The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1856-04-05
Secret History of the Death of Gen. Taylor

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A correspondent of the Cleveland Heral
was riding in the cars a few days since, an
reports conversation which took place bs
tween the Hon. Thomas Ewing and som
one else. Rather trespass on private prop
erty, we think, but what Ewing said of tn
death of Gen. Taylor is very interesting, an
as it has already been in type, here it is:
II was at the Presidents House on tn
third of july" he said" Gen. Taylor ha
just received an invitation to attend the eel
ebration on the following day, and hear
speech from Senator Foote. Though MI
Foote was member of the opposition party
he was gentleman, and the President fel
disposed to show him all the respect posi-
BILE. He did not, however, Immediately con
clude to accept the invitation.
Having taken my leave, l had not We
reached the street on my return, when
messenger overlook me to say that the Pres
ident would attend the celebration, and de
sired that should accompany him.
Seats were assigned us in the shade of the
Washington Monument. Foote made goot
speech of considerable length, and sat down
1t was then announced that the ceremony O.
the presentation of a block by the District
OF Columbia, would take place Immediately
at the opposite side of the Monument. The
presentation speech would be made by W
Jones, on the part of the District, and the
reply would be given by Mr.. Seaton, in be-
half of the Monument Association. The
President asked me if the speeches would
be probably short. As knew both of the
speakers to be men Of few words and many
thoughts, l replied that the exercises would
certainly be brief. Accordingly the Prcsi-
dent concluded to remain, and we repaired
to the other side of the Monument.
Mr.. Jones made a speech, which was
brief, and to the point, and sat down. Mr.
Seaton then arose and said he was gratified
to be able to announce that Mr.. C. had con-
sented to make a speech in reply to Mr..
Jones. at once concluded that we were
dead men. | knew the proposed speaker, and
was certain that we were doomed to hear a
long speech. 1 endeavored to persuade the
President to retire, but he was unwilling to
do so. We endured the intense heat for an
hour and half before his speech was done.
The President went home weared by the
length of the exercises, and suffering from
long exposure to the heat. In the evening
| heard that he was violently ill., I repaired
to the Mansion, and urged the family to call
physician Immediately. But the Presi-
dent was unwilling that this should be done.
[ then induced the family physician to call,
as friend, and request to see Gen. Taylor.
But the sick man refused to see him. On
the following afternoon I called again, and
as the President desired to see me, I was
admitted to his room.
He was lying on sofa, apparently desti-
tute of pain, and very cheerful. He desired
to hear the news, and told him of as many
agreeable circumstances as could When
left the room, after an hours converse
ton, was quite confident that he would
soon be well. very soon heard, however
that his disease had returned with renewed
violence, and that he was suffering with in
tense agony. | fastened to the telegraph
office, to send for his son-in-law, Dr. Wood
a skilful physician of Baltimore. The dis
patch 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. 1 shall ever believe that his
death may be traced to the last long speech
which was made on the 4th of July. Such
an effect was, of course, not intended by the
speaker. This is an instance of murder
without malice.
l Immediately handed in my resignation
to Mr.. Fillmore, to take effect in a few days.