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On George Washington's death & funeral... Front page report of his death...



Item # 658473

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January 08, 1800

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL & MASSACHUSETTS FEDERALIST, Boston, January 8, 1800 

* President George Washington death - funeral

The front page has a nice account headed: "Washington's Last Illness" which begins: "Some time in the night of Friday, the 10th instant, having been exposed to a rain on the proceeding day, General Washington was attacked with an inflammatory affection of the upper part of the wind pipe..." with much more, giving the details of his affliction, the treatments they applied, and the account of his death, which includes: "...speaking, which was painful from the beginning, how became almost impracticable; respiration grew more & more contracted and imperfect, till half after 11 on Saturday night retaining the full possession of his intellect--when he expired without a struggle..." (see for the full text). This report is signed in type by his two doctors: James Craik and Elisha C. Dick.
Also on the front page is: "Further Respectful Testimonials Sacred to George Washington, Deceased", "Funeral Honors at Watertown" "Funeral Honors at Newburyport" and the coverage carries over to page 2 with: "Voluntary Honors at Portland", "Funeral Honors at Portsmouth", "Funeral Honors at New York" and "Funeral Honors at East Sudbury".
All 4 pages have wide black mourning rules, scattered foxing, a bit irregular at the spine, generally good condition.

Period newspaper accounts of the death & funeral of George Washington are extremely scarce. This issue has much great content, including the official account of his death on the front page.

Category: Pre-Civil War