State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-07-26
from Pa0ding's Life.
SICKNESS AND DEATH OF GEN.
WASHINGTON

rlulng out as usual. lie l0u taken COlu
Undoubtedly from being SO much exposed
the day before) and complained of having
a sore throat; he had a hoarseuess, which
increased in the evening, but he made light
of it, as he would never take any thing to
carry off a cold, always observing, Let it
go as it came.' In the evening having
come from the post office, he sat in the
room with Mrs Washington and myself,
reading till about nine o'clock; and
when he met with any thing which he
thought diverting or Interesting, he would
read it aloud. He desired me to read to
him the debates of the Virginia Assem-
bly, on the election of senator and COVER
nor, which did. On his retiring to bed
he appeared to be in perfect health, except
the cold, which he considered as trifling--
he had been remarkably cheerful all the
evening.
About two or three o'clock on Saturday
morning he awoke Mrs. Washington, aud
informed her that he felt very unwell, and
had an ague. She observed that he could
scarcely speak, and breaihed with difficulty
and she wished to get up and call a servant !;
but the general would lot permit her, lest
she should take cold As soon as the day
appeared, the woman Caroline went into
the room to make u fire, and the general
desired that MIR Rawlins, Gle of the over
seers, who was used to bleeding the people
might he sent for to bleed him before the
doctor could arrive. | was sent for went
to the generals chamber, where Mrs WASH
ngton was up, and related to me his being
taken i'll between two and three o'clock, as
before stated. found him breathing with
difficulty, and hardly able to utter a word
intelligihly. ! went out instantly, and wrote
line to DR.. Flask, and sent it with all speed.
Immediately | returned to the generals
chamber, where found him in the same
situation had left him. mixture of mo-
lasses, vinegar, and butter was prepared,
but he could not swallow a drop; whenev-
er he attempted he was distressed, sonvuls-
ed, and almost suflocated.
Mr.. Rawlins came in soon after sunrise
and prepared to bleed him; when the arm
was ready, the general, observing Rawins
appeared agitated, said, with difficulty,
Don't be afraid > and after the incsion was
made, he observed the orifce was not large
enough however, the blood ran pretty free
ly. Mrs Washington, not knowing whch-
er bleeding was proper in the generals
situation, begged that much might not be
taken from him, and desired me to stop it,
When was about TO unite the string, the
general put up his hand to prevent it, and,
as soon as he could speak, said 'More.'
Mrs. Washington still uneasy lest too
much blood should be drawn, 1t was stop
ped after about half pint had been taken.
Finding that no relief was obtained from
bleeding, and that nothing could be swal-
lowed, | proposed bathing the throat ex-
ternally with sal volatile, which was done /:
piece of flannel was then put round his
neck. His feet were also soaked in warm
water, but this gave no relief. BY Mrs.
Washington's request, despatched n mes
senger for Doctor Brown at Port Tobacco.
About nine O'Clock, DR.. Craik arrived, and
put a blister Of cantharidcs on the throat OF
the general, and took more blood, and had
some vinegar and hot water set in teapot,
for him to draw in the steam from the
spout.
He also had sage-tea and vinegar mixed
and used as 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 fol-
lowed il, and he would attempt to cough,
which the doctor encouraged, but without
effect. About eleven O'Clock, DR.. Dick was
sent for. DIR. Craik bled the general again
no effect was produced, and he continued
IN the same state, unable to swallow any
thing. DIR, Dick came in about three O'Clock,
and DIR. Brown arrived soon after; when,
after conclusion, the general was bled again:
the blood ran slowly, appeared very thick,
and did not produce amy symptoms Of fam
ting. At four o'clock the general could
swallow little. Calomcl and tartar cmetic
were administered without enect.-About
half past four o'clock he requested me to
ask Mrs. Washington to come to his bed
side, when he desired her 10 20 down TO
his room, and take from his desk two will
which she would find there, and bring them
to MIN, which she did. Upon looking at
one, which he observed was useless, he
desired her to burn it, which she did; and
then took the other and put itaway. After
this was done, returned again to his bed
side, and took his hand. He said to me, Il
find | am going--my breath cannot contin-
ne lOng-l believed from the first attack it
would be fatal. DO you arrange and record
all my military letters and papers; arrange
my accounts and settle my books, as you
know more about them than any one else !;
and let Mr.. Rawlins finish recording nv
other letters, which he has begun He
asked when Mr.. Lewis and Washington
would return? told him that believed
about the twentieth ofthe month. He rlade
The physicians arrived between five and
six o'clock, End when they came to his
bedside, DIR. Craik asked him if he would
sit up in the bed he held out his hand to
me and was raised up, when he said to the
physcan-I feel myself going you had
better not take any more trouble about me,
bnt let me go off quietly cannot last long.
They found what had been done was with
out effect; he laid down again, and they
retired, excepting DR. Crak. He then said
to hlm-'Doctor, die hard hut | am not
afraid to goj believed from my first attack
| shnull slL.Lt 40 b