Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-11-03
Last Hours, Death and Funeral Of
Daniel webster.

iNSNStS'
Webster had been confined by indisposition al
Marshfeld, his residence in Massachusetts,, for a
week or two, and on Friday the 22d ultimo, his
symptoms became alarming. On Saturday, the
Telegraph reported that his case was hopeless. A
dispatch dated 10 o'clock Saturday night, says
Mr.. Webster is not now expected to live an
hour, and is momentarily anticipating the final
summons, with great calmness, resignation and
comp0sure.
During the afternoon and evening he has con-
versed freely, ard with great calmness and detail,
in relation to the disposal of his private affairs
He gave full directions in relation TO his farms,
giving the most minute statement of his wishes In
regard to them.
At 5 o'clock in the afternoon, he was seized with
violent nausea land raised considerable dark mat
tiers tinged with blood, which left him in state
of great exhaustion and debility.
The physicians in attendance then announced
to Mr. Webster that his last hour was rapidly APP
preaching. He received the announcement calm
iy and directed all the females of the family to be
called in, to each of whom he addressed individu-
ally few affectionate parting words land bid them
final farewell He then took his leave of his
male relations and personal friends addressing each
of them individually, referring to past relations
and babe each an affectiohate farewell.
The last of his family that he parted with was
Peter Harvey Webster, "a grand son, )upon whom
he asked the richest blessings of Heaven. He
then said, as if speaking to himself "On the
24th of October all that is mortal of Daniel Web
ser will be no more"
Mr.. Webster then prayed in full and clear
voice most fervently and imprcssively, concluding
as follows:
.'Heavenly Father, forgive my sins and wei
come me to thyself through Christ Jesus"
DR.. Jeffries then conversed with him, and told
him that medical skill could do nothing more, to
which Mr.. Webster replied,
"Then am to lie here patiently till the end, if
it be SO may it come soon."
Another dispatch from Boston on Sunday morn
ing, the Oath ult., says
We learn from gentlemen Just arrived from
Marshfeld, that up to 10 O'Clock on Saturday G.
vening, Mr.. Webster continued to fail very rapid
ly. Accusing from his lethargy at about 10 O'Clock,
his countenance became animated, and his eyes
flashed with all its usual brilliancy, when in full
health. He exclaimed 81 still live," and imme-
diately sank into tranquil uncoisciouSness:
Between 10 and | o'clock Mr. Webster repeat
ed distinctly, the words ''poetry-Gray So
Fletcher Webster then repeated tho first line of
Gray's Elegy
"The curfew tolls the kneel of parting day.
''That's it-that's it." said Mr.. Webster The
book was then brought and the whole stanza read,
which seemed to give the dying man much pleas
ure.
From IL to 2 o'clock he manifested much rest
lessness and slight suffering. Faintness also &C.
cured, which led him to think that death was
near. While in this condition some expressions
fell from him indicating a hope that his mind
would remain to him to the last. Mr. Webster
also spoke of the difficulty of dying, when DR..
Jefries repeated the verse, Though walk thro'
the valley and shadow of DEATH Will fear no evil,
for Thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they
comfort me-" MIR. Webster exclaimed TO this,
The fact-the fact-that is what meant-thy
rod-thy rod-thy staff-thy staff"
lie expired at q minutes of 3 o'clock on Sun
day morning, in the 7lst year Of his age. The
close of his life was perfectly tranquil and easy
Mrs. Webster was unable TO witness his last mo-
rfients, and awaited the event in her own apart
ment.
His bedside was surrounded by his son, FleLch-
er Webster, Mr.. and Mrs. Paige, Mr.. Harvey,
Mrs. Levy, Edward Curtis, Mr.. Thomas, Mr..
Appleton, Dr:. Warren and Jeffries, Mr.. Abbott,
and Geo. II. Curtis. A few moments after he ex-
PRED, Mrs. Webster entered the room to gaze up
on the lifeless remains of her beloved partner
The scene was painful beyond description. Her
grief gave utterance in the most agonizng tones of
sorrow. But it were vain to attempt to mirror the
scene. 1t was picture never to be forgotten.
Those who saw Mr.. Webster few moments
after death state that though much changed, yet
there remain those characteristics Of the great
IL JcotL +bo,, b,1 kaan in lfn
A dispatch from Boston en- the goth says
learn from Marshfeld, this morning, that by
consent Of his family, the physicians obtained per
mission to make postmortem examination of Mr..
Webster's body. On examination, it was dlscov-
cred that the immediate cause of his death was
disease of the liver and hemorrhage Of the bowels,
superinduced by morbid state of the blood
Symptoms of dropsy were also discovered In the
abdomen.
Mr.. Webster dictated his will himself with re-
markable particularly and precision, and at some
length, two days before his death. His private
papers have all been sealed up, and with his will,
have Eeen deposited in the vault of one of the Bos-
ton Banks, where they will remain till after The
funeral. His executors are his widow, Caroline
Leroy Webster, Fletcher Webster, and X. M.
Blatchford, of New York city.
The funeral ceremony took place at Marshfield
on Friday and were attended by at least lU,OOO
persons from all parts of Massachusetts and the sur
rounding States Among the notables present
were Gen. Pierce. Ex-Gov. Marcy, Hon. Abbott
Lawrence, Gov Boutwell,, Exc Chancellor Jones,
of New York, Judge Sprague and other distin-
guished men. The funeral services were conduct
ed by the Rev. Mr.. Alden, Orthodox Clergyman
of the parish, and were of the most simple charac
&c Il, ctot
buried upon his own grounds, by the side of his
wife and children
A letter from Boston, speaking of Mr.. Webster,
previous to his death, says
1t is worthy of notice that he has prepared him
self last resting place during the past season.
The house for the dead of his fam ly is made ready
A monument of white marble is erected 10 each
member of his family who has died, and also two
more without inscriptions, one of which is for HIM
SELF 1t is probable now, the inscription will soon
be put upon that, and what an inscription, if it
worthily represent his name and deeds.
The following extract from very eloquent ar
tcle in the Boston Courier gives further idea Of
the great statesman's resting place.
The farm, at Marshfield, is worthy to be the
resting place of its ilusrious owner 1t is shield
ed, by range of beautiful hills, from the violence
of our north-easterly storms. 1t has distant view
of the ocean, beyond the lowlands which every
high tide overfows. On one side wooded prom
ontory juts into the sea, and on the other rises
sloping highland. on the brow of which, in the
deep repose of nature, his kindred rest in their long
sleep, with no sounds above or around them. but
the murmurng of the wind through the foliage of
the dropping trees, or the song of BIRDS or the sol
emn voice of the sea, speaking eternally from It's
vast depths. The uuduatng surface sweeps up
from the marshes, and forms table land on whicn
the house stands, then gently falls into a smooth
and spreading lawn-then by deeper slope, it as
cends to the western range of hills which, on that