Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1859-06-11

dI ulB NJ turNe Ctfcte fOttnu hp moon.
The morning Of the 18th was overcast
That morning he wrote letter TO Hamilton,
heartily approving ofa plan for military
academy, which the latter had submitted TO
the Secretary of War.
About 10 o'clock be mounted bis horse,
aud rode ont as usual TO make the round, OF
the estate. The ominous ring round the
moon, which be had observed on the proceed
ing night, proved fatal portent.
About O'clock" he notes lit began 10
snow, soon after hail, and then tsrned to q
settled cold rain" Having on on overcoat,
he continued his rid, without regarding the
weather, and did not return to the house un-
til after 3.
His secretary approached him with letters
10 be franked, that they might be taken to
the Post Office in the evening. Washington
frnnked the letters, but observed that the
weather Was too bad TO send q servant out
with them. Mr.. Lear perceived that snow
was hanging to his hair and expressed 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
the table without changing his dress. "lu
the evening" writes bis secretary "he ap-
peared 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 evident
ly taken cold the day before. In the after
noon the weather cleared up, and he went out
on the grounds between the house and the
river, to mark some trees which were to be
cut down. A hoarseness which had hung
about him through the day grew worse to-
ward night but be made light of it.
He was very cheerful in the evening, as be
sat in the psrlor with Mrs. Washington and
MIR. Lear amusing himself with the papers
which had been brought from the Post Office.
When he met with anything Interesting or
entertaining, he would read it aloud as well
as his hoarseness would permit, or he listened
and made occasional comments, while Mr..
Lear read the debates on the Virginia AS.
sembly.
On retiring to bed, Mr.. Lear, suggested
that be should take something to relieve the
cold. NO" replied be, you know / never
take anything for cold. Let it 60 as it
came"
In the night be was taken extremely i'll
with ague and difficulty of breathing. Be-
tween two and three O'clock in the morning,
he awoke Mrs. Washington, who would have
risen to call q servant, but he would not per.
init her, lest she should take cold. AT day
break when The servant woman entered to
make fire she was sent to call Mr.. Lear
lie found the General breathing with diff
Guilty, and hardly able to utter word inteli-
gibly. Washington desired that DR.. Craik,
who lived in Alexandria, should be sent for,
and that in the meantime Rawlins, one oftbe
overseers, should be summoned, TO bleed him
before the doctor could arrive.
gargle was prepared for his throat, but
whenever he attempted to swallow any OF II,
he was couvulsed and almost su1ocated.-
Rawlins made his appearance soon after sun
rise, but when the Generals arm was ready
TOR the operation, became agitated. Don't
be afraid" said the General, as well as he
could speak. RawliDs made an incision.
The orlfce is not large enough" said Wash
ngtcu. The blood, however, ran pretty
freely, and Mrs. Washington, uncertain
whether the treatment was proper, and fear
full that too much blood might be taken, beg
ged Mr.. Lear TO stop ii. When he was
about TO mite the string the General put up
bis hand 10 prevent him, and as soon as be
could speak murmured, more, mere" but
Mrs. Washing toms 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 warn water, but without
anordug any relief.
Ills old friend, DR.. Craik, arrived between
eight and nine, and two other physicians,
Drs. Dick and Brown, were called iu. Va.
rious remedies were tried, and additional
bleeding, but oil OF no avail.
About half-past four O'Clock" writes MIR.
Lear, "he desired me to call Mrs. Washing.
ton to bis bedside, when he requested her to
go down into his room aud take from bis 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 USELESS as being superseded
by the other, aud desired her to burn it, which
she did, and took the other and put it into
her closet.
AFTER this was done, turned 20 bis bed
side and took his hand. lie said to me: 81
find ! am going my breath cannot last long.
| believed from the first that the disorder
would prove fatal. Do you arrange all my
late military letters and papers, Arrange
my accounts and settle my books, as you
know more about them than any one else F;
and let Mr. Rawlns finish recording my
other letters which he has begun. | told
him this would be done. lie then asked if
recolected anything which was essential for
him TO do, as he had but very short time TO
continue with US. / told him | could recol-
lect nothing but that hoped he was not
SO near his end. He observed, smiling, that
he certainly was. and that as it was the debt
which we must all pay, be looked TO the event
with perfect resignation"
In the course of the afternoon he appeared
to be in great pain and distress from tie
difficulty of breathing, and frequently chang
ed his posture in the bed. MIR. Lear endeav-
ored to raise him and turn him with as much
ease as possible. "l am afraid | fatigue
you too much," the General would say
Upon being assured to the contrary, "Well,"
observed be. gratefully, "it is debt We must
pay to each other, and hope when you want
aid OF this kind, yoa will find it,"
His servant, Christopher, had been in the
room during the day, and almost the whole
time ou his feet The General noticed 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, aud approached the
bedside. Doctor" said the General, 81 die
hard, but | am not afraid to go. ! belieyAd
from my first attack. that | should not sur
vive it-uy breath cannot last long" The
doctor pressed his hand in silence, retired
from the bedside and sat by the fire, absorb
ed in grief
Between fte and six the other physicians
came in, and he was assisted to sit up in the
bed. 81 feel am going" said he ~ thank