The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1828-03-20

From Custis Recolcctions and Private Mes
moirs of the Lie and Character Of Wash.
ington.
Twenty eight years have passed away,
since an lnieres,lng.eIcup we're assembled
IN the Death-room, and Witnessed the last
hours of Washington. So keen and un-
sparng hath been the seythe OF T,pc, that
of all those who watched over ths'Palri-
areh's couch on the 18th and l4th Decem-
ber, 1893, but single parsonage survives.
On the morning OF the 18th, the Gene
raj was engaged IN making some improve-
men,s in trout OF Mount Vernon. As was
usual with hlri he carried his own CON-
pass, noted his observations ana marked
out the ground. The day became rainy
with sleet, and the improyer renamed SD
long exposed TO the inclemency of tho
weather, as to be considerably we,,ed be-
fore his return TO the house About one
o'clock he was seized with chlllness and
nausea, but having changed his clotbos,ho
sat down TO his IN door work--thcrc being
no moment of his time for hich he had
not provided an appropriate employment.
AT night, on joining his family circle,
the General complained of slight indispo-
sition, and after SINGLE cup OF tea, repair
writing until between eleven and twelve
o'clock. Mrs. Washington retired about
the usual family hour but ecomlng alarm
ed at not hearing the accustomed sound of
the Library door, as II closed for the night,
and gave signal for rest in the well Icgu-
lated mansion, she arose again, and con-
unued sitting up, IN much anxiety and sus-
pense. At length the well known step
was heard on the stair, and upon the Gem
erals entering his chamber, the lady kind
y chided him for remaining up SO late,
knowing hmsclf,o be unwcll; TO which
W ashlngton made this memorable replys
81 came so soon rs my business was ac-
compished. You well know, that, hro %
long iyt, IL has been my Unmarried rule, n,p-
sr 10 put of tai fo.monoo The duties whieh
should be performed to-day"
Having first covered up the fro with
care, the man of mighty labors at last
sought reposc; but it came not as IL had
long been wont To do, TO comfort and ro-
store, after the many Ond earnest occupa-
tons of tho well spent day. The night
was passed in ieverish restlessness and
PAIN. Tired natures sweet rostorer,
bamy sleep" was destined no more to WIS.,
1t his couch; yet the manly sufferer utter
ed no complaint, would permit no one 10
be disturbed in their rest, on his ac-
count and il was only at day break he
would consent that tie OyersceI might be
called in, and bleeding rosorted 10, A
vein was opened, but without aiiording re-
| lief.--Couriers were dispatched TO sum-
mon Dr.. Craik. the family DR.. and Drs Dick
and Brown, as consulting physicians, oil
of whom came with speed. The proper
4 Il. -. hat nit
producing their healing effects, while the
patient, yielding TO the aDxlous looks ot
all around him, waived his usual objection
To- medicines, and took those which were
prescribed, without hesitation or remark.
The medical gentlemen spared not their
| skill, and oil the resources of thoir nrt
we're exhausted in unwcaried cDdcavor9
! to preserve this noblcst work Of nature.
Night oached--the last night OF
| Washington; the weather became severe
ly colo, while the group gathered nearer
to the couch of the sufferer, waicblng,wI'h
intense anxiety, for the slightest dawnlng
of hopo. lie spoke but little. To the re-
spcctful and afectionaie inquiries oi an
old family servant. ~ she sinoo'hed DOWN
his pillow, how hc felt himself, Te answer
cd, IL nm very ILL.," To Dr. Crslk, hls
earliest companion IN arms, longest tTlod'
aud bosom friend. he observed: Il am dy"
ing, sir, but am not AFRAID TO DE 10
Mrs. Washington, he said: "Go to my es.
critoir, and in the private drawer you YIN
find two papcrs-bring them TO me-. Ihey
were brought He continues Iheso
nre my wills--prescryc this one and burn
the other ~ Which was Immediately done.
Calling 10 Col. Lear. he directed: Let
my corpse be kept for the usual period OF
three days."
Here We world beg leave 10 remind our
/ readers, that, IN former part OF this work,
we have said that Washington was old
fashioned in many Of his habits and man.
ners, and IN some Of his opinions; nor was
he the less TO be admired on those dc-
counts. Tho custom Of keeping the dead
for the scripiursl period Of three days, is
derived from remote antiquity, and arose,
not from fear Of premature interment, rs
IN more modern times, but from motives Oh
yeucration toward the deceased; Ior 'he
better enabling the relatives and irenda
10 assemble from o distance, to perform mo
funeral rites; for the pious watchings OK
,he corpse; and for The many sad, yet en-.
dearlng cercmonials with which We oe-
- Light TO pay our lsst duties 10 tbe renaIns
Of those we have loved.
The patient bore his acute suferings
I with manly ioriltude and perfect resIgna-
I ton 10 the Divine VIII; while, ns Tho
r night advanced, il became evident that he
was sinking, and he seemed fully aware
tina, his "hour was nigh" lie inquired
the time, aud il was answered, few min.
u,es TO twelve. lie spake no more--ibc
, hand of death was upon him, and he was
I A Ii -