Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1854-09-20
The Eather of our Country.

I'VE find the following the death of
WAsuIxGTeN in the New York Courier and En-
quirer, which cannot fail to be Of interest TO
| the reader j
Proceeding stillfurther 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 Feceived permission
from the courteous branch of the family, who
now hold the estate, to enter, and survey the
interior. We We're struck with its extreme
simplicity, the lownesS of its walls and cell
ings, and the bare floors which were waxcd--
not as with u.s. carpeted, .
Passing through the great hall-ornamented
with pictures of English hunting scenes-we
aSccnded the oaken staircase, with its carved
and antique balustrade. We stood atthe 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 the final scene. The cold which
he had taken from exposure, in overseeing
| some parts of his grounds, and which had re-
sisted the earlier domestic remedies that were
applied, advanced, in the course of two short
days into that frightful form of the disease of
| the throat, lasyngitis. It became necessary
for him to take to 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, bat without affordimg
him relief. He patiently submitted, though
in great distress, to the various remedies pro-
posed, but it became. evident from the deep
medical gentleman, that the case was hope
| less, advancing insidiously, the disease had
fastened itself upon him. Looking with calm
ness upon the sobbing group around him, he
| said :-S.Grieve not my friends it issas an
ticipated from the first, the debt which we all
owe, is now about to be paid l am resigned
| to the eyent.;'
Requesting Mrs. WASHINGTON to bring two
wills from his escruitOire, he directed TO be
burnt, and placed the other in her hands, as
| his last testament, and then gave some final
| instructions to Mr.. Lear, his secretary and
relatives as to the adjustment of his business
affairs. He soon after became greatly dis
| tressed and as the paroxysms became more
| frequent and violent, Mr.. Lear who was at his
side, assisting him to turn, he with kindness
DuI Will SIeal uliHCuity iSai
| give you great trouble sir,--but-perhaps, it
is duty, which We all owe to one another-I
| trust that you may receive the attention
when You shall require it
As the night waned, the fatal symptoms be-
came more imminent-his breath more labor
ed, and suffocating and his voice soon failed
him. Perceving his end approaching, he
| stretched himself TO his full length, folded his
| own hands in the necessary attitude upon his
chest-placing his finger upon the pulse of his
left wrist, and thus calmly prepared, and watch
ing his own dissolution, awaited the summons
of his Maker. The last faint hope of his
friends had disappeared. Mrs. WASHINGTON,
supplied with grief, sat az the foot of the bed,
her eyes fixed steadfastly upon him; DR..
Craik, in deep gloom stood with his hands at
the fire his faithful black servant Christie
pher. the tears uncontrolled came trickling
down his face, on one side took the last look
of his dying masters while Mr.. Lear in his
speechless grief, with folded hands, bent over
his pillow on the other. tr
; Nothing broke the stiffness OF his last mo-
: ments but the suppressed sobs of his affec-
tionate servants collected the stair case !;
the tick of the large clock in the hall es it
measured off with painful distinctness, the last
1eeting moments of his existence, and the low
moan of winter wind, as 1t swept through the
| leafess snow covered trees. The laboring
and wearied spirit drew nearer and nearer its
gaol; the blood languidly coursed slower and
S more slowly through its channels-and the
!, noble heart stopped-struggled- d-futtered
1 the right hand slowly slid from the wrist,
upon which its finger had been placed-it fell
o at the side and the manly effigy of WASH
g ISGroS was all that remained upon the death
" couch !.
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