Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1841-04-15
Interesting Letter.


words Of another valued friend "a pro-
iessional gentleman Of high stsnd'ns,--
s"are the exact truths Of the case. ~.
zY Conn., "WAsHINGroy,
Sabbath morning, April A. J
"Our whole community Is thrown into
a.slaie Of consternaiion, distress and deep
Bmourning by the unexpected death OF tho
Pres,dent--unexpected, because within
twelve hours Of his decease the physi-
{cians who were in attendance gave the
Hmost confident assurances that the case
was manageable one, that its severity
fhad been subdued, that the symptoms
%weie all favorable, and that there was u
Z prospect oil the Presidents speedy re-
3stora,iOn to health.
4 "Nr. Webster seems 10 have been tho
I.Only one " no has seen the end from the
fbeg inning. lie was quite alarmed about
J The President on the day Of his' attack,
Saturday the eth Of March, but had his
fears somewhat allaycd by the state cn,ent
Eof the attending pb, scians und being
Summoned 10 New York To attend tho
xdca,|, bed scene oc his fath,r-in. law, Mr..
Le Roy, he left this city with his family
Aon Sabbath morning. -
"Upon his return to this city on Thurs
sday evening, Mr.. Wcbs,er's first inquiry
kwas as to the state Of the P'esideni, and
Swas answered that he was better, and
kthat i,c physicians and family considered
J. him in far way Of recovery.
8 "Mr. Webster Immediately repaired
[ to the Presidents house, and upon his
yreturn sent for few friends, to whom
I. he said with the deepest emotion, "Ihc
4 President will die"-and expressed sur
epriso that DIR. Sewall had not been sent
J. Tor in consultation, and more especially
Eas other members Of The Cabinet had re-
sguestcd that he might be called in his
J. absence.
\ "rhe Presidents constitution" said
q Mr. Webster, "though naturally strong,
l has been shaken by his recent labors aud
sexciiemens. lie is attacked by Sc
3 we're disease, Of which men die it is the
4 season of the year in which disease is apt
1 Ito be fatal, aud he is of an age when
!. men die Of this disease"
\ ole urged the propriety of sending an
Eexpress to the Vice President, TO inform
\ him Of the Presidents illness and Of the
probable result
4 "Thus by an extraordinary penetra-
ktion, with nothing but general principles
I TO guido him, he saw anticipation Of all
others, the result OF the Presidents case.
81 need not tell you that the Presi-
dent had the sympathy and prayers Of all
Eparies during his illness, and that tho
s medical gentlemen were unremi,ting in
their kindness and attention.
n The following extract Of lettor pub
Elished in the North American, and witt
ten the day beio'o the Presidents death,
will be read with interest at this time:
81 do not think TINT the President has
been well since The day of his Inaugural
ktion. The arrangements Of that day
were exceedingly i'll judged. Instead
sof riding in II carriage, he was mounted
on horseback, to ride through the dust
Of Pennsylvania Avenue, 10 receive,
uncovered for the whole distance, the
acclamniions of the people. His dress
Bwas as white ns miller's when he arri-
Eyed nj the capitol, and he was so faint
with the suferngs of such II gauntlet,
Nthnt alcohol and other appliances were
Srequirfd TO baihe his head and temples.
4 Then there was the effort Of speaking
y for an hour and half to 40 900 people,
8 a sufficient effort for any man Of ordinary
3 strength. Then To return in the same way
n TO the White House, exposed the whole
Rdi-iancc to a cool mir, with all The pores
Igor his body open by the effort he had
made. Then instead of retiring and ia
j king refreshmcni, to stand scvernl hours
Etill that vast assemblage Of people could
x pass through his mansion and be intro
{. duced to him. lbe evening, too, was
ksprnt in public at home, besides visiting
several dancing assemblies, TIL n late
& hour of the night. Think of all this
nWhy, it was enough to kill any body.
n From that day | do not think the
Eceeding, the inhuman cruelty that has
sbeen practscd upon him, I'LL his confnc-
men, this day week, by taking advantage
of his hospitality and kindness, throng-
Z ing his house from morning ill be6 time,
z without regard TO hours, and forcing him
to keep il common table for all at brca
; fast, dinner and tea! One day, when
: it mig ht be supposed that this rush was
principally over, he had sixteen invited
sgues,s at dinner, aud was obliged to ex-
stcnd the tables for sixty! OF course
gall this would make scene of confusion,
like hotel on the arrival of forty uncx-
Epected passengers by steamboat. But
d he worst OF It all was, that every one
had business. How could any human
Ibeing endure such an everlasting ex-
ecilemcnt
The porter himself gave out not being
Gable TO stand it, although n stout, bals
\ lrshman! "What a bi, ofn time it was"
3sald he TO me, few days since, when |
6caIled with friend 10 inquire after the
EGencral's health. ole grew waker.
and wakcr every day, and now he is very
wake on The bed, poor man," said he
with great appearance Of sympathy
j Ie sa iu hp want infn hta Fooiu CaTIy on