(undoubtedly from being so much exposed the day before), and complained of a sore throat. He however 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-office, and he sat in the parlor, with Mrs. Washington and myself, reading them till about nine o'clock, when Mrs. Washington went up into Mrs. Lewis's room, who was confined in childbed, and left the General and myself reading the papers. He was very cheerful, and whenever 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 Mr. Madison's observations respecting Mr. Monroe, he appeared much affected, and spoke with some degree of asperity on the subject; which I endeavored to moderate, as I always did on 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."
Between two and three o'clock on Saturday morning, he awoke Mrs. Washington and told her he was very unwell and had had an ague. She observed that he could scarcely speak and breathed with difficulty; and would have got up to call a servant, but he would not permit her, lest she should take cold.
As soon as the day 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 despatched a servant instantly for Rawlins and another for Dr. Craik, and returned again to the General's chamber, where I found him in the same situation as I had left him.
A mixture of molasses, vinegar, and butter was prepared to try its effect 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. W f hen 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 much might not 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 stopped after taking 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 "salvi latila," which was done; and in the operation, which was with the hand and in the gentlest manner, he observed, "'Tis very sore." A piece of flannel dipped in "salvi latila" was put around his neck and his feet bathed in warm water; but without affording any relief.
In the meantime, before Dr. Craik arrived, Mrs. Washington desired me to send for Dr. Brown of Port Tobacco, whom Dr. Craik had recommended to be called, if any case should ever occur that was seriously alarming.
I despatched a messenger (Cyrus) immediately for Dr. Brown (between eight and nine o'clock). Dr. Craik came in soon after, and, upon examining the General, he put a blister of cantharides on the throat, took some more blood from him, and had a gargle of vinegar and sage tea ordered, and some vinegar and hot water for him to inhale the steam, which he did; but in attempting to use the gargle he was almost suffocated.
When the gargle came from his throat some phlegm followed it, and he attempted to cough, which the doctor encouraged him to do as much as possible, but he could only attempt it.
About eleven o'clock Dr. Craik requested that Dr. Dick might be sent for, as he feared Dr. Brown would not come in time. A messenger was accordingly despatched for him. About this time the
