Butte record., 1854-08-19
Last Moments of Washington.

O'Clock, and did not return home till past
three. Soon after he went out the
weather became very bad rain, hail and
snow falling alternatively, with cold
wind. When he came in, l carried
some letters to him to frank, intending
to send them to the post office. He
franked the letters, but said the wealth
er was too Lad to send a servant to the
post Office that evening. [ observed to
him that [ was afraid he had got wet;
he said no-his great coat had kept him
dry ; but his neck appeared to be wet
the snow was hanging on his hair.
He came to dinner without changing
his dress. In the evening he appeared
as well as usual A heavy fall of snow
took place on Friday, which prevented
the General from riding out as usual
He had taken cold. undoubtedly, from
being SO much exposed the day before,
and complained of having sore throat
he had hoarseness which increased in
the evening, but he made light of it, as
he never would take anything to carry
off a cold, always observing-''let it go
as it came'' In the evening the papers
having come from the post office, he sat
in the room with Mrs. Washington and
myself, and reading them, till about
nine O'Clock and when he met with
anything which he thought diverting or
interesting, he would read it aloud. He
desired me to read to him the debates
of the Virginia Assembly, on the cleo
ton of Senator and Governor, which I
did. On his retiring to bed he appear>
ed to be in perfect health, except the
cold which he considered as trihing-he
had been remarkably cheerful all the
evening.
About two or three O'Clock on Satur-
day morning, he awoke Mrs. Washing
ton, and informed her that he was very
unwell, and had an ague. She observed
that he could scarcely speak, and breath
ed with difficulty and she wished to get
up and call servant but the General
would not permit her, lest she should
take cold As soon as the day appeared,
the woman Caroline went into the room
to make fire, and the girl desired that
Mr.. Rawlins one of the overseers, who
was used to bleeding the people, might
be sent for to bleed him before the doc
tor could arrive. [ was sent for-went
to the Generals chamber, where Mrs.
Washington was up, related to me his
being taken i'll between two and three
O'Clock as above stated. | found him
breathing with difficulty, and hardly
able to utter word intelligibly. [ went
out instantly and wrote line to Mr..
Plash, and sent it with all speed. In
mediately after, | returned to the Gen
erals chamber, when [ found him in the
condition [ had left him. A mixture of
molasses, vinegar and butter, was pre-
pared but he could not swallow drop !;
whenever he attempted he was distressed,
convulsed and almost suffocated
Mr.. Rawlins came in soon after sun
rise, and prepared to bleed him; when
the arm was ready, the General observ-
ing Rawlins appeared agitated, said
with difficulty, ''don't be afraid; )" and
after the incision was made, the orifce
was not large enough-however the
blood ran pretty freely. Mrs. Wash
ington, not knowing whether bleeding
was proper in the Generals situation,
begged that it might not be taken from
him, and desired me to stop. When |
was about to unite the string, the Gen
eral put up his hand to prevent it, and
as soon as he could speak said ''more."
Mrs. Washington, still uneasy lest
too much blood should be taken, it was
stopped after half pint had been taken.
Finding that no relief was obtained from
bleeding, and that noting could be swal-
lowed, | proposed bathing the throat ex-
ternally with sal volatile, which was
done, and piece of flannel put round
his neck. His feet were also soaked in
hot water, but gave no relief BY Mrs.
Washington's request, [ sent for Dr.
Brown, at Fort Tobasco. About nine
o'clock, Dr. Craik arrived and put a
blister of cantharides on the throat of
the General, and took moore blood, and
had some vinegar and hot water set in
a teapot for him to draw the steam
from the nose.
He also had some sage tea and vine
gar mixed and used as a gargic, but
when he held back his head to let it run
I