“About eleven o’clock, Dr. Dick was sent for.  Dr. Craik requested that Dr. Dick might be sent for, as he feared Dr. Brown would not come in time.  A message was accordingly despatched for him.  Dr. Craik bled the General again about this time.  No effect, however, was produced by it, and he continued in the same state, unable to swallow anything.  Dr. Dick came in about three o’clock, and Dr. Brown arrived soon after.  Upon Dr. Dick’s seeing the General, and consulting a few minutes with Dr. Craik, he was bled gain, the blood ran very slowly and did not produce any symptoms of fainting.  Dr. Brown came Into the chamber room soon after, and upon feeling the General’s pulse &c., the Physicians went out together.  Dr. Craik soon after returned.  The General could now swallow a little—­about four o’clock Calomel and tartar emetic were administered; but without any effect.  About half past four o’clock, he desired me to ask Mrs. Washington to come to his bedside—­when he requested her to go down into his room and take from his desk two wills which 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  Upon looking at them he gave her one, which he observed was useless, as it was superseded by the other, and desired her to burn it, which she did, and then took the other and put it away into her closet.  After this was done, I returned again to his bedside and took his hand.  He said to me, ’I find I am going, my breath cannot continue long; I believed from the first attack it would be fatal—­do you arrange and record all my late military letters and papers—­arrange my accounts and settle my books, as you know more about them than any one else, and let Mr. Rawlins finish recording my other letters.’  He then asked if I recollected anything which it was essential for him to do, as he had but a very short time to continue with us.  I told him that I could recollect nothing, but that I hoped he was not so near his end.  He observed, smiling, that he certainly was, and that, as it was the debt which we all must pay, he looked to the event with perfect resignation.

“In the course of the afternoon he appeared to be in great pain and distress, from the difficulty of breathing, and frequently changed his posture in the bed.  On these occasions I lay upon the bed and endeavored to raise him, and turn him with as much ease as possible.  He appeared penetrated with gratitude for my attentions, and often said, ‘I am afraid I shall fatigue you too much’; and upon my answering him, that I could feel nothing but a wish to give him 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.’  He asked when Mr. Lewis and Washington[1] would return.  They were then in New Kent.  I told him I believed about the 20th of the month.  He made no reply.

[Footnote 1:  George Washington Parke Custis.]