Washington telegraph., 1854-06-21
D e a h of w s h ing t on

We find the following on the death of Washing
ton in the New York Courier and Enquirer, which
cannot fail to be of interest to the reader:
proceeding still further over very bad road.
we came suddenly in view of the Potomac: ami
Mt. Vernon, with its mansion-house and smooth
green lawn was before us. Having sent n cur
address, we received pc. mission from the court
eous branch of the family who now hold the es-
tate, to enter and survey the interior We Were
struck with its extreme simplicity. the lowness
of the walls and ceilings and the bare floors which
were waXed, not, as with us. carpeted.
Passing through the great hal-ornamented
with pictures of English hunting scenes-we as
cended the oaken 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 final sceue
The cold which he had taken from exposure in
overseeing some parts of his grounds, and which
had resisted the earlier domestic remedies that
applied advanced, in the course of two short
days, into that frightiul form of the disease OF the
throat. iGrynglfis. 1t becomes necessary for him
to take his bed
The valued friend, DR.. Craik. was instantly
summoned, and assisted by the best medical skill
of the surrounding country. exhausted all the
means of his art but without afiording him relief
He patiently submitted. though in great distress.
to the various remedies proposed, but it became
evident from the deep gloom settling upon the
countenances of the medical gentleman. that the
case was hopeless; advancing insduously .he dis
ease had fastened itself upon him. Looking with
calmness upon the sobbing group around him. he
said Grieve not, my friends: it is as anticpa-
ted from the first; 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 escruitoire, he directed one TO be burnt
and placed the other in her hands, as his last tes-
lament and then gave some final Instructions to
MIR. Lear, his secretary and relative as to the adj
justment of his business affairs. He soon after
became greatly distressed; and the paroxvsms
which became more frequent and violent Mr.
Lear, who was at his side. assisting him TO turn.
he with kindness but with great difficulty articu-
lated-'l fear give yon great trouble sir-but-
perhaps, it is duty which we all owe to one an
other-l trust that you may receive the same at
tention when you shall require itn
As the night waned. the fatal symptoms be-
| came more imminent-hiS breath more iabored
and suiocating. and his voice soon failed him
Perceiving his end approaching he stretched
himself to his full length folded his own hands i'm
the necessary attitude upon his chest-placng his
finger upon the pulse of his left wrist and thus
calmly prepared, and watching his own dissolu-
ton. he awaited the summons of his Maker The
last faint bope OF his friends had Disappeared
Mrs. Washington, stupefed with grief sat at the
foot of the bed, her eyes fixed steadfastlv upon
him. DR.. Craik, in deep gloom stood with his
hands at the fire; his faithful black servant Chris
topher the tears uncontrolled trickling down his
face one side took the last look OF his diving
master. while Mr.. Lear in speechless grief with
folded hands bent over his pillow on the other
Nothing broke the stiffness of his last moments
but the suppressed sobs of his afectonate servants
collected on the staircase; the tick OF the large
clock in the ball, as it measured off with painful
distinctness. the last feeting moments of his ex-
stence, and the low moan Of the winter wind as
it swept through the leailess snow-covered trees.
The laboring and wearied spirit drew nearer and
nearer its goal, the blood anguidly coursed slower
and more slower through its channels-and the
noble heart stopped-struggled- -iluttered-th
| right hand slowly slid from the wrist upon which
its fingers bad been placed, it fell at the side-and
the manly eiIigy of Washington was all that re-
| manned upon the death couchr'