Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-06-20
IRON fae Washington Lr'on.
4 nlAkY ARnI.r GEN. JACKSON.

HERMITAGE, MAY -, 1919
My dear Sir: Aware ol your desire TO know
the condition Of The patriot Of the Hermitage IN
the closing scenes OF his life. | write down, from
dav 10 day, durin. the shor, visit ! make him
what occurs Of in crest.
On my arrival, found President Jackson
more comfortable than he had been, although his
disease is not ahaied, ard his long and useful lie
is rapidly drawing 10 a close. re has mol been
in condition 10 lie down during the lasl lour
months His feet and legs, his hands and arms
are very much swollen with dropsy, which has
invaded his whole system. Bandages are drawn
tight around the parts most affected, 10 prevent,
as much as possible, The increase the water
lie has scarcely any use OF his hands. The ban
dagesare removed several times in the n hours
and the parts rubbed severely 10 restore animation
and the circulation Of The blood. lie has not
strength 10 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 ruplured many wears ago, dl-
! ring the Seminole campaign in Florida. and Is
entir w DESTROYED, and the other much diseased.
When The dropsy commenced, the cough was er-
lremely severe, and eXpcctoration proiuse. These
symptoms which had continued FOR years now gr1-
dualIy gave way and almost entirely ceased.-
This was followed bya loss OF appetite and con-
slant nausea and pio>tra,ion This change lnoh
place early in April ant about the hIst ol MAY
a iiarrtua commenced, which seemed TO threaten
an immediate dissolution. This continued Tor
few DAYS with great suffering, bur fortunately re-
duced the swelling Of the whole system. The
abatement If The diarrho.a was succeeded By me
swelling in all parts, with violent pain and ex,
IRENE difficulty OF breathing, when nature Wouiu
AGAIN relieve itself as above described.
THURSDAY, May 29.-Gen. Jackson }, rather
more comfortable, having obtained rom opaes
some sleep. This day he satawie 10 Nj. Healy
who had been sent BY Louis Philippe CHE King
OF the French) 10 paint his portrait. Mr. ile1ly
told me that il was the design Of the King OF Inc
French 10 place his portrait by the side OF maj
OF Washington which already hangs in his gal
lery-lhe mos, celebrated and interesting hislori-
cal gallery in The world--to surround them with
the pictures OF The most emicent OF American
generals and statesmen. Mr.. Hcaly is com
missioned BY the king 10 paint the portraits OF
some twelve OF the most distinguished revoln-
,ionarv patrols, 10 surround those OF Washington
and Jacksonville greatest aud best men our
country ever produced; also some OF The mos,
prominent living politicians oithe day. MessTs
John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay were
named by Mr.. Healy 10 me. MT bcaly was
enabled 10 make much progress in his Work to-
day: and, as usual, The General received MANY
from he humblest 10 the most renowned to take
the yeneral cheiian hv HE hand and bid him
farewell. Among the visitors was General JesuP
an old friend and companion in arms TIC
meeting OF these most faithful and gallant sol
diers and servants OF The republic was deeply in
teres,ng and affecting. A reverend gentleman
called TO inquire in reear! 10 the Generals health
his faith, and future hope. The General sad
"Sir am in the hands OF merciul God.
have full confidence in his goodness and mercy.
My lamp ofliic is nearly ou', and the last glim-
mer has come. am readylo depart, when call
ed. The Bible is true. The principles and
statutes Of iha, holy book have been the rule OF
my life. and have tried 10 conform 70 its spirit
as near as possible. Upon that sacred volume
rest M hope for eternal salvation, through the
merits and lood of orr blessed Lord and Saviour
Jesus Chris" Nothing further was said upon
the subject.
FaIDAY, May a9-The General passed . bad
night: no sleep-e1,remelv feeble this morning
Mr. Healy, with considerable exeriions on the
rart Of the General was enabled to finish he por-
trait on which he labored with great care.
was presented 10 The General. After examining
il for some minutes, he remarked 10 Mr. fiealy,
II am satisfied, Sir, ,ha, you stand al The head Of
your profession; il may be allowed 10 judge Of
nv own likeness, can safely concur in the
opinion Of my family; this is the bes, that has
been taken. feel very much obliged to you,
Sir, Tor the grea. labor and care you have
been pleased 10 besiow upon H." The family
were all highly graiihed with its fai'hlulness.
consider i, the mos, perfect representation have
ever seen, giving rather The remains Of the heroic
personag &c, than the full life that made him the
most extraordinary combination Of spirit and en-
ergv, with slender frame, the world ever saw.
AIS o'clock, as is the custom, all the Generals
the few who take their turn to
watch BY his sids-,oos their leave Of him.