Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-05-01
The Late Col. Benton.

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26th, the subjoined letter from the distinguish
ed surgeon PROF. JNo. FRED. MAY, of Washing
ton city-the medical adviser and personal
friend of the late Col. BENTON, furnishing an
account of the character of the painful dis
ease which terminated that eminent States
mans life. Some impressive incidents con-
nected with his last hours are also given which
will possess deep interest for the personal
friends of the deceased, as well as the public
at large. 1t was addressed to VIM. CAREY
JONES, Esq, Col. BENToN's son in-law, and
was prepared at the request of the distinguish
ed deceased:
WASHINGTON, April 10, 1858.
My DEAR SIR: You were present at my
morning visit to Col, Benton, on the day pre-
ceding his death, when he handed me an ex-
tract from a newspaper purpOrtiug TO give an
account of his disease, and as you are aware
he then earnestly requested me to draw up "a
statement OF his case for the satisfaction of
his friends in Missouri" promised him faith
fully to do so, and in compliance with that
pledge / now send you the following brief
statement of his last illness:
The disease of which Col. Benton died was
Cancer of The Retain. In the affection itself
there was nothing peculiar, as it is com
plant not uncommon to an advanced period
of life. But the extraordinary fortitude with
which he met and commended to the last with
this formidable malady; the wonderful mental
vigor which he retained whilst it was preying
upon his vitals; the indomitable energy of
character he displayed, and the unceasing la
Dor which he daily underwent, almost to the
last moment of his existence, when consider
ed in connexion with the position he has so
long held to his country, have rendered his
case one of deep interest.
Although / had occasionally visited Col
Benton for more than three years prior to his
decease it was not until the month of Sep
tember 1857, that my attention was especial
ly called to the disease of which he died.
In the month of February, 1856, perform
ed on him an operation for Hydrocele, Ga com
mon complaint, and one relieved by a very
simple Cperation,) and to which he alluded
when you were standing by his bedside, the
day before his death, when he remarked that
he had been also treated by me for a disease
similar to that which had afflicted the histori-
AMI Gibbon, and which he requested me to
note in my report of his case.
From this time until the summer of 1857
he was frequently absent from Washington
delivering his lectures in different cities.
In the intervals of his return he occasional
ly consulted me in regard to simply an irreg-
Iilar condition oil his bowels; but he COM
ed so undisturbed, that it was impossible to
have suspected even the incipient stage of the
incurable malady which was to destroy him.
It was not until the month of September,
1857, that my attention was especially called
to his case He then sent for me to see him
for what he supposed was severe attack Of
collie. His bowels were obstinately constipa-
ted. and all medicine failed To remove the OBJ
struction. On examining the intestine dis
IN no
about three or four inches above its termina-
ton. The abdominal distension was at this
tine very great. and his suffering must have
been extreme but his nature was so uncom-
planning, in fact there was SO much of the Ro-
man in his mould, that he gave but little evil
dence of the pangs he endured.
MY friend, Dr. Hall, saw him in cOnsulta-
ton with me at that time, and after repeated
and tedious efforts we finally succeeded in
passing a slender tube through the obstruc-
ton and thus gave exit to the enormous
emulation of gas aud other matter within
the abdomen. A more careful examination,
made very soon after this, confirmed me in
the view we then took of his case. and of its
hopeless nature, and l communicated that
opinion to himself and to his friends He re-
eeived il with perfect calmness and resignation,
expressing only the wish that he might be al
lowed to live long elough to finish his work.
Before he was relieved in the attack just
spoken of, he had given up all hope of life.
He told me he was satisfied the hour of mis-
dissolution was near at hand, that il was impos-
sible for him to recover, and that his only re-
grets at parting with the world were in sep
arating from his children, and in leaving his
great work undone; that death had no terrors
for him. for he had thought on that subject
too long to feel any" 1t may not be inappro-
pirate for me here to state that although he
never expressed to me any views upon the
subject of religion he did so freely after this
to the Rev. DIR. Sunderland, his pastor and
friend, as the following statement OF DR.. Sun
derland will show. He says: "During the
last week Of Col. Benton's life had several
interviews with him at his own request. Our
conversation was mainly on the subject of re-
ligion, and in regard to his own views and
exercises in the speedy prospect of death. In
these conversations he most emphatically and
distinctly reuounced all seli-reliance, aud cast
himself entirely on the mediation of the
Lord Jesus Christ as the ground OF his accep-
lance with God. His own words were, Gods
mercy in Jesus Christ is my sole reliance
/ ascertained that in the intervals OF my
visit to him at this time be repeatedly went TO
his work and corrected the prooisheels, which
be was in the habit of receiving at short PEE
RODS from his publisher, Mr.. Appleton, aud l
recollect on one occasion when did not sup
pose he could stand, he suddenly arose from
his bed and, in the face of all remonstrance,
walked to his table at some distance on. and
corrected unfinished the conclusion OF another
work on which he was engaged and OF which
he had shortly before received the proofs from
New York. His unconquerable will enabled
him to do IL, but when done he was so ex-
hausted had TO take the pen from his hand To
give it the direction.
AS soon as he recovered from the immediate
danger of this attack he labored ~ he had
done for years before constantly az his task
Rising by daylight, and writing incessantly
with the exception of the hour he usually de-
voted TO his afternoon ride ON his horse, the
effect of which though feared from the posi-
ton of his disease, he yet seemed to think was
of benefit TO him.
And at this labor he continued from day 10
day until within about a week before his
death, when no longer able to rise from weak
ness he wrote in his bed, and when no longer
able to do that dictated his views 10 others.
Thus it may be truly said Of him be literally
died in harness" battling steadily from day |
to day with the most formidable nlalady that |
aflcts humanity; his intellect unclonded and |
his iron will sustaining him in the execution |
of bis great national work almost TO the last |
moment of his existence.
am, very respectfully and truly yours, kc.,
JNo. FRED. NAY.
MN. cAREY j MS Esq.