Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1859-07-29


he went out on the grounds between tn,
house and the river, TO mark some tree
which were to be cut down. A hoarsenes
which had hung about him through the day
grew worse towards night, but he made
light of it.
He was very cheerful IN the evening, a,
he sat in the parlor with Mrs. Washington
and Mr.. Lear amusing himself with the
papers which had been brought from th,
post-office. When he met with any thing
interesting or entertaining, he would read i
aloud as well as his hoarseness would per
NIT, or he listened and made occasional
comments while Mr.. Lear read the debates
of the Virginia Assembly.
On retiring to bed, Mr.. Lear suggested
that he should take something 10 relieve his
4 cold,-" No. replied he you know l never
take anything for cold. Let it go as it
came.
In the night he was extremely i'll with
ague and difficulty Of breathing. Between
two and three o'clock in the morning he
awoke Mrs Washington, who would have
called servant, but he would not permit
her, lest she should take cold. At day
break, when the servant woman entered to
make fire, she was sent TO call hIr. Lear.
| He found the General breathing with diff
Guilty and hardly able TO utter word in
! telligibly. Washington desired that Dr.
Craik, who lived in Alexandria, should be
sent for, and that in the meantime Rawlins
one of the overseers, should be summoned,
to bleed him before tile Doctor could ar
rive
A gurgle was prepared for his throat,
but whenever he attempted to swallow any
of it, he was convulsed and almost sufio-
Gated. Rawlins made his appearance soon
after sunrise, but when the Generals arm
was ready for the operation, became agi-
tated. Don't be afraid, said the general
as well as he could speak.-Rawlins made
an incision. The orifce is not large
enough said Washington. The blood
however, ran pretty freely, and Mrs. Wash
ington, 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 pre-
vent him. aad as soon as he could speak
murmured more, more; but Mrs. Wash
ington's doubts prevailed, and the bleeding
was stopped, after about half pint OF
blood had been taken. External applica-
tions were now made to the throat, and his
feet were bathed IN warm water, but with
out affording any relief.
His old friend, DIR. Craik, arrived be-
tween eight and nine, and two other ply
scians Drs. Dick and Brown, we're called
in. Various remedies were tried, and addi-
tional bleeding, but all Of no avail.
About half past four O'clock writes
Mr. Lear, 'he desired me to call Mrs.
Washington to his bedside, when he re-
uuested her to 90 down into his room, and
take from his desk two wills which she
would find there and bring them TO him,
which she did. Upon looking at them, he
gave her one, which he observed was use
less, as being superseded by the other, and
desired her to burn it, which she did and
took the other and put il into her closet.
CATER this was done returned to his
bedside and took his hand. lie said TO me
Il find / am going my breath cannot last
long. | believed from the first that the
disease would prove fatal. DO you arrange
all my military letters and papers. Ar
range my accounts and settle my books, as
YOU know more about them than any one
else; and let Mr.. Rawlins finish recording
my other letters which he has begun
told him this would be done. lie then
asked me if | recol' ected anything which
it was essential for him to do, as he had
very short time to continue with us, | told
him could recolleet nothing but that /
hoped he was not so near his end. He OBJ
served. smiling, that ne certainly was, and
that as it was a debt which we must all
nav. he looked to the event with perfect
resignation.
In the course of the afternoon he appear
ed TO be in great pain and distress from the
difficulty of breathing, and frequently
changed his posture in the bed. Mr.. Lear
endeavored to raised him and turn him
with as much ease rs possible. Il am
afraid fatigue you too much,' the Gener-
al would say. Upon being assured to the
contrary, Well observed he gratefully, it
is debt we must pay TO each other, and l
hope when you want aid of this kind you
viii find it.
His servant, Christopher, had been in
the room during the day, and almost the
whole time on his feet. The General no.
ticed it in the afternoon, and kindly told
him TO sit down.
About five o'clock his old friend, DR..
Craik, came again into the room, and ap-
preached the bedside.
Doctor said the General, 4 die hard,
but | am not afraid to 90. believed from
my first attack, that should not survive 1t
my breath cannot last long.
The doctor pressed his hand in silence,
retired from the bedside, and sat by the fire
absorbed in grief.
Between five and six the other physi-
clans came in, and he was assisted TO sii
up in his bed. 4 feel am going, said he;
i thank you for your attentions but | pray
YOU take no more trouble about me; let
me 90 off quietly; cannot last long. de
Law down again all retired except DR..
Cr,ik. The General continued uneasy
and restless, but without complaining, ire
auently asking what hour it was.
Further remedies were tried without
a,.au - .ba evening. He took whatever