The death of George Bancroft, which occurred in the city of Washington on Saturday, January 17, at 3.40 o’clock p.m., removes from among the living one of the most distinguished Americans.  As an expression of the public loss and sorrow the flags of all the Executive Departments at Washington and the public buildings in the cities through which the funeral party is to pass will be placed at half-mast on to-morrow and until the body of this eminent statesman, scholar, and historian shall rest in the State that gave him to his country and to the world.

By direction of the President: 

ELIJAH W. HALFORD, Private Secretary.

AMENDMENT OF CIVIL-SERVICE RULES.

JANUARY 26, 1891.

Special Departmental Rule No. 1 is hereby amended by adding to the exceptions from examination therein declared the following: 

  In the Department of Agriculture, in the office of the Secretary,
  division of illustration and engraving:  One artist.

BENJ.  HARRISON.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, January 30, 1891.

SIR:[18] The Hon. William Windom, Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, died suddenly last night, in the city of New York, at the hour of eleven minutes past 10 o’clock, in the sixty-fourth year of his age.  Thus has passed away a man of pure life, an official of stainless integrity, distinguished by long and eminent service in both branches of Congress and by being twice called to administer the national finances.  His death has caused deep regret throughout the country, while to the President and those associated with him in the administration of the Government it comes as a personal sorrow.

The President directs that all the Departments of the executive brand of the Government and the officers subordinate thereto shall manifest due respect to the memory of this eminent citizen in a manner consonant with the dignity of the office which he has honored by his devotion to public duty.

The President further directs that the Treasury Department in all its branches in this capital be draped in mourning for the period of thirty days, that on the day of the funeral the several Executive Departments shall be closed, and that on all public buildings throughout the United States the national flag shall be displayed at half-mast.

Very respectfully,

JAMES G. BLAINE.

[Footnote 18:  Addressed to the heads of the Executive Departments, etc.]

EXECUTIVE MANSION, February 13, 1891.

To the Heads of the Executive Departments: 

In token of respect to the memory of Admiral David D. Porter, who died this morning, the President directs that the national flag be displayed at half-mast upon all public buildings throughout the United States until after his funeral shall have taken place, and that on the day of the funeral public business in the Departments at Washington be suspended.