ness will sometimes remain, after sensibility to pain | Dr. Jackson a fee, I should interest him in the is removed. I afterwards gave it to a Miss L., a lady of about twenty-five. The effect upon her was rather alarming. She sprang up from the chair, leaped into the air, screamed, and was held down with difficulty. When she came to, she was unconscious of what had passed, but was willing to have it ad-aration and the apparatus, and we should be able to ministered again, which I did with perfect success, extracting two molar teeth. After this, I tried several other experiments, some with more and some with less success, giving my principal attention to the perfecting of my modes of administering it. When the time drew near for the experiment at the hospital, I became exceedingly anxious, and gave all my time, day and night, hardly sleeping or eating, to the contriving of apparatus, and general investigation of the subject. patent, and give him ten per cent. of the nett profits. Mr. Eddy made this suggestion out of friendship to Dr. Jackson, whom he wished to benefit. He added that the patent would thus have the benefit of Dr. Jackson's name and skill; that he would thus have a motive to give his attention to the prepkeep in advance of the improvements that might be suggested by others. He also said that if a suit was brought, and Dr. Jackson should be a witness, as he doubtless would be, the aid he had given me might be made a handle of by persons impeaching the patent, to invalidate my claim as the discoverer. At this time the dentists had organized a formidable opposition to the use of ether, and all the medical magazines in the Union, except Boston, were arrayed against it. I felt the need of all the aid I I called on Dr. Gould, a physician who has paid could get, and was conscious of a want of thorough much attention to chemistry, and told him my anx-scientific education myself. I was induced by these ieties and difficulties. He sympathized with me, motives to accede to Mr. Eddy's request, but did gave me his attention, and we sat up nearly all not then understand that Dr. Jackson claimed to night making sketches of apparatus; he first sug-be a discoverer at all. But on this head I refer to gesting to me an antidote in case of unfavorable the affidavits of the Messrs. Eddy. effects, and the valvular system, instead of the one I then used. The operation was to be at 10 o'clock. I rose at daybreak, went to Mr. Chamberlain, an instrument-maker, and, by great urging, got the apparatus done just after ten o'clock, hurried to the hospital, and reached the room just as Dr. Warren was about to begin the operation; he having given up all hope of my coming. The detailed account of this operation will be found in Dr. Warren's communication. There was a full attendance; the interest excited was intense, with the most eager scrutiny of the patient. When the operation closed, the patient described his state, and Dr. Warren announced his belief that there had been insensibility to pain, my feelings may be better imagined than described. I was invited to administer it the next day, in an operation for a tumor, performed by Dr. Hayward, and with perfect success. I continued administering the ether in my office, and early in November I applied to Dr. Hayward for leave to administer it in a case of amputation, which I learned was to take place at the hospital. Dr. H. J. Bigelow, in the mean time, had attended my experiments at my office, and taking a deep interest in the subject, prepared a memoir, which he read to the Boston Society for Medical Improvement, and subsequently to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. The surgeons of the hospital informed me that they thought it their duty to decline the use of the preparation until informed what it was. I immediately wrote to Dr. Warren, the senior surgeon, disclosing the whole matter. The operation took place on the 7th November. About half an hour beforehand, Dr. H. J. Bigelow called for me, and said he wished me to be on the spot, in case it should be determined to admit me. After remaining in the ante-room for some time, it was resolved by the surgeons to permit the experiment, and I administered the ether with perfect success. This was the first case of amputation. I will also remark, that Dr. Jackson was absent from the city at this time, and knew nothing of the operation. On the 23d October, I saw Dr. Jackson for the first time since the interview last described I take my account of this interview from a memorandum made at the time, the accuracy of which is attested by two witnesses of the highest respectability who were present. He said he thought he would just look in, that he heard I was doing well with the On the 21st November, I administered the ether in ether, and learned from Mr. Eddy that I intended an operation for a tumor, at the Bromfield House, to take out a patent, and would make a good deal in the presence of a number of medical gentlemen, by it. I replied that it had been a cause of anxiety among whom I noticed Dr. Jackson. This was the and expense to me, but that I thought I should now first time he had seen it administered, and no one do well with it. He said he thought so too, and but myself had administered it in Boston or elsewhere, that he believed he must make me a professional to my knowledge. In this instance Dr. Jackson apcharge for advice. I asked him why in this case, peared merely as a spectator. On the 2d of Janumore than in any other case of his advice, arising ary, 1847, he did the first act indicating to the sur out of our previous relations, as mentioned at the geons that he had any interest in the subject. On opening of this memoir. He said that his advice that day he called at the hospital with some oxygen gas had been useful to me, that I should make a good as an antidote for asphyxia, which he heard was prodeal out of the patent, and that I ought to make duced by the ether. But before this time the surhim a compensation. I told him I would do so if geons had satisfied themselves that asphyxia was not I made much by the patent, independent of what I produced. With the single exception of an intimagained in my business. He then said he should tion to Dr. Warren, which was after its establishment charge me $500. I told him I would pay him that, if at the hospital, and which appears in his communiten per cent. on the nett profits of the patent amount-cation, none of the surgeons or other persons engaged ed to so much. He said he was perfectly satisfied in these experiments had received any idea, from Dr. with this arrangement, and so the interview ended. Jackson himself, or from his conduct, that he was The next morning he told Mr. R. H. Eddy in any way connected with this discovery, responsible what had passed, and two or three days afterwards for the use of the preparation, entitled to the credit Mr. Eddy suggested to me that instead of paying of its success, or liable to the odium of its failure.* [* See ante, p. 543.] [* By referring to the caption of this memoir, and to the If death or serious injury had occurred to any one, | such as fairly illustrate the history of this demonDr. Jackson could not have been in the least degree stration. If these have any bearing upon the claims implicated. It was not until danger was over, and of others, I am entitled to the benefit of the effect. success certain, until the discovery had arrested the But this memoir is not intended to present the attention of the world, until the formidable opposi- whole of my comparative rights, as against the tion of the dentists and of all the medical maga- claims of Dr. Jackson or Dr. Wells. If a tribuzines and societies in other places had become pow-nal were opened for such a discussion, I would erless, that Dr. Jackson began to involve himself in it, and that his claim to have anticipated the effects, and communicated them to me, was brought forward. On the 19th October, as soon as I felt confident of success, I addressed a note to my former partner, Dr. Wells, informing him of what I had done, and asking him to come to Boston and assist me in bringing the discovery into use in dentistry. He replied by the letter in the appendix, of Oct. 20, 1846. He came to Boston, saw several experiments in my office, expressed himself alarmed, said I should kill some one yet, and break myself up in my business. He left abruptly, but without intimating a claim to the discovery, although he could recognize the ether, and was freely told that it was ether. I have also the authority of Dr. Warren and Dr. Hayward, for saying that no allusion was made by Dr. Wells to ether, to their knowledge, when he made his experiment in Boston, in 1844-5. I am aware that a communication to an institution whose objects are scientific, and not personal, gives me no right to argue the question of my own claim to a discovery, in opposition to the claims of others. I have endeavored to state no facts but first column of p. 543, the reader will be reminded that this statement is authorized by the surgeons. It is also fully borne out by the trustees in their report.] See ante, p. 554, Dr. Wells' letter.] See ante, pp. 554-5, Mr. R. H. Eddy's letter.] ILLNESS AND DEATH OF JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. THE Correspondent of the New York Express, in a letter dated Washington, 21st Feb., 1848, says, that while a question was being taken upon giving the thanks of congress to Generals Quitman, Shields, Smith, and Pillow, Mr. Adams was observed by those sitting in close proximity, to be apparently losing his strength. His right hand was reaching over his desk, and his lips in motion, as if struggling to address the speaker. most cheerfully prepare for the hearing, and submit myself to the judgment, of any enlightened umpire. I have proposed such a course to Dr. Jackson, who has declined it. In justice to myself, I should say, that I took out my patent early, before I realized how extensively useful the discovery would be, and beside the motive of profit and remuneration to myself, I was advised that it would be well to restrain so powerful an agent, which might be employed for the most nefarious purposes. I gave free rights to all charitable institutions, and offered to sell the right to surgeons and physicians for a very small price, such as no one could object to paying, and reasonably to dentists. I had little doubt that the proper authorities would take it out of private hands, if the public good required it, making the discoverer, who had risked reputation, and sacrificed time and money, such a compensation as justice required.* But as the use has now become general and almost necessary, I have long since abandoned the sale of rights, and the public use the ether freely, and I believe I am the only person in the world to whom this discovery has, so far, been a pecuniary loss. Most respectfully, your obedient servant, W. T. G. MORTON. Boston, (U. S. A.,) July 31, 1847. [* Provision was made accordingly in all the sales of rights made by Dr. Morton. See P. 551.] his compatriots, in a letter to your readers, and in an hour or two has come this sudden change in the appearance and prospects of the distinguished man. Half-past one. The senate have just adjourned. Mr. Benton communicated to the senate notice of the sudden illness of Mr. Adams, and moved the adjournment. Quarter to two.—Mr. Adams has several physicians with him, but exhibits no signs of returning consciousness. The report is that he is sinking. The members of the house rose instantly from Two o'clock.-Mr. Giddings informs me that their seats, and great excitement pervaded the hall; he shows signs of life. His face is much distorted -the house adjourned. Mr. Adams was borne with the marks of the struggle incident to his atfrom the hall of the house by several of the mem-tack in the house. He has just now attempted to bers, first into the rotunda, and afterwards into the speak, but cannot articulate a word. Under medspeaker's room. ical advice he has submitted to leeching. Mr. Adams said but yesterday, to one of his friends, that he should not live the session out. He was apparently quite well a moment before, and conversed freely with his friends. During the morning he was complying with the request of one who had asked him for a piece of poetry, and had finished it after the house met. (It was half-past one when he was attacked.) Half-past two.—Mrs. Adams and daughter are with him, and Mr. A. is no worse. The reports, however, are quite contradictory, and many despair of his recovery. Three o'clock.-None but the physicians and family are present, and the reports again become more and more doubtful. The physicians say that Mr. Adams may not live more than an hour, or he may live two or three days. Just a moment before the attack, he had signed his name twice for members, who had asked his His right side is wholly paralyzed, and the left autograph. The marked and general respect not under control, there being continually involunshown for Mr. Adams, was one of the agreeable tary motions of the muscles. Everything which reminiscences of this sad event. I was speculat-medical aid can do has been done for his relief. ing only this morning upon his age, and those of Briefly, just now, by close attention, he seemed anxious to "thank the officers of the house." Newburyport, long the eminent chief justice of Then again he was heard to say, "composed," Massachusetts. "this is the last of earth." There was a struggle to speak and again a relapse. Mr. Adams lay in the speaker's room apparently unconscious till the 23d. Congress daily met to adjourn. On the 23d he died. In 1794, John Quincy Adams being then 26 years old, was appointed, by Washington, minister of the United States at the Hague; and in the ensuing year, upon an intimation that he was disposed to renounce his station and return to his country and profession, Gen. Washington thus wrote to old John Adams: he is not found at the head of the diplomatic corps, be the government administered by whomsoever the people may choose." From the New York Courier and Enquirer, 25 Feb., 1848. PHILADELPHIA, 20th Aug., 1794. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS is no more-He died in MR. JOHN ADAMS-Your son must not think of the capitol, in the armor he had so long and so retiring from the walk he is now in. His prospects, honorably worn-on the field of his service and his if he pursues it, are fair; and I shall be much misfame-in face of his country and of heaven-with-taken if, in as short a time as can well be expected, out fear and without reproach: and there survives not, among the tens of millions of freemen who inhabit this republic-which almost from his cradle to his grave he has so ably and faithfully Gen. Washington confirmed this favorable, and, served, and which he has seen grow, from a grain as subsequent events have abundantly proved, the of mustard seed, into the wide spreading and shel- just estimate of the talents and character of the tering tree which we now behold and glory in-young diplomatist, by appointing him, in 1796, there survives not one of wider and more diversified minister of the United States to the Court of Prusknowledge, of purer heart, of warmer patriotism. sia, and in that country he resided many years; He has died as it was meet for such a man to and until the close of his illustrious father's presdie; as, if he could have controlled the event, he idential term. He then returned home, and was would doubtless himself have desired to die-in chosen a senator of the United States from Massathe faithful and assiduous discharge, to the last, chusetts. While holding this high station, he was of a high public trust. elected professor of rhetoric and belles-lettres in the Harvard University, and actively and ably and faithfully discharged the duties of that professorship. Mr. Adams was born in 1767, and consequently was at his decease in his eighty-second year. In 1778 he may be said to have begun his eventful public career at 11 years of age-which has been followed until more than four-score years have passed over his honored head. In February of that year he embarked in the small frigate Boston, with his father, just appointed by the continental congress commissioner to France. The British fleets on the coast were watching for this "emissary," as John Adams was considered, and hoping to intercept him, and to be able to cut short his revolutionary career, as they had that of Colonel Laurens, of S. C., by imprisonment in the Tower. A fierce tempest, in the course of which the Boston was struck with lightning, swept them off from the American coast and beyond the reach of those lying in wait for them; and thus commenced a public life, long drawn out, and which has survived many storms, and which has been the witness of more, and more extraordinary, political revulsions and results than ever before, probably, were crowded within the sphere of one existence -and the part which Mr. Adams has played in many of these results will connect his name with them forever. John Q. Adams embraced the opportunities of a good education presented by his father's residence in Europe. He went to St. Petersburg, when only 14 years of age, as private secretary to the then American minister there, and after remaining abroad some years, he returned home, entered Harvard University, and was graduated with honor in 1787-after which he became a law student with the distinguished Theophilus Parsons of In 1809, Mr. Adams was appointed, by President Madison, minister plenipotentiary of the United States to Russia. This is the period of his life which will most divide the judgment of posterity; for here it was that, having separated from early political friends, and denouncing men and their motives, with whom he had long appeared to act in harmony, he seemed to be receiving reward from his former opponents. Ours is not the pen, nor this the occasion, to revive the bitter feuds of that day-the memory and almost the passions of which, reach even unto this; but in purporting to present a sketch of the life of this venerable man, it did not seem possible to omit allusion to what possibly gave a coloring to the public acts of that life. Mr. Adams was still American minister at St. Petersburg when the war of 1812 occurred, and his watchful patriotism left no effort untried that could promote the success, or encourage the zeal, of his countrymen in that war; and it was mainly owing to his enterprise that the friendly mediation of Russia in the controversy was eventually brought about. When it was finally agreed that commissioners should be named on the part of the United States and of Great Britain to treat of peace, Mr. Adams was associated with Mr. Clay, Mr. Gallatin and Mr. Russell, as such commissioners. They met first at Gottenburg, we believe. The seat of negotiation was transferred to Ghent, where was concluded the treaty that terminated the war with Great Britain. At its close Mr. Adams was transferred, as minister plenipotentiary, from St. Petersburg to London, and there it was the fortune of the writer of these sad remi niscences, to be admitted to his intimacy and to | tled faith, and immortal hopes. Words which live much in his society-a society which no one could only be suggested by a conscience at ease at all imbued with any love of letters, or open to the attractions of a pure and simple life, could frequent without being wiser and better for it. Mr. Adams was recalled from his mission in London, by President Monroe, to become the secretary of state. His conduct of that department, is among the brightest portions of our archives. In 1825 the house of representatives of the United States, on the failure of an election by the people, chose Mr. Adams president of the United States, and an honester, more single-minded, more disinterested, more patriotic chief magistrate, no country ever prospered under. with itself-for which reflection upon the past had no regrets, and for which the future had no terrors. They were the dying words of a Christian, philosopher and statesman. From the Washington Correspondent of the Boston Courier. Mr. Adams sinks behind the horizon of life with all eyes turned towards his setting. What a glorious reputation does he leave behind him! Among all the men in Washington, of whatever shade of opinion, not one is to be found who will refuse to accord to him entire purity of character, and perfect integrity of purpose. He is universally beWe would not, in such a paper as this, utter lieved to have performed every public act of his what might seem disrespectful to the people of the long life, with a conscientious regard to his conUnited States-yet we must, as the sober convic-victions of duty, unswerved by public clamor, and tion of our judgment, declare that, if Mr. Adams unswayed by party zeal. His private life is free had been less a patriot and more a partisan, he from every taint of suspicion. No excesses of might possibly have been reëlected for a second youth, no vices of manhood, no frailties of age, are term. But on that score he was uncompromising even imputed to him. He has passed every ordeal, and inflexible-and it is within our knowledge and comes out at the last, unsuspected of any act that, to a person representing to him that prominent officers of the federal government were using the influence of their stations against him, he replied, "I only ask, are they faithful officers? If they do their duty to their country, and fulfil the obligations of their office, I seek to inquire no further-and if I cannot conduct my administration on these principles, I am content to go back to Quincy." He did go back to Quincy, and with a conscience void of offence-with patriotism unsullied by corruption-and the people have since had partisans for their presidents. After two years, having retired from the presidency in 1831, Mr. Adams was chosen to represent the congressional district in which Quincy is situated; and he continued, by successive and almost unanimous elections, to be such representative to the hour of his death. inconsistent with the character of an honest and conscientious man. And not only is Mr. Adams regarded as one of the purest, but as the most learned and the ablest, of modern statesmen. He is considered as great as he is pure. These are the impressions which fill the public mind in Washington, as Mr. Adams passes away from the scenes of his labors. New England may well be proud of having produced such a man. She has not only been benefitted by his services, her character is elevated by his virtues. The free states will never know the full extent of their obligations to him for his exertions in the cause of freedom, for they will never fully realize the immense moral effect upon the south, of his efforts in behalf of the right of petition, and the rights of an oppressed race. From the Salem Register. and Of his congressional career, as of his career as president, we say, with entire confidence, that it was JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.-In his 81st year, honest, fearless, disinterested and high-principled. in the midst of his official duties, John Quincy His knowledge was most comprehensive-his mem- Adams closes his earthly career. From the craory tenacious-his elocution forcible and finished; dle to the grave, his whole life has passed in the and under a cold exterior, his nature was so ear- exercise of the highest trusts, the most honored nest as to lend the greatest animation to his rea- stations, and the most exalted duties-unscathed, soning, and, at times, almost fierceness to his unsuspected, and unalloyed. No life was ever invective. more wholly and exclusively devoted to his country But that tongue is now silent in death-that than his has been; no trusts were ever more hontrembling hand-the index of anything but a trem-orably fulfilled. His administration will ever be bling heart is at rest. A whole people mourns held up as the model administration for a republia great man and a great benefactor dead. The can government; and history will trace, to its congress of the nation-with reverence meet, and sympathy which all hearts acknowledge and approve-have paid the highest tribute to such worth and services, by abstaining from their daily labors in the capitol, while his mortal agony was yet prolonged beneath its dome. close, the commencement of those measures which will eventually overturn our liberties, as they have already done our constitution. Our country was too far gone in corruption to sustain a perfectly pure administration, and Mr. Adams lost his office because he would not violate its duties. Thor"This is the last of earth-and I am content," oughly imbued with the principles of the constituwere the sublime words, which the latest utterance tion, and perfectly acquainted with the duties of of this "old man eloquent" gave to his country- his station, he lost the office of president because men-words denoting foregone reflection, and set- he would not pander to party and associate with corruption. Had he consented to intrigue, he to pass resolutions implying a disapprobation of his course, with the same instinctive delicacy with which he had resigned his mission to Berlin, he relinquished his seat in the United States Senate. He was soon, however, called to represent the nation at the court of St. Petersburg, where he obtained the utmost distinction and influence, from which resulted the intervention of Russia and the commission to Ghent, of which he was the head, and which terminated in the treaty of peace with Great Britain. After the peace he was appointed embassador to the court of St. James, and from the duties of this mission he was recalled to enter the department of state, over which he presided during the whole administration of Mr. Monroe. Whilst at Russia, he was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of the United States, but he declined accepting the post. His diplomatic despatches, as minister and secretary of state, are models for statesmen of all ages. Mr. Adams was descended from the noblest stock-the nobles of nature. His mother was one of the first women of her age, and his father the father of our liberties and constitution-in the He was elected to succeed Mr. Monroe as presemphatic language of Jefferson, "the Colossus of ident of the United States. His administration of congress, the pillar of support to the Declaration the presidency was a perfect illustration of the of Independence, and its ablest advocate and de- principles of our constitution, and of a republic fender." The son was a legitimate scion of this purely and faithfully governed. In the defeat he noble stock. Cradled in the revolution, and nursed sustained when a candidate for reëlection, there is by liberty and patriotism, at nine years of age he demonstration that no other than a party governheard the Declaration of Independence first read ment can be maintained in this country, and that from the Old State House in Boston, and imbibed the tinsel glare of martial show, and the exhibition all its principles. At twelve, he accompanied his of that most common quality, courage, will outfather to Europe, when he sailed on the mission to weigh the highest qualifications and a whole life make peace with the mother country. After devoted to civil public services. After again spending several years in Europe, attending some returning to private life, he was elected for eight of their literary institutions, and acting in some or nine successive terms as representative in consubordinate diplomatic stations, at twenty years of gress from his district, taking his seat in 1831, age he had returned home, and taken his degree only two years after he left the presidential chair. at the university in Cambridge. He studied the But for his independence and want of subserviency, profession of law with Chief Justice Parsons, at the senate of the United States would have been Newburyport, and commenced the practice in again honored by his presence, and our state would Boston. Here he wrote several papers in the have enrolled his name on the list of her governBoston Centinel, under the signature of "PUBLI-ors. In congress he has been the most attentive COLA," vindicating the course of Washington and member-not only in his seat, but at the head of the proclamation of neutrality. He was soon after the arduous committees on which, from time to sent to the Hague and Berlin on diplomatic mis- time, he has been placed— sions. These he executed with such fidelity as to elicit Washington's testimony that he was the most useful public minister of the nation. At the defeat of his father and the accession of Mr. Jefferson to the presidency, he resigned his office as minister to Berlin, though urged by Mr. Jefferson to retain his post. But a sensitive delicacy would not suffer it. He again returned to Boston and resumed his profession. He was soon, however, elected to the senate of Massachusetts, and in 1806 became Boylston professor of rhetoric and oratory in the university. In his lectures at Cambridge, he was most popular. He also, for five years, represented Massachusetts in the United States Senate. In the conscientious discharge of his duties as senator, he gave support to some of the measures of Mr. Jefferson, although he had been the successful opponent of his father, and he differed in his opinions from his colleague. Amidst the faithless, faithful found, On Mr. Adams' accession to the presidency, all his predecessors, except Washington, survived, and at the time of his decease, all his predeces sors and his immediate successor have passed away. As a controversial writer, no man of the age could cope with him; and all who dared to measure a lance with him were not only unhorsed, but slain. His habits were pure, simple, and unostentatious even to awkwardness. He always arose before day, and, when in health, made his own fire. He used great exercise, and was peculiarly fond of bathing and swimming. No one ever was more industrious, or sacrificed less of his time. He was one of the most prolific writers of the age. His journal, which he kept from early life, and The legislature of his state having thought fit which embodies all his conversations with distin |
