The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-04-12
Last ii0ura ana Death Of MF. caihoiiii.
from the Correspondence of,hs Charleston M.rcary.

from the Correspondence Of the Charleston Mercnfy1
WASHINGTON, March 81, 1850
| At half-past 10 o'clock he commenced breathing
heavily, which occasioned alarm to his son,
Dr. Calhoun, the only member Of his family present
| during his last Illness He remarked that he felt
unusually wakeful, and requested his son to lie
down, who objected. Then he asked his son il he
! felt uneasy? His son replied Had you not bet
ter take some wine, father? " He replied; F" No, |
do MT require any more stimulus" His son felt his
| pulse, renarking that it was very low. Mr. CAL
| houn said feel that am sinking but you had
better lie down, John" His son did as he was re-
quested but felt very uneasy, as the difficulty Of
| breathing still continued.
At 2 o'clock this morning he called in a very fee
BILE voice: John, come to me-" He did so when
Mr.. Calhoun put out his arm and asked him to feel
kis pulse, remarking: have no pulsation at the
wrist. Take my watch from the table and put it
into your trunk :" which was done. He then
| pointed to bureau Of drawers, and said " Take
| my papers, and put them also in your trunk. "
| CThese papers are the manuscript work on Gov
eminent and the Constitution) He then remarked :;
The medicine has had delightful effect; | am
| in pleasant perspiration"
AT about o'clock, his took a seat by the fire,
| desiring his father to take some rest. who said he
had not rested at all. His son asked if he had any
path He replied: No, have not felt the slight
est pain throughout this whole attack" His son
asked: " Are you comfortable now?" He replied
/ perfectly neSo were the last
words of Mr.. Calhoun.
| At about quarter before six he made sign with
his hand for his son to approach the bed. Holding
| out his hand, he took that of his son, graspcd il
closely, looking very intently into his face, and
moving his lips as if he desired to speak His son
perceiving that he speeches., at once called
| the Hon. Mr.. Venable, Of North Carolina When
| the latter went to his bedside, Mr. Calhoun took
hold of his hand pressed it and presented his wrist
apparently to indicate his approaching dissolution.
He looked Mr.. Venable very intently in the face
| while he was feeling his pulse. Mr.. Venable re-
marked: You are pulseless, sir, and must take
| some wine," and called for Madeira Mr.. Cal
houn pointed to the wardrobe. Mr.. Venable go
The wine from thence, and poured out half tnm
bier full MIR. Calhoun took it in his hand, raised
his head and drank it. Mr.. Venable then left tn,
room to summon some friends, and was absen
| about FIVE minutes Soon after the Hon. Mr.. Orr
and also the Hon. Mr. Wallace, both of Sou'l
Carolina, entered the ROOM When the door opened
his eyes were directed towards it, and were fixet
upon Mr. Orr, as he walked towards him, until hi
reached the bed. Mr.. Orr leaned over to feel hi
pulse. Seeing his purpose, Mr.. Calhoun extendet
his arm. He was asked if he would have tn
physician, DR.. Hall, sent for He shook his head
| He then nresented his wrist to Mr. Venebe, VIII
remarked: "The wine has produced no effect
there is no return of pulsation." He adjusted hi
head on the pillow, looking Mr. Venable in the face
with an expression which seemed to say: 3" | an
perfectly conscious that it is all over" few mo
ments after, when breathing with some difficulty
he put hand to the top of his head, then passe
it through his hair, and brought it down again up
on his breast He then breathed quietly, except
slight rafting in his throat his eyes retaining the
brightness, and his counenance its natural express
ion, until the last breath, (which was drawn wit
deep inspiratioD,) when his eyes suddenly BEGAN
dim. They were Immediately closed by Mr.. Vent
, BILE. After Mr.. Calhoun's eyes were closed, h
coun,enance was that of one who had fallen quie
ly asleep. He was conscious to the last momen
A Nata Irrlr ytnR
5 to his death, Mr.. Calhoun remarked that his min
was never clearer that he had great facility in
ranging his thoughts and in reply to a remark
his sons that he was fearful he was everlasting h
mind with thinking, he said; " | cannot avo
thinking of the political affairs of the country.
4 could have but one hour to speak in the Senat
e could do more good than on any previous occ'
sion of my life''