Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-08-04

knees, while he talked With my mother, the elder
members Of the hmily 81 any child old enough %
make ons ct sc ,iiy paIsy : always dids II
lively Of the younk folks, and most wont to thrust
myself forward into notice.
Omitting any further refererce to the dstaiis of
M.T JsEsssons life which for tbenost par Eiided
TRANQUILITY to the end, We come to the closing scene,
which is descrhed in letter from his eldest grand.
son, Col. TIL. Rsndolph: f-ta iFe=z -
Mr. Jefferson bad suffered for several years before
his death from diarrhea, which he concealed from
his family, lest it might give them uneasness Not
aware of it, was surprised, in conversation with
him, in March, 1896 to hear him, in speaking Of an
event likely totoccur about midsummer, say doubt.
ngIy that he night live to that time. About the
middle Of Jnne, hearing that he had sent for his
physician Dr. Dungl son Of the University of tir
ginia, went Immediately to zee him, and found him
out in his public rooms. Before leaving the house,
he sent servant to me to come to his room. where
upon he handed me paper which he desired me to
examine, remarkng, Don't delay, there is no time
to be LOST He gradually declined but would only
have his servants sleeping near him; being disturbed
only at nine twelve and four o'clock in the night be
needed little nursing. Becoming uneasy about him.
entered his room. unobserved to pass the night
Coming round Inadvertently to assist him, he chided
me, saying that, being actively employed all day,
needed repose. On my replying that it vas more
agreeable to me to be with him, he acquiesced, and
did not leave him again. day Or two aser. mya
brother-n-aw (Mr. TrsD was admitted HIS serv-
ants ourselves and the doctor became his sole nurs
e. Ny mother sat with him during the day, but he
would not permit her to sit up at night His family
had decline for him numerous tenders of SERVICE
from kind and affectionate frends and neighbors,
fearing and seeing that it would excite him to con-
versation injurious to him in his weak condition.
He suffered no pain, but gradually sunk from debi
ty His mind was always CHART never wandered.
He conversed freely, and gave directions as to his
private affairs His manner was that OF person
going on a necessary journey-cvinc'ng neither sat-
sfaction nor regret He remarked upon the tend.
ency Of his mind to back to the scenes Of the
Revolution Many incidents he would relate, in his
usual cheerful manner insensibly dverting my mind
from his dying condition. He remarked that the
curtains Of his bed had been purchased from the
first cargo that arrived after the peace of 1882
Upon my expressing the opinion. on one occasion,
that he was somewhat better, he turned to me, and
said, "Do not imagine for moment that feel the
smallest socitude about the result; / am like
old watch, with pnion worn out here, and wheel
there, until it can 20 no longer" On another occa-
sion, when he unusually i'll. he observed to the
Doctor "A few hours more, Doctor and it will be
all over" Upon being suddenly aroused from sleep,
by noise in the ROOM he asked if he had heard the
name of Mr.. Hatch mentioned-the minister whose
church he attended. On my replying in the mega
tive, he observed, he turned over, have no Oh
lection to him. as kind and good neighbor."
The impression made upon my mind at the moment
was, that his religious opinions having been formed
upon mature study and reflection, he had no doubts
upon his mind. and therefore did not desire the at
tendance of clergyman; lhave never since doubted
the correctness of the impression then taken His
parting interview with the different members Of his
family calm and composed; impressing admo-
niti"ns upon them. the cardinal PORTS Of which
to pursue virtue, be true and truthful. My young
est brother, in his eighth year, seeming not to
prehend the scene, he turned to me with a smile
and said, "George does not understand what all this
means" He would speculate upon the person who
would succeed him as Rector of the University Of
Virginia. and concluded that Mr.. Madison would be
appointed. With all the deep pathos Of exalted
friendship he spoke Of his purity, his virtues his
wisdom, his learning and his great abilities. The
friendship of these great men was of an extraordi-
nary character-they had b. en- born, lived, and died
within twenty-five miles Of each other-they visited
frequently through their whole lives. At twenty
three years old Mr.. Jefferson had been consulted on
Mr.. MadsOns course of study-he then fifteen
Thus commenced friendship remarkable for its
duration it for the fidelity and warmth of its
feelings. The admiration of each for the wisdom.
abilities and purity of the other was unlimited.
Their habit of reliance upon mutual counsel, equaled
the sincerity of their affection, and the devotion Of
their esteem.
In speaking of the calumnes which his enemies
had uttered against his public and private character
with such unm,igated and untiring bitterness, he
said that, he had not considered them abusing
ted an imaginary being clothed with odous a'tri-
butes, to whom they had given his name and it was
against that creature of their imaginaons they had
leveled their anathemas.
On Monday, the Sd of July, his slumbers were
evidently those Of approaching dissolution; he slept
until evening, when upon awaking he seemed to i'm.
agine it was morning, and remarked, that he had
slept all night without being disturbed" This is
the fourth of july" He sunk again into Sleep
and being aroused at 9, to take his medicine. he
remarked in a clear, distinct voice, mo, Doctor
nothing more" The omission of the dose of lauda
mum administered every night during his Illness
caused his slumbers to be disturbed and dreamy ;
he sat up in his sleep and went through all the forms
of writing spoke of the Committee Of Safety, say
ing it ought to be warned. As IL O'Clock at night
approached, anxiously desired that his death
should be hall"wed by the Anniversary of lndepend.
ence At quarter before IL we stood noting the
minute hand of the watch, hoping few minutes of
prolonged life. At a. m. he called the servants in
attendance, with strong and clear voice, perfectly
conscious of his wants. He did not speak again.
About 10 he fixed his eyes intently upon me, indi-
eating some want, which most painfully, could not
understand until his attached servant, Burweli, OBJ
served that his head not much elevated as he
usually desired it. for his habit to lie with it
very much elevated. Upon restoring it to its usual
position, he seemed satisfied About ii. again FIX
ing his eyes upo. me- and moving his lips, applied
a yet sponge to his mouth, which he sucked and ap-
peared to relish-this the last evidence he gave
Of consciousness He ceased to breathe, without a
struggle, 30 minutes past meridian, July 4, 1895.
closed his eyes with my hands, He was at
all times, during his Illness perfectly assured Of his
approaching end, his mind clear, and at no mo-
did he evince the least socitude about the re.
suit; he was calm and composed as when in
health. He died pure and good man. 1t is for
others to speak of his greatness. He desired tina,
his intermen should be private, without parade and
our wish was to comply with his request and nc
notice of the hour of interment, or invitations were
issued. His body was borne privately from bis
dwelling, by his family and servants but his neigh
bors and friends, anxious to pay the last tribute
respect and affection to one whom they had loved