The true Democrat., 1856-04-01
Secret History of the Death of Gen. Taylor

Secret History of the Death of Gen. Fay Tor. "A correspondent of the Cleveland Herald was riding in the cars few days since, and re- ports a conversation which passed between the Hon. Thos. Ewing and some one else. Rather trespass on private property, we think, but what Ewing said of the death of Gen. Taylor is very interesting and as it has already been in type, here it is:
 :" was at the Presidents house on the third of July," he said" Gen. Taylor had just re- ceived an invitation to attend the celebration on the following day, and hear speech by Sc. nator Foote. Though Mr. Foote was mem- Der of the opposition party, he was gentle mar, and the President felt disposed to show him all the respect possible. He did not how ever, immediately conclude to accept the iuvi- ton.
 Having taken my leave, 1 had not ye. reached the street on my return, when a mes senger overlook me to say that the President would attend the celebration, and desired that l should accompany him.
 Seats were assigned us in the shade of the Washington monument. Foote made good speech, of reasonable length, and sat down. It was then announced that the ceremony of the | lumbia, would take place immediately, at the opposite side of the monument. The presen- taton speech would be made by Walter Jones, on the part of the district and the reply would be given by MT. Seaton, in behalf of the Mo- nument Association. The President asked me if the speeches would probably be short. AsI knew both the speakers to be men of few words ann many thoughts, 1 replied that the exercises would certainly be brief. Accordingly, the President concluded to remain, and we repaired to the other side of the monument.
 "Mr. Jones made speech, which was brief, and to the point, and sat down. Mir. Seaton then arose and said that he was gratifed to be able to announce that Mir. c. had consented to make the speech in reply to Mir. Jones. I at once concluded that we were dead men. I knew the proposed speaker, and was certain that we were doomed to here long speech. I endea- vored to persuade the President to retire, but he was unwilling to do so. We endured the intense heat for an hour and half before this speech was done. The President went home weariediby the length of the exercies, and sui terng from long exposure to the heat. In the evening heard that he was violently ill. repaired to the mansion and urged the family to call physician immediately. But the Pre- sident was unwilling that this should be done. then induced the family physician to call IS a friend, and request to see Gen. Taylor But the sick man refused to see him. On the fol- lowing afternoon I called again, and as the Pre- sldent desired to see me, was admitted to his room. He was lying on sofa apparently des. ttute of pain, and very cheerful. He desired to hear the news, and l told him of as many agreeable circumstances as 1 could. When l
 left his room, after an hours conversation, l was quite confident that he would soon be well. 1 very soon heard however, that his disease had returned with renewed violence, and that he was suffering with intense agony. hasten ed to the telegraph office, to send for his son in-law, Dr. Wood, skillful physician of Balti- more. The dispatch could not be sent that night so that the doctor did not arrive until the next evening-too late to be of any avail The President failed rapidly, and expired in a short | time. shall ever believe that his death may be traced to the last long speech, which was Of course, not intended by the speaker. This IS an instance of murder without malice.
 l immediately handed in my resignation 10 Mir. Fillmore, to take effect in few days~