The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1849-07-13
Correspondence of The New Yo,k Herald.
NASHVILLE, June lG, ls40.
Interesting Account
OF the Last Days of james X. Polk, Ex.Presi.
dent OF the United States.


or the Last Days of james X. Polk. Ex.Presi.
dent of the United States.
Yesterday, at twenty minutes berore
five o'clock p. W., James X. Polk expired,
al his residence IN this city.
Mr. Polk had suffered from diartbn,.
on his way up the Mississippi river from
New Orleans, in March but the attack
passed OF aud he reached this ciy ia good
health. A few da,s after bis arrival he
moved into his new mansion, stately edi.
fee, which has just been completed and
furnished in sly lie Of combined elegance
and Iasie. Ills estate lies ~ the very heart
OF the city, on an eminence known as Grun.
dy's Hill, having been the home Of the Hon.
Felix Grundy, from whose heirs Mr.. Polk
purchased the property.
Having taken mp his abode here, the OK.
president gave himself up TO the improve.
mont ofthe grounds end was seen every day
about his dwelling, aiding aud directing the
workmen he had employed Now over.
looking carpenter, now giving ins,ruc-
lions to gardner, often attended by Mrs.
Folk, whose exquisite les'e constituted
The clements Of every improvement. II is
not d fortnight since that saw him on bis
lawn directing some men, who were re.
moving dccaylng cedars. was struck
With his erect and healihiul hearing, und
The active energy Of his manner, which
gave promise Of long life. HIS flowing
gray locks alone made him appear beyond
the middle age Of life lie seemed in full
health. The next day, being rainy, he
remained within and began 10 arrange his
large library; ond the labor Of reaching
books from The floor aud placing them on
the shelves, brought on fatigue oud slight
fever, which tho mex, day assumed the
character Of disease IN lbe form Of chronic
diarfhGa, which was with him a complaint
OF many years standing, aud readily IN.
duced upon his system by any over exer.
ZION.
FJr the three first DAYS, his friends felt
no alarm. Bat the disease bafiing heir
ski! (and for skiifuI physicians, Nashville
viii Compare with the first Giles in the
Union) Dr.. Hay, his brother ia. law, and
i"H"iit HlelCidH loT lHtDlN years. was
sent for from Columbia. But the skin
aud experience 6r this gentleman, aided
by The highest medical talent proved Of
no avail. Mr. Polk continued gradually
10 sInk from day u day. The disease
checked Upon Inn four days before lis
death, but his constitution vas so weaken.
ed, that there did 10, tcmain retuperailve
energy enough in tho system f1r healthy
reaction. lie sunk away sn slowly aud
tnsenstbly, that it was eight hours before
he died, after the heavy death resri'a,ions
commenced. lie died without a struggle
simply ceaslng TO breathe, az when deep
and quiet sleep falls upon weary man.
About hall an hour preceding his death,
bis venerable mother entered tho room,
and knce.Iag BY bis bed side, offered up a
beautiful payer TO the hin. Of kings, aud
lord Of lords, committing tao soul Of her
son 10 his holy keeping. The scene was
stiihing'y Impressive. Majnr POLK, the
Presidents brother, also ~ hi- bed.
SIDE, With other members Of the family.
Upon the coffin was PLAZA silver plate,
with these words: