George Washington's Obituary

[From The Spectator (New-York), Wednesday, December 21, 1799]

     In consequence of the afflicting intelligence of the death of GENERAL WASHINGTON, the Theatre will be closed for the ensuing week.
     The President, with deep regret, announces to the army, the death of its beloved Chief, Gen. George Washington. Sharing in the grief, which every heart must feel for so heavy and afflicting a public loss, and desirous to express his high sense of the vast debt of gratitude which is due to the virtues, talents and ever memorable services of the illustrious deceased, he directs that funeral honors be paid to him at all the military stations, and that the officers of the army and of the several corps of volunteers, wear crape on the left arm, by way of mourning, for six months. Major-General Hamilton will give the necessary orders for carrying into effect the foregoing directions.


          Given at the War-Office of the United States in
               Philadelphia, this nineteenth day of Decem-
               ber, A.D. 1799, and in the 24th year of the
               Independence of the said States.
                         JAMES McHENRY,
                              Secretary of War.


     Gen. WASHINGTON has died in the 69th year of his age. His complaint was the Cynanche Tonsillaris, an affection which has been remarkably prevalent this fall.
     The important command of the army devolves on General Hamilton, who is at present in Philadelphia.

[From The Spectator (New-York), Wednesday, December 23, 1799]

     An Alexandria paper of Thursday morning last, says that the remains of Gen. WASHINGTON were to be deposited in his family Vault, at 12 o'clock on that day.
     Columbia groans beneath the dreadful wound,
     And Europe echoes to the mournful sound ;
     The Sons of Freedom shudder at the stroke,
     And Universal Virtue feels a shock ! !
     The age of our late worthy Commander in Chief, having been inaccurately stated, we are authorised, by a particular friend of the General, to say, that he died in the 68th year of his age. --Phil. pap.
     We are informed, that in respect to the memory of our deceased and illustrious fellow-citizen GEORGE WASHINGTON, the Episcopal Churches in Philadelphia (of which he was a member) are to be hung in black, for several months. The pulpits, organs, &c. together with the pew in Christ Church formerly occupied by the General, are to be entirely shrouded in black.
     The Senate of she United States have come to an order, that the members wear black during the session, and that the chair of the President be shrouded with black, overhung with curtains of black, and the whole chamber lined in a similar manner -- as a testimony of respect for the memory of their beloved and regretted late fellow-citizen GEORGE WASHINGTON.

[From The Spectator (New-York), Wednesday, December 25, 1799]

Mount Vernon,   

         SIR,                December 16, 1799.
     It is with inexpressible grief, that I have to announce to you the death of the great and good General Washington. He died last evening between 10 and 11 o'clock, after a short illness of about twenty-four hours. His disorder was an inflammatory sore throat, which proceeded from a cold, of which he made but little complaint on Friday. On Saturday morning about 3 o'clock he became ill. Doctor Dick, attended him, in the morning, and Dr. Craick, of Alexandria, and Dr. Brown, of Port Tobacco, were soon after called in. Every medical assistance was offered, but without the desired effect. his last scene was corresponded with the whole tenor of his life. Not a groan nor a complaint escaped him, in extreme distress. With perfect resignation and a full possession of his reason he closed his well spent life.
          I have the honor to be &c.
                    TOBIAS LEAR.
The President of the United States.


...The University of Virginia has a a Complete Online Exhibition on Washington's Passing,
featuring reproductions of three newspaper obituaries!!...