The North-Carolinian. [volume] (Fayetteville [N.C.]) 1839-1861, 1850-04-13
Charleston Mercury.
OFFICIAL ACCOUNT OF THE LAST
HOURS AND DEATH OF MIR.
CALHOUN.
Washington, d. c., March 2l.

| comes upon US as au unlocked for bereave.
ment. The star Of the Western hemis
phere has been stricken from the firma
ment. 1t belongs now to another universe
All unite in feeling that our Republic has
lost its most brilliant ornament and large
section its almost idolized champion.
During nearly half a century of public
life, in which Mr. Calhoun has gone
through various stages Of political ad.
the general Legislature. from the Ca.
the Vice Presidency back again to the
Senate, he has been regarded as the grea,
Statesman and Patriot Of the age. He
now s'umbers in death.
His last hours were in unison with his
whole career.
Yesterday it became clearly apparent
that he could survive but a very short
period. He was restless and evidently
weaker, but notwithstanding he set up 70,
two hours in the early part of the day.
He conversed very little until evening,
when some letters were read to him, upon
which he commented. lie spoke of the
| feeling of the south on the present asitatine
! subject, and expressed his confidence that
there would soon be bat one sentiment,
| that the Southern people was unwavering
to the last
At half-past 12 o'clock he commenced
breathing heavily. which occasioned some
| alarm to his son, Di. 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 ask
ed his son if he felt uneasy? His son
replied: 81 do had you not better take
some wine, father?'' He replied No;
don't require any more stimulus.'' His
son felt his pulse. remarking, that it was
very low. MrCalhoun said g feel that
l am sinking; but you had better lie
down, john" His son did as he was re-
; quested, but felt very uneasy, as the diff
Guilty OF breathing still continued.
At 9 o'clock this morning, he called in
a very feeble voice s. John come to me-
lie did so, when MIR Calhoun put out his
arm and asked him to feel his pulse, re-
marking. 81 have no pulsation at the
wrist. Take my watch from the table and
put it in your trunk +" which was done.
He then pointed to a bureau of drawers,
and said ''Take my papers, and put
them also in your trunk (These papers
are the manuscript work on Government
and the Consttution.) He then remark
marked {: ''Ihe medicine has had delight
ful effect. | am in pleasant perspira-
tion." At about S O'Clock, his son 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 pain?
He replied '.No, l have not felt the
slightest pain throughout this whole at
tack" His son asked Are you COM
Portable now?" He replied s. l am per-
fectly comfortable These were the last
words of Mr. Calhoun
At about quarter before six he made a
sign with his hand for his son to approach
the bed. Holding out his hand, he took
that Of his son, grasped it closely, looking
very intently into his face. and moving his
lips as if he desired to speak. His son
perceiving that he was speechless, at once
called the Hon. MIR Nenable, of North
Carolina. When the latter went to his
bedside, Mr. Calhoun took hold of his hand,
pressed it, and presented his wrist, appa-
rently to indicate his approaching dissolu-
ton. He looked Mr. V=nable very intent
ly in the face while he was feeling his
pulse. Mr. Venable remarked - You
are pulseless, sir, and must take some
wine, - and called for Medeira. Mr. Cal
houn took it in his hand, raised his head
and drank it. Mr. Venable then left the
room to summon some friends, and was
Hon. Mr. Orr, and also the Hon. Mr. Wal
lace. both Of South Carolina, entered the
room. When the door opened his eyes
were directed towards it, and were fixed
upon Mr. Orr as he walked towards him,
until he reached the bed. Mr. Orr leaned
over to feel his pulse. Seeing his purpose,
Mr. Calhoun extended his arm. He was
asked if he would have the physician, DIR
Hall sent tor. He shook his head. He
then presented his wrist to Mr. Venable,
who remarked 1.-The wine has produc-
ed no effect there is no return of pulsa-
ton" He adjusted his head on the pill
low, looked Mr. Venable in the face, with
an expression which seemed to say S
am perfectly conscious that it rs all over"
A few moments after, when breathing with
some difficulty, he put one hand to the top
Of his head, then passed it through his
hair, and brought it down again upon his
breast. lie then breathed quietly, except
a slight rattling in his throat. his eyes re-
tanning their brightness. and bis counter
ance its natural expression. until the last
breath. (which was drawn with deep
spiration.) when his eyes suddenly became
dim. They were Immediately closed, by
MIR Venable. After Mr. Calhoun's eyes
were closed, his countenance was that Of