Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-02-27
TUE LAST HOURS OF WASHINGTON

aE LaSl tiOORO Of w ASl1lNbl YIN
wo copy from Custi,' Rocolections, and
Private Memoirs Of the Life and Character oil
Washington, the following pathetic, and mel
Saeholy description, Of the last hours Of Gene
raj George Washington the father Of our
ssantry, and the founder OF our Liberties. The
sxttAst, which We hero present, is from an un-
psbl;shsd work. but which will soon be laid
before the world. We commend the article
to the attention Of al tho admirers Of Wash
irgton, and to all who venerate the Hero and
and the Statesman, who laid the foundation
and keystone of our free. and sacred, institu-
items.
In reading the article, our feelings havo
been nsensbly excited and whilst perusing that
part Of il, which describes tho death bed mo-
msnts Of the General, we have been led to ad-
mire tho man still farther, and TO rejoice on
bsholdng, with what fodtuds "a christian can
die"
"Twenty- Eight years have passed away,
since an interesting grorP were assembled in
tho Death-room, and witnessed the last hours
Of Washington. So keen and unsparng hath
been the scythe of Time, that of all those who
watched over the Patriarch's couch, on the
18th and i4th Of December, 1899, but a sim
gle parsonage survives.
On the morning Of the 18th, the General
was engaged in making some improvements in
front Of Mount Vernon. AS was usual with
him, no carried his own compass, noted his OBJ
servations, and marked out the ground
The day became rainy, with sleet, and tho
improver remained SO long exposed to the in
elsmency Of the weather, as to be consdera-
bly, wetted Before his return to tho house.
About one o'clock, he was seized with chill
ness and nausea, but having changed his
clothes, ho sat down TO his indoor work -
there being no moment Of his time for which
he had not provided an appropriate employ
ment.
A, night, on joining his family circle, the
General complained Of 81 ght indisposiion, and, +,
after single cup oftea, repaired TO his Libra
ry, where he remained writing Until between
eleven and twelve O'Clock. Mrs. Washington
retired about the usual family hour, bu, be-
coming alarmed at not hearing the accusi ON
cd sound Of the Library door, as it closed for
the night, and gave signal for rest in the well
regulated mansion, she arose again, and con-
tinued sitting up, in nuch anxiety and suspense,
At length the vol known step was heard on
the stair, and upon the Generals entering his
chamber, tho lady kindly chided HIM for re-
naming up so late, knowing himself to bs un-
we'll; to which Washington made this memo
rable reply: 81 came soon as my business
was accomplished. You well know, that,
through a long life, it has been my unmarried
rule, nerer to put off til the morroW the du-
ties phich should be performed to-day"
Having Grst covered up the fire with care,
Al - - LIZ 4
but it came not ms il had long been won't to
do, to comfort and restore, after the many and
earnest occupations Of the wel-spcnt day.
The night was passed in feversh res,lessness
and pain. "Tired natures sweet restofer,
balrny Sleep" was destined no more to visit
his couch; vet the manly sufferer uttered no
complaint, would permit no one To be disturb
cd in their rest, on his account, and it was on
" at day break he would consent that the
Ovsrseer might be called in, and bleeding 70
sorted TO. A vein was opened, but without af-
fording relief Couricrs were despatched to
\ summon DIR. Craik, the family, and Drs. Dick
\and Brown, as consulting Physicians, all OF
whom came with speed. The proper remedies
ksro administered, but without producing their
(saling effects, while tho patient, yielding 10
10 anxious looks of all nsound him, waived
usual objection TO medicines, and took
tRse which were prescribed, without hesita-
tis or remark. The medical gentleman spar
cd bot their skill, and all the resources oftheir
art we're exhausted in unweared endeavors to
prsArve this noblsst work Of nature.
Nkht approa ehed-tbe last night Of Wash
hstb; the weather became severely cold,
vhildthe group gathered aeaisr to the couch
Hthspudsrsr, watching. with intense anIisty,
~ slightest dawning Of hope. He spoke
M lh(s. To the respectful and aGectionats
SsQuirik Of an old family servant, as she
ssneothi down his pillow, how he felt him
sslf, hsSaswsrsd. "I am very ILL.," To DIR.
Craik, HI earliest companion in arms, lengest
trisd, sndbosom friend. he observed: "I am
dying, Sik-but am not afraid TO die" To
Mrs. Washington. he said: "Go to nv sscri-
toir, and the private drawer yon will find
two papers bring them to me-" They we're
1sessh1 h oontirvsd: "fhsss are my vilk