CITY OF WASHINGTON,
June 29, 1852.
MY DEAR MARY,—Shortly
after I wrote to you this morning, I was summoned by James to my father's
bedside. "Sit near me, my dear son," he said; "I do not wish you
to leave me for any time to-day." In about an hour after, he said,
"Give me some water." I gave him about half a glassful, which he
drank, and still retained the tube in his mouth. In a few moments he released
the tube, and said, "I believe, my son, I am going." Five minutes
after, he told me "to button his shirt collar," which I did. He then
caught my hand, and retained it in his pressure for some time. When he
relinquished it, I discovered he was dying. I summoned Governor Jones, of
Tennessee, who occupied the room above him, and in five or ten minutes after he
had ceased to breathe.
May my mother, and
all of you, be prepared for it. A nation mourns, but it is his gain. He is free
from pain, and I thank God. Oh! how sickening is the splendid pageantry I have
to go through from this to Lexington.
My love to all.
My father died at
seventeen minutes past eleven. I telegraphed
Mr. Harrison at twelve A. M.
SOURCE: Calvin
Colton, Editor, The Private Correspondence of Henry Clay, p. 636
