Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1859-10-29
The Last Scene Of washinstOn's Life.

volume, after giving q succiDct narrative Of
the Administration Of Washington, his retire
ment from Office, and his mode Of life at Mount
Vernon, Mr.. Irving brings the work to close
with the following description Of the final
scene:
Winter had now set in, with occasional wind,
and rain, and frost, yet Washington still kept
up his active round Of indoor and outdoor av-
oCations, as his diary records. lie was in full
health and vigor, dined out occasionally, and
had frequent guests at Mount Vernon, and, as
usual, was part Of every day in the saddle,
going the rounds Of his estate, and in bis mil
itary phraseOlogy, visiting the OutpostS."
He had recently walked with his iavorite
nephew about the grounds, showing the i'm
prOvcments he intended to make, and had
especially pointed out the spot where he pur-
posed building new family vault, the old one
being damaged by the roots Of trees which
had overgrown it and caused it to Leak
This change" said he, ~ shall make the
first Of all, for l may require it before the
rest"
when parted from him." added the
nephew, "he stood on the steps Of the front
door where he took leave Of myself and anoth-
er. 1t was bright frosty morning; he had
taken his usual ride, and the clear healthy blush
on his cheek, and his sprightly manner, bro't
the remark from both Of US that we had never
seen the General look SO well. have some
times thought him decidedly the handSomest
man ever saw, and whenin lively mood, so
full Of pleasantly, 90 agreeable to all with
whom he associated, that could hardly rea-
lize he was the same Washington whose dig
nifty awed all who approached him.
For some time past Washington bad been
occupied in digesting complete system on
which his estate was to be managed for several
succeeding years specifying the cultivation OF
the several farms, with tables designating the
rotation Of crops. Il occupied thirty folio
pages, and was executed with that clcarncss
and method which characterized all his busi-
ness papers. This was finished OH the 10th OF
December, and was accompanied by letter Of
that date to his manager or steward. II is q
valuable document, showing the soundneSs
and vigOr Of his intellect at this advanced
stage Of his existence, and the love Of order
that -reigned throughout his affairs my
greatest anxiety" said he on a previous occa-
sion, "iS to have all these concerns in such q
clear and distinct form that no rcproach may
attach itself to nc when have taken my de-
parture for the land of spirits" @--.-
1t was evident, however, that, full Of health
iShed hope, the enjoyment Of serene old age
in this houne Of his heart.
According TO his diary, the morning on
which these voluminous instructions to his
steward were dated was clear and calm, but
the afternoon was lowering. The next day,
Qlth) he notes there was wind and rain, and
"at night large circle round the moon."
The morning Of the 18th was overcast
That morning he wrote letter to Hamilton,
heartily approving OF plan for a military
academy, which the latter had submitted to
the Secretary Of War.
About 10 o'clock he mounted his horse and
rode out as usual to make the rounds Of the
estate. The oninous ring round the moon
which he had observed on the preceding night,
proved fatal portcnt. "AbOut o'clock, "
he notes, "it began to SHOW, soon after to hal,
and then turned TO settled cold rain" IIav-
ing on all Overcoat, he continued his ride with
out regarding the weather, and did not return
TO his house till after 8.
His Secretary approached him with letters
to be frankcd, that they might be taken to the
postoftice in the evening" Washington frank
ed the letters, but observed that the weather
was too bad TO send servant out with them.
Mr.. Lear perceived that snow was hanging
from his hair, and expressed his fears that he
had got wet; but he replied, "No, his great
coat had kept him dry" AS dinner had been
waiting for him, he sat down to table with.
out changing his dress. "In the evening"
writes his Secretary, "hc appeared as well as
usual"
On the following morning the snow was
three inches deep and still falling, which pre-
vented him from taking his usual ride. lie
complained Of sore throat, and had evidently
taken cold the day before In the afternoon
the weather cleared up, and he went out on
the grounds between thcaaOusc and the river,
to mark some trees which were to be cut down.
A hoarscncss which had hung about him
through tile day grew worse toward night, but
he made light Of II.
lie was very cheerful In the evening, as he
sat in the parlor with Mrs. Washington and
Mr. Lear, amusing himself with tho papers
which had been brought from the post office.
When he met with anything interesting or en-
tcrtaining, he would read It aloud as we'll ~
his hOarscncss would permit, or hc listened
and made occasional comments while Mr.. Lear
read the dignitied debates Of the Virginia AS.
selnbly.
On retiring to bed, Mr.. Lear suggested that
nc should take something to relieve his cold.
anything Tor cold. Let it 90 as It came"
In the night nc was extremely i'll with ague,
and difficulty Of breathing Between two and
three O'Clock in the morning, he awOkc Mrs.
Washington, who would have risen TO call q
servant, but he would not permit her, lest she
should take cold. At daybreak, when the
servant woman entered to make q Gre, she was
sent to call Mr. Lear. He found the General
breathing with difficulty, and hardly able to
utter o word intelligibly. Washington desired
that DIR. Craik, who lived IN Alexandra, should
be sent for, and that 10 the mean time Raw.
Inns, one of the Overseers, should be sum-
moned, to bleed him before the Doctor could
arrive.
A gargle was prepared for his throat, but
whenever he attempted to swallow any Of it,
he was convulSed aud almost suifocated. Raw.
Inns made his appearance soon after sunrise,
but when the Generals arm was ready for the
operation, became agitatcd "Don'tbe afraid, "
said the General. as well 80 he could speak.
Rawlins made an inciSiOn. "The Ori6ce il
not large enough" said Washington. The
blood, however, ran pretty freely, and Mrs.
Washington. uncertain whether the treatment
was proper, and fearful that too much blood
might be taken. begged Mr. Lear to stop it.
When he was about to unite the string, the
General put up his hand to prevent him, and
a. soon as he could speak, mnVmured "more,
more" but MTA Washington'S efforts prevail
ed, and the Bleeding was stopped, after about
half pint Of blood had been taken. Exter-
nal applications we're now made to the throat,
and bis feet were bathed In warm water, but
without affordiRk any relief
His old friend; Dt. Ctaik; arrived between