Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1831-09-01
From the Courier aud Enquirer.
THE LAST MOMENT. OF wAsn1vcror


THE LAST MOMENTS OF WASHINGTON
Gestge Washington Basse,t, Esq of Fred
erieksburs, furnished Mr. Sias f.. Burrows
Of this city with the following interesting ac
count OF the last moments Of .sthe father Of
his country" Mr. Burrows has politely hard
ed it to US for publication.
The following eli cumstsnta account ofths
last illness and death of General GEoRcE
w AsEINeTeN, was noted by Tobias Lear, on
Sunday foliowin. his death, which happened
on Saturday evening, December l4th. 1893,
between the hours of ten and eleven: he was
born on the 22d February, 1872.
'On Thursday, Deer 18th, the General
rode out to his farms at about 10 o'clock.
ard did sot return home till past g. Soon
after be weat out, the weather became very
bad, rain bail and snow falling alternately
with Geld wind. When be cane in, car
RED some letters 10 him ts frank, intending
10 send them to the Pest Oti,.e Ne lrauked
the letters, but said the weather was too bad
10 send aservant TO the ofIice that evening,
observed TO him that | was afraid he had
got wet; he SAID no-his great csat had Kept
him dry; but bis neck appeared to be wet
the snow was hanging on his hair.
tie came TO dinner without changing bis
dress. 10 the evening he appeared as well
as usual. 4 heavy fall Of snow took place
on Friday, which prevented the General from
riding cut as usual. lie had taken cold fun-
deubtedly from being so much exposed the
day sefore,l and complained ofhsying so,e
throat; he had hoarseuess. which Increased
in the evening, but he made light of it. ss
he would never take any thing 10 carry off n
celd,--slways Observing, "let il GO as it
came IN the evening. the papers having
come from The Post Office, he sat 10 the rsosll,
with Mrs. Washington and myself. reading
them, tII about niue O'Clock, and when be
met with any thing which he thought ci,rrt
Ing or interesting, he would read it aloud
lie desired me TO resd to him the ehates Of
the Virginia Asse ably, on the election Of
Senator and Governor, which did On his
retiring to bed. he appeared 10 be in perfect
health except the cold which be considered
as rfiing-hs had been remarkably cheer
iul all the evening.
About two or three s'Cleck on Saturday
morning, he swoke Mrs Washington. and
inisr,sed her he was very unwell. and had
an ague. She observed that he could scarce
iy speak, and breathed with difficulty. asn
she wished to get up and call Sc want: but
the General would not permit her. lest she
should take cold. As soon as the dav am
pearea, the woman Caroline went into tb.
resm TO make fire, and the girl desired
that Mr. Rawlns, one of the oyerseers. who
was used to bleeding the people, might be
sent i0r 10 bleed him before the Doctor ceuld
arrive. | was sent for-wsnt 10 the Gen.r.
ais chamber, where Mrs. Washington was
up, and related to me bis bang taken IN b.,
tween and 8 clock as before stated I
found him breathing with difficulty ana hard
ly able To utter a word iutelglhly. Invent
sut instantly AID wrote line to DIR Plask.
and sent IL with all speed Immediately [
returned to tn Generals chamber, whers |
found him in the same situation | had left
him. A mixture Of moiasses, vinegar, and
butter. was prepared, out he could net swal-
lew drsp; whenever he attempted he was
distressed, coBVIlsed, and almost suffscated.
Mr. Rawllns came IN soon after sun rise
and prepared 10 bleed hun; when the arm
was ready the General, observing Rawlins,
appeared agltated: said with difficulty, "dont
be afraid" and after the incisisa was made,
he observed, the orifice was not large enough
however the blood ran pretty freely Mrs.
Washing ton, net knowing whether bleeding
was proper in the Generals situation, beg
ged that much might not be taken from hin.,
and desired me to stop it. When was a
bout to unite the string, the General put up
his hand to prevent IT, and as soon as be
could speak, said "more"
. Mrs. Washington, still uneasy lest too
much slosd should be taken, il was stopped
after about half pint had been taken. Find
ing that no relief was obtained from bleeding
and that netting could be swallowed. pro
posed bathing the throat externally with sal
Volatile, which was done; piece of flannel
was then put round his neck His feet were
alss soaked 10 warm water, but gave no re.
lief. BY Mrs Wash'ngtsn's request, des-
patched messenger for DR. Brown at Port
Tobacco. Aeout o'clock, D.. Craik afriv-
ed, and put blister Of eanthaFides on the
threat of the General, and tesk more blood,
and had ssme vinegar and hot water set in
the steam from The nosel.
He slss had sage tea and vinegar mixed
and used as gargls, but when he held back
his head to LET it run down, it almsst produc
ed sulfocation. When the mixture came out
Of his mouth some phlegm followed it, and he
would attelnpt 10 cough which the Doctor
encouraged, but without effect. About IL
o'clock, Doctor Dick was sent for. Doctor
| Grail hled the General again. ne effect was
| preauced. sndhs 00ntsausG in the same state,