Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1846-09-30
THE LAST HOURS OF WASHINGTON.

Golng into the country cured his trouble;
Ergo-gong into the country cures baidness
THE LAST HOURS OF WASHINGTON.
From the Curtis recolectons, and Pirate Memoirs
Of the life and character Of Washington.
Twenty eight years have passed, since an interes-
ting group were assembled in the death room, and
witnessed the last hours of Washington. So keen
and unsparing hath been the sythe of time, that,
of all those who watched over the Patriarchs couch
the 18th and 18th of December 1899, but single
parsonage survives.
On the morning of the 18th, the General was en-
gagged IN making some improvement in front of Mt.
Vernon. AS was usual with him, he carried his own
compass noted his observations, and marked out the
ground. The day became rainy, with sleet, and the
improver remained long exposed to the inclemency
of the weather as to be considerably wetted before
his starting to the house. About one o'clock he
seized with clness and nausea, but having chang
ed his clothes, he sat down to his indoor work
there being no moment of his time for which he had
not provided an appropriate employment.
At night, on joining his family circle. the General
complained of slight indspositon, and, after single
cup of tea repaired to his library where he remained
writing until between IL and twelve o'clock. Mrs.
Washington retired about the usual family hour, but
becoming alarmed at not hearing the accustomed
sound of the Library door, it closed for the night
and gave signal for rest in the well regulated man
sion, she again, and continued sitting up,n much
anxiety and suspense. At length the well known
step was heard on the stair, and upon the Generals
entering his chamber, the lady chded him for staying
up so late, knowing himself to be unwel; to which
Washington made this memorable reply: 81 came SO
soon as my business accomplished. You we'll
know, that, through long life, it has been my un-
varied rule never to put off till the the du
ties which should be performed to-day"
Having first covered up the fire with care, the man
of mighty labors sought repose; but it came not as
it had wont to do, to comfort and restores after the
many and earnest occupations of the well spent day.
The night was passed in feverish restlessness and
pain. "Tired natures sweet restorer balmy Sleep"
was destined no more to visit his couch; yet the
manly sufferer uttered no complaint would permit
no one to be disturbed in their rest, his account
and it was only at daybreak he would consent that
the overseer might be calledin and bleeding resorted
to. A vein was opened, but without affordng relief.
Couriers were despatched to summon DR.. Craik, the
sicans, all of whom came with speed. The proper
remedies were administered, but without producing
their healing effects while the patient, yielding to the
anxious looks of all around him. waived Ills usual OBJ
jections to medicines, and took those which were
prescribed, without hesitation remark. The med
ical gentleman spared not their skill, and all the
sources of their art exhausted in unwearied en-
deavors to preserve this noblest work of nature.
The night approached-the last night of Washing
ton; the weather became severely cold, while the
group gathered near the couch of the sufferer,
ing with intense anxiety, for the slightest dawning
of hope. He spoke but little. To the respectful
and aectionate inquiries of old family servant as
she smoothed his pillow, how he felt himself, be an
swered, 81 am very ill., To DR.. Craik, his earliest
companion arms, longest tried and bosom, friend,
he observed: 81 am dying Sir-but am not afraid to
lie." To Mrs. Washington, he said: 60 to my es-
,ritoir and in the private drawer you will find two
,apers-bring them to me- They were brought. I
He continued: they are my wilIs-preserve this one,
md burn the other" Which was accordingly done. |
Calling to Col. Lear, he directed: 'Let my corpse
,e kept for the usual period of three days."
Here we would beg leave to remind our readers,
hat, in former part of this work. we have said that
Washington was old fashioned in many of his habits
md manners, and in some of his opinions; nor was
lie the less to be admired on those accounts. The
custom of keeping the dead for the scriptura period
# three days, is derived from remote antiquity, and
rosenot from fear OF premature intermentas in
modern times, but from motives ofveneration toward
he deceasd for the better enabling the relatives and
riends to assemble from distance, to perform the
uneral ntes for the pous watchlngs of the corpse,
nd for many sad, yet endearing ceremonials, with
which we delight pay last duties to the remains
f those we have loved.
The patient bore his acute sufferings with manly
,rttude, and perfect resignation to the Divine will,
'he, as the night advanced, it became evident that
e was sinking, and he seemed fully aware that his
hour was nigh" He inquired the time, and II was
nswered, few moments to twelve. He spoke no !, !,
,ore-the hand OF death was upon him, and he was
onscious that his shour was Gomez With surpris-
g self-possession, he prepared to die. Composing
is form at length, and folding his upon his bosom
ithout sigh, without groan, the Father of his
ountry expired, gently as though an infant died.
or pang or struggle told when the noble spirit took
$ noiseless flight; while SO tranquil appeared the
any features in the repose of death, that some mo-
ents had passed ere those around could believe that
e Patriarch was more.
It may be asked, and why was the ministry of re-