Believing that the reader will feel an interest in knowing all the circumstances attending the last moments of Governor Clinton, the author is induced to give a place to the following communications, which were addressed to him immediately after the decease of his friend. While those letters convey many particulars connected with his death, they serve to show the deep and acute feeling which pervaded every member of the community, and that all political differences were merged in the great respect, universally entertained, for the value of the life and services of the deceased.

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Letter from John James, M.D. the family physician of Governor Clinton.

ALBANY, Feb. 11, 1828. – Monday Evening, 12 o’clock.

DEAR SIR,

Your apprehensions have been too soon realized. The Governor expired at half past six o’clock this evening. During the morning he rode several miles in a carriage, and had been apparently as well as usual until a few moments before he expired. While the Governor was engaged in his study, Mr. Charles Clinton observed him to lean backward in his chair, as if distressed for breath, and before he could cross the room to his assistance, he expired without a struggle.

Dr. DAVID HOSACK.

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Letter from Rensselaer Gansevoort, M.D.

ALBANY, Feb. 11,1828. – Monday Evening, 8 o’clock.

DEAR SIR,

The pride and ornament of our country is no more! Your early friend and associate, Governor Clinton, died this evening about 7 o'clock. Being present a very few minutes after his dissolution, I will briefly state the facts that fell under my own observation, and such as I have learned from the family. At 11 o’clock, he rode out with Mrs. Clinton and others of the family; returned at one, dined at his usual hour, and retired to his study: took tea at a quarter past six, again retired to his room, and, a few minutes after, while sitting in his chair and conversing with his sons, he complained of an oppression about the region of the heart. A glass of water was handed him, which he drank. After this five minutes may have elapsed, when his son observed his head gradually incline upon his chest. Independent of this, no change of posture, or the least alteration of feature, ensued. Life had deserted its citadel! Upon the most careful and repeated examination, no pulse was discovered at the arm, or the least action at the heart. The means adopted towards resuscitation proved abortive.

That his death was the result of a chronic disease of the heart, is evident. Touching the nature of that disease, I am not prepared to hazard an opinion.

Some of the Governor's family, and a few of his friends, express the belief that he evinced symptoms of slight indisposition for a number of days previous to his death – still he was daily engaged in his domestic and official duties.

DAVID HOSACK, M.D.

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Letter from the Honourable Luther Bradish, Member of the Legislature.

MY DEAR SIR,

After the very explicit opinion you confidently expressed to me, while here, of the situation of Governor Clinton, you will not be surprised when I announce to you his death, which took place about half an hour since. He had taken an unusually long ride in the morning: dined with his family and a few friends, and when they had withdrawn, retired to his library, where he expired, almost immediately, sitting in his chair. Thus has passed from among us one, whom, when the little short-lived feelings and views of party shall have passed away, history will record among the great and distinguished of our country. Three of the faculty were called in on the occasion, Doctors Beck, Bay, and James; one of whom I understand, has declared the immediate cause of his death to have been the rupture of a blood vessel about the heart. Recollecting the opinion confidently expressed by you while here, and believing that opinion to be correct, I hope a surgical examination of the body will take place; should this be the case, I will communicate to you the result. We regret exceedingly your absence at this moment.

Dr. DAVID HOSACK.

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Letter from the Honourable Francis Granger, a Member of the Legislature.

ALBANY, Feb. 11, 1828. – Monday Evening, 8 o'clock.

DEAR SIR,

The city is in consternation. Governor Clinton died this evening at seven o'clock, while in his chair, in his study, How soon your fearful forebodings have been realized!

DAVID HOSACK, M.D.

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Letter from the Honourable Robert Bogardus, a Member of the Legislature.

ALBANY, Feb. 13, 1828. Wednesday Evening, 8 o’clock.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

I send you the arrangement of the funeral of our late great friend, for whose death you prepared me. Your last words, "that you never should see him again, and that his death would be instantaneous, and sooner than I appeared to expect," had not lost their impression, before a hasty messenger came to me, exclaiming – Clinton is dead!

Many may regret they were not, but who can regret they were, his friends?

DAVID HOSACK, M.D.

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Transcribed from the original text and html prepared by Bill Carr, last updated 5/30/99.