JULY, 1850.]

Death of Hon. Daniel Putnam King.

[31ST CONG. of this House will wear the usual badges of mourning for thirty days.

Resolved, That the Clerk of the House be direct

ed to communicate a copy of these proceedings to the family of the deceased.

Resolved, That the Clerk be also directed to communicate a copy of these resolutions to the Senate; and that, as a further testimony of respect House do now adjourn. to the memory of the Hon. DANIEL P. KING, this

your hearing, Mr. Speaker, who knew him well, and in the hearing of the older members of this House, I hesitate not to say, that no member has more constantly and faithfully devoted his time and talents to the public serIvice than my deceased colleague. He was daily, hourly, almost continually in his seat, with a clear and constant understanding of the business under consideration. In the discharge of his duties upon the various committees upon which he has been placed, he has been alike in- Mr. WINTHROP. If mere custom had predustrious and exemplary. In attending to the vailed on this occasion, Mr. Speaker, it would interests of his constituents, which were man- have fallen to me, as the senior member of the ifold, as his district was a highly commercial Massachusetts Delegation in this Hall, to perone, his diligence could not be exceeded. He form the sad duty, which has been so faithfully acted and voted always; he spoke seldom. and feelingly discharged by my friend and colIn all the relations of private life, he was league who has just taken his seat. I trust, without reproach; nay, more, his life was an therefore, that I may be allowed to say that, active blessing to all around him. It was made in yielding as I readily have done, to the claims such by the religious principle which was the of a more intimate association and immediate living spring of all his conduct. He was an companionship with the excellent person whose humble, active, devoted Christian. No pres-death has been announced to us, I have not sure of public duty, no desire for ease or relaxation, induced him to neglect the religious duties which he deemed as essential and proper here as at home; or the ordinances of the church to which he belonged. If to a stranger ear this seems the language of eulogy, I can only say, I cannot change it, for it is the simple truth.

Mr. Speaker, the power of death, which has been repeatedly during the present session exhibited in the other Chamber of Congress, and in the Executive Mansion, has now for the first time manifested itself here. Although our departed friend had not an iron constitution, he had never before, I believe, suffered any severe sickness. He was perhaps as little likely as any man among us to become the victim of disease. The plain language of so sudden an end, of such a life, is, "Be ye also ready."

been wanting in the deepest regret for his loss, or in the most sincere respect for his memory.

It has been my good fortune to be connected with Mr. KING for many years in the Legislature of our own Commonwealth, as well as to be with him here, during the whole period of his seven years' service as a member of this House; and I can truly say, that I have rarely met with a juster or worthier man, or with one more scrupulously faithful to every obligation to his neighbor, his country, and his God.

His devotion as a public servant, his integrity as a private citizen, and the high moral and religious character which he sustained in all the relations of life, had endeared him not merely to his immediate constituents, but to the whole people of Massachusetts; and there is no one who was more likely to have received at their hands, at no distant day, the reward of his honorable ambition, in the high

Sir, when the resolutions which I am about to propose shall have been adopted, the greatest honors of his native State. tide of public events will obliterate here the memory of my friend. His name will be stricken from the roll, and will pass from recollection here. But in the circle of his particular acquaintances, by those of us who have shared his domestic and social relations, his memory will be borne with us to the gates through which his gentle and noble spirit has just passed. And, in that district which he so faithfully represented, and of which he always spoke with such tender and proud regard, there will be a future of sincer emourning, for the loss of a private friend and a public benefactor.

Though he had enjoyed the advantage of an education, which would have fitted him for entering upon either of what are commonly called the learned professions, his tastes had led him to Agricultural pursuits. He prided himself, as any one may well pride himself, on being a good Farmer; and the farmers of his neighborhood were justly proud of him as one of the most intelligent, observing, and scientific of their number.

I move, sir, the following resolutions: Resolved, That this House has received with deep sensibility, the intelligence of the death of the Hon. DANIEL P. KING, a member of this House, from the State of Massachusetts, which took place at his residence in that State on Thursday last.

Resolved, That, as a testimony of respect for the memory of the deceased, the members and officers

We may well count it, sir, among the consolations of this hour, that he was permitted by a kind Providence, after so long a detention amid these scenes of strife, to revisit his native fields, to die beneath his own roof, surrounded

by his family and friends, and to lie down at last beneath the soil which he had adorned with his hand, and which was so dear to his heart.

In the beautiful village in which he lived, and which is now the scene of so much unaffected sorrow for his loss, I venture to say that no sod will be kept greener than that

1ST SESS.]

Death of Hon. Daniel Putnam King.

which covers his ashes, and that his name will long be sadly but fondly associated with "the Flower of Essex."

[JULY, 1850.

affection, year by year augmented in beauty and usefulness, by well-directed skill and careful cultivation.

Mr. KING, sir, was a gentleman-a gentleman of that school which teaches self-abnegation when the feelings and views of others are concerned. The apparent diffidence of his manners for a moment concealed the merit which lay beneath, but the solid, substantial qualities of his heart, and the full cultivation of his intellect, combined, with the gentleness of his manners and the purity of his morals, to insure in a little time the respect and the affection of his associates.

Mr. CHANDLER. I have waited till the members of the Massachusetts delegation should have given expression to the feeling which the death of their colleague (and such a colleague) must naturally inspire. It seemed to me to be a sort of sacrilege to anticipate their lamentation, or to break the chain of communication by which from mouth to mouth the voice of sorrow and of eulogy had utterance. It must be that these home-companions of the deceased have deeper griefs than the comparative stranger, and I am not one who would invade the Mr. KING, sir, was a christian. The virtues holy rights of sorrow. But, Mr. Speaker, it to which I have already alluded, owed their would, I think, be injustice to our late fellow-greatest attraction to the christian spirit in member--to the claim which his abundant virtues had upon the respect of all with whom he was in any way associated-to imagine that the afflictive rod of Providence had not reached beyond the State of which the deceased was one of the Representatives in this House. |

Wherever the Hon. DANIEL P. KING cultivated an acquaintance he made a friend; and though he was not ambitious of enlarged social intercourse yet the public positions to which he was called, and the fidelity with which he discharged all the duties connected with these trusts, extended his connections and multiplied the number of those who admired his character and rejoiced in his distinction. And that circumstance, sir, has bowed a thousand hearts to the blow which Providence has inflicted in the death of our lamented friend. On that ground, sir, I speak, not for myself alone, nor to occupy the attention of this House with any expression of my proper sorrows; but in this solemn moment, when the eyes of the House are turned towards the seat now left vacant, to say that the associates-the household companions -the members of the mess of which Mr. KING formed a part-have a peculiar grief in the deprivation which his death has brought. We had found him, sir, accomplished in all the riches of classic study, and able to command, for the delight of social intercourse, the treasures of science and the arts, while his attainments, and the profitable use to which he could apply them, were exhibited with a modesty that seemed to be alarmed at the admiration which such attainments and such a use of them naturally excited.

which they originated, and in which they were exhibited. He was kind and forbearing; watchful over his own words and inanners; and ever prompt to aid, by all appropriate means, those whose condition appealed to his superior attainments or larger possessions. And the bland courtesy of the gentleman blended in perfect harmony with the meekness and purity of the christian. And if I were called on to present, from public life, the true exemplification of the christian gentleman, I know of no character that would more beautifully illustrate the idea and supply the model than that of DANIEL P. KING.

The loss which the Commonwealth of Massachusetts sustains in the death of such a son and such a Representative, has been eloquently set forth by some of those who shared with him the honor of that representation, and who shared among themselves the delight of his association.

The terrible affliction that has made desolate the home of those that gathered into the domestic circle of the deceased, is not to be described. The arm upon which filial reverence leaned with much confidence is palsied by death-the heart, which the purest affections shared, has ceased to beat; and sorrow that springs from such a visitation, is too sanctified for us to disturb-the expression of sympathy itself might be an intrusion.

We have lost from our midst, Mr. Speaker, one who did honor to his association-he is the first indeed that has fallen among us, but we cannot conceal the monitory fact, that he has been swept away by a disease that is prevalent around us, and among us, and yesterday, when the news of the death of our late colaborer reached this House, some of us who

The honorable gentleman who announced to this House the fearful intelligence upon which we are now acting, and the honorable gentle-speak, and many who listen, were startled, not man who followed him, took occasion to say, only with the painful intelligence, but with the that Mr. KING, though enjoying the advan- consciousness of bending beneath the very tages of high collegiate education, declined pro- disease which has deprived our House of so fessional pursuits that he might indulge in his useful a member, and the nation of so faithful taste for Agriculture; and it was with his a servant. May we not hope, Mr. Speaker, landed estate as with his mental gifts, it was that the hand of afflictive Providence thus visinot the bare possession that he prized, but the ble among us, will direct us to a more faithful improvement; nothing with him remained un- discharge of the high duties imposed upon us; productive the wide-spread farm, the well- and that while we pause to do honor to the stored intellect, and the treasures of domestic | memory of so good a man, we shall resolve to

JULY, 1850.]

Death of Hon. Daniel Putnam King.

[31ST CONG.

dedicate our services more effectually to the na- | that he was a graduate of Harvard University,

tion, and in our grief to bury our passions, our pride, and our selfishness.

One word more, Mr. Speaker, and I will cease to trespass on the patience, or to tax the courtesy of this House. One word more, and I will unite with you and my brother members, in the adoption of those resolutions which give expression to our feelings on this painful bereavement, and then we will separate, that we may, in silence and solitude, extract from this Providence, the benefits which it is capable of conferring by a right use.

in his native State; but, unlike most persons who go through that course of education, instead of engaging in professional pursuits, he devoted himself to Agriculture. In this employment upon his own estate in Danvers, he will be long remembered for the zeal with which he prosecuted his business, and the influence which he exercised in promoting and encouraging useful improvements in the arts of husbandry.

His character and intelligence in the profession which he had chosen to be the business of There are few in this Hall, I imagine, Mr. his life, combined to recommend him for places Speaker, who had not some knowledge of the of public trust and confidence. His townsmen character of the deceased; and none, I venture frequently solicited him to represent them in to say, who had not a respect for him just in the Legislature of the Commonwealth, and he proportion to that knowledge. I confess that, was once chosen to preside over the House as though older than he, I had learned to love its Speaker. He was also elected by the counthe man for the beautiful simplicity of his char-ty of Essex one of her Senators, and was, acter, to admire him for his social virtues, during his service in the Senate, made its preand to respect him for his enviable attain-siding officer. In these stations he acquitted ments. The friendship which was consequent himself in a manner so creditable, that in a disupon intercourse, was a prize which made life trict distinguished for gentlemen of learning and delightful, and the pain consequent upon his other intellectual accomplishments, he was seunexpected death deprives the grief of utter-lected as a candidate for Congress, and had, ance. I was proud of his friendship as I was covetous of his intercouse. He was kind in granting both to me;

"But greater gifts were his-a happier doom, A brighter genius, and a purer heart;

A fate more envied, and an earlier tomb."

The question was then taken on the resolutions, and they were unanimously agreed to. And the House accordingly adjourned.

IN SENATE.

SATURDAY, July 27.

Mr. DAVIS, of Massachusetts, presented the credentials of the Hon. THOMAS EWING, appointed by the Governor of Ohio to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of the Hon. THOMAS CORWIN. Mr. EWING, having been duly qualified, took his seat.

Death of Hon. Daniel P. King.

A message was received from the House of Representatives by the Clerk, announcing the death of the Hon. DANIEL P. KING, a member of the House from the State of Massachusetts, and the proceedings had thereon.

Mr. Presi

when brought to his untimely end, entered upon a fourth period of service. Honored as he had been with many and repeated marks of confidence by those who knew best his worth, still his rural pursuits had stronger charms than public life, and it was his purpose to leave these chambers at the end of this Congress, to enjoy the pleasures of his farm and his home.

Mr. President, death has disappointed these anticipations. He who was with us, uniting in our counsels only a few days ago, has left a seat vacant and gone to his account.

While we were gathering round the bier of that great and good man of whose counsels we have been recently bereaved, he embraced the opportunity afforded by a suspension of business to visit his family. While at his home, and in the midst of those most dear to him, he was seized with the disease which terminated his life.

Many greater men have died, but few better few whose virtues shine more conspicuously -whose patriotism was warmer, or whose pure, unblemished character entitled them more emphatically to be called good men.

Mr. D. concluded by offering the following:

Mr. DAVIS, of Massachusetts. dent, in listening to the painful intelligence which has been announced to us by the message from the House, I may be pardoned if I give utterance to feelings in which I am sure many will sympathize. The grave should not close over the remains of a co-laborer so pure in heart, and so upright in purpose, without some expression of our sense of his merit of our regret at his decease-of our sym-ings to the family of the deceased. pathy with his surviving friends.

sensibility the message from the House of Repre Resolved, That the Senate has received with deep sentatives, announcing the death of the Hon. DANIEL P. KING, a Representative from Massachusetts.

I have known Mr. KING for many years; and, without entering into the details of a life usefully and honorably spent, I may observe

Resolved, That, in token of respect for the memory of the deceased, the Senate will wear the usual badge of mourning thirty days.

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate be directed to communicate a copy of these proceed

Resolved, That, as a further token of respect for the memory of the deceased, the Senate do now adjourn.

And the Senate adjourned.

Final Vote on the Boundary of Texas.

The bill was then ordered to be engrossed for about the propriety of the order of proceeding.

Protest against the Admission of California.