The Yazoo Democrat., 1854-03-08


We find the following on the death Of Wash
incton in the New York Courier and Enquirer OF
the 9Th uIt., which even at this distant day can
not fail to be of interest to the reader;
Proceeding still farther over very bad road
we came suddenly in view Of the Potomac; and
Mount Vernon, with its mansion house and
smooth green lawn, was before US Having sent
in our address, we received permission from the
courteous branch of the family, who now heid
the estate, to enter and survey the interior. we
were struck with its extreme simplicity the low
ness of the walls and ceilings, and the bare floors
which were waxed, not as with us, carpeted.
.sPassing through the great hall, ornamenied
with pictures of English hunting scenes, we as
cended the oalen staircase, with its carved and
antique balustrade; we stood at the door-we
pressed the handle-the room and the bed where
he died were before US. Nothing in the lofty
drama of his existence, surpasses the grandeur
of that final scene; the cold which he had taken
from exposure, in overseeing some parts OF his
grounds. and which had resisted the earlier do
mestic remedies that were applied. advanced in
the course Of two short days into that frighifnl
form of the disease of throat, laryngitis- It be-
came necessary for him to take to his bed. His
valued friend, Dr. Craik, was instantly SUNNI n
ed and assisted by the best medical skill Of the
surrounding country, exhausted all the means Of
his art, but without affording him relief. lie
patiently submitted, though in great distress, to
the various remedies proposed, but it became ey-
ident from the deep gloom setting upon the
countenances of the medical gentlemen, that the
4
disease had fastened itself with deadly certainty.
Looking with perfect calmness upon the sobbing
! group around him, he said "Grieve not, my
friends: 1t is as l anticipated from the arst :
! the debt which we all owe, is now about TO be
paid / am resigned to the event" Requesting
Mrs. Washington to bring two wills from his
escrutoire he directed one 10 be burnt, and pla-
ced the other in her hands, as his last testament,
and then gave some instructions 10 Mr.. Lear
his secretary and relative, as to the adjustment
of his business affairs He soon after became
greatly dstressed and as, in the paroxysms
which became more frequent and violent. Mr..
Lear, who was at his side, assisted him to turn,
he with kindness but with difficulty, artiCula-
ted fear give you great trouble, sir-but-
perhaps, it is a duty which we all owe one TO
another trust that you may receive the same
attention when you shall require it."
''As the night waned, the fatal symptoms be
came more imminent-his breath more labored
and suffocating and his voice soon failed him
Perceiving his end fast approaching, be stretched
himself to his full length, he folded his own
arms in the necessary attitude upon his chest
placing his fingerupon the pulse of his left wrist
aud thus calmly prepared, and watching his own
dissolution he awaited the summons of his Ma.
ker. The last faint hope of his friends had dis
appeared; Mrs. Washington, stupefed will
grief, sat at the foot Of the bed, her eyes fixed
steadfastly upon him Dr. Craik. in deep gloon
stood with his face buried in his hands at The
fire; his faithful black servant, Christopher, the
tears uncontrolled trickling down his face, on
one side, took the last look of his dying master
while Mr.. Lear in speechless gsief, with folded
hands, bent over his pillow the other.
"Nought broke the stiffness Of his last mo-
ments bat the suppressed sobs of his affection
ate servants collected on the staircase; the itch
of the large clock in the hall as it measured of
with painful distinctness, the last heeting mo-
ments of hisexisence and the low moan of the
winter wind, as it swept through the leafless
snow covered trees. The laboring and wearied
spirit drew nearer and nearer its goal the blood
coursed slower and more slowly through its chan
nels--the noble heart stopped ruggled-stopt
I--auttered--the right hand slowly slid from the
wrist, upon which its finger had been placed
it fell at the side--and the manly efIigy of Wash
ington was all that remained upon the death
couch"