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by Tobias Lear (1762-1816)
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on Washington and Lear
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EDITOR'S NOTE:
Born in the Puddle Dock neighborhood of Portsmouth, NH, Tobias
Lear was "on the scene" for many key events in
early American history. He was in Santo Domingo when
Napoleon's navy attacked black leader Toussaint L'Ouverture.
He negotiated the Treaty of Tripoli aboard the famous
warship USS Constitution. Lear was president of the Potomac
Company that created Washington, D.C. and knew the first
four American presidents. But no moment in Lear's life
was more historic or moving than his attendance at the
deathbed of President George Washington. Lear's journal
entry, reproduced here, shows his writing at its most
detailed and dramatic. Although he had quit his position
as secretary to the president, Lear was working on "Farmer
Washington's" finances at the Mount Vernon, Virginia
plantation. Washington took ill suddenly after working
outdoors in stormy winter weather on December 14, 1799.
Fully aware of his unique position in history, Lear recorded
the event in powerful detail.
J.D.R.
© 1997 SeacoastNH.com. All rights reserved
Excerpted from:
The
Checkered Career of Tobias Lear, by Raymond
Brighton, Portsmouth Marine Society, 1985. 375
pps.
The Last Illness and Death of General Washington
A Simple Cold
 On
Thursday December 12th the General rode out
to his farms about 10 o'clock, and did not return
home 'till past three. Soon after he went out the
weather became very bad . . .: When he came in
I carried some letters for him to frank, intending
to send them to the Post Office in the Evening.
He franked the letters; but said the weather was
too bad to send a servant to the Post Office that
evening. I observed to him that he had got wet;
he said no his great coat had kept him\dry; but
his neck appeared to be wet and the snow was hanging
upon his hair. He came to dinner (which had been
waiting for him) without changing his dress. In
the evening he appeared as well as usual.
A heavy fall of snow took place on Friday,
which prevented the General from riding out as usual.
He had taken cold (undoubtedly from being so much
exposed the day before) and complained of a sore
throat: However he went out in the afternoon into
the Ground between the House and the River to mark
some trees which were to be cut down in the improvement
of that spot. He had a hoarseness, which increased
in the evening; but he made light of it. In the evening
the papers were brought from the Post offfice, and
he sat in the Parlour with Mrs. Washington & myself
reading them until about nine o'clock. When Mrs.
W went up to Mrs. Lewis' room, who was confined in
child bed, and left the General & myself reading
the papers. He was very chearful and when he met
with anything interesting or entertaining, he read
it aloud as well as his hoarseness would permit him.
He requested me to read to him the debates of the
Virginia Assembly on the election of a senator and
a governor; and on hearing of Mr. Madison's observations
respecting Mr. Monroe, he was much affected and spoke
with some degree of asperity on the subject, which
I endeavoured to moderate, as I always did on the
such occasions. On his retiring I observed to him
that he had better take something to remove his cold;
he answered no; "you know I never take anything for
a cold. Let it go as it came."
A Simple Cold
Between two and three o'clock on Saturday
morning he awoke Mrs. Washington, and told her he
was very unwell, and had an ague. She observed that
he could scarcely speak and breathed with difficulty;
and would have got up to see a servant; but he would
not permit her lest she take cold. As soon as the
sun appeared, the Woman (Caroline) went into the
Room to make a fire, and Mrs. Washington sent her
immediately to call me. I got up, put on my clothes
as quickly as possible and went to his chamber. Mrs.
Washington was then up, and related to me his being
taken ill as before stated. I found the General breathing
with difficulty, and hardly able to utter a word
intelligibly. He desired that Mr Rawlins (One of
the overseers) might be sent for to bleed him before
the Doctors could arrive. I dispatched a Servant
immediately for Rawlins, and another for Dr. Craik,
and returned again to the General's Chambr, where
I found him in the same situation as I had left him
-A mixture of Molasses, vinegar & butter was prepared
to try its effects in the throat; but he could not
swallow a drop; whenever he attempted it he appeared
to be distressed, convulsed and almost suffocated.
Rawlins came in soon after Sunrise, and prepared
to bleed him. When the Arm was ready the General
observing that Rawlins appeared to be agitated said,
as well as he could speak "Don't be afraid." And
after the incision was made, he observed "The Orifice
is not large enough. However the blood ran pretty
freely. Mrs. Washington not knowing whether bleeding
was proper or not in the General's situation, begged
that not much be taken from him lest it should be
injurious, and desired me to stop it; but when I
was about to untie the string, the General put up
his hand to prevent it, and as soon as he could speak,
said "more, more." Mrs. Washington being still very
uneasy lest too much blood should be taken, it was
stopt after about half a pint. Finding that no relief
was obtained from bleeding, and that nothing would
go down the throat, I proposed bathing it externally,
with salve latola, which was done; and in the operation,
which was done with hand, in the gentlest manner,
he observed, " 'tis very sore." A piece of flannel
dip'd in salve-latola was put around his neck, and
his feet bathed in warm waters; but without affording
any relief.
In the meantime, before Dr. Craik arrived,
Mrs. Washington desired of me to send for Dr. Brown
of Port Tobacco whom Dr. Craik had recommended to
be called if any case should occur that was seriously
alarming. I dispatched a messenger (Cyrus) immediately
for Dr. Brown (between 8 and 9 o'clock). Dr. Craik
came in soon after, upon examining the General, he
put a blister of Cantharides on the throat, took
some more blood from him and some Vinegar and hot
water for him to inhale the steam, which he did,
but in attempting to use this gargle he almost suffocated.
When the gargle came from the throat some phlegm
followed it, and he attempted to cough, which the
Doctor encourage him to do as much as possible; but
he could only attempt it. About 11 o'clock Dr. Craik
requested that Dr. Dick might be sent for, as he
feared Dr. Brown might not come in time. A messenger
was accordingly dispatched for him. About this time
the General was bled again. No effect, however, was
produced by it. A Blister was administered about
12 o'clock, which produced an evacuation....
Doctor Dick came in about 3 o'clock, and
Dr. Brown arrived soon after. Upon Dr. Dick's seeing
and consulting a few minutes with Dr. Craik, he was
bled again. The blood came very slow, was thick and
did not produce any symptoms of fainting. Dr. Brown
came into the Chamber soon after; and upon feeling
the General's pulse, the physicians went out together.
Dr. Craik returned soon after. The General could
now swallow a little. Calomel and tartar em were
administered....
"I Feel Myself Going."
About half past 4 O'clock he desired me
to call Mrs. Washington to his bedside, when he requested
her to go down into his room, and take from his desk
two wills 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 suppressed
by the other, and desired her to burn it, which she
did....
After this was done I returned to his bedside
and took his hand. He said to me, "I find I am going,
my breath cannot last long; I believed from the first
that the disorder would prove fatal. Do you arrange & record
all my late military letters & papers arrange my
accounts and settle my books, as you know more about
them than anyone else. Let Mr. Rawlins finish recording
my other letters which he has begun." I told him
this would be done....
In the course of the afternoon he appeared
to be in great pain & distress, from the difficulty
of breathing, & frequently changed his posture in
the bed. On these occasions I lay upon the bed & endeavoured
to raise him, & turn him with as much ease as possible.
He appeared penetrated with gratitude for my attentions, & often
said I am afraid I shall fatigue you too much; and
upon my assuring him that I could feel nothing but
a wish to give him some ease; he replied, "Well,
it is a debt we must pay to each other, and I hope
when you want aid of this kind you will find it."
. . . About 5 O'clock Dr. Craik came again
into the Room & upon going to the bedside, the General
said to him, "Doctor, I die hard; but I am not afraid
to go, I believed from my first attack, that I should
not survive it; my breath cannot last long. The Doctor
pressed his hand but did not utter a word. He retired
from the bed side & sat by the fire absorbed in grief.
Between 5 & 6 O'clock Dr. Dick & Dr. Brown
came into the room, and with Dr. Craik went to the
bed; when Dr Craik asked him if he could sit up in
bed. He held out his hand & I raised him up. He then
said to the Physicians, "I feel myself going, I thank
you for your attentions; but I pray you take no more
trouble about me, let me go off quietly; I cannot
last long."
They found that all which had been done
was without effect; he laid down again, and all retired,
excepting Dr. Craik. He continued in the same situation,
uneasy & restless; but without complaining; frequently
asking what hour it was. When I helped him move at
this time he did not speak; but looked at me with
strong expressions of gratitude.
About 8 o'clock the Physicians came again
into the room & applied blisters and cataplasms of
wheat bran to his legs & feet; after which they went
out (except for Dr. Craik) without a ray of hope.
I went out about this time & wrote a line
to Mr. Law & Mr. Peters, requesting them to come
with their wives (Mrs. Washington's granddaughters)
as soon as possible to Mount Vernon.
About 10 o'clock he made several efforts
to speak to me before he could affect it, at length
he said, "I am just going! Have me decently buried;
and do not let my body to be put into the vault less
than three days after I am dead. " I bowed assent,
for I could not speak. He then looked at me again
and said, "Do you understand me?" I replied Yes! " 'Tis
well!" said he.
About 10 minutes before he expired (which
was between 10 & 11 o'clock) he breating [sic] became
easier; he lay quietly; he withdrew his hand from
mine, and felt his own pulse. I saw his countenance
changed I spoke to Dr. Craik who sat by the fire;
he came to the bed side. The General's hand fell
from his wrist I took it in mine and put it into
my bosom. Dr. Craik put his hand over his Eyes and
he expired without a struggle or sigh.
While we were fixed in silent grief, Mrs.
Washington (who was sitting at the foot of the bed)
asked, with a firm & collected voice, Is he gone?
I could not speak; but held up my hand as a signal
that he was no more. 'Tis well said she in the same
voice All is now over, I shall soon follow him! I
have no more trials to pass through.
SEE ALSO
The Tobias Lear
House
Tobias,
We Hardly Knew Ye
George
Washington's Letters
at the Library of Congress
FOR FURTHER READING:
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"The
Surprising Washington"
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