Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-08-23
From the Ne,c- York Courier and Enquirer.
THE LAST MOMENTS OF WASHING

Aho - w w
TON.
George Washington Bassett, Esq. of Freder-
icksbargh, furnished Mr.. Silas E. Burrows of this
city, with the following account Of the last mo-
ments Of .'the father Of mis- country"
The following eireumstantial account Of the
last illness and death of General George Wash
inston, was noted by Tobias Lear, on Sunday
following his death, which happened on Saturday
evening, December 14th 1899, between the hours
of ten and eleven he was born on the 22d Feb.
uary, 1889.
"On Thursday, December 10th, the General
rude out to his farms at about ten O'Clock, and did
mot return home till past three. Soon after he
went out the weather became very bad; rain,
hail. and snow falling alternately with cold
wind. When he came in, carried some letters
30 him to frank, intending to send them to the
Post office. lie ranked the letters but said the
weather was too bad to send servant TO the
office that evening. | observed to him that
was afraid he had got vet; be said nO--his great
coat had kept him dry; but his neck appeared to
be wet-the snow was hanging on his hair.
lie came to dinner without changing his diess.
In the evening he appeared as well as usual. A
heavy fall of snow took place on Friday, which
prevented the General from riding out as usual.
He had taken cold, Undoubtedly from being so
much exposed on the day before and complain
ed Of having sore throat; he had hoarseness,
which increased in the evening. but he made light
Of it, as he would never take any thing to carry
off cold, aiways observing, 'let itgo as It came.
In the evening, the papers having come from the
Post Ollie he sat In the room with Mrs. wash
ington and myself, reading them, till about nine
n'clock; and when he met with any thing which
he thought di, erting. OF interesting, he would
.n.d a, olond H. 1sSirpd mo IN read N him
the debates of the Virginia Assembly, on the e.
lection of a Senator and Governor. which |. did.
On his retiring to bed, he appeared to be in per
feet health, except the cold, which he considered
as trifliug-he had been remarkably cheerful all
the evening"
About two or three o'clock on Saturday morn.
ing he awoke Mrs. Washington, and informed
her he was very uuwell, and had an ague. She
observed that he could scarcely speak, and breath
ed with difficulty, and she wished to get up and
call servant; but the General would not permit
her, lest she should take cold. As soon as the
day appeared, the woman Caroline went into the
room 10 make FIRE. and the girl desired that Mr..
Rawlins, one of the overseers, who was used to
bleeding the people, might be sent for to bleed
him before the Doctor could arrive. was sent
ior-went to the Generals chamber where Mrs.
Washington was up, and related to me his be-
ing taken in between Q and-S o'clock, as before
stated. found him breathing with difficulty,
aud hardly able to utter word inteliigibly.
went out Instantly aud wrote line to DIR. Flask,
and sent it with all speed. Immediately return
III to the Generals chamber, where found him
in the same situation had left him. A mixture
of moIasses, vinegar and butter was prepared, but
he could not swallow a drop; whenever he at
tempted, he was distressed, cOnSulsed and almost
suffocated.
Mr. Rawins came in soon after sunrise anu
prepared to bleed him; when the arm was ready
the General observing Rawlns appeared ag lated;
said with difficulty ''dont be afraid" and after
the incision was made he observed the orifce was
not large enoush-however the blood ran pretty
freely. Mrs. Washington not knowing whether
bleeding was proper in the Generals situation
begged that much might not be taken from him,
and desired me to stopit When | was about
to unite the string, the General put up his hand
to prevent it, and soon as he could speak said
more"
Mrs. Washington still uneasy lest much blood
should be taken, it was stopped after about half
a pint had been taken. Finding that no relief
was obtained from bleeding, and that nothing
could be swallowed, proposed bathing the throat
externally with sal volatile, which was done;
piece Of flannel was then put round his neck
His feet were also soaked in warm water but gave
no relief By Mrs. Washington's request | de-
spatched a messenger for Doctor Brown at Port
Tobacco. About o'clock Doct. Craik arrived
and put blister of cantharides on the throat OF
the General, and took more blood, and had sorae
vinegar and hot water set in Tea pot for him to
draw in the steam from the nosel.
He also had sage tea and vinegar mixed and
used as a gargle, but when he held back his head
TO let it run down, it almost produced suffocation
When the mixture came out OF his mouth some
phlegm followed it, and he would attempt to cough
which the Doctor encouraged. but without effect.
About IL o'clock, Doct. Dick was sent for, Doct.
Craik bled the Gen. again, no effect was produc
ed, and he continued in the same state unable to
swallow any thing. Doct. ID. came III about
O'Clock. and Doct. Brown arrived soon after;
when. after consultation the Gen. was bed again,
the blood ran slowly, appeared very thick and did
not produce any symptoms of fainting. Alta o.
clock the General could swallow little, Gallo
NAL and tartar emetic were administered without
effect Adult half past 4 he desired me to ask