the house adjourned.
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