Mecklenburg County, North Carolina,
November 2d, 1795; was a Representative in Congress from Tennessee,
1825-1839; was Governor of Tennessee, 1839; was President of the
United States, 1845-1849, and died at Nashville, Tennessee, June
15th, 1849.

CHAPTER XXVI.
DEATH OF JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.

The metropolis was not very gay during the latter portion of Mr.
Polk's Administration. There were the usual receptions at the
White House, and at several of the foreign legations the allowance
of "table money" was judiciously expended, but there were not many
large evening parties or balls. One notable social event was the
marriage of Colonel Benton's daughter Sarah to Mr. Jacob, of
Louisville. The bridegroom's family was related to the Taylors
and the Clays, so Henry Clay, who had been re-elected to the Senate,
was present, and escorted the bride to the supper-table. There
was a large attendance of Congressmen, diplomats, and officials,
but the absence of officers of the army and navy, generally so
prominent at a Washington entertainment, was noticeable. They were
in Mexico.

Another interesting entertainment was given by Colonel Seaton, at
his mansion on E Street, to the Whig members of Congress and the
journalists. The first homage of nearly all, as they entered, was
paid to John Quincy Adams, who sat upon a sofa, his form slightly
bowed by time, his eyes weeping, and a calm seriousness in his
expression. Daniel Webster was not present, having that day received
intelligence of the death of his son Edward, who was major of a
Massachusetts regiment, and died in Mexico of camp-fever. Henry
Clay, however, was there, with kind words and pleasant smiles for
all his friends. Crittenden, Corwin, and other Whig Senatorial
paladins were present, and Mr. Speaker Winthrop, that perfect
gentleman and able presiding officer, headed a host of talented
Representatives. Commodore Stockton and General Jones represented
the Army and Navy, while Erastus Brooks and Charles Lanman appeared
for the press. There was a sumptuous collation, with much drinking
of healths and many pledges to the success of the Whig cause.

The reunion at Colonel Seaton's was on Friday night, February 18th,
1848. The following Sunday John Quincy Adams attended public
worship at the Capitol, and on Monday, the 21st, he was, as usual,
in his seat when the House was called to order. During the
preliminary business he was engaged in copying a poetical invocat