Having announced to you, fellow-citizens, this most afflicting bereavement, and assuring you that it has penetrated no heart with deeper grief than mine, it remains for me to say, that I propose this day at twelve o'clock, in the Hall of the House of Representatives, in the presence of both Houses of Congress, to take the oath prescribed by the constitution, to enable me to enter on the execution of the office which this event has devolved on me. MILLARD FILLMORE. The reading of the Message having been concluded Mr. MORSE rose and said, that, in accordance with the suggestion contained in the melancholy announcement which had just been read from the Clerk's desk, he (Mr. M.) would move that the House now take a recess until twelve o'clock at which time they would be in readiness to receive the Senate, and the President of the United States, who would then take the oath of office prescribed by the constitution. Mr. WINTHROP said it seemed to him that, as the President of the United States had expressed his intention to present himself in the House of Representatives for the purpose of taking the oath of office, it would be no more than becoming that the House should appoint a committee to wait upon him and inform him that the House would be ready to receive him at twelve o'clock, for the purpose indicated. Mr. MORSE. I accept the suggestion. Mr. WINTHROP. I therefore move that a committee be appointed on the part of the House to join such committee as may be appointed by the Senate, to wait upon the honorable MILLARD FILMORE, and inform him that the House will be in readiness to receive him this day at twelve o'clock, in order that the oath required by the Constitution of the United States may be administered to him. The SPEAKER stated the question on the motion of Mr. WINTHROP, and it was unanimously agreed to. The SPEAKER. Of what number does the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. WINTHROP) propose that the committee shall consist? Mr. WINTHROP. Three on the part of the Senate and three on the part of the Housebeing, I believe, the usual number. Ordered accordingly. And the following gentlemen were appointed by the Speaker the committee on the part of the House, viz., Messrs. WINTHROP, MORSE, and MOREHEAD. The SPEAKER then stated the question to be on the motion of the gentleman from Louisiana, (Mr. MORSE,) that the House take a recess until twelve o'clock. Mr. MORSE suggested that the motion should be modified so as to read "five minutes before twelve." The SPEAKER said there was no necessity for any formal change in the motion. The Speaker could, if necessary, resume the chair a few minutes before the time designated. The House thereupon took a recess. [31ST CONG. At thirteen minutes before twelve o'clockThe SPEAKER resumed the Chair. A message was received from the Senate, by L. H. MACHIN, Esq., Chief Clerk thereof, informing the House that that body had passed a resolution proposing the assembling of the two Houses in the Hall of Representatives, to witness the administration to the President of the United States of the oath to support the constitution, to enable him to enter upon the discharge of his duties; and, also, that the Senate had concurred in the resolution of the House for the appointment of a joint committee to wait upon the President of the United States, and that they had appointed Messrs. SOULE, DAVIS of Massachusetts, and UNDERWOOD, on their part. The message having been read Mr. ASHMUN suggested, that as each House, acting separately, had adopted resolutions of a similar purport, which had passed each other between the two Houses, he supposed it would not be necessary to act upon the resolution just communicated from the Senate; and he moved, therefore, that it be laid upon the table. Mr. STANTON, of Tennessee, suggested, that the more appropriate mode would be, to concur in the resolution, rather than to lay it upon the table. The SPEAKER said that a similar resolution had already been passed by the House, and that there was no necessity for concurrence in this. Thereupon the resolution of the Senate was laid upon the table. The SPEAKER again vacated the chair. At six minutes before twelve the SPEAKER resumed the Chair. A pause of several minutes followed. At twelve o'clock Mr. MORSE appeared at the bar, introducing the honorable WILLIAM CRANCH, Chief Justice of the District and Circuit Court of the United States, who ascended the Clerk's platform and took a seat thereon, a little to the right of the Speaker. At four minutes past twelve— The Senate of the United States, preceded by their Sergeant-at-arms and Secretary, entered the Hall (the Speaker and members of the House rising to receive them) and took the places assigned to them in the area in front of the Speaker's chair. The Speaker and the members of the House then resumed their seats. Immediately afterwards His Excellency MILLARD FILLMORE, President of the United States, appeared at the bar of the House, supported by Messrs. SOULE of the Senate, and WINTHROP of the House of Representatives, and accompanied by the other members of the joint committee, and by the cabinet of the late President of the United States. The Speaker and members of the House rose to receive them. The President of the United States was con 1ST SESS.] Inauguration of President Fillmore. [JULY, 1850. ducted to a seat on the Clerk's platform, imme- | will be your melancholy satisfaction to adopt diately in front of the Speaker's chair. The Speaker and members of the House then resumed their seats. A brief pause followed. the most appropriate manifestations of the profound sensibility which this afflicting dispensation must awaken throughout the Union, and to concur in every mark of respect to the memory of the distinguished patriot who has been so suddenly summoned from the high honors and responsibilities of the Chief Magistracy, to which he had been called by his grateful countrymen, to the repose of the grave. The Message was then read, as follows: Fellow-Citizens of the Senate and of the House of Representatives: A great man has fallen among us, and a whole country is called to an occasion of unexpected, deep, and general mourning. I recommend to the two Houses of Congress to adopt such measures as in their discretion they may deem proper, to perform with due solemnities the funeral obsequies of ZACHARY TAYLOR, late President of the United States; and thereby to signify the great and affectionate regard of the American people for the memory of one whose life has been devoted to the public service; whose career in arms has not been surpassed in usefulness or bril liancy; who has been so recently raised by the unauthority in the Government-which he administersolicited voice of the people to the highest civil And then the President rose, and, accompanied by the committee, left the Hall, fol-ed with so much honor and advantage to his counlowed by the Cabinet, the Senate, &c., (the Speaker and members of the House rising as when they entered.) A further pause followed. A Message, in writing, was then received from the President of the United States, by the hands of George P. Fisher, Esq. Whereupon, try; and by whose sudden death, so many hopes of future usefulness have been blighted forever. To you, Senators and Representatives of a nation in tears, I can say nothing which can alleviate the sorrow with which you are oppressed. I appeal to you to aid me, under the trying circumstances which surround me, in the discharge of the duties, from which, however much I may be oppressed by The SPEAKER rose and addressed the House, them, I dare not shrink; and I rely upon Him, who as follows: I shall most readily concur in whatever measures the wisdom of the two Houses may suggest, as befitting this deeply melancholy occasion. MILLARD FILLMORE. WASHINGTON, July 10, 1850. holds in his hands the destinies of nations, to enGentlemen: Your session of yesterday was dow me with the requisite strength for the task, brought to an early close by the announcemented from the heavy calamity which has befallen us. and to avert from our country the evils apprehendof the dangerous illness of the President. It is my duty to-day to lay before you an official communication of his death. It is my purpose simply to make the announcement, not to dwell upon it; that duty will more properly devolve upon others. Whilst, gentlemen, our own body has been peculiarly exempt during its present sittings, from the fatality which usually attends a protracted session, we should not be regardless of the solemn warnings which Providence has extended to us in the death of those associated with us in the administration of our National Government. The victims who have been summoned to the tomb have been less remarkable for their number than their exalted character and position. The reading of the Message having been concluded Mr. CONRAD said: Mr. Speaker: In accordance with a wish expressed by many members, I have prepared a resolution adapted to the melancholy event which has just been announced, and which I purpose to offer to the House. Before doing so, however, I would do violence to my own feelings, as a representative of that State of which the illustrious deceased was a citizen and the brightest ornament, if I did not offer some remarks appropriate to the melancholy occasion on which we are assembled. Seldom has an event occurred which more strikingly illustrates the uncertainty of life and the instability of all earthly greatness than the one we are called For the first time in our history has the Chief Executive of the Union been stricken down during the session of Congress. It devolves a novel and solemn duty upon the representatives of the people. As the organ of this House, delegated with the mere expression of its resolves, I feel it appropriate to indulge in no suggestions of my own, or expressions of per-upon to deplore. sonal emotions. I cannot, however, forbear A few days ago General Taylor was in his from uttering the confident assurance that it usual robust health. On the fourth of this JULY, 1850.] Death of the President of the United States. [31ST CONG. inent traits of their distinguished men. The American people are inferior to none in this quality; and they soon discovered and appreciated the merits of General TAYLOR. It is not surprising, therefore, that they called him, almost by acclamation, to fill the first office in their gift. month he attended some ceremonies which took | sess a wonderful sagacity in detecting the promplace in commemoration of the anniversary of our national independence. As the ceremonies occurred in the open air, it is believed that the exposure to a heat of unusual intensity produced the malady which, at about half-past ten last night, terminated his earthly career. A great patriot has fallen! A great benefactor of his country has departed from among us! In a few hours a nation will be plunged in mourning, and the voice of lamentation will ascend from twenty millions of people! It is not my purpose, Mr. Speaker, to dwell at length, on this occasion, on the public career and the military achievements of General Taylor. These belong to the history of his country, and are deeply engraven on the memories and the hearts of his countrymen. I prefer to dwell on those minor traits of his character which, as they exert a less perceptible influence on the destinies of nations, are too often overlooked by historians. General Taylor's was not one of those characters, of which history furnishes many conspicuous examples, in which many defects are concealed amid the dazzling splendor of a single virtue. On the luminous disc of his character no dark spots are discernible. His biographer will have no great follies to conceal, or faults to excuse, or crimes to palliate or condemn. There is no dark passage in his life which justice will be called upon to condemn, or morality to reprove, or humanity to deplore. Like the finished production of an artist, the details of the picture are as correct and as beautiful as the general outline is grand and imposing. | It is so common for the most ambitious men to affect a reluctance in accepting those very honors which they have long and ardently sought, that we are apt to consider all such professions as indicating feelings the very reverse of those they express. Those, however, who knew General TAYLOR well, entertained no doubt of the entire sincerity of his declarations when he was called upon to be a candidate for the office of President. The excitement of politics had no charm for one who had always been extremely averse to political controversy. The pomp and splendor of the presidential mansion had no temptations for one who was always remarkable for the simplicity of his tastes and the frugality of his habits. Add to this that his unaffected modesty and inexperience in public affairs led him sincerely to distrust his ability to discharge the duties of this high and responsible station. At no period of our history, indeed, was the executive chair surrounded by more difficulties than those which encompassed it when he was called on to occupy it. Party spirit was still raging with unabated fury; a dark cloud was visible on the horizon, which portended that a storm of unusual violence was approaching, and would shortly burst forth. Under such His heroic courage and military genius are circumstances, a man even of stouter heart those qualities to which he is chiefly indebted than his might well hesitate before he confor his fame, and yet those who knew him best sented to embark on this "sea of troubles." would not consider them the prominent attri-Yielding, however, to the public voice, and to butes of his character. On the contrary, this courage appeared only an adventitious quality, occasionally developed by circumstances requiring its exercise. His prominent characteristics, always manifest, were an unaffected modesty, combined with extraordinary firmness, a stern sense of duty, and of justice tempered and softened by a spirit of universal benevolence, an inflexible integrity, a truthfulness that knew no dissimulation, a sincerity and frankness which rendered concealment or disguise absolutely impossible. These were the traits that endeared him to his friends, and inspired with confidence all who approached him. These were the qualities which in private life made him the upright man, the valuable citizen, the devoted friend, the affectionate husband, the fond father, the kind and indulgent master, and whieh, brought into public life, made him the disinterested patriot, and the faithful and conscientious functionary. His martial courage was set off and relieved by this group of civic virtues, as the brilliancy of the diamond is enhanced by the gems of softer ray by which it is encircled. The mass of the people in all countries pos the arguments and persuasion of his friends, he did embark. The tempest arose; and in the midst of its fury, while the vessel of State was tossed to and fro, and all eyes were turned with a confidence not unmingled with anxiety on the pilot who, calm and collected, guided her course, that pilot was suddenly swept from the helm! Here let us pause! Let us avail ourselves of the momentary calm which this sad event has produced, and calmly survey the perils that surround us the lowering heavens above, the raging billows below, the breakers on our right, the shoals on our left. Let us prepare to meet these dangers like men, and like patriots, to overcome them. Let us not despair of the Republic. On the contrary, let us determine that she must be saved, and she will be saved. The clouds that overhang us will be dispersed, and the glorious stars of our Union will again shine forth with their wonted splendor. I beg leave to submit the following resolutions: Whereas it has pleased Divine Providence to remove from this life ZACHARY TAYLOR, late President of the United States, the House of Representatives, 1ST SESS.] Death of the President of the United States. sharing in the general sorrow which this melancholy event must produce, is desirous of manifesting its sensibility on the occasion; Therefore, Resolved, That a committee, consisting of members, be appointed on the part of this House, to meet such committee as may be appointed on the part of the Senate, to consider and report what measures it may be deemed proper to adopt in order to show the respect and affection of Congress for the memory of the illustrious deceased, and to make the necessary arrangements for his funeral. Resolved, That this resolution be communicated to the Senate. Mr. WINTHROP rose to second the resolutions, and proceeded as follows: It would not be easily excused, Mr. Speaker, by those whom I represent in this Hall, if there were no Massachusetts voice to respond to the eulogy which has been pronounced by Louisiana upon her illustrious and lamented son. Indeed, neither my personal feelings nor my political relations to the living or to the dead, would permit me to remain altogether silent on this occasion. And yet, sir, I confess, I know not how to say any thing satisfactory to myself, or suitable to the circumstances of the hour. The event which has just been officially announced, has come upon us so suddenly-has so overwhelmed us with mingled emotions of surprise and sadness-that all ordinary forms of expression seem to lose their significance, and one would fain bow his head to the blow in silence, until its first shock has in some degree passed away. Certainly, sir, no one can fail to realize that a most momentous and mysterious Providence has been manifested in our midst. At a moment when, more than almost ever before in our history, the destinies of our country seemed, to all human sight, to be inseparably associated with the character and conduct of its Chief Executive Magistrate, that Magistrate has been summoned from his post, by the only messenger whose mandates he might not have defied, and has been withdrawn forever from the sphere of human existence! There are those of us, I need not say, sir, who had looked to him with affection and reverence as our chosen leader and guide in the difficulties and perplexities by which we are surrounded. There are those of us, who had relied confidently on him, as upon no other man, to uphold the constitution and maintain the Union of the country in that future, upon which "clouds and darkness" may well be said to rest. And, as we now behold him, borne away by the hand of God from our sight, in the very hour of peril, we can hardly repress the exclamation, which was applied to the departing prophet of old: "My father, my father! the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof." Let me not even seem to imply, however, that the death of General TAYLOR is any thing less than a national loss. There may be, and we know there is, in this event, a privileged [JULY, 1850. and preeminent grief for his immediate family and relatives, to which we can only offer the assurance of our heartfelt sympathy. There is, too, a peculiar sorrow for his political friends and supporters, which we would not affect to conceal. But the whole people of the United States will feel and will bear witness when they all been called to sustain a most afflicting nareceive these melancholy tidings, that they have tional bereavement. I hazard, nothing, sir, in saying, that the roll of our Chief Magistrates, since 1789, illustrious as it is, presents the name of no man, who has enjoyed a higher reputation with his contemporaries, or who will enjoy a higher reputation with posterity than ZACHARY TAYLOR, for some of the best and noblest qualities which adorn our nature. His indomitable courage, his unimpeachable honesty, his Spartan simplicity and sagacity, his frankness, kindness, moderation, and magnanimity, his fidelity to his friends, his generosity and humanity to his enemies, the purity of his private life, the patriotism of his public principles, will never cease to be cherished in the grateful remembrance of all just men and all true-hearted Americans. As a soldier and a general, his fame is associated with some of the proudest and most thrilling scenes of our military history. He may be literally said to have conquered every enemy he has met, save only that last enemy, to which we must all, in turn, surrender. As a civilian and statesman, during the brief period in which he has been permitted to enjoy the transcendent honors which a grateful country had awarded him, he has given proof of a devotion to duty, of an attachment to the constitution and the Union, of a patriotic determination to maintain the peace of our country, which no trials or temptations could shake. He has borne his faculties meekly, but firmly. He has been "clear in his great office." He has known no local partialities or prejudices, but has proved himself capable of embracing his whole country in the comprehensive affections and regards of a large and generous heart. But he has fallen almost at the threshold of his civil career, and at a moment when some of us were looking to him to render services to the country, which we had thought no other man could perform. Certainly, sir, he has died too soon for everybody but himself. We can hardly find it in our hearts to repine, that the good old man has gone to his rest. We would not disturb the repose in which the brave old soldier sleeps. His part in life had been long and faithfully performed. In his own last words, "he had always done his duty, and he was not afraid to die." But our regrets for ourselves and for our country are deep, strong, and unfeigned. Sir, it was a fit and beautiful circumstance in the close of such a career, that his last official appearance was at the celebration of the JULY, 1850.] Death of the President of the United States. Birthday of our National Independence, and, more especially, that his last public act was an act of homage to the memory of him whose example he had ever revered and followed, and who, as he himself so well said, "was, by so many titles, the Father of his Country." | [31ST CONG. have combined the utmost gentleness of manner with the greatest firmness of purpose. For more than thirty years the duties of his station confined him to a sphere where only those who knew him most intimately could perceive the qualities which danger quickened and brightened into sublimity and grandeur. In the late war with Great Britain he was but a captain; yet the little band who defended Fort Harrison saw amid the smoke of battle that they were commanded by a man fit for his station. In the Florida campaign he commanded but a brigade; yet his leadership not only evinced courage and conduct, but inspired these qualities in the meanest soldier in his ranks. He began the Mexican campaign at the head only of a division; yet as the events of the war swelled that division into an army, so the crisis kindled him into higher resolves and nobler actions, till the successive steps of advance became the assured march of victory. And, now, Mr. Speaker, let us hope that this event may teach us all how vain is our reliance upon any arm of flesh. Let us hope that it may impress us with a solemn sense of our national as well as individual_dependence on a higher than human power. Let us remember, sir, that "the Lord is king, be the people never so impatient; that he sitteth between the cherubim, be the earth never so unquiet." Let us-in language which is now hallowed to us, as having been the closing and crowning sentiment of the brief but admirable Inaugural Address with which this illustrious patriot opened his presidential term, and which it is my privilege to read at this moment from the very copy from which it was originally read by himself Mr. Speaker, as we review the brilliant and to the American people, on the 4th day of stirring passages of the events to which I refer, March, 1849-let us, in language in which "he, it is not in the power even of sudden grief being dead, yet speaketh "Let us invoke a to suppress the admiration which thrills our continuance of the same Protecting Care which hearts. When, sir, has there been such a camhas led us from small beginnings to the emi-paign-when such soldiers to be led—and when nence we this day occupy; and let us seek to deserve that continuance by prudence and moderation in our councils; by well-directed attempts to assuage the bitterness which too often marks unavoidable differences of opinion; by the promulgation and practice of just and liberal principles; and by an enlarged patriotism, which shall acknowledge no limits but those of our own wide-spread Republic." tory, the gentle heart stayed the bold hand, while the conquering soldier offered sacrifices on the altar of pity, amid all the exultation of triumph. such qualities of leadership so variously combined? How simple, but yet how grand, was the announcement, "In whatever force the enemy may be, I shall fight him." It gave Palo Alto and Resaca to our banner. How steadfast the resolution that impelled the advance to Monterey! How stirring the courage which beleaguered the frowning city-which stormed the barricaded street-which carried the emMr. BAKER said: Mr. Speaker, it is often said battled heights, and won and kept the whole! of sorrow, that, like death, it levels all distinc-Nor, sir, can we forget that in the flush of victions. The humblest heart can heave a sigh as deep as the proudest; and I avail myself of this mournful privilege to swell the accents of grief which have been poured forth to-day with a larger though not more sincere utterance. A second time since the formation of this Government a President of the United States has been stricken by death in the performance of his great duties. The blow which strikes the man falls upon a nation's heart, and the words of saddened praise which fall upon our ears today, and here, are but echoes of the thoughts that throng in the hearts of the millions that mourn him everywhere. You have no doubt observed, sir, that in the first moments of a great loss the instincts of affection prompt us to summon up the good and great qualities of those for whom we weep. It is a wise ordination of Divine Providence; a generous pride tempers and restrains the bitterness of grief, and noble deeds and heroic virtues shed a consoling light upon the tomb. It is in this spirit that I recur for an instant, and for an instant only, to the events of a history fresh in the remembrance of the nation and the world. The late President of the United States has devoted his whole life to the service of his country. Of a nature singularly unambitious, he seems to Sir, I may not stop to speak of the achievements of Buena Vista: they are deeds that will never die—it was the great event of the age, a contest of races and institutions. An army of volunteers, engaged not in an impetuous advance, but in a stern defence of chosen ground against superior force, and in a last extremity— men who had never seen fire faced the foe with the steadiness of veterans. Sir, as long as those frowning heights and bloody ravines shall remain, these recollections will endure, and with them, the name of the man who steadied every rank, and kindled every eye, by the indomitable resolution which would not yield, and the exalted spirit which rose highest amid the greatest perils. It was from scenes like these he was called to the Chief Magistracy. It was a summons unexpected and unsoughtthe spontaneous expression of a noble confidence, the just reward of great actions. It may not be proper to speak here and now of the manner in which these new duties were executed; but I may say, that here, as everywhere else, he exhibited the same firmness and decis |