John Quincy Adams Digital Diary

27. VI:30. Attended the funeral of Mr Burrill, which proceeded from the Senate chamber at 11. O’Clock this morning— There was a prayer before the procession moved by the chaplain of the Senate Mr Ryland. I met Mr Calhoun at the Senate-chamber and he rode with me— The burying ground at the Navy-yard is the spot where all the members of Congress, dying here and not removed by their friends are interred— After the ceremony was over, Mr Calhoun rode with me, and I left him at the War-Office. We were remarking upon the number of members of Congress, already mingling with the dust of this region, among whom are the two successive Vice-President’s George Clinton; and Elbridge Gerry. There are plain, modest and tasteless marble monuments over their remains, which the lapse of a few short years will demolish— We were remarking how exclusively by the nature and genius of our institutions, we confine all our thoughts and cares to present time— We have neither fore-fathers nor posterity— This burying yard, is remote from any Church— The funeral is a mere commitment of earth to earth— There is nothing to sooth the afflicted, or to rouse the thoughtless, by the promise, and the warning which a Church would give of the connection between time and eternity— Nothing to remind the attendant at the funeral that death is a transition from this to another world. There is a Resolution of Congress, existing ever since the death of Washington, that a monument in honour of his memory, should be erected— I said to Calhoun, that I thought under that Resolution Congress ought to build a Church of durable Stone; equal in dimensions to Westminister Abbey, or the Pantheon at Paris— That sheltered under the roof and within the walls of this Church, should be the sepulchral monument of Washington; and around it, suitably disposed, those of the Statesmen and Legislators of this Union, whose lives may from time to time, honourably close during their attendance here on the service of their Country. Mr. Calhoun thought that Congress would not be supported in the expence of such a measure, by the public opinion; of which I am well aware. He observed that it would be of great advantage to this Country, to have Statesmen of a philosophical turn of mind. He is himself of that character and it has brought him to high distinction at a very early age. But he is the only man of the present administration, who does possess it. We are obliged to live from hand to mouth; to provide for the day that is passing over us, and to leave posterity to take care of itself— After I returned to the Office D. P. Cook of Illinois called there— He came to enquire concerning a set of the Laws of the United States of Bioren’s Edition for some person entitled to them. The President’s nephew, Lieutt. Monroe came to ask my opinion of the propriety of superseding the Drawing Room this Evening, on account of the death so recently of three members of Congress— I thought it would be advisable, if such general notice could be given, that the persons who usually attend, may not go to the house at the hour, and not otherwise— Notice was afterwards sent me, that the drawing-room would not be held.