Tokens of a Nation’s Sorrow

This copy of "Tokens of a Nation's Sorrow" - Addresses in the Congress of the United States, and Funeral Solemnities on the Death of John Quincy Adams, who Died in the Capitol at Washington on Wednesday Evening, February 23, 1848 was published by the Congress and printed by J. and G. S. Gideon of Washington, D.C. The booklet, which measures approximately 5.75 x 9 inches, contains 40 numbered pages plus a front free end paper bearing a portrait of John Quincy Adams, with a copy of his signature, protected by a tissue paper cover. The text consists of the following parts:

• Introduction (pages 3 – 5), describes the circumstances of his death, during a session of the House of Representative in which he was participating

• Addresses in Congress on the Announcement of the Death of Mr. Adams (pages 7-28) describes the activities and speeches made by Mr. Adam's colleagues subsequent to his death

• Discourse of Rev. R. R. Gurley, Chaplain of the House of Representatives, at the Funeral of John Quincy Adams (pages 29-38)

• The Funeral Procession (pages 39-40) describes the order of the funeral procession, including the names of the Pall-Bearers and the organizational titles of all other parties participating in the procession.

The booklet is string bound. Whatever covers may have existed are no longer present. The pages are lightly tanned, with occasional foxing. The text is clear and easily read. The overall condition of the booklet is good.

The illustrations accompanying this description consist of a 2-page spread showing the title page and Adam's portrait (covered by a tissue paper cover), the first page of the Introduction, the first page of the Addresses in Congress, the first page of the Discourse of Rev. Gurley, and the first page of the Funeral Procession.

John Quincy Adams (July 11, 1767 – February 23, 1848) was an American statesman, politician, diplomat, lawyer, and diarist who served as the sixth president of the United States, from 1825 to 1829. He previously served as the eighth United States secretary of state from 1817 to 1825. During his long diplomatic and political career, Adams served as an ambassador and also as a member of the United States Congress representing Massachusetts in both chambers. He was the eldest son of John Adams, who served as the second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801, and First Lady Abigail Adams. Initially a Federalist like his father, he won election to the presidency as a member of the Democratic-Republican Party, and later, in the mid-1830s, became affiliated with the Whig Party. [Wikipedia]