Page:The Ladies of the White House.djvu/86

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MARTHA WASHINGTON.

commemorate the great events of his military and political life. And it further resolved,

"That there be a funeral procession from Congress Hall to the German Lutheran Church in honor of the memory of General George Washington, on Thursday, the 26th inst., and that an oration be prepared at the request of Congress, to be delivered before both Houses on that day, and that the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives be desired to request one of the members of Congress to prepare and deliver the same. And it further resolved,

"That the President of the United States be requested to direct a copy of the resolutions to be transmitted to Mrs. Washington, assuring her of the profound respect Congress will ever bear to her person and character; of their condolence on the late afflicting Dispensation of Providence, and entreating her assent to the interment of the remains of General George Washington in the manner expressed in the first resolution. And It further resolved,

"That the President of the United States be requested to issue a Proclamation notifying the People throuohout the United States the recommendation contalned in the third resolution."

In reply to the above resolutions, which were transmitted by the President (John Adams) on the 23d Dec, 1799, Mrs. Washington says:

Mount Vernon, Dec. 31st, 1799.

"Sir:—While I feel with keenest anguish the late