The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-04-09
From the Charleston Mercury, sk q
OFFICIAL Acc COUNT OF THEsLAsT
HOURS AND DEATH or MIR. IS
ss,ssA,snISeTos 3D. C MARCH 81 1850.

HoBN:
AsnISeTos, d. G. March 81, 1850.
GEsTbRmB Bs 4 his morning, at the age of 6s
years, JohnC Calhoun expired Long as his
death has been apprehended, it comes uponus
as m unlocked for bereavement The star of
the Western hemisphere has been stricken
from the ornament. 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
MIR. Calhoun has gone through all the various
stages Of political advancement save one.
from thelocd to the general Legislature, from
the Cabinet to the Vice Presidency back again
to the Senate, he has been regarded as the great
Statesman and Patriot Of the age. He now
slnmbers in death
His last hours were in unison with his whole
career
yesterday it became clearly apparent that ne
could survive but very short period. He was
restless and evidently lyweaker, but notwithstand-
ing he set up for two hours in the early part OF
the day. He conyersed very little until evening
when some letters were read to him, upon
which he commented. He spoke of the feel
ings of the South on the present agtating sub.
ject, and express his confidence that there would
soon be but one sentiment, that the Southern
people would unite as one man against North
ernaggression. His confidence in the South
en- people was unwavering to the last. g
All haEpast l2 o'clock he commenced breath
ing heavily, which occasioned some alarm to
his SON pr. Calhoun, the only member ofhis
family present dnring his last illness. He re.
marked that he felt unuseally wakeful, and re.
qaested his son to lie down, who objected,
Then he asked his son if he felt uneasyi His
sonreplied Il do; had You not better take some
wine, father 7" He replied "No; l don't require
any more stimulus" His son felt his pulse,
remaking, that it was very low. Mr.. Calhoun
said:saI feel that am sinking, but you had
betterlie down, John. His son did as he was
requested, but felt very uneasy, as the difficulty
Of breathing still continued
% o'clock this morning, he called in q
very feeble voice: 6 John, come to me- He
did 50, when Mr.. Calhoun put out his arm and
asked him to feel his pulse, remarking: / have
no puisation at the wrist. Take my watch
from the table and put it in your trunk;;" which
was done. He then pointed to bureau of
drawers, and said: e Take my papers, and put
them also in your hnnk" These papers are
the manuscript work on Government and the
Constitution. He then remarked: Is the med
icine has had delightful effect | am in
pleasant perspiraion." At about o'clock,
hisson took aseat by the fire, desiring his father
totake some rest, who said he had not rested
atal His son asked if he had any paint He
replied No, ! have not felt the slightest pain
lroI.
Are you comfortable now r. He replied:
am perfectly 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 itclosely, looking very intently into,
hisface and moving his lips as if he desired to
sneak. His son perceiying that he was speech
less, at once called the Hon. Mr.. Yenable, of
North Carolina. When the latter went to his
bedside, Mr. Calhoun took hold of his hand,
pressed it and presented his wrist, apparent
~ TO indicate his approaching dissolution. He
looked Mr.. yenable very intently in the face
while he was feeling his pulse Mr.. Venable
remarked: Yon are pulseless, Sir, and must
take some wine" and called for Madeira Mr..
Calhoun pointed to the wardrobe. Mr.. Vena.a
hegot the wine from thence, aud poured out
half tumbler full Mr. Calhoun took it ia his
hand raised his head and drank it. i Mr. Yena.
blefhen left the room to summon some friends
who were absent about minutes. Soon after
the 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. suntilhe 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 presented his wrist to Mr.. Venable, who
remarked: there is no return Of pulsation." He
adjusted his head on the pillow, looked Mr..
Yenable in the face, with an expression which
seemed to say" am perfectly conscious that
itis all over" A few moments after, when
breathing with great difficulty, he put one hand
tothe top of his head, then passed it through
his hair, and sbroughtit down again upon his
breast He then breathed quietly, except
slight rafting in his throat, his eyes retaining
their brigbtness, and his countenance its natu-
raj expression, until the last bleath, (which
was drawn with q deep inspiration,) when his
eyes suddenly became dim. They were inn
mediately closed by, Mr.. Yenable. After Mr..
Colhonn,a ovao xrorn olnood h;a coupfanance