Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-11-17
DEATH OF WASHINGTON.

The following vivid and touching sketch OF
the last moments of The Father of his Country
is from letter in the New Y ork American:
Passing the great hall ornamented with pic
lures of English hunting scenes, we assembled
the oaken staircase, with It's carved and antique
baustrade. We stood AT the door--we press
cd the handle--the room and the bed where
lac died was before us. Nothing in the lofty
drama OF his existence surpassed the grandeur
of that final scene. The cold, which he had
taken from exposure in overseeing some part
OF his grounds, and which resisted the earliest
domestic remedies that were applied, advanc-
cd, in the course of two short days, into that
lright!ul form of the ,hroat--laryngiis 1t
became necessary for him to take TO his bed
His valued friend Dr. Craik, was instantly SUM-
moned, and, assisted By the best medical skill
of the surrounding country, exhausted all the
means oil his art but wiihou, aiIorlIing him re-
lief. He patiently submitted, though in great
distress, 20 the various remedies proposed );
but 1t becomes evident, from the gloom settling
upon the coun;cnanccs of the medical gentle
men. that the case was hopeless. Advancing
insidiously, the disease had fastened itself with
deadly certainty. Lookngwilh perfect calm
ness ON the sobbing group around him, he
said: 'Grieve not my friends it is as anti
cipated from tho first; the debt which we all
owe is about to be paid | am resigned to
the event. Requesting Mrs. Washington TO
[ bring him two wills from his escrutoire, he
directed one 10 be burnt, and placed the other
IN her hands, rs his last will and testament :;
and then gave some final instructions to Mr.
Lear his secretary and relation, as to the adj
Justment O. his business aiiairs. He soon af-
ter became greatly distressed and as, in the
v,u1 81,
violent, MIR. Lear, who was extended on the
bed by his side, assisted him to turn he witt,
Kindness, but with difficulty, ariculaled u
fear give you great trouble, sir; but perhaps
1t is duty we all owe one to another trust
you will receive the same attention when YOU
shall require it,
As the night waned, the fatal symptoms be-
came more imminent. His breath became more
la0orcd and suilocating, and his voice soon at
ter lailed him. Perceiying his end approach
ing, he Strengthened himsclrio his full length
he folded his hands in the necessary attitude
upon his chest; placing his finger upon the
pulse ofhis left wrist, and thus calmly prepar-
ed and watching his own dissolution, he a.
waited the summons of his Maker. The last
faint hope of his friends had disappeared.
Mrs. Washington, supplied with grief, sat at
the foo. OF the bed. her eyes fixed Steadfas,ly
upon hlm: DR.. CraIk, III deep gloom, stood
with his face buried in his hands at tie fire
his faithful black servant Christopher, the tears
uncontrolled trchling down his face, on one
side, took his las, look OF his dying master
while Mr. Lear in speechless grief with folded
hands bent over his pillow OH the other
n ought broke the stiffness of his lastmoments,
but the suppressed sobs of the aaeclonate SER
wants collected on the staircase; the lick of
the large cIoci, in the hall, as i, measured OF.
with painful distinctness, the last heeting mo-
ments of his existence ; and the low moan of
me winter wind, Us il swept through the leaf
less snow covered trees. The aboring and
weaTicd spirit drew nearer and nearer TO its
goal-the blood languidly coursed slower and
slower through It's channels-he noble heart
stopped-s;ruggleti- sopped-fluitered-
right hand slowly slid from the wrist, upon
which It's finger had been pIaced-ir fell at the
side-and the manly efigy of Washington
was all tla! remained extended upon the death
couch.