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

[594] speedy return to specie payments, he emphasized as at other times his weariness. Later, during the same evening, the pains on the chest returned to some extent, and his physician being sent for he slept after the usual remedies, and felt on awaking less of reaction than usually followed them. Mr. A. B. Johnson, who had been his guest for some days, said:—

At breakfast [Tuesday] he was more than usually genial. It was his custom to occupy himself with his mail on its arrival, but this morning it filed to come for nearly an hour after its usual time. Of all the breakfasts we had together for the past years, I remember none so pleasant. Waiting for the mail, his conversation was naturally desultory. It touched on many topics; he spoke of many persons, of various events, and always in a kindly, genial, pleasant tone.

He was greatly wrought up on the last two days of his going to the Senate by the report that Baez, who was already in New York, was to receive a complimentary dinner in Boston. He wrote letters to F. W. Bird, Governor Claflin, and E. L. Pierce, expressing indignation that a testimony of honor to the Dominican adventurer was possible. These were his last letters; and when they were received, the hand that traced them was lifeless. The dinner, for which arrangements had been made, did not take place.¹ Though his physician was reluctant to have him leave the house on Tuesday, the 10th, he went to the Senate, fearing that his absence would start a report of his illness in the news-papers, and wishing particularly to be present on that day, as Mr. Boutwell, not yet fully recovered, was to come to the Senate for the express purpose of presenting the rescinding resolution. He was in his seat when, during the morning hour, about 12.30 P. M., his colleague presented it.² Though senators and spectators turned their eyes to him, he seemed unconcerned; but he was so only in appearance, for the occasion was to him an event, and deeply moved him. This was the last matter in the proceedings of the Senate to which he gave attention. He received at once congratulations from senators on this testimony of his State. He went to the seat of Mr. Boutwell, who had risen to