84 Various examples of Washington’s severe illnesses can be offered: WGW, vol. 2, note 11-5-1757, “Colonel Washington was now laboring under an indisposition, which shortly increased to an alarming illness. He left the army at the pressing request of Doctor Craik, his physician and intimate friend through life, and retired to Mount Vernon, where he was reduced so low by dysentery and fever that it was more than four months before he was able to resume his command. Dinwiddie wrote to Captain Stewart (November 15): “The violent complaint Col. Washington labors under gives me great concern, it was unknown to me or he shou’d have had leave of absence sooner, and I am very glad he did not delay following the Doctrs. advice, to try a change of air. I sincerely wish him a speedy recovery.”
Fields, Worthy Partner p. 224, Footnote 1 offers another example: “About the middle of June, 1789, the President developed a fever, followed by tenderness over the left thigh. Swelling and inflammation soon followed. Dr. Bard and two other consultants were unable to make a diagnosis. Consideration was given to the fact that the President might have contracted anthrax. As the swelling progressed, so did the discomfort until as last he was in excruciating pain. Cherry Street, in front of his home, was roped off to prevent the noisy wagons and carts from disturbing his rest. By the 20th the swelling “pointed” into an abscess or carbuncle. It was lanced and drained, whereupon the fever began to subside. For about three weeks it was difficult for him to move about or sit without discomfort. His condition gradually improved, but still continued to drain during September.”
Washington wrote to Dr. James Craik concerning this malady on September 8, 1789: “Dear Sir: The letter with which you favored me on the 24th ultimo came duly to hand, and for the friendly sentiments contained in it, you have my sincere and hearty thanks. My disorder was of long and painful continuance, and though now freed from the latter, the wound given by the incision is not yet closed. Persuaded as I am that the case has been treated with skill, and with as much tenderness as the nature of the complaint would admit, yet I confess I often wished for your inspection of it. During the paroxysm, the distance rendered this impracticable, and after the paroxysm had passed I had no conception of being confined to a lying posture on one side six weeks, and that I should feel the remains of it more than twelve. The part affected is now reduced to the size of a barley corn, and by Saturday next (which will complete the thirteenth week) I expect it will be skinned over. Upon the whole, I have more reason to be thankful that it is no worse than to repine at the confinement. The want of regular exercise, with the cares of office, will, I have no doubt hasten my departure for that country from whence no Traveller returns; but a faithful discharge of whatsoever trust I accept, as it ever has, so it always will be the primary consideration in every transaction of my life be the consequences what they may. Mrs. Washington has, I think, better health than usual, and the children are well and in the way of improvement.” WGW, vol. 30, 9-8-1789.
Similarly, on May 10, 1790, The President complained of “a bad cold.” The cold increased in severity within the next two days. He then developed symptoms of pneumonia and for the next several days his physical condition rapidly deteriorated. Four physicians were called into attendance. They despaired of his life, and it became widely known throughout the city that he was dangerously ill, that he might not survive. On the morning of May 15th his breathing became labored. Those nearest him felt the end was near. Suddenly about 4:00 P.M. his fever suddenly dropped and he developed profuse perspiration. His condition improved rapidly and by the 20th of May he was considered out of danger. His convalescence continued for a period of six weeks.” Fields, Worthy Partner, pp. 226-27 note 1.
85 We considered several instances of Washington’s exposure to danger and death as a military officer in the chapter on Washington the soldier.
86 Letters & Recollections of George Washington, Being letters to Tobais Lear and others...With a diary of Washington’s last days, kept by Mr. Lear. (Garden City, New York: Doubleday, Doran & Company, Inc., 1932), pp. 129-141.
87 See G.W.P. Custis, Recollections and Private Memoirs of Washington, p. 477.
88 Letters & Recollections of George Washington, Being letters to Tobais Lear and others...With a diary of Washington’s last days, kept by Mr. Lear. (Garden City, New York: Doubleday, Doran & Company, Inc., 1932), p. 135.
89 Letters & Recollections of George Washington, p. 141.
90 This account of Washington’s death helps to explain why he did not call for a clergyman and did not receive the Sacrament. It is true that there were no clergy present. But one of Washington’s closest lifelong friends was present, namely, Dr. James Craik. Dr. Craik was a devout Scotch-Irish Presbyterian who was later buried in the Presbyterian Church yard in Alexandria. Dr. Craik’s assessment of Washington’s last day of life is significant. Dr. Craik’s simple description of Washington’s death says, “During the short period of his illness, he oeconomised his time, in the arrangement of such few concerns as required his attention, with the utmost serenity; and anticipated his approaching dissolution with every demonstration of that equanimity for which his whole life has been so uniformly and singularly conspicuous.” Dr. Craik who had known Washington throughout his adult life saw no change in his dying moments from his whole life. What was the secret of Washington’s “equanimity” or calmness? Craik knew, as we saw in the chapter on “Washington the Soldier,” that Washington possessed an unwavering trust in divine providence. As Washington was dying, Martha Washington was praying with her Bible open at the foot of the bed. It is true that there were no Christian rituals offering the solace of everlasting life.... There are two reasons for this. It should be remembered that Washington’s illness only lasted a short 24 hours. Washington’s illness was a swollen throat that was so severe that he could not swallow, and eventually could not even breathe. The point here is that even if Washington could have swallowed, as a Low Churchman in the Virginian tradition, he would not have sought the Eucharist on his sickbed. But perhaps most importantly, he was not afraid to die, and was ready to die. Ibid.
91 Fields, Worthy Partner, p. 265.
92 Ibid., p. 368.
93 Ibid., Worthy Partner p. 364.
94 WGW, vol. 34, 12-16-1795 To THE CITIZENS OF FREDERICK COUNTY, VIRGINIA “Next to the approbation of my own mind, arising from a consciousness of having uniformly, diligently and sincerely aimed, by doing my duty, to promote the true interests of my country, the approbation of my fellow citizens is dear to my heart. In a free country, such approbation should be a citizen’s best reward; and so it would be, if Truth and Candour were always to estimate the conduct of public men. But the reverse is so often the case, that he who, wishing to serve his country, is not influenced by higher motives, runs the risk of being miserably disappointed. Under such discouragements, the good citizen will look beyond the applauses and reproaches of men, and persevering in his duty, stand firm in conscious rectitude, and in the hope of [an] approving Heaven.”
95 Consider here the exchange between Washington, the Earl of Buchan and Martha Washington. To EARL OF BUCHAN Philadelphia, May 26, 1794.
“My Lord: It is no uncommon thing to attempt, by excuses, to atone for acts of omission; and frequently too at the expense of as much time as (seasonable employed) would have superceded the occasion of their presentment. Sensible as I am of this, and ashamed as I am of resorting to an apology so common; yet I feel so forcibly the necessity of making one for suffering your Lordship’s very polite and obliging favor of the 30 of last June, to remain so long unacknowledged, that I cannot avoid falling into the error I am reprobating.
“The truth is, the malignant fever which raged in this City during the months of August, September and October of last year (of which at least 5,000 of its inhabitants were swept off) occasioned my retreat therefrom on the 10th of September, and prevented my returning until sometime in November; between which and the meeting of Congress (the first Monday in December) I had hardly time to prepare for the session. The session has been long and interesting, and is not yet closed. Little leisure therefore have I had, during the period of its continuance, for the indulgence of private correspondences.
“I did however, from Germantown in the early part of November, give your lordship the trouble of receiving a few lines from me introductory of my friend Mr. Lear; and am exceedingly flattered by the polite attention with which he was honored, on my account, by your Lordship and the Countess of Buchan. He speaks of it (in a letter I have lately received from him in London) in the highest terms of respect and gratitude.
“The sentiments which are expressed in your lordship’s letter of the 30th of June, do honor to the goodness of your heart, and ought to be engraved on every man’s heart. And if, instead of the provocations to war, bloodshed and desolation, (oftentimes unjustly given) the strife of nations, and of individuals, was to excel each other in acts of philanthropy, industry and oeconomy; in encouraging useful arts and manufactures, promoting thereby the comfort and happiness of our fellow men, and in exchanging on liberal terms the products of one Country and clime, for those of another, how much happier would mankind be.
“But providence, for purposes beyond the reach of mortal scan, has suffered the restless and malignant passions of man, the ambitious and sordid views of those who direct them, to keep the affairs of this world in a continual state of disquietude; and will, it is to be feared, place the prospects of peace too far off, and the promised millenium at an awful distance from our day. Whether you have, upon any occasion, expressed yourself in disrespectful terms of me, I know not: it has never been the subject of my enquiry. If nothing impeaching my honor, or honesty, is said, I care little for the rest. I have pursued one uniform course for three score years, and am happy in believing that the world have thought it a right one: of it’s being so, I am so well satisfied myself, that I shall not depart from it by turning either to the right or to the left, until I arrive at the end of my pilgrimage. I am etc.” WGW, vol. 33, 5-26-1794. After Washington’s death, the Earl of Buchan wrote the following to Martha Washington,
The Earl of Buchan to Mrs. Washington Dryburgh Abbey, Jan, 28, 1800.
Madam:
“I have this day received from my brother, at London, the afflicting tidings of the death of your admirable husband, my revered kinsman and friend. I am not afraid, even under this sudden and unexpected stroke of Divine Providence, to give vent to the immediate reflections excited by it, because my attachment to your illustrious consort was the pure result of reason, reflection, and congeniality of sentiment. He was one of those whom the Almighty, in successive ages, has chosen and raised up to promote the ultimate designs of his goodness and mercy, in the gradual melioration of his creatures and the coming of his kingdom, which is in heaven.
“It may be said of this great and good man who has been taken from among us, what was written by the wise and discerning Tacitus concerning his father-in-law Agricola, that, “though he was snatched away while his age was not broken by infirmity or dimmed by bodily decay of reason, yet that, if his life be measured by his glory, he attained to a mighty length of days; for every true felicity, namely, all such as arise from virtue, he had already enjoyed to the full. As he has likewise held the supreme authority of the state with the confidence and applause of all wise and good men in every part of the world, as well as among those he governed, and had enjoyed triumphal honors in a way undertaken for the defense of the inalienable rights of mankind, what more humanly speaking, could fortune add to his luster and renown?
“After enormous wealth he sought not; a honorable share he possessed. His course he finished in the peaceful retreat of his own election, in the arms of a dutiful and affectionate wife, and bedewed with the tears of surrounding relatives and friends, with the unspeakably superior advantage to that of a Roman general, in the hopes afforded by the Gospel of pardon and peace! He therefore, Madam, to continue my parallel, may be accounted singularly happy, since by dying according to his own Christian and humble wish expressed on many occasions, while his credit was nowise impaired, his fame in all it splendor, his relations and friends not only in a state of comfort and security, but of honor, he was probably to escape many evils incident to declining years. Moreover, he saw the government of his country in hands conformable to our joint wishes and to the safety of the nation, and a contingent succession opening, not less favorable to the liberties and happiness of the people.
“Considering my uniform regard for the American States, manifested long before their forming a separate nation, I may be classed as it were among their citizens, especially as I am come of a worthy ancestor, Lord Cardross, who found refuge there in the last century, and had large property in Carolina, where Port Royal is now situated. I hope it will not be thought impertinent or officious, if I recommend to that country and nation of America at large the constant remembrance of the moral and political maxims conveyed to its citizens by the Father and Founder of the United States, in his farewell address, in that speech which he made to the Senate and House of Representatives, where the last hand was put to the formation of the Federal Constitution; and may it be perpetual.
“It seems to me that such maxims and such advice ought to be engraved on every forum or place of common assembly among the people, and read by parents, teachers, and guardians to their children and pupils, so that true religion, and virtue, its inseparable attendant, may be imbibed by the rising generation to remote ages; and the foundations of national policy be laid and continued in the superstructure, in the pure and immutable principles of private morality, since there is not truth more thoroughly established than that there exists in the economy and course of nature an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness, between duty and happiness, between duty and advantage, between the genuine maxims of an honest and magnanimous people, and the solid rewards of public prosperity and felicity; since we ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained; and since the preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the Republican model of government are justly considered as deeply, perhaps finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people....I am, Madam, with sincere esteem, Your obedient and faithful servant Buchan.”
In Margaret Conkling, Memoirs of the Mother and Wife of George Washington (Auburn: Derby, Miller and Company, 1851), pp. 241-245.
96 Ibid.
97 Fields, Worthy Partner, p. 355.
98 Ibid., p. 389.
99 Ibid., Worthy Partner pg. 331 From Jonathon Trumbull Lebanon, Dec. 30, 1799.
100 WGW, vol. 28, 10-1-1785.
101 Fields, Worthy Partner, p. 339.
102 Washington’s commitment to immortality is absolutely necessary to make sense of his dialogue in the following exchange. The Hebrew Congregation of Newport Rhode Island believed in immortality, and expected that Washington did as well, as their blessing sent to him indicates,
For all the blessings of civil and religious liberty which we enjoy under an equal and benign administration, we desire to send up our thanks to the antient of days, the great preserver of men beseeching him that the angel who conducted our forefathers through the wilderness into the promised land may graciously conduct you through all the dangers and difficulties of this mortal life and when like Joshua full of days, and full of honor, you are gathered to your fathers, may you be admitted into the heavenly paradise to partake of the water of life and the tree of immortality.
Done and signed by order of the Hebrew Congregation in Newport Rhode Island, August 8, 1789. (PGW: Series 2 Letterbooks, Newport, Rhode Island, Hebrew Congregation to George Washington, August 17, 1790 Letterbook 39, images 19-20 of 222.) In light of the remarkable letter and blessing, Washington responded:
May the children of the stock of Abraham who dwell in this land continue to merit and enjoy the goodwill of the other inhabitants while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid.
May the father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here and in his own due time and way everlastingly happy. (PGW: Series 2 Letterbooks George Washington to Newport, Rhode Island, Hebrew Congregation, August 17, 1790 Letterbook 39, Image 22 of 222.)
Washington clearly expressed a belief in everlasting life by the mercies of God’s grace.
CHAPTER 35
1 PGW, Retirement Series, July 3, 1799, to Mason Locke Weems, Last Volume, pp. 173-74.
2 Weems. The Life of Washington. Ed. Marcus Cunliffe. Cambridge, Mass.: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1962.
3 The account of the cherry tree was not included in Life and Memorable Actions of George Washington until the ninth edition in 1809.
4 Weems, The Life of Washington p. 22.n.1.
5 Ibid., pp. 7, 21
6 Ibid., p. 21.
7 Fitzpatrick, The Diaries of George Washington, vol. II., pp. 80, 81, 88, 89.
8 Ibid., I. 150, 352.
9 Weems, The Life of Washington, p. 9.
