Year: 1859

steward. 1t is a valuable document, show
ing the soundness and vigor of his intel
lect at this advanced stage of his existence,
aud the love of order that reigned through
out his affairs My greatest anxiety,
said he on u previous occasion, is to have
all these concerns in such clear and dis
tinct form that no reploach may attach
itself to ne when | have taken my depart
ure for the land of spirits


1t was evident, however, that, full Of
health and vigor, he looked forward to
his Iong-cherished hope, the enjoyment of
a serene old age in this home Of his heart


According to his diary, the morning on
which these voluminous instructions to his
steward were dated was clear and calm,
but the afternoon was lowering. The next
day-1lth-he notes there was wind and
rain, and at night large circle round
the moon"


The morning of the 18th was overcast.
That morning he wrote to Hamilton,
heartily approving of plan for military
academy, which the latter had submitted
to the Secretary of War.


About 10 o'clock, he mounted his horse
and rode out as usual to make the rounds
Of the estate. The oninous ring round
the moon, which he had observed on the
preceding night proved a fatal portent.
About O'clock he notes, it began to
snow, soon after to hail, and then turned
to settled cold rain Having on an
overcoat, he continued his ride without
regarding the weather, and did not return
to his house till after 8.


His secretary approached him with
letters to be franked, that they might be
taken to the post-office in the evening.
Washington franked the letters, but
observed that the weather was too bad to
send servant out with them Mr.. Lear
perceived that snow was hanging from his
hair, and expressed his fears that he got
wet but he replied No, his great coat
had kept him dry" As dinner had been
waiting for him, he sat down to table
without changing his dress. In the eve.
ming, writes his secretary, he appeared
as well as usual


On the following morning the snow was
three inches deep and still falling, which
prevented him from taking his Usual ride.
He complained of a sore throat, and had
evidently taken cold the day before. In
the afternoon 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 hoarse-
ness which had hung about him through
the day grew worse toward night, but he
made light of it.


He was very cheerful in the evening
as he sat in the parlor with Mrs. Wash
ington and Mr.. Lear amusing himself with
the papers which had been brought from
the post-ofice. When he met with any
thing 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 of the Virginia Assembly.


On retiring to bed, Mr. Lear suggested
that he should take something to relieve
his cold No replied he you know 1
never take anything for a 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 a 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 Mr.
Lear. He found the General breathing
with difficulty and hardly able to utter
word intelligibly, Washington desired
that DR.. Craik, who lived in Alexandria.
should be sent for, and that in the mean.
time Rawlins. one of the overseers, should
be summoned, to bleed him before the
Doctor could arrive.


A gurgle was prepared for his throat,
but whenever he attempted to swallow any
of it, he was convulsed and almost suffo.
Gated. Rawlins made his appearance e
soon after sunrise, but when the Generals
arm was ready for the operation, became
agitated. Don't be afraid said the
general as well as he could speak. Raw
Inns made an incision. The orifce is not
large enough said Washington. The
blood however, ran pretty freely, and
Mrs. Washington, uncertain whether the
treatment was proper, and fearful that too
much blood might be taken, begged Mr..