Edward L. Pierce, Memoir and letters of Charles Sumner: volume 4

‘ [170] also to Quincy, except that every evening I have been with my poor brother, who now is visibly passing away, so that I was obliged to forego all the gratification of society. During the last week my brother has failed constantly; he can no longer converse, but simply says a few words. It seems as if the thread of life cannot spin for many days, even if it can for hours.’ Charles was at the bedside at the final moment, and wrote the next day to Mr. Waterston: ‘My poor brother was at last released from his trials yesterday afternoon, and we shall bury him from my mother's house to-morrow at two o'clock precisely. You and Mrs. Waterston were always kind to him and to me. The funeral will be private; but I should be sorry if friends like you should not be informed of the time. If I could reach Mr. Josiah Quincy, I should let him know also.’ Of the five brothers, Charles alone remained; but his mother and his sister Julia were still living.

Sumner was pressed to address political meetings during the autumn in New England and the West. A letter of great urgency, signed by Senators Preston King and Harris, Thurlow Weed, Governor Morgan, and Hiram Barney, besought him to give several addresses in the State of New York; he was asked to preside at the Republican State convention in Massachusetts. These requests were declined, and engagements to deliver a lecture were given up on account of the critical condition of his brother's health.