Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-08-08
MIR. SEWARD DURING HIS ILLNESS.

Mr.. George Vocke. who attended Mr.. Seward,
gives the following account, which is translated
from the Illinois Stats Zeitaag:
On the morning after the assassination he
said to his nurses his sensations Immediately
after the assault had by no means been Of an
unpleasant nature. He had experienced no ex-
traordinary pains, but while the blood had been
gushing from his arteries he had supposed that
his last end was nigh, and thought at the same
time what pleasant thing it was to die thus,
without pain.
Toward his nurses and toward all who came
near him during his sickness, Mr.. Seward was
uniformly friendly, even affectionate; and never,
when awake, did his philosophical frmness de-
sert him. Only when asleep he would, at times,
during the first two weeks after the attack,
suddenly start up and beat around with his
hands when dreams brought the assassin to his
imagination, but in two or three minutes he was
always quieted.
During the first three weeks Mrs. Seward was
constantly, day and night, at the bedside either
Of her husband or that of Frederick, and these
exertions have since hsstened the death of q
lady equally distinguished for the excellent
qualities of her head and of her heart, No less
noble was the conduct of Mr. Stewards daughter,
Miss Fanny. Indeed, it is perhaps to her cour-
age that her father and the nation owe the sal
walton Of his life. Like her mother, Miss Fanny
was an untiring attendant upon her suffering
relatives.
The greatest trouble TO the physicians was
| Stewards mental activity, which did not abate
even during his greatest physical weakness aud
severest pains. In order to prevent all excite
ment during this critical period and on account
Of the shattered jaw-bone, the physicians en-
ioined on him not to speak, but it was difficult to
get him to comply.
1t was not mere idle loquaeity that rendered
silence 80 irksome to the statesman, but chiefly
his patriotic anxiety about the Republic. He
desired to express his mind about the conditi on
of the country, to fulfil his official duties as
Secretary Of State. The attending physicians
had prohibited speaking before the attempted
assassination, but to express his thoughts by
writing was also impraotcable as his right arm
was broken. But as sool as the condition of
his fractured bones would allow, the medical
gentleman had to bandage and fasten the upper
| third of the arm where the fracture existed, }
so as to enable him to use the lower part and
the hand for writing. In this manner he con-
versed with the President during the last days
Of that lamented functlousry's life. The Pres
ident would sit by his bedside and express himself
on the exciting questions Of the day, when
Seward would write his views on a slate. In
the same manner he conducted his interview be-
fore and after the assassination, with Mr.. Hun
ter, the Assistant Secretary OF State, and thus
actually conducted the affairs of the Depart
ment Of State, the papers, dispatches, docu-
ments, To-, Of which had to he carried to his
bedside, even during the critical periods of bis
illness.
1t was the same patriotic restlessness and &C
tivity Of Mr.. Seward which prevailed on the
physicians to send for a considerable physieiat
Of New York, who arranged an artificial wire
apparatus in his mouth, which enabled him tc
speak without risk, even before his jawbone
was healed, This apparatus caused the illus
trious patriot at first excruciating pains, and a
one time became displaced, so that the New
York physician had to be telegraphed in order t'
replace it. But all these great and little annoy
ances did not for a moment disturb Seward {
philosophic intellect nor slacken bis patriotic
activity.
Few men in history have evinced such su6li-
nifty Of character and strength of mind as Will
liam Henry Seward on his bed Of sickness, sur
/ rounded by the terrors Of assassination ant
conspiracy. He maintained these qualities ever
when, after his partial recovery, he received tn
additional blow Of the intelligence Of the deatl
Of his faithful spouse.