Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-08-02
LAST HOURS OF WASHINGTON.

From Custis' Recollections and Prirate Memoirs
Of the life and character Of Gen. Washington.
Twenty-eight years have passed since an in
terestng group were assembled in the death
room, and witnessed the last hours of w ashng-
ton. So keen and unsparing hath been the
scythe of time, that Of all those who watched
over the patriarch's couch, on the 18th and 14th
of December 1899, but single parsonage sur
wives.
On the morning OF the 18th, the General was
engaged in making some Improvements in the
front of Mount Vernon. As was usual with
him, he carried his own compass, noted his OBJ
servations, and marked out the ground. The
day became rainy, with seet, and the improver
remained so long exposed TO the inclemency of
the weather as to be considerably wetted before
his return to the house. About one o'clock he
was seized with chillness and nausea, but ha-
wing changed his clothes he sat down to his in
door work-there being no moment of his time
for which he had not provided an appropriate
employment
At night on joining his family circle, the Gen
eral complained of slight indisposition, and
after single cup of tea. repaired to his library,
where he remained writing until between II
and IL O'Clock Mrs. Washington retired
about the usual family hour, but becoming
alarmed at not hearing the accustomed SOUND
of the library door as it closed for the night,
and gave signal for rest in the well regulated
mansion. she rose again, and continued sit
ting up, in much anxiety and suspense. At
length the well known step was heard on the
stair, and upon the Generals entering his cham
Der, the lady chided him for staying up so late,
knowing him to be unwell; to which Washing
ton made this memorable reply: 81 came so
soon as my business was accomplished. You
well know, that through a long life, II has been
my UNMARRIED rule, never to put off till the NOR
row the duties which should be performed to-
day"
Having first covered the fire with care the
man Of mighty labors sought repose; but it
came not, as it long had been wont to do, to COM
fort and restore after the many and earnest &C.
equations of the we'll spent day. The night
was passed in feverish restlessneSs and PAIN
Tired natures sweet restorer, balmy Sleep"
was destined no more TO visit mis- couch; yet
the manly sufferer uttered no complaint would
permit no one to be disturbed in their rest, on
his account and il was only at day break he
would consent that the overseer might be cal
led in, and bleeding resorted to. A vein was
opened, but no relief afforded. Couriers were
despatched TO DR.. Craik, the family and Drs. Dick
and Brown, as consulting phys clans, all of
whom came with speed. The proper remedies
were administered, but without producing their
healing effects while the patient yielding to
the anxious looks of all around him, waived his
usual objections to medicines, and took those
which were prescribed without hesitation or re-
mark. The medical gentlemen spared not their
w.,
hausted in unwearied endeavors to preserve
this noblest work of nature.
The night approached--the last night of
Washington: the weather became severely cold
while the group gathered nearer to the couch of
the sufferer, watching with intense anxiety for
the slightest dawning of hope. He spoke but
little. To the respectful and affectonate enqui.
ries of an old family servant as she smoothed
down his pillow, how he felt himself he answer
ed 81 am very ill.," To DR.. Craig, his earliest
companion in arms, longest tried and bosom
friend, he observed, Il am dying sr-but am not
afraid to die."-To Mrs Washington he said,
eco to my escrotoir and in the private drawer
you will find two papers-bring them to me."-
They were brought. He continued" These
are my wills-preserve this one and burn the
other" which was accordingly done. Calling
TO Col Lear he directed: "Let my corpse be
kept for the usual period of three days"
Here we would beg leave to remind our read
ers that, in former part OF this work, We have
said that Washington was old fashioned in some
of his opinions; nor was he less TO be admired
on these accounts The custom of keeping the
dead for the scriptural period of three days is
derived from remote antiquity, and arose, not
from fear of premature interment, as IN more
modern times but from motives of veneration
towards the deceased: for the better enabling
the relatives and friends to assemble from dis
lance to perform the funeral rites; for the pious
watchings OF the corpse, and for many sad yet
endearing ceremonies with which we delight to
paw our last duties to the remains of those We
loved
The patient bore bis acute sufferings with for
titude and perfect resignation to the Divine will
while, as the night advanced it became evident
that he was sinking and he seemed fully aware
that" his hour was nigh" He enqured the
time and was answered few minutes to twelve
He spoke no more-the hand of death was up
on him, and he was concious that "his hour
was come" With surprising self possession he
prepared to die. Composing his form at length,
and folding his arms on his bosom, without
sigh, without groan the father of his country
died. No pang nor struggle told when the no
bic spirit took its noiseless fight while so tran
quill appeared the manly features in the repose
of death, that some moments had passed ere
those around could believe that the patriarch
was no more.