Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1850-04-12
I From the Charleston .nercury, 5M inst,
official Account Of the last
Hours and Death Of IlV.
CALHOUN.
Washington, ID C.) March 3ll8E

Washington, ID C.) March 81 1850.
1T half.past twelve o'clock he com
mcnced breathing heavily, which orca-
stoned some alarm 10 his son. Dr.. Cal.
houn, the only member of his family pre-
sent during his last illness. He remarked
that he felt unusually wakcful, and re-
quested his son to lie down, who obic.ted
Then he asked hi> son if he felt uneasy?
his son replied: "I do. had YOU not bet
ter take some more VINE, father?" He re-
piled. "No; | don't require any more
stimulus" His son felt his pulse, rcmar-
king. that it was very low. Mr. Calhoun
said: 'I feel that am sinking: but YOU
had better lie down, John" His son din
rs he was requested, but felt very uneasy
as the difficulty of brea hing still contin-
ued.
At o'clock this morning, he called,
in a worry feeble voice. John. come to RE-
He did so, when Mr. Calhoun put out
his arm and asked him TO feel his pulse,
remnrkin0: al have no pulSniion ut the
wrist. Il kc my watch from the table
and put it in your trunk" Will Ii was
done. He then pointe TO a bureau Of
drawers. and said: "Take nv papers and
put them also in your trunk. - These
papers are the mrouscript work o. Gov
ernment and the Constitution) He then
remarked: "Thc medicine has had de-
lightful effect am in pleasant pers-
piration. AT about o'clock, his son
took seat by the FIRE, desi'ing his father
to take some rest, who said he had not,
rested atall. His son asked If he had
any pain? lie replied: "No, have not
felt the slightest pain throughout this
whole attack" His son asked Are YOU
comfortable now?' He replied: Il am
perfectly comfortable" These were the
last words of Mr.. Calhoun.
ut about quarter before six he made
sign with his hand for his son to ap-
proach the bed. Holding out his hand,
he took that of his son. grasprd it closely
looking very intentlv into his face, and
moving his lips rs if he desired to sp ak.
His son perceiving that he was specchless,
at once called the Hon Nr Venable, of
North Carolina. IVnen the latter went
to his bedside. Mr. Calhoun took hold Of
his hand, presse it. and presented his
wrist, apparently to indicate his ap-
proaching dissolution. He looked Mr..
Venable very intently in the face while
he was feeling his pulse. Mr.. Vcnable
remarked You are pulscless, sir, and
must take some wine, and called for Ma
deria. Mr. Calhoun pointed to the ward :.
robe. Mr. venable got the wine from
thence. and poured out half tumbler
full. Mr. Calhoun took it in his hand,
raised his head and drank it. Mr.. Vcna.
ble then left the room to summon some
friends, and was absent about five min
utes.
Soon after tho Hon. Mr.. Orr and also
the Hon Mr. Wallace, both of South Car
olina, entered the room. When the
door opened, his eyes were directed tow.
ards 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, DR. Hall, sent
for. He shook his head. He then pre-.
sented his wrist TO Mr. Vcnablc, who re-
marked: "The wine has produced no
ctfcct--there is no return of pulsation.
He adjusted his head on the pillow, look
ed Nr Venable in the fa c, with an cx-
preston which seemed TO say: al am
perfectly conscious that it is all over" a
few moments after when breathing with
some difficulty, he put one hand 10 the
top of his head then passed it through
his hair, and broughtit down again npon
his breast. lie then breathed quietly,
except slight rafting in his throat, his
eyes retaining their brightness, and his
countenance its natural expression, until
the last breath, (Which was drawn with
deep inspiration when his eyes suddenly
became dim They were Immediately
closed by Mr. Vcnablc. After Mr.. Cal.
houn's eyes were closed, his countcnancc
was that Of one who had fallen quietly