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53

Monday, January 16, 1832.

Mr Sweat rose in his place and addressed the Senate, as follows, to wit:

"Mr President, Since the last adjournment of the Senate, a solemn event has occurred, which it becomes my duty to announce to this Body. The Hon. Benjamin Pike, one of my colleagues, a Senator from York District, expired at his lodgings, at the house of Mr J. Means. of this town, on Saturday evening last, having been confirmed only one week - But a few days since, he was in his sear at this Board - he is now numbered among the dead ! Surely this is a loud admonition to us all, to be also ready. In the discharge of his duties as a Senator, there of us who have heretofore been associated with Mr Pike in this Branch of the Legislature, can bear testimony to the indefatigable industry and the patriotic zeal and success with which be ever devoted the best efforts of a discriminating mind, characterized by strong common sense and sound judgement. So far as he has been known as a public man, he has commanded respect. Allow me to say, Mr President that in the town of Saco, the place of his nativity and residence, and wherever he has been known in private life, he has been universally esteemed and respected for his moral virtues. For several years he represented his native town in the Legislature of Massachusetts; and for many years he has been at the head of the municipal concerns of that town. It may emphatically be said of him, that he was one of the "fathers of the town of Saco" by this dispensation of Divine Providence,