Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1850-07-18
Interesting Particulars
OF THE
LAST ILLNESS AND DEATH

J Yesterday stated that his indsposfon began
~on the Fourth. On the morning of that day he
was, to all appearances, sound IN heath and III
excellent spirits In company with his family
and several of the Heads of Departments, ne at
tended at the National Monument 10 hear Mr.
Foot'S independence oraton, and even up to hve
O'Clock exhibited no symptoms Of illness. How
ever, while upon the ground, he partook freely oi
water and then, after considerable exercise III
walking and exposure to the sun, he drove home.
Arrived at the mansion, he "fet,' as he expressed
himself to DR.. Weatherspoon, very hungry" and
: without rehectng that he was in an unit condI-
ton to indulge freely in fruits &c. he called for some
refreshments. and ate heartyof cherries and wild
berries, which he washed down with coplous
draughts of iced milk and water. At dinner he
applied himself again to the cherries, against the
remonstrances of DIR. Weaherspoon, and in an
hour was seized by cramps; which soon took the
form of violent cholera morbus. His physician
prescribed the usual remedies, but for time he re-
sisted, deeming the attack only temporary, and
that it would yield finally to his naturally strong
constitution. Toward midnight, instead of relief,
the attack increased in violence and threatened
desperate results, if not speedily arrested. He
continued in this condition, without much change,
| until the evening of the 9th. 1t was then deemed
advisable to call in other physicians. According
| ly, Messrs Hall and Coolidge were invited, and
promptly responded; but they thought it further
of Baltimore. That gentleman attended immedi-
ately, and in the same cars came Colonel Taylor,
! the brother of the General, and his family, who
had likewise been telegynphed for. BY this time
| (the morning Of the SthEThe disease had made rap
| id encroachments on his frame; but by the united
skill of these eminent practitioners the visible sta
ges of the cholera morbus soon after checked.
| However, fever ensued; and from a remttaet
character, it took the form of typhoid. Anxiety
now began TO manifest itself, not only among the
exhated patients family, but among the physicians
| themselves. His chances of life hung upon a
| thread.
| Meanwhile, there were other causes, beside
merely eating and drinking, that operated fatally
| npon his system. To his medical attendant on
the 6th he said: 81 should not be surprised if this
were to terminate IN my death. / did not expect
to encounter what has beset me since my eeva-
tion TO the Presidency. God knows that have
endeavored to fulfill what l conceived to be an
honest duty. But | have been mistaken. My
motives have been nsconstrued, and my feelings
| most grossly outraged" He alluded doubtless to
the Slavery question, and the manner in which he
had been variously assailed. Even the sanctity
of the sick chamber was invaded by certain South
ern ultralsts, who came to warn him. that unless
he took some necessary steps to protect the South,
they iooutd Uote resolution of censure has
duct in the Galphin business. repeat merely what
know to be true. On the 5th, Messrs Stephens
pointed by an ultra caucus, to demonstrate upon
the same subject; and according to the facts de-
veloped, the interview concluded with a threat
similar TO the above. 1t not until after his ILL
ness of the 4th, and the conference Of the 5th that
the mind of the President seemed SO sadly op-
pressed, and which called forth the remarks just
given. From this time forward his mental suffer
ings were equal to his physical
Bu, TO proceed. Toward the evening Of the 9Th,
the chronic type Of dysentefy which had set in
disappeared, and vomiting ensued. DR.. Joubron
(D Philadelphia, who is eminent in these branch
es OF treatment was teiegraphed, and reply re-
ceived from him that he would arrive last evenings
but, alas! too late to be of service.
The condition of the patient was now at its crit
ical point. The sick chamber was restored to So
lemn silence, attendance placed on the outside,
and none permitted to enter except the physicians.
The family of the President, with Col. Bliss and
other relatives Of the deceased, occupied room
adjoining, where they remained, overwhelmed with
grief, and refusing even the indugences of neces-
sary repose Bulletins were hourly sent out, to
inform the masses of the changes observable in the
PATENT but these so slightly varied for the better,
that all hope of his safety was dspelled at Ii
O'Clock. From that period until daylight the ut
most anxiety prevailed.
The ninth dawned but gloom still surrounded
the Executive mansion. Thousands began to
food the avenues leading thither, and throughout
ttO OdJ d HeSSCuScl was hSpt POSt6u dI ildlH
door to answer the Interrogatories that were nces
sanity poured upon him. At 10 o'clock A. NJ
report circulated that the President had rallied
at l P. M. that he was dead. The CONSERVATION
created by the latter rumor was happily relieved
by official bulletin at 3 2, that the crisis had
been passed, and that he was then beyond lmme-
date danger. Bells rang for JOY, and even the
boys in the streets lit bonfres, and shouted in !
childish graduation. The stream now to the White |
House greater than ever, but about 7 in the
evening the pail of gloom again shrouded all fa-
ces for it was announced that the ilustrous hero |
was dying
will not attempt to describe the commotion
that ensued. Mrs. Taylor thrice tainted from ex-
cess OF apprehension, and Colonel Bliss. who had |
never shed tear perhaps upon the battle plain.
wept like an infant AT 5-two hours previous
the physicians refused to administer any more med
icine, considering his case hopeless, and in the |
hands of God. The Heads of Department. cor
porate authorities of the city, diplomatic body, and
officers of the army and navy, paid their respects
often during the day, and seemed entertain live
ly feelings of solicitude for his safety. Everything
that could contribute to the comfort of the SICK
thenceforward, was extended; but the sands Of life
had run out, and his hours were numbered.
At nine the vomiting partially ceased, as all pain
had disappeared about four in the afternoon. But
the system had wasted under the shock and grad
ualIy sunk beyond recovery. Green matter was
thrown from his stomach at intervals until twenty
minutes past l0-that peculiar coloration of bile