told her that he was very
unwell, and had an ague. She observed that he could scarcely speak,
and breathed with difficulty, and would have got up to call a servant;
but he would not permit her, lest she should take a cold. As soon as the
day appeared, the woman (Caroline) went into the room to make fire, and
Mrs. Washington sent her immediately to call me. I got up, put on my
clothes as quickly as possible, and went to his chamber. Mrs. Washington
was then up, and related to me his being ill, as before stated. I found
the general breathing with difficulty, and hardly able to utter a word
intelligibly. He desired Mr. Rawlins (one of the overseers) might be
sent for, to bleed him before the doctor could arrive. I despatched a
servant instantly for Rawlins, and another for Doctor Craik, and
returned again to the general's chamber, where I found him in the same
situation as I had left him.

"A mixture of molasses, vinegar, and butter, was prepared, to try its
effects upon his throat; but he could not swallow a drop. Whenever he
attempted it, he appeared to be distressed, convulsed, and almost
suffocated. Rawlins came in soon after sunrise, and prepared to bleed
him. When the arm was ready, the general, observing that Rawlins
appeared to be agitated, said, as well as he could speak, 'Don't be
afraid.' And when the incision was made, he observed, 'The orifice is
not large enough.' However, the blood ran pretty freely. Mrs.
Washington, not knowing whether bleeding was proper or not in the
general's situation, begged that much might not be taken from him, lest
it should be injurious, and desired me to stop it; but, when I was about
to untie the string, the general put his hand to prevent it, and, as he
could not speak, he said,' More, more.' Mrs. Washington being still very
uneasy, lest too much blood should be taken, it was stopped after taking
about half a pint. Finding that no relief was obtained from bleeding,
and that nothing would go down the throat, I proposed bathing it
externally with _sal volatile_, which was done; and in the operation,
which was with the hand, and in the gentlest manner, he observed, 'It is
very sore.' A piece of flannel, dipped in _sal volatile_, was put around
his neck, and his feet bathed in warm water, but without affording any
relief.

"About eight o'clock in the morning, he expressed a desire to get up.
His clothes were put on, and he was led to a chair by the fire. He found
no relief from t