The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1859-02-19
The Closing scenes In J.4Ferson's Life.

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We take the following extracts of the closing
scenes in the life Of Jefferson, from the third
volume Of Randallis Life OF Jefferson. inst
published by Derby 4 jackson, New York
While in this feeble condition, Browere, an
artist, came from NewYork to take a cast in
plaster OF the head of Mr.. Jefferson. The latter
was exceedingly reluctant to have it donc-ana
his family felt still more. opposed to it. But
Mr., Jefferson finally consented, saying hat he
could not find in his heart to refuse a man so
triiiing a favor, who had come SO far. lie was
placed on his back on a safa, one Of his hands
grasplng a chair which stood in front. Not
dreaming of any danger, his family could not
bear to see him with the plaster over his face,
and therefore were not present and bis faithful
i5ulwer was the only person besides the artist
III the room. There was some defect in the
arrangements made to permit his breathing,
and Mr.. Jefferson came near snifocation. He
was too weak to rise or to relieve himself, and
his feeble struggles were unnoticed or uDhecded
by his farrhnsils. The sufferer finally be-
thought himself of the chair on which his hand
rested. lie raised it as far as he was able and
struck it Gu the floor. BurweIl became con-
seious OF his situation, and sprang f%uriously
forward. The artist shattered his cast in an
instant. The family row reached the room,
and BroweFe looked as if lie thought their ar
rival most opportune, for though Burwell was
supporting his master IN his arms, the fierce
glare OF his African eye boded danger. Browere
was permitted TO pick up his fragments of plas-
Ter and carry them off-and whether he ever
put them together to represent features emn-
GATED with age and debility, and writhing in
suttocatlon, we arc not informed.
Mr. IoHa,an,,',. I,.4uI..z.L " ~
touching, lie evidently made an effort to keep
up Their spirits. lie was as gentle as a child,
but cnnVerSed with such vigor and animation
maj they would have often cheated themselves
withsthe belief that months, If not years of life
were IN store Ion him, and that he himself was
IN no expectation Of speedy death-had they
not witnessed the infant-iike debility Of his
powerful frame, and had they not, occasionally,
when they looked suddenly al him, caught rest
ing on themselves that riveted and Intensely
loving gaze, which showed but too plainly that
ms thoughts were on II rapidly approaching.
parting And as he folded each in his arm
as they separated for the night, there was a
feryor in his kiss add gaze that declared as
at'd'bly as words, that he felt the farewell might
drove a final one.
He declined to allow any member of his
'"'', ns " io''A'h WIN MN during the night,
hhti' very near his death. To the last, he dc.
eIlned the attendance Of any Of its fesale mem
herS' nor was he aware TINT. Ike library door
was lett a.iar to enable Them to steal round 81
lenfiy through the darkness TO hover about his
bed, He even required the servants that
watched with him, to have their pallets in his
room, so they could sleep most of the night.
Mr.. Jefferson and the other surviving %signers
OF the Declaration Of Independence, we're invi-
,ea ~ The Mayor OF Washington, General
Washington, TO attend the celebration of The
ltl1t'eH anniversary of American Independence
N the federal city. The following was Mr..
de'fersou's reply and it was his last letter:
MONTICELLO, june q, 1926.
To Mr.. WEIGTNAN- Respected Sin.
The Ni1i ipvit1t N I received from Won, on the
plIt VI lhG %sl.l1eIts IT the city Of Washington. to be |
present with Them ut their celebration of the tiftietb
anniversary OF American Independence, as one of the
surviving signela Of al Instrument pregmont with our =.