New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-05-03
col. BENTONS LAST HOURS.

Tie National Intelligencev publishes long letter
from DIR. john Frederick May giving an account of
Col. BeItons malsdy, and Of the manner in which he
met death. We append much of the letter a. is Of
general interest:
A more careful examination confrred me in tho
view then took Of bis csse, and of its hopeless
ture, and communicated that opinion to himself and
to his friends. He received it with perfect camness
and resignation, expressing only the wish that le
might be allowed 20 live long enough to finish MS
work.
Before he was relieved in the attack Just spoken Of
he bad given up al hope Of life. He told me he was
satisfied the hour of biz dissolution at hand,
that it impossible for him to recover and that MS
only regrets at parting with the world vers in sep
aratipg from his children, and in leaving his great
wok urfiLished that death had no terors for hin,
" for he had thought that subject too long to feel
"any." II may not be Inappropriate for me here 70
state that, although he never expressed to me any
views upon the subject of religion. ne did freely
after this to the Rev. Dr. Sunderland his pastor and
friend, az the following statement Of DIR. Sunderland
viii show He ssys:
during the last week of Col. Bentons life had
sc al interviews with him at bis request. Our
conv ersaton was mainly on the subject Of religion.
ard in regard 10 his own views aud exercises IN the
speedy prospect Of death. In these conversations os
mCst emphatcaly and distinctly renOunced all self
relal ce, and cast himself entirely the mediation Of
the Lord Jesus Christ as the ground OF his acceptance
with God. His own words were, Gods mercy IN
Jesus Christ is my sole reliance"
him at this time lie repeatedly went to bis work and
corrected the prOofsheets, which ne was in the habit
of receiving at short periods from his publisher. Mr.
Appleton, and recolect on one occasion when did
not suppose be could etasd, he suddenly arose from
his bed and in face of all Iemonstrauce walked to
his table at distance off, ana corrected and I'm
isl ed the conc uson of another wo,k which he was
engaged srd of which he had shortly before received
the proofs from New-YOik. His uncOnquerable will
enabled him to do it, but when done he was so OK
hausted had to take the pen from his hand to give it
tbe direction.
As socn as he recovered from the immediate danger
Ct this attack, he abored he bso done for years
before, constantly at his task. Rising by daylight,
and writing necessarily with the exception Of the hour
he usually devoted to his afternoon ride on his horse
the effect of Which, though feaJed from the position
of his disease, he yet seemed to think was of benefit
to him.
And at this labor he cortinued from day to day
until within about week before his death; when no
longer able to rise from weakness no wrote in his bed
and when no longer able TO do that dictated his views
to others.
Thus it may be truly sad of him, he literally " died
in harness" battling steadily from day TO day with
the most formidable malady that affics humanity;
his intellect uncloudcd and his iron vii sustaining
him in the execution of his great national work almost
to the last nome mt of his existence.