Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1835-08-20

uia' was Sdiicu from my ped 10 visit
HIM. He also requested me to have
some sulphate Of morphine. which he
had in his possession as a pure import
cd article, divided into papers of one
grain each. This was done by NV d.
recticn at the Apothccary store of Mr..
Ellis, No. IS, Chestnut street, who put
up my prescriptions for the patient
The morning Of the day that John Ran
doiph died, | received an early and an
! urgent message TO visit him. Several
persons were in the room, bull soon left
at, except his servant John, who APP
peared affected at the situation of his
dying master. | remarked to John
soon after arrived, that had seen his
/ master very low several times before
and nc had revived. and perhaps he
would. again. The patient directly
said, John knows better than that
The interview Of this morning was pc
culiarly impressive. / had not been
long with him before he looked at me
with great intensity, and said in We
~ earnest and distinct manner, II con-
firm every disposition in my will, es-
pecially that respecting my slaves,
whom | have manumitted, and for
whom Ihave made provision"
This declaration waste me altogeth-
er unexpected. 1t involved subject
which in our previous interviews had
never been touched. II was one
should not have introduced. / assured
HIM was rejoiced TO hear such a de-
claration from him. He appeared anx-
ious TO impress it on my mind. Soon
alter this | proposed 70 90 for a short
time to attend to an urgent message re.
ceived just before left home, assuring
my patient ! would return as speedily
as possible. He positively objected to
my leaving him-"You must not go;
you cannot, You shall not leave me. :"
He called to his servant John 10 take
care that the Doctor did not leave the
room, and John accordingly locked
me door, and soon reported, "Master. |
nave Locked the door and got the kew
m my pocket: The doctor can't go now
My proposal to leave him for a short
Tune, even on a promise 10 return, evil
IDENTIFY irritated him for moment. Ii
may show the situation of his mind.
when state that in the moment of ex-
citement to which | have referred. he
said, eff you do 90, you need moi re-
turn | appealed TO him as to the pro.
priety of such an order. inasmuch as |
was only DESTROYS of discharging nv
duty towards another patient. who
might stand in need of assistance. His
manner instantly changed, and he said.
II retract tha' expression" and proba-
ply quarter of an hour afterwards.
casting on me an expressive look, be
again saio, 81 retract that expression"
told him l thought ! understood him
distinctly on the subject he had COM
inundated, and / presumed the Will
would explain itself fully. He replied
in his peculiar way, "No, Won don't
underestimate; know you don't. Our
laws are extremely particular on The
subject of slaveS:--a will may manu-
NIT them: but provision for their sub
sequent support requires that a de-
claration be made in the presence of a
white witness; and il is requisite that
the witness after hearing the declara-
non' should continue with the party and
never lose sight of him until he is zone
or dead. You are a good witness for
John--you see The prop,iety and inn
por;ance of your remaining with me-
your patients must male allowances
Tor your situation. saw aud felt Tie
force Of the appeal. The interest Of
the Gene increased every moment. !.
was now locked IN a chamber with a
dying Statesman of no common order
one whose commanding talents and Gle I
waited political station. confined with
great eccen'ricity Of character. had
spread rs fame moi only throug hout hi !
native land, bar over Europe He then
SAID, John told me ibia morning. mas
Ter, you are DYING" I made no At ,
tempt 10 conceal my views. On the
contrary, lassured HIM would speak 10
him with candof on the occasion, and told 1
him il had been rather a subject OF sur !
Prise, that he had continued so long
lie now made his preparations TO die. !
Between him and his faithful servant
there appeared 20 be complete under (
standing. he directed John 10 bring
hun his fathers breast button. which I
was Immediately produced. lie then /
directed him 10 place il in the bosom oil
his shirt. u was an old fashioned large
sized gold stud. John placed il in the 1
button hole Of the shirt bosom: bu; 10 4
fix i completely required a hole on the I
side. When this was announc.
ed 70 his master, he quickly said, get
knife and cot one" ! handed my pen
knife 10 John. who cut the hole and
hxed the valued relic to the satisfaction
OF The expiring patient. a napkin was
also called for. and placed by Iohn oser
the breast Of the patient. For a short /
time he Jay perfectly quiet. his eyes
were closed, and concluded he
disposed 70 sleep. he suddenly rou. 1,
rom tins state with the words. Re
morsel remofsei" II was twice repeat.
ed. the last time al the t0pOf has voice.