Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-07-10
Account of Gen. Jackson's Last Mo-
rnents, from his Family Physician.


We are favored with the original Of the following
letter, which will be found interesting to all our read
ers.-Uaion.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, 9th June, 1915.
DEAR SIR: 1t is probable, before this letter shall
have reached you, you will have heard of the death
OF our venerable friend, General Andrew jackson,
who departed this life on yesterday afternoon, pre-
eisely at SIX O'Clock. Knowing that you have been
left his papers, and being well assured that you al
ways have taken a lively interest in him while living,
and believing you would be pleased to know some
thing of his last moments in life, | have thought
proper TO make you this communication, as l saw
much OF him during his last illness, and was present
at his death. L have been frequently in his family, as
physician, for several years past and on my return
home from the east, In April, | visited him in compa-
ny with his particular friend, General Robert Arm
strong. We found him very feeble, laboring under a
dropslcal atfection-partcularly that form Of dropsy
known as GnGsdrcha. He informed me he had suffer-
ed much bodily pain, in consequence of the great eff
fusion or swollen condition of his ~extremities. TIE
cough which had harassed him so much for years, had
nearly or quite left him but his difficulty of breath
ing appeared to be increased. | prescribed for him,
and visited him occasionally. The remedies appear
ed at first to afford him considerable relief, as it re-
spected his ~dropsical condition; but his system had
been so undermined by previous disease, that medicine
appeared to have lost Its impression or effect. The
dropsical elfusion returned, and | was requested to
visit him on the LIST of this instant, and found him
suffering excessively from the distension occasioned
by the accumulation of water. l Immediately tapped
him, and drew off a very considerable quantity of wa
ter, which afforded him immediate relief. He took
an anodyne at night, and informed me, the next MORN
ing, that he had passed a better night than he had
done for the last six months.
Drs. Robertson and Waters were in consultation
on the next morning. We agreed on a prescription,
which was administered, and which gave him tempo
rary relief. This was all we could expect to obtain,
considering. bis situation. ] was sent for again on
Saturday, the 7h inst. The messenger informed me
that the General was much worse. | FASTENED TO the
Hermitage, and found him very much exhausted. He
had great difficulty in respiration, in consequence of
an accumulation Of water in his chest. Hr request
ed | should remain with him, as he was well aware
that his dissolution was near at hand. He took an
a~nodyne and expectorant, and appeared to pass the
first part of the night t0lerably comfortable. lie had
not been able to lie down for the last six months. He
had to be Propped up III his bed at night, and in
his armchair during the day. On Sunday morning,
the Sh instant, (the day on which he died. on enter
ing his room, l found him sitting in his armchair,
with his two faithful servants, George and Dick, by
his side, who had just removed him from his bed. l
immediately perceived that the hand of death was up
on him. | informed his son that he could not survive
but a few hours; and he Immediately despatched a
servant for Major William b. Lewis, the Generals
devoted friend. Mr.. Jackson informed me that 1t was
the Generals request that, in case he grew worse, or
was thought to be near his death, Major Lewis should
be sent for, as he wished him TO be near him In his
lust II ~ u l(DuONO0 " LIE y 3
but, before he could be placed there, he had swooned
away. His family and servants, believing him to be
dead, were very much alarmed, and manifested the
most intense grief; however, III a few seconds reac-
ton took place, and he became conscious and raised
his eyes and said "My dear children, do not grieve
for me it is true, | am going to leave you; l am
well aware of my situation 1 have suffered much
bodily pain but my sutferings are but as nothing,
compared with that which our blessed Savior endured
upon that accused cross. that we might all be saved
who put their trust in him." He first addressed Mrs.
Jackson, This danghter-in-law, and took leave OF her;
reminding her of her tender kindness manifested to-
wards him at all times, and especially during his pro-
tracted illness. He next took leave OF Mrs. Adams,
"a widowed sister of Mrs. Jackson, who has been u
member of the Generals family for several years. In
the most kind and affectionate manner, reminding her
also of her tender devotion towards him during his
illness. He next took leave of his adopted son IN the
most affectionate and devoted manner. de next took
leave of his grand children, and the children OF Mrs.
Adams. He kissed and blessed them in a manner SO
touchingly impressive, that l have no language that
can do this scene justice. He discovered that there
were two of the boys absent--one of his g~randsons
and one of Mrs. Adams's. He inquired for them.
He was informed that they were at the chapel, at
tending Sunday school. he desired that they should
be sent for. As soon as they came, he kissed and
blessed them also, as he had done to those with HIM.
By this time most of his servants had collected in his
room, or at the windows. When he had taken leave
of them all, lie delivered one Of the most impressive
| lectures ON the subject of religion that L have ever
heard. He spoke fer near half an hour, and appa-
rently with the power Of inspiration for he spoke
with calmness, with strength, and, indeed, with ami
nation. | regret exceedingly, my dear SIR, that there
was not one present who could have noted down It's
precise words. They might have been read with pro-
tit. and would have been fondiy cherished as a pre-
ciOus gem by all the good and great Of the land. 4
| In conclusion, he said ..My dear children, and
friends and servants, | hope and trust to meet you al.
in heaven, both white and black" The last sentence
he repeated-s.both white and black" looking at them
with the tenderest solicitude. With these words, he
ceased to speak, but fixed his eyes on his granddaugh-
ter, Rachael Jackson, (who bears the name of his
own beloved wife, for several seconds. What was
passing through his mind at that moment, | will not
pretend to say but it did appear to me that he was
invoking the blessings of Heaven to rest upon her.
| The lecture. to his family was awfully sublime. His
implicit belief in the Christian religion. and IN the
plan of salvation, as revealed III the Bible-his great
anxiety that they should believe III religion, as taught
by the holy Scriptures; and. that, In so doing, they
would insure their eternal salvation, and join him IN
heaven such sentiments, from such a man, at such
a time, are enough to put to flight all scePticIsm on
the subject of religion.
| Major Lewis arrived about two o'clock. The Gen.
erul appeared to know him when he spoke to him.
As | before stated, the General had to be propped up
in his bed and Major Lewis supported his head un-
til he breathed his last which was precisely at SIX
O'Clock, p. m. Thus died the greatest and best man
of the age, or, perhaps, of any age.
l am, with great regard, your friend and obedlent
servant, JNO. ~.
FRANCIS P. BLAIR, Esq.
The Big Chinese Letter.
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