Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1845-06-24
"A Diary about General Jackson
HERMITAGE. Nav oStb ISi.

|
Diary about General Jackson.
HERMITAGE, May 18th, 1915.
1, MY DEAR SIR: Aware Of your desire to know
the condition of the patriot of the Hermitage
IN the closing scenes of his life, write down
from day to day, during the short visit make
him, what occurs of interest.
On my arrival found ex.President Jack.
son more comfortable than he had been. al
though his disease is not abated, and his long
and useful life is rapidly drawing to a close.
| lie has not been III a condition to lie down
during the last four months. His feet and legs.
his hands and arms are very much swollen
with dropsy, which has invaded his whole sys-
TEN. Bandages are drawn tight around the
parts most effected TO prevent, as much as
possible, the increase of the water. He has
scarcely any use of his hands. The bandapes
are removed several times in the 81 hours and
the parts rubbed severely to restore animation
and the circulation of the blood. He has not
strength to stand. His respiration is very short
and attended with much difficulty, and the
whole progress of the disease accompanied
with great suffering. He gets no sleep except
by opiates.-His left lung was ruptured MANY
years ago, during the Seminole campaign in
Florida, and is entirely destroyed, and the
other much diseased. When the dropsy com
mcnced the cough was extremely severe. and
lexPectoration profuse. These symptoms which
mad continued for years, now gradually gave
way and almost entirely ceased. This was
followed by loss of appetite and constant
nausea and prestration. This change took
place early III April and about the first of Nav
a diarrhGa commenced which seemed to threa-
ten am immediate dissolution. This continued
Tor few days with great suffering, but for,u-
nately reduced the swelling of the whole sys-
tenn. The abatement of the diarrhGa was
succeeded by the swelling in all parts, with
violent pain and extreme difficulty of breath
ing, when nature would again relieve itself as
: above described.
, THURSDAY, May 2S.-Gen jackson is rather
, more comfortable having obtained from opiatc,
some sleep. This day he sat awhile TO Mr.
Healy who had been sent by Louis Philippe(the
Ming OF the French) to paint his portrait. MIR.
teaiy told me that il was the design of the
, Ming OF the French to place his portrait by the
side OF that of Washington, which already
hangs IN ms gallery--the most celebrated and
interesting historical gallery i'm the word-tc
D surround them with the pictures of the mos
a eminent OF the American generals and states
y men. MIR. Healy is commissioned by the
KING 10 paint the portraits of some twelve O
: the most distinguished revolutionary patriots
a to surround those of Washington and Jackso,
: tile greatest and best men our country eve
e produced; also some of the most prominen
living politicians of the day.-Messrs. John
Quincy Adams and Henry Clay were named
Il oy MT. Healy to me. Mr.. Healy was cna
6led TO make much progress in his work tc
:, gay; and, as usual, the General received
! many visitors, more than thirty. All wero
admitted, from the humblest to the most
! renowned, to take the venerable cbieftair
. by the hand and bid him farewell.-Amono
n 'he Visitors was General Jesup an old friend
and companion in arms. The meet;no
oil these most faithful and gallant soldiers and
servants OF the republic was deeply interest.
r ing and affecting. A reverend gentleman cal.
ied 10 inquire in regard to the General heal,l
ms iaIth, and future hope. The General said
.'Sir, am in the hands of merciful God
u nave iuli confidence in his goodness and mercy
NY lamp OF life is nearly out, and the las
GUNNER has come. am ready to depart when
called. The Bible is true. The principles ans
statutes OF that holy book have been the nle
oil my life, and have tried to conform TO il,
e spirit as near as possible. Upon that sacred
volume rest my hope for eternal salvation
through the merits and blood Of our blessed
Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ Nothing
further was said upon the subject.
, FRIDAY, May 29.-Thc General passed q
bad night; no sleep--extremely feeble this
morning. Mr. Healy, with considerable exer.
IONS on the part OF the General was enabled
10 bniSh the portrait on which he labored with
great care IL was presented to the General.
hlter examining IT for some minutes, he re.
marked to Mr.. Healy,"I am satisfied, sir. that
you stand at the head of your profession; if |
may be allowed to judge of my own likeness.
! can safely concur in the opinion of INV fam
lly; this Is the best that has been taken. feel
very much obliged 10 you, sir, for the very
great labor and care you have been pleased ~
I bestow upon it, The family were ALI biobly
gIatiiied with its faithlulness | considey z,
lhe most perfect representation have ever
seen, giving rather the remains of the heroic
parsonage, than the full life that made him tbc
most extraordinary combination of shirt and
energy, with a slender frame. the world ever
saw. " Wv
II AT y o'clock, as is the custom. all the Gene.
rails iamily-except the few who take their
urn to watch by his sidc-took their leave of
hlm. Each Of the family approached him. re-.
ceiyed his blessing, bid him farewell. kissed
nm as II would seem an eternal good night
lor ne would say my work is done for lilc
. hIter ms lanily rctires il is touching to wit
ness tms heroic man who has faced every dan.
Per with unyiclding front, offer UP his r ,ycrs
! Tor those whom Providence has committed to
MS care; That Heaven would protect and pros-
4 per them when be is DO homeopathic sill
more ierycntIy to God for the preservation If
MS county, Oh the Union. and the peoole &c
'ne united states from all forejpn inaiicnce
ana lnVasiOn-tendcring his forgiveness to bis
enemies and bis gratitude TO God for his s,,n.
Poft aud Success through a long life. and IL,
~ u eternal salvation through the merits
VI our Dressed Rcdeemer.
ne ue"eral cxcrts himself to discharge