The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

560 DEATH OF WASHINGTON. [ArPPENIiX.
situation before mentioned. Mrs. Washington was sitting near
the foot of the bed. Christopher was standing near the bedside.
Caroline, Molly, and Charlotte were in the room, standing near
the door. Mrs. Forbes, the housekeeper, was frequently in the
room during the day and evening.
As soon as Dr. Craik could speak, after the distressing scene was
closed, he desired one of the servants to ask the gentlemen below
to come up stairs. When they came to the bedside, I kissed the
cold hand, which I had held to my bosom, laid it down, and went
to the other end of the room, where I was for some time lost in
profound grief, until aroused by Christopher desiring me to take
care of the General's keys, and other things, which were taken out
of his pockets, and which Mrs. Washington directed him to give
to me. I wrapped them in the General's handkerchief, and took
them to my room.
About twelve o'clock the corpse was brought down stairs, and
laid out in the large room.*
Sunday, December 15th. Mrs. Washington sent for me in the
morning, and desired that I would send up to Alexandria and
have a coffin made, which I did.
Mrs. Stuart was sent for in the morning. About ten o'clock,
Mr. Thwnas Peter came down; and about two, Mr. and Mrs. Law,
to whom I had written on Saturday evening. Dr. Thornton came
down with Mr. Law. Dr. Craik stayed all day and night.
In the evening I consulted with Mr. Law, Mr. Peter, and Dr.
Craik on fixing a day for depositing the body in the vault. I
wished the ceremony to be postponed till the last of the week, to
give time to some of the General's relations to be here; but Dr.
Craik and Dr. Thornton gave it decidedly as their opinion, that,
considering the disorder of which the General died, being of an
inflammatory nature, it would not be proper to keep the body so
long, and therefore Wednesday was fixed upon for the funeral.
Monday, December 16th. I directed the people to open the
family vault, clear away the rubbish about it, and make every thing
decent; ordered a door to be made to the vault, instead of closing
* The following certificate, in the handwriting of Dr. Craik, is appended
to the above portion of Mr. Lear's narrative.
"Sunday, December 15th. The foregoing statement, so far as I can recollect,
is correct. "JAs. CRAIX."