The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-11-24
JOHN JErFRIEs.

JOHN JEFFRIEs.
On Wednesday, the 10th instant, I had the plea
sure of dining with the "Southern District Medi-
cal Society, )" at New Bedford and in answer to u
coll to give some information regarding the sick
ness OF the late Hon. Daniel Webster, took occa-
sion, after brief statement Of his case, 10 ina Ike
some remarks calculated to remove asper.
sion upon his moral character; and particularly
TO show that the assertion was false that ne
was under the influence of intoxicating liquor
on the occasion of his public address in Faneuil
Hall on May 22d, 1852. A declaration to this eff.
feet had heard several times emanating from per-
soma Of intelligence and influence, j did not in,
tend to vindicate the character of Mr. Webster--it
needed no defence. i did 1t to disabuse the minds
of those who had heard II from the influence of a
direct assertion which i knew TO be without any
fouuusstion. meant by simple relation of cir
cumstances under my own observation to show
that the charge WINS entirely untrue.
! stated that after the injury Mr.. Webster re
ceiVed from fall from his carriage in Duxbury in
May he came to this city, and was under my pro-
fessonal care for some days .Previous to the de-
three times daily, and had reduced his diet below
his usual mode of living, in consequence Of in
Illumination in his arm; that on the day Of his ad.
dress ! visited him twice in the morning, and
dressed his arm particularly for the occasion. At
ter dressing him said, Z" have kept you very
low, sir, for some time, and as you have On ar
duous duty to perform to day, think shall ad-
wise you to :nse glass Of wine at dinner, and to
eat little meat
lie was walking across the room at this time,
when he stopped, and, turning towards me, re-
piled in familiar but decided manner:
al don't know, Doctor ] think shall not
have found the benefit of temperance. shall take
a cup Of soup, retire to my chamber, and lie down
for two hours, then shall dress and be ready for
his honor the Mayor when he calls to attend me to
Faneuil Hail." .sEtG5&
. At his request went with him to the hall, and
am fully convinced that he had not on that day,
for come days preceding, taken even the smallest
amount of stimulating drinks. ! admitted that
ah,ta IN, h. 81 AnFsr
and sometimes of other alcoholic drinks, and gave
as probable reason that it was much more the
custom in Washington than in this city; but
confidently expressed the opinion that no man
could be produced who could show that he knew
although many might enormously presume, as in
the instance above referred to that his great in
tellect was ever clouded by stimuants; or that he
was unified at any time even for the production
Of State papers.
laval myself of this opportunity to add few
words moro in confirmation Of what have stated
above.
At the time of his reception by the city Mr..
Webster appeared to possess his full intellectual
strength. In reply to an apprehension expressed
by me that morning, he said:
81 feel as able now TO- maize sspeeoh of two
hours duration as ever did in my life"
But he was laboring under great physical debii-
ity requiring the consta mt assistance ofan attend
ant about his person. This was dispensed with by
great effort on his part, as was also sling for
his arm, because he did not wish to appear before
his fellow citizens "a sick man.
have always found Mr.. Webster perfectly obe-
dent as patient, especially in following strictly
the diet and regimen prescribed for him.
The nature Of the complaints for which have
attended him has required that these restrictions
should be sometimes severe, and on one important
occasion were directly opposed to his own view OF
his case; but he nevertheless yielded implicitly to
my instructions.
In his last sicknes he required the most exact
admeasurement of such stimulants we're thought
advisable, and would take none without my
pre- ss directions.
/ am also assured that he always practiced the
grcatcst self denial whenever especially called
upon for the exerton of hs intellectual powers.
The mighty productions of his per exhibit the clear
of his intellect much as the proloundness Of
his thought. The most rigid casuist may be defied
to point to line in his voIuminous works which
indicated the weakness of the inebriate
fear that have trespassed too much upon your
indulgence, Mr.. Editor, and will only express, in
conclusion, my regret hat do not feel at liberty
to give you, for publication some observations upon
the religious character of MIR. Webster, subject
which entered upon in my late remarks, but had
not time to continue.
Some unintentional inaccuracies have entered
into the memoriter report Of the gentleman at
New Bedford, which do not, however, affect the
general truth of his statements
As Mr.. Webster has appointed literary execu.
tors OF the highest standing and requirements, it ID
most proper for those who have any infor nation,
or any point OF interest," to place it at the disposal
of those gentlemen
The hymn, commencing "There is fountain
filed with blood" which repeated to Mr.. Web.
s,er the night of the 10Th, just week before
his death, was recited originally written by
Cowper, not in the mutiIated form in which il
often appears in modern versions.
The New York Commercial Advertiser comments
as follows on the foregoing:
eve are exceedingly glad to have this full ties.
timony on point respecting which we we're our
selves personally satisfied. but about which we
know that many readers, who were present in
Faneuil Hall on the occasion above referred to,
entertain opposite belief to that which DR.. JEFF
fries positively and satisfactorily demonstrates
Very similar ISLANDERS set on foot in this city
when Mr.. Webster delivered the address before
the New York Historical Society, whereas we
know from a gentleman who was with him from
early morning to The moment Of his entering the
room of the society, that the only stmulant that
passed his lips that day was single glass of wine.
Because Mr.. Webster's intellect retained all the
freshness and vigor of youth, men seemed to for.
get that he was seventy years OF age, and they in
dulged the expectation of seeing his body active
as his mind. This could not be; and il was no
marvel that man of his years in ascending that
steep stairway should rest his hand upon the rail
ings, or take the arm of friend, appear Ian
guild and dropping when first rising to address an
audience, after being kept under low diet. Common
charity ight have remembered this"