Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-09-07
TIE Last DAYS OF WASHIN GTON

THE Last DAYS OF WASHINGTON
Winter had now set in, with occasiona
wind, and rain, and frost, yet Washington
kept up his active in !oor and outdoor avo
cations, as his diary record.
He was full of health aud vigor, dined ou
occasionally, and had frequent guests at Noun
Vernon, and, as usual, was part of every da,
in tie saddle going the ror3ds Of the estate
and, in lis military phrGsealogy, visiting tho
outposts" He had recently walked with hi:
favorite nephew about the grounds showing
the improvements he intended to make, and
hrd especially pointed out the spot where he
purposed building a new family vault, the Old
one being damaged by the roots of trees which
had overgrown it and caused it to lcaf.
This change" said he, Il shall make the
first Of all for may require it before the
rest ""When parted from him." added the
nephew, "hf stood on the steps Of the front
door, where he took leave Of IN self ana an
other 1t was a bright frosty morning, h.
had taken his customary ride and clear
healthy flush on his ch, OK. and his spiighly
manner brought the remark fro.n both Of Us
that we had never seen the general look 50
we'll
sl"I LaYe sometimes thought him decided j;
the handSomeSt man ever saw, and in a live
ly mood, SO full OF pleasantry. SO agreeable to
all with whom he associated, that coal.'
hardly realize that he was the same Washing
ton whose dignity awod all who approached
him"
For some time past Washington had been
occupied u dgo log a mp!etc system on
which his estate was to be managed for sevr-
raj succeeding years; spccifying the culiya-
ton Of several of the farms, with tables dc-
signaling the rotation Of crops occupying thir-
ty folio pages, and executed with clearue. S
and method which characterized all his bus
ness papers. This was flashed on the 10th f
December. and was accompanied by Il letter
of that date to his ,ranagcr or steward. 1t i.
i valuable document, showing the sounhness
and vigor of lis intellect at this advanc !
stage of his existence, aud the love of order
that rcigncl Throughout lis ailairs. .Nv
greatest anxiety" sand he on Il previous occa.
SIN, Ti9 to have all these concerns in such
clear and distinct form that no renroach may
attach itself to me when have taken NY de-
parture Cor -he lard of spirits
1t was evident. however, that, full Of health
and vigor, hcl3oked forward to lis long cher
'ishcd hope, the enjoyment Of q serene old age
in this home of his heart,
According to his diayy, the morning on
7Fhich these voln'nnors Instructions to his
steward were dated was clear and calm but
the afternoon was, lowering. The next day
11ih--hc notes there was Wind aud rain, and
''at night large circle round the. moon -
The morning Of the ! lth was overcast. That
morning lie wro ca letter to Hamilton, heart
lily approving of plan for military acalc-
my, which the latter had submitted to the
s: cretary of War. About 10 o'clock he mount
cd his horse aud rode out as usual to make
the rounds of the estate. The cminous rihg
round the mooa, Which he had observed On
the preceding night proved a fatal potent
, About l O'Clock" he notes. it began to
snow, soon after to hail. and then turned to
settled cold rain" Having Oh an overeoat,
he continued to ride without regarding the
weather, and did not return to his house ill
after 9 His secretary approached him with
letters to be f,ankcd, that they might he taken
to the post office. IN the evening, Washington
tranked the letters, but observed that the
weather was too bad to send servant cut
with them. Mr.. Lear perceived that snow
was hanging from his hair, and expressed his
fears that he had got wet: but he replied, emo
his great coat had kept hin dry" As dinner
had been waiting fer him, he sat down to the
able without changing bis dress. 'In the
,veniag," writes lis secretary, she appeared
Is well as usual" 49,. e.. = -
On the following morning the snow was
hree inches deep and still falling which pre-
rented him from taking his usual ride. lie
of a sore throat, and bad evident
Y taken cold the day before, In the afternoon |
he westlcr cleared up, and he went out on
he grounds between the house and the river,
o mark some srees which were to be cut down
A hoarseness whieh had hung about him
through the day grew-worse toward night, but
,e made light of it. lie was very chcerfull in
he evening, as he sat in the parlor with Mrs.
" Washington and Mr.. Lear, amusing himself |
With the papers which had been brought from
he post Office. When he met with anything |
interesting or entertaining, he would read it
loud as well as his. hoarseness would permit,
II he listened and mada occasional comments
while Mr.. Lear read tie debates Of the Nir-
;ina Assembly. :. t...fa.. -.
On retiring to bed. Mr. Lear suggested that
lie should take something to relieve his cold.
No. replied he, "you know, [ never take
Inything for cold. Let it so as it came."
IN the night he was extremely i'll with ngJe
md difficulty Of breathing Between 2 and
'c!ock in the morning he awoke Mrs Wash
ngton, who would have risen to call servant
,ut he would not permit her lest she should
axe cold. At day break, VIXEN the servant
woman entered to make fire. she was sent to
all Mr.. Lear. He found the general breath
uc with difficulty. and harilv able TO utter a