%^> ,//. ^^1^ a- -w^fl*-*"^ y U?. 7 ^_^ 7 A BRIEF ACCOUNT WHICH PREVAILED IN PHILADELPHIA, ZH THB YEAR 1793: Statement of tfte iitroceeWnss THAT TOOK PLACE ON THE SUBJECT, IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE UNITED STATES. UY M, CAR^Y. FIFTH EDITION, IMPROVED. PHILADELPHIA: CLARK & RASER, PRINTERS, 33 CARTERS ALLEY. 1830. 3 Q MOXOMHSVM oghi ciaasno AHVHflll IVJICI3l\ Al\HV / A BRIEF ACCOUNT WHICH PREVAILED IN PHILADELPHIA, IN THE YEAH 1793: - WITH A Statement of tfie iiroceemngs THAT TOOK PLACE ON-THE SUBJECT, IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE UNITED STATES BY M. CAREY. I IFTH EDITIOPf, IMPROVE!' SHILABELPHLA: CLARK A RASKR. PRINTERS, 33 CARTER'S ALLEY. 18,-n. Ar a meeting of the citizens ol Philadelphia, the Vrtiiom Liberties, and District of Southwark, assembled on Saturd.iy, the ,!2d daj of March, \7'J4, at the City Up 11. for the purpose of taking into consideration the report of their commiUre, appointed to prepare an instrument expressive of the most cordial, gra^f'ul. and fraternal thanks of the citizens of Philadelphia, to their Committee of Health, for the important, hazardous, and successful services by them rendered, daring the calamity that lately ufll.ctcd the city and liber- ties, the following form was unanimously adoptod and agreed to: Whereas it hath pleased the ^upreme'Rulcr and ('. >vernorof the Universe to permit, during the months of August. September, and October last, a most dreadful visitation or epidemic malady to aflliot the city and liberties of Phi- ladelphia, in such manner that it is supposed that not less than live thousand of the inhabitants thereof have fallen victims to the samo: and wheiena the following citizens of Philadelphia, as guardionsof the poor, to wit, James Wil- son, Jacob Jenkins, and IVilliam Sansom; and the following pc-ons, as a committee of health, to wit, Matt >r.v> Clarkson, Stephen <,>rard. John l.rtch- worth, John Hawor'h, Thomas Save.ry, Henry Deforest, Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant. Caleb Lowndes, Peter Jlrlm, Jtimrs Krrr, James Swninc. Jamb Hitman, John Connelly, Dan/ii Offley, Thomas Wistar, Israt, Israel, Jonas Sharswood, Mathew Carey, Samuel Ilrngc, rfndrcw Jdgatr, and Jostpli Ins- keep; snd the following persons, members of the Assistant Committee of Health, in the Northern Liberties and district of Southwark, to wit, II illiam P. Spragues, IVilliam Gregory, John Burns, Jacob Winncmore, and Shubart .Qrmitage; totally disregarding their own personal preservation, and only in- tent on arresting the progress of the malignant disorder, with a magnanimity and patriotism meriting tho highest eulogiums, stood forth, and by every ge- nerous and endearing exertion, preserved the lives of many of their fellow ci- tizens from death, by conveying them to a suiliihlo hospital which they had provided at Bushhill for their reception ; where, under the meritorious exer- tions and peculiar care of Stephen Girard and Peter Helm, two of the citizens above named, every possible comfort was provided for the sick, and decent burial for those whom their efforts could not preserve from the ravages "f 'he prevailing distemper. In order, thci-cfore, to pt.rpeLnate the n.omory of such distinguished usefulness to dif-'taut times, and to serve as an example and en- couragement to others to emulate the like beneficent virtues, should itrvcr unfortunately again become necessary to practise them:—the citizens of Philadelphia, the districts of Southwark and Northern Liberties, do, bv this instrument, present to the above named William Sanson*, a-, a guardim of the poor; to the above named Matthew Clarkson, Caleb Lowndes, Thomaa Wistar, Stephen Girard, Peter Holm, Israel Israel, John Lelchworth, James Kerr, James Sharswood, John llaworth, James Swaine, Mathew Carey, Tho- mas Savery, Jacob Witman, Samuel Benge, Henry Deforest, and John Con- nelly, as a Committee of Health; and to the above named William l\ Spragues, William Gregory, Joseph Burns, Jacob Wmnemorc, and Shubart Armitage, a6 members of the Assistant Committee of Health; their most cor- dial, grateful, and fraternal thanks, for their benevolent and patriotic exer- tions in relieving the miseries of Buffering humanity on the late occasion. And as Andrew Adgatc, Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant, Joseph Inskeep, and Daniel Offley, members of the Committee of Health; and James Wilson and Jacob Jenkins, members of the Assistant Committee of Health, unfortunately fell victims to their generous exertions for the preservation of the inhabi- tants, it is hoped that their great services will be held in everlasting remem- brance by the citizens, to whose welfare they so nobly devoted themselves, even unto death; and that this will be evidenced on all proper occasions, in & suitable attention to their surviving relatives. Ordered, That a copy of this instrument be duly engrossed- upon parch- ment, signed by the Chairman of the meeting, and presented to each of the persons above named, and to the representatives of the deceased overseers of the poor and members of the committees above numed, to remain with them as a memorial of the sense their fellow citizens entertain of the services rendered them, during the late dreadful calamity. MarcW&d, 1704. Tho. M'Keah, Chairman SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE MALIGNANT FEVER, PREVALENT IN THE YEAR 1793, IN THE CITV OF PHILADELPHIA. PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. Philadelphia, November 13, 1793. The favourable reception given to the very imperfect account »-:~v, t lately published, and the particular desire 'uced me to undertake a more satisfactory *...— ry • to collect together, while facts are recent, as many of the most interesting occurrences of this awful visitation as I could, for the information of the public. I have not attempted any embellishment or ornament of stylej but have merely aimed at telling plain facts in plain language. I have taken every precaution to arrive at the truthj and hope the errors in the account will not be found numerous. For the desultory plan of some part of the pamphlet, I have to offer the following apologyj many of the circumstances and reflections towards the conclusion, which appertained with more propriety to the beginning, did not occur, until some of the first half sheets were not only written, but printed. I had no choice, therefore, but either to omit them, or place them somewhat out of order. I preferred the latter. A large portion of the facts mentioned have fallen under my own observation. Those of a different description, I have been assiduous to collect from every person of credibility, possessed of information. Desirous of having this account correct and complete, I have printed off but a small number of copies of the present edition: and shall esteem myself most particularly obliged to any person who will be so kind to point out errors, to be corrected in, or B X PREFACE. surest facts, to be added to, a new edition, which I propose to put to press very soon, and which will, I hope, be found more ample than the present one. PREPACK TO THE SECOND EDITION.* November 23, 179.'.. Whf.v I published the first edition of this pamphlet, it was my intention to have greatly enlarged it for a second one, and to have new-modelled it, so as to preserve a connexion between its several parts, in which it is extremely deficient. But its speedy sale, and the demand for more copies, render it ")■..,. .> sible for me to do more, at present, than make such corrections as the kindness of a few friends has led them to point out. In giving an account of the proceedings that took place on ^ the subject of the disorder, throughout the union, I have sup- pressed many a harsh comment, which was forcing itself on me; from the reflection, that in similar circumstances, we i"ig'-' perhaps have been equally severe. And to perpetuate animo- sities, is performing a very unfriendly office. They are easily generated; but their extinction is a work of time and difficulty. Let us, therefore, (especially when we " hold the mirror up to nature" at home,) not only forgive, but even forget, if possible, all the unpleasant treatment our citizens have experienced. I have heard more than one person object to the. account of the shocking circumstances that occurred in Philadelphia, as portraying the manners of the people in an unfavourable light. If that be the case, the fault is not mine. I am conscious I have not exaggerated the matter. But I do not conceive it can have that effect; for it would be as unjust as injudicious to draw the character of Philadelphia from the proceedings of a period of horror and affright, when all the " mild charities of social life" were suppressed by regard for seM*, as to stamp eternal infamy on a nation, for the atrocities perpetrated in times of civil broils, when all the " angry passions" are roused into dreadful and ferocious activity. • A large portion of this edition was sent to Europe, chiefly by merchants and traders, to their correspondents, to justify, by the calamitoua state of affairs and the consequent suspension of business, the failure of remittance!. Besides thoso sent with such views, numbers were sent to friends abroad for the ervification of their curiosity. PREFACE. XI PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION. November 30, 1793. This pamphlet comes before the public a third time, and, in some measure, in a new form. I have reduced it to as me- thodical a state, as in my power, but not as much so as I could wish, nor, I fear, as the reader may expect. To one merit only do I lay claim in the compilation; that is, of having meant well. If, on a fair perusal, the candid allow that claim, I shall be satisfied to have the execution censured with all the seve- rity of which criticism is capable. However, I beg leave to inform the reader, that this day ends one month, since the writing of the pamphlet commenced. I know that the short- ness of the time employed, is no justification of a bad "perform- ance ; but it may somewhat extenuate the defects of a mid- dling one. I have found several objections made to parts of it. Most of them I have removed. Some few, resting on the sentiments of individuals, directly contrary to my own judgment, I have passed over. For, until my reason is convinced, I cannot change my opinion for that of any person whatever. To those gentlemen who have been so kind to furnish me with facts to enlarge and improve the work, I profess myself under great obligations. I request them to continue their kindness; as, if public favour should give this trifle a fourth edition, I shall add all that may oe communicated in the in- terim; otherwise I shall probably publish separately what may be worthy of the public eye. PREFACE TO THE FOURTH EDITION. Jan. 16, 1794. The uncommon degree of favour which this pamphlet has experienced, has impressed me with lively sentiments of grati- tude. As the only proper return in my power, I have, in each successive edition, used every endeavour to improve it. In the number of victims to the late calamity, there were many strangers,—among whom were probably some, bv whose XII PREFACE. death, estates have fallen to heirs at a distance. It being, there- fore, of great importance to extend and improve the list of the dead, and to remedy the extreme inaccuracy of the sextons' re- turns, I employed suitable persons to go through the city and liberties, and make inquiry at every house, without exception, for the names and occupations of the dead. The disobliging temper of some, and the fears of others, that an improper use would be made of the information they could have given, have, in various instances, defeated my purpose. Imperfect, how- ever, as the list still remains, I hope it will be found useful in removing anxious doubts, and conveying to persons in different countries, the melancholy information of the decease of rela- tives, which, but for such a channel of communication, would, in many cases, be difficult, if not impossible to acquire for years to come.* * The list here referred to, contained nearly 2,500 names, but is omitted in this fifth edition as no longer nocossary. March 1, 1830. A SHORT ACCOUNT, &c. CHAPTER I. State of Philadelphia previous to the appearance of the Malignant Fever—with a few observations on some of the consequences of that calamity. Before I enter on the consideration of this disorder, it may not be improper to offer a few introductory remarks on the si- tuation of Philadelphia previous to its commencement, which will reflect light on some of the circumstances mentioned in the course of the narrative. The manufactures, trade, and commerce of this city, had, for a considerable time, been improving and extending with great rapidity. From the period of the adoption of the federal go- vernment, at which time America was at the lowest ebb of dis- tress, her situation had progressively become more and more prosperous. Confidence, formerly banished, was universally re- stored. Property of every kind rose to, and in many instances beyond, its real value: and a few revolving years exhibited the interesting spectacle of a young country, with a new form of government, emerging from a state which had approached very near to anarchy, and acquiring all the stability and nerve of the best-toned and oldest nations. In this prosperity, which revived the almost extinguished hopes of four millions of people, Philadelphia participated in an eminent degree. Numbers of new houses, in almost every street, built in a very neat, elegant style, adorned, at the same time that they greatly enlarged, the city. Its population was extending fast. House-rent had risen to an extravagant height; it was in many cases double, and in some treble what it had been a year or two before; and, as is generally the case, when a city is advancing in prosperity, it far exceeded the real in- crease of trade. The number of applicants for houses, exceed- ing the number of houses to be let, one bid over another; and affairs were in such a situation, that many people, though they / II AccciM or mi: fi.veh of 1793. had a tolerable run of business, could hardly do more than clear their rents, and were, literally, toiling for their landlords alone Luxury, the usual, and perhaps inevitable concomitant of pros- perity, was gaining ground in a manner very alarming to those who considered how far the virtue, the liberty, and the happi- ness of a nation depend on its temperance and sober manners. Many of our citizens had been, for some time, in the imprudent habit of regulating their expenses by prospects formed in san- guine hours, when every probability was caught at as a cer- tainty, not by their actual profits, or income. The number of coaches, coachees, chairs, kc, lately set up by men in the mid- dle rank of life, is hardly credible. Not to enter into a minute detail, let it suffice to remark, that extravagance, in various forms, was gradually eradicating the plain and wholesome ha- bits of the city. However, from November, 1792, to the end of last June, the difficulties of Philadelphia were extreme. The establishment of the Bank of Pennsylvania, in embryo for the most part of that time, had arrested in the two other banks such a quantity of the circulating specie, as embarrassed almost every kind of business; to this was added the distress arising from the very numerous failures in England, which had extremely harassed several of our capital merchants. During this period, many men experienced as great difficulties as were ever known in this city.* But the commencement, in July, of the operations of the Bank of Pennsylvania, conducted on the most generous and enlarged principles, placed business on its former favoura- ble footing. Every man looked forward to the coming autumn as likely to produce a vast extension of trade. But how fleeting are all human views! how uncertain all plans founded on earth- ly appearances! All these flattering prospects vanished " like the baseless fabric of a vision." In July, arrived the unfortunate fugitives from Cape Fran- cois. And on this pecasion, the liberality of Philadelphia was displayed in a most respectable point of light. Nearly 12,000 dollars were in a few days collected for their relief. Little * It is with great pleasure, I embrace this opportunity of declaring, that the very liberal conduct of the Bank of the United States, at this trying sea- son, was the means of saving many a deserving and industrious man from rum .N.j similar institution was ever conducted on a more favourable, and at the same Unic.pruJLnt plan, than thii bank adopted at Hit time here men tioncd ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. 15 alas! did many of the contributors, then in easy circumstances, imagine, that a few weeks would leave their wives and children dependent on public charity, as has since unfortunately happen- ed:—an awful instance of the rapid and warning vicissitudes of affairs on this transitory stage. About this time, the destroying scourge, the malignant fever, crept in among us, and nipped in the bud the fairest blossoms that imagination could form. And oh! what a dread- ful contrast has since taken place! Many women, then in the lap of ease and contentment, are bereft of beloved husbands, and left with numerous families of children to maintain, un- qualified for the arduous task—many orphans are destitute of parents to foster and protect them—many entire families are swept away, without leaving " a trace behind"—many of our first commercial houses are totally dissolved, by the death of the parties, and their affairs are necessarily left in so deranged a state, that the losses and distresses which must take place, are beyond estimation.* * It cannot be improper to state some of the effects of this calamity beyond the sacrifice of life, so far as trade and commerce are concerned. The pro- tests of notes for a few weeks past, have exceeded all former examples; for a great proportion of the merchants and traders having left the city, and been totally unable, from the stagnation of business, and the diversion of their ex- pected resources, to make any provision for payment, most of their notes have been protested, as they became due. The Bank of the United States, on the 15th of October, passed a resolve, empowering the cashier to renew all dis- counted notes, when the same drawers and indorsers were offered, and de- claring that no notes should be protested when the indorsers bound them- selves in writing, to be accountable in the same manner as in cases of pro- test. The disadvantages resulting from this visitation extended far beyond Philadelphia. Many parts of Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Georgia, exclusive of the back settlements of Penn- sylvania, and the western states, drew their supplies, if not wholly, at least principally, from Philadelphia, which was in general the mart whither they sent their produce. Cut off from this quarter, their merchants have had to seek out other markets, which being unprepared for such an increased de- mand, their supplies have been imperfect; and, owing to the briskness of the sales, the prices have been, naturally enough, very considerably enhanced. Besides, they went to places in which their credit was not established—and had in most cases to advance cash. And many country dealers have had no opportunity of sending their produce to market, which has consequently re- mained unsold. Business, therefore, has languished in many parts of the union; and it is probable, that, considering the matter merely in a commer- cial point of light, the shock caused by the fever, has been felt far to the south and west of this State. 10 ACOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. CHAPTER II. Symptoms—a slight Sketch of the Mode of Treatment. " The symptoms which characterized the first stage of the fever, were, in the greatest number of cases, after a chilly fit of some duration, a quick, tense pulse—hot skin—pain in the head, back, and limbs—flushed countenance—inflamed eye—moist tongue—oppression and sense of soreness at the stomach, espe- cially upon pressure—frequent sick qualms, and retchings to vomit, without discharging any thing, except the contents last taken into the stomach—costiveness, &c. And when stools were procured, the first generally showed a defect of bile, or an obstruction to its entrance into the intestines. But brisk purges generally altered this appearance. " These symptoms generally continued with more or less vio- lence from one to three, four, or even five days; and then gra- dually abating, left the patient free from every complaint, ex- cept general debility. On the febrile symptoms suddenly sub- siding, they were immediately succeeded by a yellow tinge in the opaque cornea, or whites of the eyes—an increased oppres- sion at the przecordia—a constant puking of every thing taken into the stomach, with much straining, accompanied with a hoarse, hollow noise. "If these symptoms were not soon relieved, a vomiting of matter, resembling coffee grounds in colour and consistence, commonly called the black vomit, sometimes accompanied with, or succeeded by haemorrhages from the nose, fauces, gums, and other parts of the body—a yellowish purple colour, and putres- cent appearance of the whole body, hiccup, agitations, deep and distressed sighing, comatose delirium, and finally, death. When the disease proved fatal, it was generally between the fifth and eighth days. " This was the most usual progress of this formidable dis- ease, through its several stages. There were, however, very considerable variations in the symptoms, as well as in the dura- tion of its different stages, according to the constitution and temperament of the patient, the state of the weather, the man- ner of treatment, 8cc. ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. 17 w In some cases, signs of putrescency appeared at the begin- ning, or before the end of the third day. In these, the black vomiting, which was generally a mortal symptom, and univer- sal yellowness, appeared early. In these cases, also, a low deli- rium, and great prostration of strength, were constant symp- toms, and coma came on very speedily. " In some, the symptoms inclined more to the nervous than the inflammatory type. In these, the jaundiced colour of the eye and skin, and the black vomiting, were more rare. But in the majority of cases, particularly after the nights became sensibly cooler, all the symptoms indicated violent irritation and inflam- matory diathesis. In these cases, the skin was always dry, and the remissions very obscure. " The febrile symptoms, however, as has been already ob- served, either gave way.on the third, fourth, or fifth day$ find then the patient recovered; or they were soon after succeeded by a different, but much more dangerous train of symptoms, by debility, low pulse, cold skin, (which assumed a tawny colour, mixed with purple) black vomiting, haemorrhages, hiccup, anx- iety, restlessness, coma, &c. Many, who survived the eighth day, though apparently out of danger, died suddenly in conse- quence of an haemorrhage."* This disorder having been new to nearly all our physicians, it is not surprising, although it has been exceedingly fatal, that there arose such a discordance of sentiment on the proper mode of treatment, and even with respect to its name. Dr. Rush has acknowledged, with a candour that does him honour, that in the commencement, he so far mistook the nature of the disor- der, that.in his early essays, having depended on gentle purges of salts to purify the bowels of his patients, they all died. He then tried the mode of treatment adopted in the West Indies, viz. bark, wine, laudanum, and the cold bath, and failed in three cases out of four. Afterwards he had recourse to strong purges of calomel and jalap, and to bleeding, which he found attended with singular success. The honour of the first essay of mercury in this disorder, is by many ascribed to Dr. Hodge and Dr. Carson, who are said to have employed it a week before Dr. Rush. On this point, I cannot pretend to decide. But whoever was the first to intro- * For this account of the symptoms of the disorder, I am indebted to the kindness of Dr. Currie, from whose letter to Dr. Senter, ,it is extracted. c 18 ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. duce it, one thing is certain, that its efficacy was great, and rescued many from death. I have known, however, some per- sons, who, I have every reason to believe, fell sacrifices to the great reputation this medicine acquired; for in several instances it was administered in immoderate quantities, in which case, with persons of a previous lax habit, it brought on a speedy dis- solution. The demand for purges of calomel and jalap, was so great, that some of the apothecaries could not mix up every dose in detail; but mixed a large quantity of each, in the ordered pro- portions ; and afterwards divided it into doses; by which means, it often happened that one patient had a much larger portion of calomel, and another of jalap, than was intended by the doctors. The fatal consequences of this may be easily con- ceived. An intelligent citizen, who has highly distinguished himself by his attention to the sick, says, that he found the disorder generally come on with costiveness; and unless that was re- moved within the first twelve hours, he hardly knew any per- son to recover ; on the contrary, he says, as few died, on whom the cathartics operated within that time. The efficacy of bleeding, in all cases not attended with putri- dity, was great. The quantity of blood taken was in many cases astonishing. Dr. (Jriffits was bled seven times in five days, and appears to ascribe his recovery principally to that operation. Dr. Mease, in five days, lost seventy-two ounces of blood, by which he was recovered when at the lowest stage of the disorder. Many others were bled still more, and are now as well as ever they were. Dr. Rush and Dr. Wistar have spoken very favourably of the salutary effects of cold air, and cool drinks, in this disorder, The latter says, that he found more benefit from cold air, than from any other remedy. He lay delirious, and in severe pain, between a window and a door, the former of which was open. The wind suddenly changed, and blew full upon him, cold and raw. Its effect was so grateful, that he soon recovered from his delirium—his pain left him—in an hour he became perfect- ly reasonable—and his fever abated. A respectable citizen who had the fever himself, and like- wise watched its effects on eleven of his family, who recovered from it, has informed me, that a removal of the sick from a close, warm room to one a few degrees cooler, which practice ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. 19 he employed several times daily, produced a most extraordi- nary and favourable change in their appearance, in their pulse, and in their spirits. CHAPTER III. First Alarm in Philadelphia. Flight of the Citizens. Guar- dians of the Poor borne down with Labour. It was some time before the disorder attracted public notice. It had in the meanwhile swept off many persons. The first death that was a subject of general conversation, was that of Peter Aston, on the 19th of August, after a few days illness. Mrs. Lemaigre's, on the day following, and Thomas Miller's, on the 25th, with those of some others, after -short sicknesses, spread an universal terror. • The removals from Philadelphia began about the 25th or 26th of this month: and so great was the general terror, that, for some weeks, carts, wagons, coachees, gigs, and chairs, were almost constantly transporting families and furniture to the country in every direction. Many people shut up their houses wholly; others left servants to take care of them. Business became extremely dull. Mechanics and artists were unem- ployed ; and the streets wore the appearance of gloom and melancholy. The first official notice of the disorder, was on the 22d of August, on which day the Mayor of Philadelphia, Matthew Clarkson, Esq. wrote to the city commissioners; and after ac- quainting them with the state of the city, issued most peremptory orders, to have the streets properly cleaned and purified by the scavengers, and all the filth immediately hauled away. These orders were repeated on the 27th, and similar ones given to the clerks of the market. The 26th of the same month, the college of physicians had a meeting, at which they took into consideration the nature of the disorder, and the means of prevention and of cure. They published an address to the citizens, signed by the president and secretary, recommending " to avoid all unnecessary inter- course with the infected; to place marks on the doors or win- dows where they were; to pay great attention to cleanliness and airing the rooms of the sick; to provide a large and airy m \>Q ACCOUNT OK THE FEVER OF 1793. hospital in the neighbourhood of the city for their reception; to put a stop to the tolling of the bells; to convey to the bury- ing ground, those who died of the disorder/in carriage?, and as privately as possible: to keep the streets and wharves clean; to avoid all fatigue of body and mind, and standing or sitting in the sun, or in the open air; to accommodate the dress to the weather, and to exceed rather in warm than in cool clothing; and to avoid intemperance; but to use fermented liquors, such as wine, beer and cider, with moderation. They likewise de- clared their opinion, that fires in the streets were very danger- ous, if not ineffectual means of stopping the progress of the fever, and that they placed more dependance on the burning of gunpowder. The benefits of vinegar and camphor, they added, were confined chiefly to infected rooms; and they could not be too often used on handkerchiefs, or in smelling bottles, by persons who attended the sick." In consequAce of this address, the bells were immediately stopped from tolling. The expedience of this measure was ob- vious: as they had before been almost constantly ringing the whole day, so as to terrify those in health, and drive the sick, as far as the influence of imagination could produce that effect, to their graves. An idea had gone abroad, that the burning of fires in the streets, would have a tendency to purify the air, and arrest the progress of the disorder. The people had, therefore, almost every night, large fires lighted at the corners of the streets. The 29th, the .Mayor, conformably with the opinion of the college of physicians, published a proclamation, forbid- ding this practice. As a substitute, many had recourse to the firing of guns, which they imagined was a certain preven- tive of the disorder. This was carried so far, and attended with such danger, that it was forbidden by an ordinance of the Mayor. The 29th, the Governor of the state wrote a letter to the Mayor, strongly enforcing the necessity of the most vigorous and decisive exertions " to prevent the extension of, and to de- stroy, the evil." He desired that the various directions given by the college of physicians, should be carried into effect. The same day, in his address to the legislature, he acquainted them, that a contagious disorder existed in the city; and that he had taken every proper measure to ascertain the origin, nature, and extent of it. He likewise assured them that the health- officer and physician of the port, would take every precaution to allay and remove the public inquietude. ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. 21 The number of the infected daily increasing, and the exist- ence of an order against the admission of persons labouring under infectious diseases into the Alms House, precluding them from a refuge there,* some temporary place was requisite; and three of the guardians of the poor, about the 26th of August, took possession of the circus, in which Mr. Ricketts had lately exhibited his equestrian feats, being the only place that could be then procured for the purpose. Thither they sent seven persons afflicted with the malignant fever, where they lay in the open air for some time, and without any assistance.! Of these, one crawled out on the commons, where he died at a dis- tance'from the houses. Two died in the circus, one of whom was seasonably removed; the other lay in a state of putrefac- tion for above forty-eight hours, owing to the difficulty of pro- curing a person to remove him. On this occasion occurred an instance of courage in a servant girl, of which at that time few men were capable. The carter, who finally undertook to re- move the corpse, having no assistant, and being unable alone to put it into the coffin, was on the point of relinquishing his design, and quitting the place. The girl perceived him, and understanding the difficulty he laboured under, offered her ser- vices, provided he would not inform the family with whom she lived-! She accordingly helped him to put the body into the coffin, though it was, by that time, in the most loathsome state of putrefaction. It gives me pleasure to add, that she still lives, notwithstanding her very hazardous exploit. The inhabitants of the neighbourhood of the circus took the alarm, and threatened to burn or destroy it, unless the sick were removed^ and it is believed they would have actually car- ried their threats into execution, had compliance been delayed a day longer. The 29th, seven of the guardians of the poor had a confer- ence with some of the city magistrates on the subject of the fever, at which it was agreed to be indispensably necessary, * At this period, the number of paupers in the Alms House was between three and four hundred; and the managers, apprehensive of spreading the dis- order among them, enforced the aboveraentioned order, which had been en- tered into a long time before. They, however, supplied beds and bedding, and all the money in their treasury, for their relief, out of that house. t High wages were offered for nurses for these poor people,—but none could be procured. t- Had they known of the circumstance, an immediate dismissal would have been the consequence. 22 ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. that a suitable house, as an hospital, should be provided near the citv, for the reception of the infected poor. In consequence, in the evening of the same day, the guar- dians of the poor agreed to sundry resolutions, viz. to use their utmost exertions to procure a house, of the above description, for an hospital, (out of town, and as near thereto as might be practicable, consistently with the safety of the inhabitants,) for the poor who were or might be afflicted with contagious dis- orders, and be destitute of the means of providing necessary assistance otherwise : to engage physicians, nurses, attendants, and all necessaries for their relief in that house; to appoint proper persons in each district, to inquire after such poor as might be afflicted; to administer assistance to them in their own houses, and, if necessary, to remove them to the hospital. They reserved to themselves, at the same time, the liberty of drawing on the Mayor for such sums as might be necessary to carry their plans into effect. Conformably with these resolves, a committee of the guar- dians was appointed, to make inquiry for a suitable place; and on due examination, they judged that a building adjacent to liushhill, the mansion house of William Hamilton, Esq. was the best calculated for the purpose. That gentleman was then absent, and had no agent in the city; and the great urgency of the case admitting no delay, eight of the guardians, accompa- nied by Hilary Baker, Ksq. one of the city aldermen, with the concurrence of the Governor, proceeded, on the 31st of August, to the building they had fixed upon; and meeting with some opposition from a tenant who occupied it, they took possession of the mansion-house itself, to which, on the same evening, they sent the four patients who remained at the circus. Shortly after this, the guardians of the poor for the city, ex- cept James Wilson, Jacob Tomkins, Jun. and William Sansom, ceased the performance of their duties,, nearly the whole of them having removed out of the city. Before this virtual va- cation of office, they passed a resolve against the admission of any paupers whatever into the Alms House during the preva- lence of the disorder.* The whole care of the poor of the city, the providing for Bushhill, sending the sick, there, and bury- ing the dead, devolved, therefore, on the above three guardians. • The reason for entering into this order, was, that tome paupers, who had been admitted previous thereto, with a certificate from the physicians, of their being free from the infection, had, nevertheless, died of it ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. 23 CHAPTER IV. General Despondency. Deplorable Scenes. Frightful View of Human Nature. Ji noble and exhilarating Contrast. The consternation of the people of Philadelphia, at this pe- riod, was carried beyond all bounds. Dismay and affright were visible in almost every person's countenance. Most of those who could, by any means, make it convenient, fled from the city. Of those who remained, many shut themselves up in their houses, being afraid to walk the streets. The smoke of tobacco being regarded as a preventive, many persons, even women and small boys, had segars almost constantly in their mouths. Others, placing full confidence in garlic, chewed it almost the whole day; some kept it in their pockets and shoes. Many were afraid to allow the barbers or hair-dressers to come near them, as instances had occurred of some of them having shaved the dead, and many having engaged as bleeders. Some, who carried their caution pretty far, bought lancets for them- selves, not daring to allow themselves to be bled with the lan- cets of the bleeders. Many houses were scarcely a moment in th*e day, free from the smell of gunpowder, burned tobacco, nitre, sprinkled vinegar, &c. Some of the churches were al- most deserted, and others wholly closed. The coffee-house was shut up, as was 'the city library, and most of the public offices—three, out of the four, daily papers were discontinued,* as were some of the others. Many devoted no small portion of their time to purifying, scouring, and whitewashing their rooms. Those who ventured abroad, had handkerchiefs or sponges, impregnated with vinegar or camphor, at their noses, or smelling-bottles full of thieves' vinegar. Others carried pieces of tarred rope in their hands or pockets, or camphor bags tied round their necks. The corpses of the most respect- able citizens, even of those who had not died of the epidemic, * It would be improper to pass over this opportunity of mentioning, that the Federal Gazette, printed by Andrew Brown, was uninterruptedly con- tinued, and with the usual industry, during tho whole calamity, and was of the utmost service, in conveying to the citizens of the United States authen- tic intelligence of the state of the disorder, and of the city. 2\ ACCOUNT Oi THE FEVER OF 1793. were carried to the grave on the shafts of a chair, the horse driven by a negro, unattended by a friend or relation, and with- out any sort of ceremony. People uniformly and hastily shift- ed their course at the sight of a hearse coming towards them. Many never walked on the foot-path, but went into the middle of the streets, to avoid being infected in passing houses wherein people had died. Acquaintances and friends avoided each other in the streets, and only signified their regard by a cold nod. Tin- old custom of shaking hands, fell into such general disuse, that many shrunk back with affright at even the offer of the hand. A person with a crape, or any appearance of mourning, was shunned like a viper. And many valued themselves highly on the skill and address with which they got to windward of every person whom they met. Indeed it is not probable that London, at the last stage of the plague, exhibited stronger marks of ter- ror, than were to be seen in Philadelphia, from the 25th or 26th of August, till late in September. When the citizens summon- ed resolution to walk abroad, and take the air, the sick cart conveying patients to the hospital, or the hearse carrying the dead to the grave, which were travelling almost the whole day soon damped their spirits, and plunged them again into des- pondency. While affairs were in this deplorable state, and people at the lowest ebb of despair, we cannot be astonished at the frightful scenes that were acted, which seemed to indicate a total disso- lution of the bonds of society in the nearest and dearest con- nexions. Who, without horror, can reflect on a husband, mar- ried perhaps for twenty years, deserting his wife in the last agony—a wife, unfeelingly, abandoning her husband on his death bed—parents forsaking their children—children ungratefully flying from their parents, and resigning them to chance, often without an inquiry after their health or safe.ty—masters hurry- ing off their faithful servants to Bushhill, even on suspicion of the fever, and that at a time, when, almost like Tartarus, it was open to every visitant, but rarely returned any—servants aban- doning tender and humane masters, who only wanted a little care to restore them to health and usefulness—who, I say, can think of these things, without horror? Yet they were often exhibited throughout our city; and such was the force of ha- bit, that the parties who were guilty of this cruelty, felt no remorse themselves—nor met with the censure from their fellow citizens, which such conduct would have excited at any ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. 25 other period. Indeed, at this awful crisis, so much did self ap- pear to engross the whole attention of many, that in some cases not more concern was felt for the loss of a parent, a husband, a wife, or an only child, than, on other occasions, would have been caused by the death of a faithful servant. This kind of conduct produced scenes of distress and misery, of which parallels are rarely to be met with, and which nothing could palliate, but the extraordinary public panic, and the great law of self-preservation, the dominion of which extends over the whole animated world. Men of affluent fortunes, who have given daily employment and sustenance to hundreds, have been abandoned to the care of a negro, after their wives, chil- dren, friends, clerks, and servants, had fled away, and left them to their fate. In some cases, at the commencement of the dis- order, no money could procure proper attendance. With the poor, the case was, as might be expected, infinitely worse than with the rich. Many of these have perished, without a human being to hand them a drink of water, to administer medicines, or to perform any charitable office for them. Various in- stances have occurred, of dead bodies found lying in the streets, of persons who had no house or habitation, and could procure no shelter.* A man and his wife, once in affluent circumstances, were found lying dead in bed, and between them was their child, a little infant, who was sucking its mother's breast. How long they had lain thus, was uncertain. A woman, whose husband had just died of the fever, was seized with the pains of parturition, and had nobody to assist her, as the women in the neighbourhood were afraid to go into the house. She lay, for a considerable time, in a degree of an- guish that will not bear description. At length, she struggled to reach the windows, and cried out for assistance. Two men, passing by, went up stairs; but they came at too late a stage.— She was striving with death—and actually, in a few minutes, expired in their arms. Another woman, whose husband and two children lay dead in the room with her, was in the same situation as the former, without a midwife, or any other person to aid her. Her cries at the window brought up one of the carters employed by the committee for the relief of the sick. With his assistance she * The novel of Arthur Mervyn, by C. B. Brown, gives a vivid and terrify- ing picture, probably not too highly coloured, of the horrors of that period. D 26 ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. was delivered of a child, which died in a few minutes, as did the mother, who was utterly exhausted by her labour, by the disorder, and by the dreadful spectacle before her. And thus lay, in one room, no less than five dead bodies, an entire family, carried off within a few hours. Instances have occurred, of respectable women, who, in their lying-in, have been obliged to depend on their maid-servants, for assistance—and some have had none but from their husbands. Some of the midwives were dead—and others had left the city. A servant girl, belonging to a family in this city, in which the fever had prevailed, was apprehensive of danger, and re- solved to remove to a relation's house, in the country. She was, however, taken sick on the road, and returned to town, where she could find no person to receive her. One of the guardians of the poor provided a cart, and took her to the Alms House, into which she was refused admittance. She was brought back, but the guardian could not procure her a single night's lodging. And in fine, after every effort made to provide her shelter, she absolutely expired in the cart. This occurrence took place before Bushhill hospital was opened. To relate all the frightful cases of this nature that occurred, would fill a volume. To pass them over wholly would have been improper—to dwell on them longer would be painful. Let these few, therefore, suffice. But I must observe, that most of them happened in the first stage of the public panic. Afterwards, when the citizens recovered a little from their fright, they became rare. These horrid circumstances having a tendency to throw a shade over the human character, it is proper to shed a little light on the subject, wherever justice and truth will permit. Amidst the general abandonment of the sick that prevailed, there were to be found many illustrious instances ot men and women, some in the middle, others in the lower spheres of life, who, in the exercise of the duties of humanity, exposed them- selves to dangers, which terrified men, who had often faced death without fear, in the field of battle. Some of them, alas ! have fallen in the good cause! But why should they be regret- ted ? never could they have fallen more gloriously. Foremost in this noble groupe stands Joseph Inskeep, a most excellent man in all the social relations of citizen, brother, husband, and friend.—To the sick and the forsaken has he devoted his hours, to relieve and comfort them in their tribulation, and his kind ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. 27 assistance was dealt out with almost equal freedom to an utter stranger as to his bosom friend. Numerous are the instances of men restored, by his kind cares and attention, to their fami- lies, from the very jaws of death.—In various cases has he been obliged to put dead bodies into coffins, when the relations had fled from the mournful and dangerous office. The merit of Andrew Adgate, Joab Jones, James Wilson, Jacob Tomkins, and Daniel Offley, in the same way, was conspicuous, and of the last importance to numbers of distressed creatures, b.ereft of every other comfort. The Rev. Mr. Fleming, the Rev. Mr. Graessel and the Rev. Mr. Winkhause, exhausted themselves by a succession of labours, day and night, attending on the sick, and ministering relief to their spiritual and temporal wants. Of those who have happily survived their dangers, and are preserved to their fellow citizens, I shall mention a few. They enjoy the supreme reward of a self-approving conscience; and I readily believe, that in the most secret recesses, remote from the public eye, they would have done the same. But next to the sense of having done well, is the approbation of our friends and fellow men; and when the debt is great, and the only pay- ment that can be made is applause, it is surely the worst spe- cies of avarice, to withhold it. We are always ready, too ready, alas! to bestow censure—and, as if anxious, lest we should not give enough, we generally heap the measure. When we are so solicitous to deter by reproach from folly, vice, and crime, why not be equally disposed to stimulate to virtue and heroism, by freely bestowing the well-earned plaudit ? Could I suppose that in any future equally-dangerous emergency, the opportunity I have seized of bearing my feeble testimony, in favour of those worthy persons, would be a means of exciting others to emulate their heroic virtue, it would afford me the highest consolation I have ever experienced. The Rev. Henry Helmuth's merits are of the most exalted kind. His whole time, during the prevalence of the disorder, was spent in the performance of works of mercy, visiting and relieving the sick, comforting the afflicted, and feeding the hungry. Of his congregation, some hundreds have paid the last debt to nature, since the malignant fever began; and I be- lieve he attended nearly the whole of them. To so many dan- gers was he exposed, that he stands a living miracle of preser- vation. The Rev. C. V. Keating, the Rev. Mr. Ustick, and the 23 ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. Rev. Mr. Dickens, have been in the same career, and perform- ed their duties to the sick with equal fidelity, and with equal danger. The venerable old citizen, Samuel Robeson, has been like a good angel, indefatigably performing, in families where there was not one person able to help another, even the menial offices of the kitchen, in every part of his neighbourhood. Thomas Allibone, Lambert Wilmcr, Levi Hollingsworth, John Barker, Hannah Paine, John Hutchinson, and great numbers of others have distinguished themselves by the kindest offices of disinterested humanity. Magnus Miller, Samuel (Oates, and other good citizens, in that time of pinching distress and difficulty, advanced sums of money to individuals whose re- sources were cut off, and who, though accustomed to a life of independence, were absolutely destitute of the means of sub- sistence. And as the widow's mite has been mentioned in scripture with so much applause, let me add, that a worthy widow, whose name I am grieved I cannot mention, came to the city-hall, and, out of her means, which are very moderate, offered the committee twenty dollars for the relief of the poor. John Connelly has spent hours beside the sick, when their wives and children had abandoned them. Twice did he catch ftie disorder—twice was he on the brink of the grave, which was yawning to receive him—yet, unappalled by the im- minent danger he had escaped, he again returned to the charge. I feel myself affected at this part of my subject, with emotions, which I fear my unanimated style is ill calculated to transfuse into the breast of my reader. I wish him to dwell on this part of the picture, with a degree of exquisite pleasure equal to what I feel in the description. When we view man in this light, we lose sight of his feebleness, his imperfection, his vice —he resembles, in a small degree, that divine Being, who is an inexhaustible mine of mercy and goodness. And, as a human being, I rejoice, that it has fallen to my lot, to be a witness and recorder of a magnanimity, which would alone be sufficient to rescue the character of mortals from obloquy and reproach. ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. 29 CHAPTER V. Distress increases. Benevolent Citizens invited to assist the Guardians of the Poor. Ten Volunteers. Appointment of the Committee for relief of the Sick. State of Philadelphia. In the mean time, the situation of affairs became daily more and more serious. Those of the guardians of the poor, who continued to act, were quite oppressed with the labours of their office, which increased to such a degree, that they were utterly unable to execute them. I have already mentioned, that for the city there were but three who persevered in the perform- ance of their duty.* It must give the reader great concern to hear, that two of them, James Wilson, and Jacob Tomkins, excellent and indefatigable young men, whose services were at that time of very great importance, fell sacrifices in the cause of humanity. The other, William Sansom, was likewise, in the execution of his dangerous office, seized with the disorder, and on the brink of the grave, but was so fortunate as to reco- ver. The mortality increased daily. Owing to the general terror, nurses, carters, and attendants could not be procured but with difficulty. Thus circumstanced, the Mayor of the city, on the 10th of September, published an address to the ci- tizens, announcing that the guardians of the poor, who remain- ed, were in distress for want of assistance, and inviting such benevolent people, as felt for the general distress, to lend their aid. In consequence of this advertisement, a meeting of the citizens was held at the City-Hall, on Thursday, the 12th of September, at which very few attended, from the universal * With respect to the guardians of the poor, I have been misunderstood. I only spoke of those for the city. Those for the Liberties, generally, con- tinued at their post; and two of them, Wm. Peter Sprague, and William Gregory, performed, in the Northern Liberties, the very same kind of ser- vices as the committee did in the city, viz. attended to the burial of the dead and the removal of the sick. In Southwark, the like tour of duty was exe- cuted by Clement Humphreys, John Cornish, and Robert Jones. Far be it from me to deprive any man of applause so richly and hazardously earned. 1 only regret, that want of leisure prevents me from collecting the names of all those who have nobly distinguished themselves, by their attention to the alleviation of the general calamity. 30 ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. consternation that prevailed. The state of the poor was fully considered; and ten citizens, Israel Israel, Samuel Wetherill, Thomas Wistar, Andrew Adgate, Caleb Lownes, Henry De- forest, Thomas Peters, Joseph Inskeep, Stephen Girard and John Mason, offered themselves to assist the guardians of the poor. At this meeting, a committee was appointed to confer with the physicians who had the care of Bushhill, and make report of the state of that hospital. This committee reported next evening, that it was in very bad order, and in want of al- most every thing. On Saturday, the 14th, another meeting was held, when the alarming state of affairs being fully considered, it was resolved to borrow fifteen hundred dollars of the Bank of North Ameri- ca, for the purpose of procuring suitable accommodations for the use of persons afflicted with the prevailing malignant fever. At this meeting, a committee was appointed to transact the whole of the business relative to the relief of the sick, and the procuring of phys.ic.ians, nurses, attendants, &c. This is the committee, which, by virtue of that appointment, has, from that day to the present time, watched over the sick, the poor, the widow, and the orphan. It is worthy of remark, and may en- courage others in time of public calamity, that this committee consisted originally of only twenty-six persons, men mostly taken from the middle walks of life; of these, four, Andrew Ad- gate, Jonathan Dickinson Sargeant, Daniel Offley, and Joseph Inskeep, died, the two first at an early period of their labours— and four never attended to the appointment. " The heat and burden of the day" have therefore been borne by eighteen per- sons, whose exertions have been so highly favoured by Provi- dence, that they have been the instruments of averting the pro- gress of destruction, eminently relieving the distressed, and re- storing confidence to the terrified inhabitants of Philadelphia. It is honourable to this committee, that they have conducted their business with more harmony than is generally to be met with in public bodies of equal number. Probably there never was one, of which the members were so regular in their attend- ance; the meetings, at the worst of times—those times, which, to use Paine's emphatic language, " tried men's souls," were composed, in general, of twelve, thirteen, and fourteen mem- bers." It is a fact worthy of physiological consideration, that several of the members, of whom the wnter of this pamphlet was one. have declared that ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. 31 Never, perhaps, was there a city in the situation of Philadel- phia at this period. The President of the United States, ac- cording to his annual custom, had removed to Mount Vernon with his household. Most, if not all of the other officers of the federal government were absent. The governor, who had been sick, had gone, by directions of his physician, to his country seat near the Falls of Schuylkill—and nearly the whole of the officers of the state had likewise retired. The magistrates of the city, except the mayor,* and John Barclay,! Esq. were away, as were most of those of the liberties. Of the situation of the guardians of the poor,! I have already made mention. In fact, government of every kind was almost wholly vacated, and seemed, by tacit, but universal consent, to be vested in the com- mittee. some of the most pleasurable hours of their existence were spent during the height of the fever. They were released from the cares of business—their duties in the Committee fully occupied their minds, and engrossed their at- tention for the entire day; as they went to the State-house (the place of meet- ing) in the morning after an early breakfast—took a cold collation there at din- ner time, the materials of which were constantly spread on a sideboard—and remained there till night, when they returned to their families. Custom rob- bed the situation of its terrors. The only interruption to this state of their feelings arose from the death of some friend, or intimate acquaintance, or of some person whom they had perhaps seen alive a few hours or a day before. But even these impressions, though for the time strong and afflictive, soon wore away, and the tranquil state returned. * This magistrate deserves particular praise. He was the first who invited the citizens to " rally round the standard" of charity, and convened the meet- ing at which the committee for relief of the sick was appointed, as well as the preceding ones; of this committee he was appointed president, and punctual- ly fulfilled his duty during the whole time of the distress. t This gentleman, late mayor of the city, acted in the double capacity of alderman and president of the Bank of Pennsylvania, to the duties of which offices he devoted himself unremittingly, except during an illness which threatened to add him to the number of valuable men of whom we have been bereft. t The managers of the Alms House attended to the duties imposed on them, and met regularly at that building every week. $2 ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. CHAPTER VI. Proceedings of the Citizens and of the Committee of Health. TO TIIK BENEVOLKNT C1TIZI.NS. Those of the Overseers of the Poor, who attend to the care of the unfortunate now labouring under the prevailing malig- nant disorder, arc almost overcome with the fatigue which they undergo, and require immediate assistance. This, it is hoped, may be found amongst the benevolent citizens, who, actuated by a willingness to contribute their aid in the present distress, will offer themselves as volunteers to support the active over- seers in the discharge of what they have undertaken. For which purpose, those who are thus humanely disposed, are re- quested to apply to the Mayor, who will point out to them how they may be useful. September 10, 1793. KOR THE BETTER PROTECTION OF THE CITY. Whereas, the City Commissioners have observed, that a great number of dwelling houses and stores in this city are, for the present, shut up; and having good reason to appre- hend that some evil disposed persons may avail themselves of the opportunity to commit burglaries or other outrages—the said Commissioners, taking the same under their serious con- sideration, have agreed, that a number of able bodied men, well recommended for their sobriety, honesty, and vigilance, shall be employed in addition to the present Watch, to act as a Pa- trol, or in such other manner as the said Commissioners shall think most expedient, for the more effectual protection of the lives and properties of the citizens, for the time being. Now, this public notice is hereby given, to any person, or persons, willing to execute the trust, being recommended as aforesaid, that they may make application to either of the Com- missioners, without delay, or at their stated meetings, on Tues- day and Friday evenings, at the Court House—they being de- termined to proceed therein, with all possible prudent despatch. By order of the Board, John Mease, Clerk. September 13, 1793. ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. 33 Philadelphia, Sept. 12, 1793. At a meeting of a number of Citizens, held at the Court House, this evening, in consequence of an appointment of the Mayor and others, convened at the City Hall, to take into con- sideration the present calamitous state of the city and its envi- rons, Present, Samuel Wetheril Joseph Inskeep Stephen Girard Henry Deforest Thomas Wistar Andrew Adgate Israel Israel John Hawkins Thomas I. Peters Caleb Lownes And several of the Overseers of the Poor. The Committee having made inquiry into the situation of the poor and afflicted, are of the mind, that as it is not in the power of the overseers and guardians of the poor to afford the necessary aid that the cases of the sick require; that the citi- zens be again convened, in order that some effectual means be used, and a plan adopted to mitigate, and, if possible, to afford relief to the afflicted, both in the city and at the hospital at Bushhill. Resolved, That the secretary be directed to publish the fore- going minute, and to request the citizens to attend a meeting to be held at the City Hall at 12 o'clock, on the 13th inst. and that in the mean time Israel Israel, Thomas Wistar and Caleb Lownes, be desired to confer with the physicians who have the charge of the sick at Bushhill, and obtain information of their situation, and furnish the necessary aid and relief in their power to afford. On motion,— Resolved, That as this city is much exposed, for want of a suitable place to receive and accommodate those that are afflicted with malignant disorders; and, as the increased trade and population subject the citizens to constant danger from the numbers that are daily arriving from foreign parts, where infectious disorders are frequently prevalent, that this subject be laid before the citizens at their next meeting, in order that some steps may be taken to bring the subject before the legislature, that the evils we now experience may be avoid- ed in future, by suitable and comfortable provision for those who may experience a similar affliction. Adjourned to half past six to-morrow evening. E 34 ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. At an adjourned meeting of the citizens, 8cc. held at the Court House, Sept. 13, 1793, Present, Samuel Wetheril Israel Israel Andrew Adgate Henry Deforest Thomas Wistar Tiiom\s Harrison STF.rHEN ClRMtn Cu.H.ll I.OWNES Joseph Inskekp And several of the Overseers of the Poor. The Committee appointed to confer with the physicians who have the charge of the sick at Bushhill, Report, That they have attended to their appointment, and have produced the following account of the situation of that hospital, as given by Doctors Cathrall and Pin sick. The Hospital is without order or arrangement, far from being clean, ami stands in immediate need of several qualified persons to begin and establish the necessary arrangements—There are five, or sir female attendants; but none qualified for the proper manage- ment of the sick.—li has been attended by four physicians, viz. Do( tors Cathrall, Physick, Annan, and Lcib; the latter is in- disposed, and unable to attend. There are immediately wanted, A person qualified to arrange and manage an hospital, as steward; A person qualified to act as barber and bleeder; And eight nurses. It is unnecessary to enumerate all the wants; they are nu- merous, and call for speedy attention; but the abovementioned call for instant attention, which, when supplied, will reduce the number to a few, and render the institution useful and bene- ficial. Whereupon, it is agreed, that the following propositions be laid before the general meeting, viz. 1. That a sum of money be instantly procured. 2. That a large Committee be appointed from the different parts of the city, Southwark and the Northern Liberties, to aid the sick and distressed. 3. That they have full power to act as circumstances may require. 4. That they keep a just account of their proceedings and expenditures, and report to a future general meeting of the citizens. ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. 35 Resolved, That the chairman and secretary attend the ensu- ing general meeting; with the proceedings of the Committee. Extract from the minutes, Caleb Lownes, Secretary. Whereupon, it was unanimously agreed; That fifteen hundred dollars be immediately procured for the purpose of furnishing suitable accommodations and supplies for the use of the afflicted under the prevailing malignant fever —and that Thomas Harrison, Thomas Wistar and Caleb Lownes, be appointed a Committee to procure the said sum at the Bank of North America. That, Matthew Clarkson, Esq. Caleb Lownes Mayor of the city Thomas Wistar Samuel Wetheril Israel Israel fJoN. D. Sarjeant Thos. Harrison Stephen Girard 1-Joseph Inskeep *Joseph Russell William Robinson t Andrew Adgate Jacob Witman Mathew Carey Henrt Deforest Thomas Savery John Letchworth *William Clifton James Swaine Samuel Benge James Sharswood John Connelly John Haworth * Jacob Weaver James Kerr, and |Daniel Offley Peter Helm§ *John M'Culloch Be a committee|| to transact the whole of the business relative to mitigating the suffering of those who are or may be afflicted with the disorder prevalent in this city and vicinity—to procure physicans, nurses, and attendants, and generally to furnish those § Those in italics are still living—March 4, 1830. The four whose names are preceded by a star, did not accept the appointment. Those to whose names a dagger is prefixed, died of the fever, caught in the execution of their duties. || This committee was subdivided as follows:— President.—Matthew Clarkson. Secretary.—Caleb Lownes. Treasurer.— Thomas Wistar. Managers of Bushhill Hospital.—Stephen Girard, Peter Helm. Orphan Committee.—Israel Israel, John Letchworth, James Kerr, James Sharswood. Committee of Distribution.—Israel Israel, John Haworth, James Swaine, Matheto Carey, Thomas Savery, James Kerr, Jacob Witman, (Andrew Ad- 36 ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. things that now are, or may become, necessary to be procured for the above named purpose. That they, or a majority of them, have full powers to appro- priate such sums as may be necessary for obtaining supplies, and for compensating those who may be employed in the busi- ness i nder their direction. That they keep a fair account of their proceedings and expen- ditures, and report to a future meeting of the citizens. Resolved, That Mai ihew Clarkson, be President of the Board. Samuel Wetheril, Vice President. Thomas Wistar, Treasurer. And Caleb Lownes, Secretary. 0 Resolved, that the said committee take under their considera- tion, the propriety of providing suitable accommodations for the reception of such as may hereafter be afflicted by similar complaints, and to guard against the dangers to which this city is exposed from its increased trade and population, and the dan- ger which the daily arrivals from foreign parts, where malig- nant disorders are frequently prevalent, constantly subject us to, and to report thereon at a future meeting. Caleb Lownes, Secretary. September i;>. In consequence of an appointment, at a general meeting of the citizens held this day, at 12 o'clock, at the City Hall, the following persons attended: Thomas Wistar James Swaine Mathew Carey James Sharswood Samuel Benge James Kerr Stephen Girard Peter Helm Thomas Harrison Henry Deforest Thomas Savery Joseph Inskeep Israel Israel Caleb Lownes John Letchworth Israel Israel is appointed Chairman, P. T. gate, tJ. D. Sargeant, tDaniel Offley, tJoseph Inskeep, John Letchworth, James Sharswood, Samuel Benge. Superintendant of the Burials of the Dead, and Removal of the Sick.—Ba.- mael Benge. Distributor of Supplies —Henry Deforest. Committee of Accounts.—J tunes Sharswood, John Connelly. Committer on tkt publication of Letters— Caleb Lownes, Mathew Carty ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. 37 The committee appointed to procure a sum of money for the use of the hospital at Bushhill, &c. report, that they have ap- plied to the President of the Bank of North America, deposited the necessary obligation, and shall have the sum of 1,500 dol- lars ready on the 16th instant. Resolved, That Israel Israel, Mathew Carey, James Swaine, Andrew Adgate, Thomas Savery, John Connelly, Stephen Gi- rard, Jacob Weaver, N. L., James Sharswood, and John M'Cul- loch, S. be a committee to superintend the business at Bush- hill, to agree with and appoint the necessary officers at that place. Resolved, That the Treasurer advance 50 dollars to each of the above named committee for current expenses, and to con- tinue to advance upon their drafts as often as they may require; and that they individually make a weekly return of the expendi- tures. Resolved, That James Kerr, Thomas Wistar, and John Letch- worth, be a committee to prepare suitable carriages for the use of the physicians and the diseased. Resolved, That the committee be empowered to advance such sums of money to poor families, at their houses, who are afflict- ed with malignant disorders, and to render them such services as may be in their power to afford. Adjourned to the 15th, at six o'clock, to meet at this place. Caleb Lownes, Secretary. September 15. Resolved, That three members of the committee for the ma- nagement of the hospital at Bushhill, attend at the City Hall daily, to receive applications for relief, and to afford such as- sistance as may be necessary to alleviate the distresses of those who are afflicted with the prevailing malignant disorder. The door-keeper will receive applications at the door of the City Halk Stephen Girard and Peter Helm, members of the Board, com- miserating the calamitous state which the sick may probably be reduced to for want of suitable persons to superintend the hospital, voluntarily offering their services for that benevolent employment, Resolved, That they be accepted, and that they be encouraged immediately to enter upon the important duties of the appoint- ment. 38 ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. September 16. Information is received from Stephen Girard and Peter Helm, the managers of the hospital at Bushhill, that the hospi- tal is now fully furnished with officers and attendants, except a few nui-Ms: that the necessary arrangements are made; that the sick are amply supplied with the necessary supplies and ac- commodations, and that the business is now so far matured as to afford every assistance necessary in such a hospital. Resolved that the nurses be immediately procured and con- veyed to the hospital. Extract from the minutes, Caleb Lownes, Secretary.* The generous citizens will send what linen they can spare to the attending committee at the City Hall, where it will be thank- fully received. Philadelphia, September 18. At a meeting of the committee of citizens appointed to the care of the sick, &c. Resolved—That the committee of citizens appointed to the care of the poor and sick afflicted with the prevailing malig- nant disorder in the city and vicinity, continue their sittings at the City Hall constantly, until the situation of the Hospital and afflicted in the city shall render it proper to adjourn. Extract from the minutes, Caleb Lownes, Secretary. We have the satisfaction of informing our fellow citizens, that neither of the sitting managers, physicians, nurses or at- tendants, at the Hospital at Bushhill, have taken the infection, or are any ways indisposed, and that there are near twenty pa- tients recovered at that place. That the Hospital is fully furnished with well qualified nurses—and that some, that were guilty of irregularities, are discharged. That good information has been received from the Pennsyl- * This highly estimable citizen, who devoted a largo portion of his time and attention to objects calculated to promote the prosperity and improve the mo- rals of his fellow citizens, and who was mainly instrumental in cleansing the Augean stable of the old prison in Walnut Street, in the year 17%, lately died in Cincinnati, where his corpse lies interred. It would be honoarable to the citizens of Philadelphia, and a small payment of a large debt of gratitude, to have a monumental stone, engraved with a statement of some of his various deef beneficence, placed at hie irrave. March 1'J, 1830 ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. 39 vania Hospital, House of Employment, Alms House, and Pri- sons, that there is no appearance of infection in them. to the citizens. The persons who are employed to. remove the dead, have been frequently interrupted, insulted and threatened, whilst per- forming their business, by persons who appear to possess no sentiments of humanity, but such as particularly concern them- selves. In order therefore to prevent such conduct in future, notice is hereby given, that prosecutions will be instituted against all those who shall offend herein. The public safety requires that protection be given to those useful persons, and the good citizens are called upon to afford it to them, and to point out to the legal authority, all those who shall molest them in their employment. Matthew Clarkson, Mayor. September 17, 1793. ^C3* At this particular crisis, in which so many of the mer- chants and others are absent from this city, the indisposition of two of the letter carriers renders it necessary to request all those who dwell south of, and in Chesnut Street, and in Front and Water, north of Market Street, to call or send for their let- ters for a few days. September 18. CHAPTER VII. Magnanimous Offer.—Wretched State of Bushhill.—Order intro- duced there. At the meeting on Sunday, September 15th, a circumstance occurred, to which the most glowing pencil could hardly do justice. Stephen Girard, a wealthy merchant, a native of France, and one of the members of the committee, sympathis- ing with the wretched situation of the sufferers at Bushhill, vo- luntarily and unexpectedly offered himself as a manager, to su- perintend that hospital. The surprise and satisfaction excited by this extraordinary effort of humanity, can be better conceiv- ed than expressed.. Peter Helm, a native of Pennsylvania, also a member, actuated by the like benevolent motives, offered his services in the same department. Their offers were accepted; 40 ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. and the same afternoon they entered on the execution of their dangerous and praiseworthy office.* To form a just estimate of the value of the offer of these citizens, it is necessary to take into consideration the general consternation which at that period pervaded every quarter of the city, and which caused attendance on the sick to be regarded as little less than a certain sacrifice. Uninfluenced by any reflec- tions of this kind, without any possible inducement but the pu- rest motives of humanity, they magnanimously offered them- selves as the forlorn hope of the committee. I trust that the gratitude of their fellow citizens will be as enduring as the me- mory of their beneficent conduct, which I hope will not die with the present generation. On the 16th, the managers of Bushhill, after personal inspec- tion of the state of affairs there, made report of its situation, which was truly deplorable. It exhibited as wretched a picture of human misery as ever existed. A profligate, abandoned set of nurses and attendants (hardly any of good character could at that time be procured,) rioted on the provisions and comforts prepared for the sick, who (unless at the hours when the doc- tors attended) were left almost entirely destitute of every as- sistance. The sick, the dying, and the dead, were indiscrimi- nately mingled together. The ordure, and other evacuations of the sick, were allowed to remain in the most offensive state imaginable. Not the smallest appearance of order or regulari- ty existed. It was, in fact, a great human slaughter-house, where numerous victims were immolated at the altar of riot and intemperance. No wonder, then, that a general dread of the place prevailed through the city, and that a removal to it was considered as the seal of death. In consequence, there were various instances of sick persons locking their rooms, and resisting every attempt to carry them away. At length, the poor were so much afraid of being sent to Bushhill, that they would not acknowledge their illness, until it was no longer pos- sible to conceal it. For it is to be observed, that the fear of the contagion was so prevalent, that as soon as any one was taken ill, of any disorder whatever, an alarm was spread among the neighbours, and every effort was used to have the sick person hurried off to Bushhill, to avoid spreading the disorder. The cases of poor people forced in this way to that hospital, though labouring under only common colds, and common fall fevers, * The management of the interior department was assumed by Stephen Girard—of the exterior, by Peter Helm. ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. 41 were numerous and afflicting. There were not wanting in- stances of persons, only slightly ill, being sent to Bushhill, by their panic-struck neighbours, and embracing the first opportu- nity of returning to Philadelphia. The regulations adopted at Bushhill were as follow: One of the rooms in the mansion house (which contains four- teen, besides three large entries) was allotted to the matron, and an assistant under her—eleven rooms and two entries to the sick. Those who were in a very low state were in one room— and one was appointed for the dying. The men and women were kept in distinct rooms, and attended by nurses of their own sex. Every sick person was furnished with a bedstead, clean sheet, pillow, two or three blankets, porringer, plate, spoon, and clean linen, when necessary. In the mansion house were one hundred and forty bedsteads. The new frame house, built by the committee, when it was found that the old build- ings were inadequate to contain the patients commodiously, is sixty feet front, and eighteen feet deep, with three rooms on the ground floor; one of which was for the head nurses of that house, the two others for the sick. Each of these two last con- tained seventeen bedsteads. The loft, designed for the conva- lescents, was calculated to contain forty. The barn is a large, commodious, stone building, divided into three apartments; one occupied by the resident doctors and apothecary; one, which contained forty bedsteads, by the male, and the other by the female convalescents, which contained fifty-seven. At some distance from the west of the hospital, was erected a frame building to store the coffins and deposit the dead, until they were sent to a place of interment. Besides the nurses employed in the house, there were two cooks, four labourers, and three washerwomen, constantly em- ployed for the use of the hospital. The sick were visited twice a day by two physicians, Dr. De- veze and Dr. Benjamin Duffield,* whose prescriptions were exe- cuted by three resident physicians and the apothecary. * Very soon after the organization of the Committee, Dr. Deveze, a re- spectable French physician, from Cape Francois, offered his services in the line of his profession at Bushhill. Dr. Benjamin Duffield did the samo. Their offers were accepted, and they have both attended with great punctuality. Dr. Deveze renounced all other practice, which, at that period, would have been very lucrative, when there was such general demand for physicians. The Committee, in consideration of the services of these two gentlemen, presented Dr. Duffield with five hundred, and Dr. Deveze with fifteen hundred dollars. F 42 ACCOUNT OF THF. FEVER OF 1 7U3. One of the resident doctors was charged with the distribu- tion of the victuals for the sick. At eleven o'clock, he gave them broth, with rice, bread, boiled beef, veal, mutton, and chic- ken, with cream of rice to those whose stomachs would not bear stronger nourishment. Their second meal was at six o'clock, when they had broth, rice, boiled prunes, with cream of rice. The sick drank at their meals porter, or claret and water. Their constant drink between meals was centaury tea, and boiled le- monade. These regulations, the order and regularity introduced, and the care and tenderness with which the patients were, treated, soon removed the prejudices against the hospital; and in the course of a week or two, numbers of sick people, who had not at home proper persons to nurse them, applied to be sent to Bushhill. Indeed, in the end, so many people, who were af- flicted with other disorders, procured admittance there, that it became necessary to pass a resolve, that before an order of ad- mission should be granted, a certificate must be produced from a physician, that the patient laboured under the malignant fover; for, had all the applicants been received, this hospital, provided for an extraordinary occasion, would have been filled with patients whose cases fell within the cognizance of the ma- nagers of the Pennsylvania Hospital. The number of persons received into Bushhill, from the 16th of September to this time, November 30, is about one thousand; of whom nearly five hundred are dead; there are now in the house, about twenty sick, and fifty convalescents. Of the latter class, there have been dismissed about four hundred and thirty. The reason why so large a proportion died, of those received, is, that, in a variety of cases, the early fears of that hospital had obtained such firm possession of the minds of some, and others were so much actuated by a foolish pride, that they would not consent to be removed till they were past recovery. And in consequence of this, there were several instances of persons dying in the cart on the road to the hospital. Were it not for the operation of these two motives, the number of the dead in the city and in the hospital would have been much lessened; for many a man, whose nice feelings made him spurn at the idea of a removal to the hospital, perished in the city for want of that comfortable assistance he would have had at Bushhill.* ( omitted, in the former editions, to mention the name of a moat excellent auJ invaluable woman, Mrs Seville the matron in this hospital, whose Her ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. 43 I speak within bounds when I say, that at least a third of the whole number of those received, did not survive their entrance into the hospital two days; and of those that died in the hospi- tal, many would have been rescued had they been taken there in proper season. Before I conclude this chapter, let me add, that the perseve- rance of the managers of that hospital has been equally merito- rious with their original magnanimous beneficence. During the whole calamity to this time, they have attended uninterrupt- edly, for six, seven, or eight hours a day, renouncing almost every care of private affairs. They have had a laborious tour of duty to perform. Stephen Girard, whose office was in the interior part of the hospital, has had to encourage and comfort the sick—to hand them necessaries and medicines—to wipe the sweat off their brows—and to perform many disgusting offices of kindness for them, which nothing could render tolerable, but the exalted motives that impelled him to this heroic conduct. Peter Helm, his worthy coadjutor, displayed, in his department, equal exertions, to promote the common good. CHAPTER VIII. Proceedings of the Committee.—Loans from the Bank of North America.—Establishment of an Orphan House.—Relief of the Poor.—Appointment of the Assistant Committee. The Committee, on its organization, resolved that three of the members should attend daily at the City Hall, to receive applications for relief; to provide for the burial of the dead, and for the conveyance of persons labouring under the malignant fever to Bushhill. But three being found inadequate to the execution of the multifarious and laborious duties to be per- formed, this order was rescinded, and daily attendance was given by nearly all of the members. A number of carts and carters were engaged for the burial of the dead, and removal of the sick. And, to the terror and dis- vices, in the execution of her office, were above all price. Never was there a person better qualified for such a situation. To the most strict observance of system, she united all the tenderness and humanity which are so essen- tially requisite in an hospital, but which habit, rendering the parties callous, so very frequently and fatally extinguishes. 44 ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. may of the citizens, they were incessantly employed through the whole day, in these mournful offices. The Committee borrowed fifteen hundred dollars from the Bank of North America, agreeably to the resolves of the town meeting by which they were appointed. Several of the mem- bers entered into security to repay that sum, in case the corpo- ration or legislature should refuse to make- provision for its dis- charge. This sum being soon expended, a farther loan of five thousand dollars was negotiated with the same institution.' In the progress of the disorder, the Committee, found the calls on their humanity increase. The numerous deaths of heads of families left a very large body of children in a most abandoned, forlorn state. The Bettering-house, in which such helpless objects had been usually placed, was barred against them, by the order which I have already mentioned. Many of these little innocents were actually suffering, for want of even common necessaries. The deaths of their parents and protec- tors, which should have been the strongest recommendation to public charity, was the chief cause of their distress, and of their being shunned as a pestilence. The children of a family once in easy circumstances, were found in a blacksmith's shop, squa- lid, dirty, and half starved, having been for a considerable time without even bread to eat. Various instances of a similar na- ture occurred. This evil early caught the attention of the Committee, and on the 19th of September they hired a house in Fifth-street, in which they placed thirteen children. The num- ber increasing, they on the 3d of October, procured the Logu- nian library, which was generously tendered them by John Swanwick, Esq. for the purpose of an orphan house. A fur- ther increase of their little charge, rendered it necessary to build some additions to the library, nearly half as large as that building. At present, there are in the house, under the care of the orphan Committee, about sixty children, and above forty are out with wet nurses. From the origin of the institution, one hundred and ninety children have fallen under their care, of whom sixteen are dead, and about seventy have been deliver- ed'to their relations or friends. There are instances of five and six children of a single family in the house. To these precious deposits the utmost attention has been " On the repayment of these sums, the directors declined accepting inte rest for the use of them ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. 45 paid. They are well fed, comfortably clothed, and properly taken care of. Mary Parvin, a very suitable person for the purpose, has been engaged as matron, and there are, besides, sufficient persons employed to assist her. Various applications have been made for some of the children; but in no instance would the Committee surrender any of them up, until they had satisfactory evidence that the claimants had a right to make the demand. The relations of those who remain are now publicly called upon to come and receive them. For such as may re- main unclaimed, the best provision possible will be made; and so great is the avidity displayed to have some of them, that there will be no difficulty in placing them to advantage. Another duty soon attracted the attention of the Committee. The flight of so many of our citizens, the consequent stagna- tion of business, and the almost total cessation of the labours of the guardians of the poor, produced among the lower classes of the people, a great degree of distress, which loudly demand- ed the interposition of the humane. In consequence, on the 20th of September, a Committee of distribution, of three members, was appointed, to furnish such assistance, to deserv- ing objects, as their respective cases might require, and the funds allow. This was at first administered to but few, owing to the confined state of the finances. But the very extraordi- nary liberality of our fugitive fellow citizens, of the citizens of New York, and of those of various towns and townships, en- couraged the committee to extend their views. In conse- quence, they increased the distributing committee to eight, and afterwards to ten. Being, in the execution of this important service, liable to imposition, they, on the 14th of October, appointed an assistant committee, composed of forty-five citizens, chosen from the se- veral districts of the city and liberties.* The duty assigned * The following is a list of this Committee :— Samuel Coates, Chairman. John Oldden, Secretary. Northern Liberties.—William Peter Spragues, William Gregory, Jacob Witman, James Swaine, Joseph Burns, George Forepaugh, Casper Snyder, Peter Smith. Vine to Race Street.—Richard Whitehead, Joseph Kerr, John Ettries. Race to Arch.—Thomas Willis, Daniel Dawson, Peter Thomson, Thomas Allibone, Lambert Wilmer. Arch to Market.—William Sansom, Justinian Fox, Amos Wickersham. Market to Chesnut.—Arthur Howell, Alexander Cochran, Thomas Dobson. 46 ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. this assistant committee, was to seek out and give recommen- dations to deserving objects in distress, who, on producing them, were relieved by the Committee of distribution, who sat daily at the City Hall, with money, provisions, or wood, or all three, according as their necessities required. The assistant committee executed this business with such care, that it is probable so great a number of people were never before re- lieved, with so little imposition. Some shameless creatures, possessed of houses, and comfortable means of support, have been detected in endeavouring to partake of the relief destined solely for the really indigent and distressed. Besides those who applied for assistance in the way of gift, there was a class, in equal distress, and equally entitled to relief, who could not descend to accept it as charity. The Committee, disposed to foster this laudable principle, one of the best secu- rities from debasement of character, relieved persons of this description with small loans weekly, just enough for immediate support, and took acknowledgments for the debt, without in- tending to urge payment, if not perfectly convenient to the parties. The number of persons relieved weekly, was about twelve hundred; many of whom had families of four, five, and six persons. The gradual revival of business has rescued those who are able and willing to work, from the humiliation of depending on public charity. And the organization of the overseers of the poor has thrown the support of the proper objects of charity into its old channel. The distribution of money, Sec. ceased therefore on Saturday, the 23d of November. Chesnut to Walnut.—Jeremiah Paul, James Cummins, Casper W. Morris, Thomas Caatieres. Walnut to Spruce.—George Rutter, Benjamin W. Morris. Spruce to Pine.—Samuel Pancoast, Jun. John Woodside, Levi Hollings- worth, William Watkins. Pine to South.—John Wood, Adam Brittle, William Eckard, Thomas Dicksey, Ferguson M'llvaine. Southwark.—William Innis, Richard Mosely, William Robinson, Son. John Grantham, John Savage, John Pattiaon. ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. 47 CHAPTER VIII. Repeated Addresses of the Committee on the Purification of Houses. Assistant Committee undertake to inspect infected houses per- sonally. Extinction of the Disorder. Governor's Proclama- tion. Address of the Clergy. A new and happy state of affairs. The Committee exerted its cares for the welfare of the citi- zens in all cases in which its interference was at all proper or necessary. The decline of the disorder induced many persons to return to the city at an earlier period, than prudence dic- tated. On the 26th of October, therefore, the Committee ad- dressed their fellow citizens, congratulating them on the very flattering change that had taken place, which afforded a cheer- ing prospect of being soon freed from the disorder entirely. They, however, recommended to those who were absent, not to return till the intervention of cold weather, or rain* should render such a step justifiable and proper, by totally extinguish- ing the disease. The 29th, they published another address, earnestly exhorting those whose houses had been closed, to have them well aired and purified; to throw lime into the privies, &c. The 4th of November, they again addressed the public, an- nouncing that it was unsafe for- those who had resided in the country, to return to town with too much precipitation, espe- cially into houses not properly prepared. They added, that though the disorder had considerably abated, and though there was reason to hope it would shortly disappear, yet it was by no means totally eradicated; as there was reason to believe it still lurked in different parts of the city. They reiterated their re- presentations on the subject of cleansing houses. The 14th, they once more addressed their fellow citizens, in- forming them of the restoration to our long-afflicted city, of as great a degree of health as usually prevails at the same season; of no new cases of the malignant fever having occurred for many days; of their having reason to hope that in a few days not a vestige of it would remain in the city or suburbs; of ap- plications for admission into the hospital having ceased; of the * I shall in some of tho following pages attempt to prove, that the idea hero held out, so far as regards rain, was erroneous. 48 ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OK 1793. expectation of the physicians at the hospital, that no more than three or four would die out of ninety-one persons remaining there? of the number of convalescents increasing daily. They at the same time most earnestly recommended that houses in which the disorder had prevailed, should be purified; and that the clothing or bedding of the sick, more especially of those who had died of the disorder, should be washed, baked, buried, or destroyed. They added, that the absent citizens of Phila- delphia, as well as those strangers who have business in the city, might safely come to it, without fear of the disorder. Notwithstanding all these cautions, many persons returned from the country, without paying attention to the cleansing of their houses, thereby sporting not only with their own lives, but with the safety of their fellow citizens. The neglect of some persons in this way, has been so flagrant, as to merit se- vere punishment. This dangerous nuisance attracted the no- tice of the Committee; and after a conference with the assistant • committee, they, on the 15th of November, in conjunction with them, resolved, that it was highly expedient to have all houses and stores in the city and liberties, wherein the malignant fever had prevailed, purified and cleansed as speedily and completely as possible; to have all those well aired, which had been closed for any length of time; to have lime thrown into the privies; to call in, when the district should be too large for the mem- bers to enforce compliance with those resolves, such assistants as might be necessary; and when any person, whose house re- quired to be cleansed, and who was able to defray the expense thereof, should refuse or neglect to comply with the requisi- tion of the members appointed to carry those resolves into ef- fect, to report him to the next grand jury for the city and county, as supporting a nuisance dangerous to the public wel- fare. The assistant committee undertook to exert themselves to have these salutary plans put into execution; they have gone through the city and liberties for the purpose; and in most cases have found a readiness in the inhabitants to comply with a requisition of such importance.* * The utmost exertions of the magistrates, and of the citizens generally are necessary to guard against the deplorable consequences that may arise in the spring from the neglect of a few whose supineness renders them deaf to every call of duty in this respect. The beds secreted by some of the nurses who attended the sick, are likewise a fruitful source of danger, and demand the greatest vigilance from every person invested with authority to watch over the public safety. ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. 49 This was the last act of the Committee that requires notice. Their business has since gone on in a regular, uniform train, every day like the preceding one. They are now (Nov. 30,) settling their accounts, and preparing to surrender up their trust, into the hands of a town meeting of their fellow citizens, the constituents by whom they were called into the respon- sible office they have filled. To them they will give an ac- count of their stewardship, in a time of distress, the like of which heaven avert from the people of America for ever. Doubtless, a candid construction will be put upon their con- duct, and it will be believed, that they have acted in every case that came under their cognizance, according to the best of their abilities. On the 14th of November, governor Mifflin published a pro- clamation, announcing, that as it had pleased Almighty God to put an end to the grievous calamity which recently afflicted the city of Philadelphia, it was the duty of all who were truly sensible of the divine mercy, to employ the earliest moments of returning health, in devout expressions of penitence, submis- sion, and gratitude. He therefore appointed Thursday, the 12th of December,* as a day of general humiliation, thanksgiv- ing, and prayer, and earnestly exhorted and intreated his fellow citizens " to abstain, on that day, from all worldly avocations, and to unite in confessing, with contrite hearts, their manifold sins and transgressions—in acknowledging, with thankful ado- ration, the mercy and goodness of the Supreme Ruler of the universe, more especially manifested in the late deliverance; and in praying, with solemn zeal, that the same mighty power would be graciously pleased to instil into our minds the just principles of our duty to Him and to our fellow creatures; to regulate and guide all our actions by his Holy Spirit; to avert from all mankind the evils of war, pestilence, and famine; and to bless and protect us in the enjoyment of civil and religious liberty." The 18th, the clergy of the city published an elegant and pa- thetic address, recommending that the day appointed by the governor, " should be set apart and kept holy to the Lord, not merely as a day of thanksgiving, for that, in all appearance, it " The pious observance of this day, by an almost total cessation of business and by the churches being universally filled with the people pouring forth the effusions of their gratitude for the cessation of tho dreadful scourge, ex- ceeded that of any other day of thanksgiving I have ever known. C 50 ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. had pleased him, of his infinite mercy, to stay the rage of the malignant disorder, (when we had well nigh said,' hath God forgot to be gracious?')—but also as a day of solemn humilia- tion and prayer; joined with the confession of our manifold sins, and of our neglect and abuse of his former mercies; to- gether with sincere resolutions of future amendment and obe- dience to his holy will and laws; without which our prayers, praises, and thanksgivings will be in vain." The 26th, the assistant committee- passed several very judi- cious and salutary resolves, requiring their members in their several districts through the city and liberties, immediately to inspect the condition of all taverns, boarding houses, and other buildings in which the late contagious disorder was known to have been: to notify the owners or tenants, to have them puri- fied and cleansed; to report the names of such as should refuse compliance, and also make report of every house shut up, in which any person was known to have lately sickened or died. They cautioned the vendue masters not to sell, and the public not to buy, any clothes or bedding belonging to persons lately deceased, until they had ascertained that the same had been sufficiently purified and aired. I have not judged it necessary to enter into a minute detail of the business of the Committee from day to day. It would afford little gratification to the reader. It would he, for several weeks, little more than a melancholy history of fifteen, twenty, thirty, forty and fifty applications daily, for coffins and carts to bury the dead, who had none to perform that last office for them—or numerous applications for the removal of the sick to Bushhill. There was little variety. The present day was as dreary as the past—and the prospect of the approaching one was equally gloomy. This was the state of things for a long time. But at length brighter prospects dawned. The disor- der decreased in violence. The number of the sick diminished. New cases became rare. The spirits of the citizens revived— and the tide of migration was once more turned. A visible al- teration took place in the state of affairs in the city. Our friends returned in crowds. Every hour, long-absent and wel- come faces appeared—and in many instances, those of persons, whom public fame had buried for weeks past. The stores, so long closed, are now (Nov. 30,) nearly all opened again. Many of the country merchants, bolder than others, are daily ven- ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. 51 luring into their old place of supply. Market street is as full of wagons as usual. The custom-house, for weeks nearly de- serted by our mercantile people, is thronged with citizens en- tering their vessels and goods. The streets, too long the abode of gloom and despair, have assumed the bustle suited to the season. Our wharves are filled with vessels loading and un- loading their respective cargoes. And, in fine, as every thing, in the early stage of the disorder, seemed calculated to add to the. general consternation; so now, on the contrary, every cir- cumstance has a tendency to revive the courage and hopes of our citizens. But we have to lament, that the same spirit of exaggeration and lying, that prevailed at a former period, and was the grand cause of the harsh measures adopted by our sister states, has not ceased to operate; for at the preserit mo- ment, when the danger is entirely done away, the credulous, of our own citizens still absent, and of the country people, are still alarmed with frightful rumours, of the disorder raging with as much violence as ever; of numbers carried off, a few hours after their return; and of new cases daily occurring. To what design to attribute these shameful tales, I know not. Were they to be regarded, in a spirit of resentment, one would be inclined to charge them to some secret, interested views of their authors, intent, if possible, to injure our city. But I will not allow myself to consider them in this point of light—and will even suppose they arise from a proneness to terrific narra- tion, natural to some men. But they should consider, that we are in the situation of the frogs in the fable—while those tales, which make the hair of the country people stand on end, are sport to the fabricators, they are death to us. And I here as- sert, and defy contradiction, that of the whole number of our fugitive citizens, who have already returned, amounting to some thousands, not above two persons are dead—and these owe their fate to the most shameful neglect of airing and cleansing their houses, notwithstanding the various cautions published by the Committee. If people will venture into houses in which infected air has been pent up for weeks to- gether, without any purification, we cannot be surprised at the consequences, however fatal they may be. But let not the catas- trophe of a few incautious persons operate to bring discredit on a city containing above seventy thousand people. 52 ACCOUNT OF THE FT.VFR OF 1793. CHAPTER IX Extravagant Letters from Philadelphia. Credulity put to the. test. Thyt I might not interrupt the chain of events in Philadel- phia, I have deferred, till now, giving an account of the pro- ceedings in the several states, respecting our fugitives. As an introduction thereto, I shall prefix a short chapter respecting those letters, which excited the terror of our neighbours, and impelled them to more severe measures than they would other- wise have adopted. Great as was the calamity of Philadelphia, it was magnified in the most extraordinary manner. The hundred tongues of rumour were never more successfully employed, than on this melancholy occasion. The terror of the inhabitants of all the neighbouring states was excited by letters from this city, dis- tributed by every mail, many of which told tales of wo, whereof hardly a single circumstance was true, but which were every where received with implicit faith. The distresses of the city, and the fatality of the disorder, were exaggerated, as it were to see how far credulity could be carried. The plague of London was, according to rumour, hardly more fatal than our yellow fever. Our citizens died so fast, that there was hardly enough of people to bury them. Ten, or fifteen, or more, were said to be cast into one hole together, like so many dead beasts.* One man, whose feelings were so composed, as to be facetious on the subject, acquainted a correspondent, in New York, that the only business carrying on, was grave digging, or rather pit dig- ' The following extract appeared in a Norfolk paper about tho niiddlo of September. Extract of a letter from Philadelphia, to a gentleman in Norfolk, Sept. it- Half the inhabitants of this city have already fled to different parts, on ac- count of the pestilential disorder that prevails hero. Tho few citizens who remained in this place, die in abundance, so fast, tluit they drag them away, like dead beasts, and put ten, or fifteen, or more, in a hole together. All tin stores are shut up. I am afraid this city will bo ruined • for nobody will come near it hereafter. I am this day removing my family from this fatal place ' I am strongly inclined to imagine that this letter was the cause of the Virginia proclamation ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. 53 ging.* And at a time when the deaths did not exceed from forty to fifty daily, many men had the modesty to write, and others, throughout the continent, the credulity to believe, that we buried from one hundred to one hundred and fifty.f Thou- sands were swept off in three or four weeks4 And the nature and danger of the disorder, were as much misrepresented, as the number of the dead. It was said, in defiance of every day's ex- perience, to be as inevitable by all exposed to the contagion, as the stroke of fate. The credulity of some, the proneness to exaggeration of others, and I am sorry, extremely sorry to believe, the interest- ed views of a few,§ will account for these letters. * From a New York paper of October 2. Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Philadelphia, dated Sept. 23.— " The papers must have amply informed you of the melancholy situation of this city for five or six weeks past. Grave digging has been the only busi- ness^carrying on; and indeed I may say of late, pit digging, where people are interred indiscriminately in three tiers of coffins. From the most accu- rate observations I can make upon matters, I think I speak within bounds, when I say, eighteen hundred persons have perished, (I do not say all of the yellow fever) since its first appearance." t From the Maryland Journal of Sept. 27. Extract of a letter from Philadelphia, dated Sept. 20.—" The disorder seems to be much the same in this place as when I last wrote you: about 1500 have fallen victims to it. Last Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, thero were not less than 350 died with this severe disorder !!! As I informed you before, this is the most distressed place I ever beheld. Whole families go in the disorder, in the course of twelve hours. For your own sakes, use all pos- sible means to keep it out of Baltimore." Extract of a letter from Philadelphia, of the same date.—"The malignant fever which prevails here, is still increasing. Report says, that above one hundrecf have been buried per day for some time past. It is now thought to be more infectious than ever. 1 think you ought to be very careful with re- spect to admitting persons from Philadelphia into your town." t From a Chestertown paper, of Sept. 10. Extract of a letter from a respectable young mechanic, in Philadelphia, to his friend in this town, dated the 5th inst.—" It is now a very mortal time in this city. The yellow fever hath killed some thousands of the inhabitants. Eight thousand mechanics, besides other people, have left the town. Every master in the city, of our branch of business, is gone." The " some thou- sands" that were killed at that time, did not amount to three hundred. The authentic information in this letter, was circulated in every state in the union, by the newspapers. From the date, I suspect this letter to have been the occasion of the Chestertown resolves. § As this charge is extremely pointed, it may be requisite to state the foun- dation of it, for the reader to form his opinion upon. Some of the loiters i4 ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. CHAPTER X. Proceedings at Chestertown—at New York—at Trenton and Lam- berton—at Baltimore. The effects produced by those talcs were such as might have been reasonably expected. The consternation spread through the several states like wild fire. The first public act that took place on the subject, as far as I can learn, was at Chestertown, in Maryland. 'At this place a meeting was held on the 10th of September, and several resolves entered into, which, after spe- cifying that the disorder had extended to Trenton, Princeton, Woodbridge, and Elizabethtown,on the post-road to New York, directed, that notice should be sent to the owners of the stages not to allow them to pass through the town, while there should be reason to expect danger therefrom; and that a committee of health and inspection should be appointed, to provide for the relief of such poor inhabitants as might take the disorder, and likewise for such strangers as might be infected with it. In consequence of these resolves, the Eastern Shore line of stages was stopt in the course of a few days afterwards. The alarm in New York was first officially announced by a letter from the mayor to the practising physicians, dated Sep- tember 11th, in which he requested them to report to him in writing the names of all such persons as had arrived, or should arrive, from Philadelphia, or any other place, by land or water, and were, or should be sick; and that such as should bo deem- ed subjects of infectious diseases, might be removed out of the qity. He notified them, that the corporation had taken mea- sures to provide a proper place as an hospital, for such persons as might unhappily become subjects of the fever in New York. In this letter the mayor declared hi'i opinion, that the intercourse with Philadelphia could not be lawfully interrupted by any power in the state. The 12th appeared a proclamation from Gover- nor Clinton, which, referring to the " act to prevent the bring- fiom Philadelphia about this time, were written by persons, whose interest it was to injure tho city; and gave statements so very different, even from the very worst rumours prevailing here, that it'was morally impossible the writers themselves couhl have believed them ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. 55 ing in, and spreading of infectious disorders," prohibited, in the termsof that act, all vessels from Philadelphia, to approach nearer to the city of New York than Bedloe's Island, about two miles distant, till duly discharged. The silence of this procla- mation respecting passengers by land, seemed to imply that the governor's opinion on the subject coincided with that of the mayor. The same day, at a meeting of the citizens, the necessity of taking some precautions was unanimously agreed upon, and a committee of seven appointed to report a plan to a meeting to be held next day. Their report, which was unanimously adopted on the 13th, recommended to hire two physicians, to assist the physician of the port in his examination of vessels; to check, as much as possible, the intercourse by stages; to ac- quaint the proprietors of the southern stages, that it was the earnest wish of the inhabitants, that their carriages and boats should not come to the city, during the prevalence of the disor- der in Philadelphia; and to request the practitioners of physic to report, without fail, every case of fever to which they might be called, occurring in any person that had or might arrive from Philadelphia, or have intercourse with them. Not satis- fied with these measures, the corporation, on the 17th, came to the resolution to stop all intercourse between the two cities; and for this purpose guards were placed at the different landings, with orders to refuse admittance to all persons coming from Philadelphia; and if any were discovered to have arrived after that date, they were to be directly sent back. Those who kept lodging houses were required to give information of all persons of the above description, under penalty of being prosecuted ac- cording to law. All good citizens were required to give infor- mation to the mayor, or any member of the committee, of any breach in the premises. These strict precautions being eluded by the fears and the vigilance of some of the fugitives from Philadelphia, on the 23d there was a meeting held of delegates from the several wards of the city, in order to adopt more effectual measures. At this meeting, it was resolved to establish a night watch of not less than ten citizens in each ward, to guard against every attempt to enter under cover of darkness. Not yet released from their fears, they next day published an address, in which they mentioned, that, notwithstanding their utmost vigilance, many persons had been clandestinely landed upon the shores of 56 ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. New York island. They therefore again called upon their fel- low citizens to be cautious how they received strangers into their houses; not to fail to report all such to the mayor imme- diately upon their arrival; to remember the importance of the occasion; and to consider what reply they should make to the just resentment of their fellow citizens, whose lives they might expose by a criminal neglect or infidelity. They likewise pe- remptorily required those who kept the different ferries on the shores of New Jersey and Staten Island, to pay such attention to their address, as not to transport any person but to the public landings, and that in the day time, between sun and sun. The 30th they published a prolix address, recapitulating the various precautions they had taken—the nature of the disorder—and the numbers who had died out of Philadelphia, without com- municating it to any one. They at the same time resolved, that goods, bedding, and clothing, packed up in Philadelphia, should, previous to their being brought into New York, be unpacked and exposed to the open air, in some well ventilated place, for at least forty-eight hours; that all linen or cotton clothes, or bedding, which had been used, should be well washed in seve- ral waters; and afterwards, that the whole, both such as had been and such as had not been used, should be hung up in a close room, and well smoked with the fumes of brimstone for one day, and after that again exposed for at least twenty-four hours to the open air; and that the boxes, trunks, or chests, in which they had been packed, should be cleaned and aired in the same manner; after which, being repacked, and such evidence given of their purification as the committee should require, per- mission might be had to bring them into the city. The 11th of October they likewise resolved, that they would consider and publish to the world, as enemies to the welfare of the city, and the lives of its inhabitants, all those who should be so selfish, as to attempt to introduce any goods, wares, mer- chandise, bedding, baggage, &c. imported from, or packed up in Philadelphia, contrary to the rules prescribed by the com- mittee, who were, they said, deputed to express the will of their fellow citizens. They recommended to the inhabitants to with- stand any temptation of profit, which might attend the purchase of goods in Philadelphia, as no emolument to an individual, they added, could warrant the hazard to which such conduct might expose the city. Besides all these resolves, they pub- lished daily statements of the health of the city, to allay the fears of their fellow citizens. ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER IN 1793. 57 On the 14th of November the committee resolved, that pas- sengers coming from Philadelphia to New York might be ad- mitted, in future, together with their wearing apparel, without restriction, as to time, until further orders from the committee. The 20th, they declared that they were happy to announce to their fellow citizens, that health was restored to Philadelphia; but that real danger was still to be apprehended from the bed- ding and clothing of those who had been ill of the malignant fever; and that they had received satisfactory information, that attempts had been made to ship on freight considerable quan- tities of beds and bedding from Philadelphia for their city.* They therefore resolved that it was inexpedient to admit the introduction of beds or bedding of any kind, or feathers in bags, or otherwise; also, second-hand wearing apparel of every spe- cies, coming from places infected with the yellow fever; and that whosoever should attempt so high-handed an offence as to bring them in, and endanger the lives and health of the inha- bitants, would justly merit their resentment and indignation. The inhabitants of Trenton and Lamberton associated on the 13th of September, and on the 17th passed several resolutions to guard themselves against the contagion. They resolved that the landing of all persons from Philadelphia, at any ferry or place from Lamberton to Howell's ferry, four miles above Trenton, should be guarded against; that the intercourse by water should be prohibited between Lamberton, or the head of tide water, arid Philadelphia; and that all boats from Philadel- phia, should be prevented from landing either goods or pas- sengers any where between Bordentown and the head of tide water; that no person whatever should be permitted to come from Philadelphia, or Kensington, while the fever continued; that all persons who should go from within the limits of the association, to either of those places, should be prevented from returning during the continuance of the fever; and finally, that their standing committee should inquire whether any persons, not inhabitants, who had lately come from places infected, and were therefore likely to be infected themselves, were within the limits of the association, and if so, that they should be obliged instantly to withdraw beyond these limits. The 12th of September, the Governor of Maryland published a proclamation, subjecting all vessels from Philadelphia to the performance of a quarantine, not exceeding forty days, or as much less as might be judged safe by the health officers. It H 58 ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER IN 1793. further ordered, that all persons going to Baltimore, to Havre de Grace, to the head of Elk, or, by any other route, making their way into that state from Philadelphia, or any other place. known to be infected with the malignant fever, should be sub- ject to be examined, and prevented from proceeding, by per- sons to be appointed for that purpose, and who were- to take the advice and opinion of the medical faculty in every case, in order that private affairs and pursuits might not be unnecessa- rily impeded. This proclamation appointed two health officers for Baltimore. The people of Baltimore met the 13th of September, and re- solved that none of their citizens should receive into their houses any persons coming from Philadelphia, or other infect- ed place, without producing a certificate from the health offi- cer, or officer of patrole; and that any person who violated that resolve, should be held up to the publie view, as a proper ob- ject for the resentment of the town. The 14th a party of mi- litia was despatched to take possession of a pass on the Phila- delphia road, about two miles from Baltimore, to prevent the entrance of any passengers from Philadelphia without license. Dr. Worthington, the health officer stationed at this pass, was directed to refuse permission to persons afflicted with any ma- lignant complaint, or who had no* been absent from Philadel- phia, or other infected place, at least seven days. The West- ern Shore line of Philadelphia stages was stopped about the 18th or 19th. The 30th, the Committee of Health resolved that no inhabi- tant of Baltimore, who should visit persons from Philadelphia, while performing quarantine, should be permitted to enter the town, until the time of quarantine was expired, and until it was fully ascertained that the persons he had visited were free from the infection; and that thenceforward no goods capable of con- veying infection, which had been landed or packed up in Phi- ladelphia, or other infected place, should be permitted to enter the town—nor should any baggage-of travellers be admitted, until it had been exposed to the open air such length of time aft the health officer might direct. ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. 59 CHAPTER XL Proceedings at Havre de Grace—At Hagerstown—At Alexandria —At Winchester—At Boston—At Newburyport—In Rhode Is- land—At Newbern—At Charleston—In Georgia.—Fasting and Prayer. The 25th of September, the inhabitants of Havre de Grace resolved that no person should be allowed to cross the Susque- hannah river at that town, who did not bring a certificate of his not having lately come from Philadelphia, or any other in- fected place; and that the citizens of Havre would embody themselves to prevent the passage of any person without such certificate. At Hagerstown, on the 3d of October, it was resolved, that no citizen should receive into his house any person coming from Philadelphia, supposed to be infected with the malignant fever, until he or she had produced a certificate from a health officer; that should any citizen contravene the above resolution, he should be proscribed from all society with his fellow citi- zens; that the clothing sent to the troops then in that town, should not be received there, nor suffered to come within seven miles thereof; that if any person from Philadelphia, or other infected place, should arrive there, he should be required in- stantly to depart, and in case of refusal or neglect, be compel- led to go Avithout delay; that no merchant, or other person, should be suffered to bring into the town, or open therein, any goods brought from Philadelphia, or other infected place, until permitted by their committee; and that the. citizens of the town, and its vicinity, should enrol themselves as a guard, and patrole such roads and passes as the committee should direct. The governor of Virginia, on the 17th of September, issued a proclamation, ordering all vessels from Philadelphia, the Grenades, and the island of Tobago, to perform a quarantine of twenty days, at the anchorage ground, off Craney island, near the mouth of Elizabeth river. The corporation of Alexandria stationed a look-out boat, to prevent all vessels bound to that port, from approaching nearer than one mile, until after examination by the health officer. 60 ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. The people of Winchester placed guards at every avenue of the town leading from the Potomac, to stop all suspected per- sons, packages, &c. coming from Philadelphia, till the health officers should inspect them, and either forbid or allow them to pass. The legislature of Masachusetts was in session, at the time the alarm spread; and accordingly passed an act for guarding against the impending danger. This act authorized the select- men in the different towns, to stop and examine any persons* baggage, merchandise, or effects, coming or supposed to be coming into the towns respectively,from Philadelphia, or other place infected, or supposed to be infected; and should it appear to them, or to any officers whom they should appoint, that any danger of infection was to be apprehended from such persons, effects, baggage, or merchandise, they were empowered to de- tain or remove the same to such places as they might see pro- per, in order that they might be purified from infection; or to place any persons so coming, in such places,and under such re- gulations as they might judge necessary for the public safety. In pursuance of this act, the governor issued a proclamation to carry it into effect, the 21st of September. The selectmen of Boston, on the 24th, published their regu- lations of quarantine, which ordered, that on the arrival of any vessel from Philadelphia, she should be detained at, or near Rainsford's Island, to perform a quarantine not exceeding thirty days, during which time she should be cleansed with vinegar, and the explosion of gunpowder between the decks and in the cabin, even though there were no sick persons on board; that in case there were, they should be removed to an hospital, where they should be detained till they recovered or were long enough to ascertain that they had not the infection; that every vessel, performing quarantine, should be deprived of its boat, and no boat suffered to approach it, but by special per- mission; that if any persons should escape from vessels per- forming quarantine, they should be instantly advertised, in order that they might be apprehended; that no persons coming by land from Philadelphia, should be allowed to enter Boston, until twenty-one days after their arrival; and that their effects, baggage, and merchandise should be opened, washed with vinegar, and fumigated with repeated explosions of gunpow- der. In the conclusion, the selectmen called upon the inhabi- tants " to use their utmost vigilance and activity to hring to ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. 61 condign punishment, any person who should be so daring and lost to every idea of humanity, as to come into the town from any place supposed to be infected, thereby endangering the lives of his fellow men." The 23d of September, the selectmen of Newburyport noti- fied the pilots not to bring any vessels from Philadelphia, higher up Merrimack river, than the black rocks, until they should be examined by the health officer, and a certificate be obtained from him, of their being free from infection. The governor of Rhode Island, the 21st of September, issued a proclamation, directing the town councils and other officers, to use their utmost vigilance to cause the law to prevent the spreading of contagious disorders to be strictly executed, more especially with respect to all vessels which should arrive in that state, from the West Indies, Philadelphia, and New York; the extension of the precaution to the latter place was owing to the danger apprehended from the intercourse between it and Philadelphia. The 28th of September, the governor of North Carolina pub- lished a proclamation; requiring the commissioners of naviga- tion in the different ports of the said state, to appoint certain places, where all vessels from the port of Philadelphia, or any other place in which the malignant fever might prevail, should perform quarantine for such number of days as they might think proper. The commissioners of Newbern, on the 30th of September, ordered that until full liberty should be given, vessels arriving from Philadelphia, or any other place in which an infectious disorder might be, should, under a penalty of five hundred pounds, come to anchor at least one mile below the town, and there perform a quarantine for at least ten days, unless their captains should produce from inspectors appointed for the purpose, a certificate that in their opinion the vessels might, with safety to the inhabitants, proceed to the town or harbour, and there land their passengers or cargo. The 18th of Octo- ber, they ordered, that if any free man should go on board any vessel from Philadelphia, &c. or should bring from on board such vessel, any goods or merchandise, before she was permit- ted to land her cargo or passengers, he should, for every offence, forfeit five pounds; and if any slave should offend as above, he should be liable to be whipped not exceeding fifty lashes, and his master to the payment of five pounds. 63 ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. The governor of South Carolina published a proclamation, subjecting Philadelphia vessels to quarantine, the date of which I cannot ascertain. The inhabitants of Charleston, on the 8th of October, had a meeting, at which they resolved, that no vessel from the river Delaware, either directly or after having touched at any other port of the United States, should be permitted to pass Charleston bar, till the citizens had again assembled, and declared themselves satisfied that the disorder had ceased in Philadelphia. If any vessel, contrary thereto, should cross the bar, the governor should be requested to com- pel it to quit the port, and return to sea. The governor of Georgia, on the 4th of October, published a proclamation, ordering all vessels from Philadelphia, which should arrive in Savannah river, to remain in Tybee creek, or in other parts equally distant from the town, until the health officer of the port should, on examination, certify, that no ma- lignant or contagious disease was on board. All persons con- travening this proclamation, were to be prosecuted, and sub- jected to the pains and penalties provided by law. The people of Augusta, in that state, were as active and vi- gilant as their northern neighbours, to guard against the threatening danger. The inhabitants of Reading, in Pennsylvania, had a meeting the 24th of September, and passed sundry resolutions, viz. that no dry goods should be imported into that borough from Phi- ladelphia, or any other place infected with a malignant fever, until the expiration of one month from that date, unless per- mission were had from the inhabitants convened in town-meet- ing; that no persons from Philadelphia, or any other infected place, should be allowed to enter, until they had undergone the examination of a physician, and obtained his certificate of their being free from infection; that no stage-wagon should be per- mitted to bring into the borough passengers from Philadelphia, or other place infected; and that all communication, by stages, with this city should be discontinued for one month, unless sooner permitted by the inhabitants. At Bethlehem, a meeting was held on the 26th of September; at which it was resolved, that persons from Philadelphia, should perform a quarantine of twelve days, before their en- trance into the town. A similar resolve was soon after en- tered into at Nazareth. But at neither place was it observed with any strictness. No guard was appointed. And the as- ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. 63 Bertion of any decent traveller, apparently in health, with re- spect to the time of his absence from Philadelphia, was consi- dered as sufficient to be relied on, without resorting to formal proof. Various precautions were observed in other places, of which I am not able to give a statement, not having procured an ac- count of their resolves or proceedings. The calamity of Philadelphia, while it roused the circum- spection of the timid in various places, excited the pious to offer up their prayers to Almighty God for our relief, comfort, and support. Various days were appointed for humiliation, fasting, and prayer, for this purpose. In New York, the 20th of September; in Boston, September 26th; in Albany, the 1st of October; in Baltimore, the 3d; in Richmond, the 9th; in Providence, the same day; the synod of Philadelphia, fixed on the 24th of October; the Protestant Episcopal churches in Vir- ginia, November 6; the Dutch synod of New York, Novem- ber 13; the synod of New York and New Jersey, November 20. At Hartford, daily prayers were for some time offered up for our relief. CHAPTER XII. Conflict between the Law of Self-preservation and the Law of Cha- rity. The Law of Charity victorious. While our citizens were proscribed in several cities and towns—hunted up like felons in some—debarred admittance and turned back in others, whether sound or infected—it is with extreme satisfaction I have to record a conduct totally dif- ferent, which ought to make a strong impression on the minds of the people of Philadelphia, and call forth lively emotions of gratitude. At Woodbury, in New Jersey, at an early period of the dis- order, a meeting was held for the purpose of determining on what steps were requisite to be taken. A motion was made to suspend intercourse with Philadelphia. But, four persons only having risen to support it, it was of course rejected, and our citizens were allowed free entrance. A respectable number of the inhabitants of Springfield, in 64 ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OK 1793. New Jersey, met the first day of October, and after a full consider- ation of the distresses of our citizens, passed a resolve, offering their town as an asylum to the people flying from Philadelphia, and directing their committee to provide a suitable place as an hospital for the sick. The Rev. Jacob V. Artsdalen, Matthias Meeker, and Matthias Denman, took the lead in this honoura- ble business. I have been informed, by a person of credit, that the inhabi- tants of Elizabcthtown have pursued the same liberal plan, as those of Sprini-ticldj but have not been able to procure a copy of their resolves or proceedings on the subject. At Chestertown in Maryland, a place was appointed, at a distance from the town, for the reception of such travellers and others, as might have the disorder. It was provided with every necessary—and a physician engaged to attend the sick. An asylum has likewise been offered to Philadclphians, by several of the inhabitants of Elkton, in Maryland; and the offer was couched in terms of the utmost sympathy for our suffer- ings. A place on the same plan as that at Chester, was fitted up near the town. At Easton, in Pennsylvania, the only precaution observed, was to direct the emigrants from Philadelphia, to abstain for a week from intercourse with the inhabitants. The people of Wilmington have acted in the most friendly manner towards our distressed citizens. At first they were considerably alarmed, and resolved on the establishment of a quarantine and guards. But they immediately laid aside these precautions, and received fugitives from Philadelphia with the most perfect freedom. They erected an hospital for the recep- tion of our infected citizens, which they supplied with necessa- ries. Yet of eight or ten persons from Philadelphia, who died in that town, with the malignant fever, only one was sent to the hospital. The others were nursed and attended in the houses where they fell sick. Humane, tender, and friendly, as were the worthy inhabitants of Wilmington in general, two charac- ters have so far distinguished themselves, as to deserve parti- cular notice. These are Doctor Way, and Major Bush, whose houses were always open to the fugitives from Philadelphia, whom they received without the smallest apprehension, and treated with a degree of genuine hospitality, that reflects great honour on them. In the exercise of this virtue, they were not confined by a narrow regard to their particular friends or ac- ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. 65 quaintance—but entertained, with equal humanity, whole fami- lies of persons who were entire strangers to them. This was of the more importance, and operated as a heavier tax on them, as, I believe, there was only one tavern-keeper, Brinton1 whose house was open for people from Philadelphia: and it was con- sequently so crowded in general, as frequently to render it dif- ficult to procure admittance. The instances of this kind, through this extensive country, have been but few; they are, therefore, only the more precious^ and ought to be held up ito public approbation. May they operate at a future day, in similar cases of dreadful calamity, and teach people to temper their caution with as much huma- nity and tenderness to distressed fugitives, as prudence will allow—and not involve, in one indiscriminate proscription, the healthy and infected. CHAPTER XIII. Disorder fatal to the Doctors—to the Clergy—to Drunkards__to Filles de Joie—to Maid Servants—to the Poor—and in close streets.—Less destructive to the French, and to the Negroes. Rarely has it happened, that so large a proportion of the gentlemen of the faculty have sunk beneath the labours of their very dangerous profession, as on this occasion. In five or six weeks, exclusive of medical students, no less than ten physi- cians have been swept off, Doctors Hutchinson, Morris, Linn, Pennington, Dodds, Johnson, Glentworth, Phile, Grahaih and Green. Scarcely one of the practising doctors who remained in the city, escaped sickness. Some were three, four, and five times confined. To the clergy it has, likewise proved very fatal. Exposed, in the exercise of the last duties to the dying, to equal danger with the physicians, it is not surprising that so many of them have fallen. Their names are, the Rev. Alexander Murray, of the Protestant Episcopal church—the Rev. F. A. Fleming and the Rev. Laurence Graessl of the Roman Catholic—the Rev. John Winkhause, of the German Reformed—the Rev. James Sproat, of the Presbyterian—the Rev. William Dough- erty, of the Methodist church—and likewise four noted preach- 66 ACCOUNT Or THE FI.V1-.R OF 1793. ers of the Friends society, Daniel Oflley, Huson Langstroth, Michael Minier, and Charles Williams. Seven clergymen have been in the greatest danger from this disorder, the Re>. R. Blackwell, Rev. Joseph Pilmore, Rev. William Rogers, Rev. Christopher V. Keating, Rev. Frederic Schmidt, the Rev. Jo- seph Turner, and the Rev. Robert Annan; but they have all re- covered. Among the women, the mortality has not, by any means, been so great, as among the men,* nor among the old and in- firm as among the middle-aged and robust. To tipplers and drunkards, and gourmands, and persons of a corpulent habit of body, this disorder was very fatal. Of these, many were seized, and the recoveries were very rare. To the filles dejoie, it has been equally fatal. The wretched, debilitated state of their constitutions, rendered them an easy prey to this dreadful disorder, which very soon terminated their miserable career. To hired servant maids it has been very destructive. Num- bers of them fled away<—of those who remained, very many (ell, who had behaved with air extraordinary degree of fidelity. It has been dreadfully destructive among the poor. It is vepy probable, that at least seven-eighths of the number of the dead, were of that class. The inhabitants of dirty houses have severely expiated their neglect of cleanliness and decency, by the numbers of them that have fallen sacrifices. Whole fami- lies, in such houses, have sunk into one silent, undislinguishing grave. The mortality in confined streets, small alleys, and close houses, debarred of a free circulation of air, has, as might natu- rally be expected, exceeded, in a great proportion, that in the large streets and well-aired houses. In some of the alleys, a third or fourth of the whole of the inhabitants are no more. In thirty houses, the whole number in Pewter Platter alley, thirty-two people died: but in a part of» Market street, contain- ing one hundred and seventy houses, only-thirty nine. The streets in the suburbs, which had the benefit of a free circula- tion of air, especially towards the west part of the city, have suffered little. Of the wide, airy streets, none lost so many people as Arch, near Water street, which may be accounted * In many congregations, the deaths of men have been nearly twice iu no- merous as those of women ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. 67 for, by its proximity to the original seat of the disorder. It is to be particularly remarked, that in general, the more remote the street* were from Water street, the less of the calamity they experienced. From the effects of this disorder the French newly settled in Philadelphia, have been in a very remarkable degree exempt.* To what this may be owing, is a subject deserving particular investigation.! By some it has been ascribed to their de- spising the danger. But, though this may have had some ef- fect, it will not certainly account for it altogether; as it is well known that many of the most courageous persons in Philadel- phia, have been among its victims. By many of the French, the great fatality of the disorder has been attributed to the vast quantities of crude and unwholesome fruits brought to our' markets, and consumed by all classes of people. When the yellow fever prevailed in South Carolina, the ne- groes, according to that accurate observer, Dr. Lining, were wholly free from it. " There is something very singular in the constitution of the negroes," says he, " which renders them not liable to this fever; for though many of them were as much exposed as the nurses to this infection, yet I never knew one instance of this fever among them, though they are equally subject with the white people to the bilious fever."f The same idea prevailed for a considerable time in Philadelphia; but it was erroneous. They did not escape the disorder; however, there were scarcely any of them seized at first, and the number that were finally affected, was not great; and, it is asserted, by an eminent doctor, "it yielded to the power of medicine in them more easily than in the whites." The error that prevailed on this subject had a salutary effect; for, at an early period of the disorder, few white nurses could be pro- cured; and, had the negroes been equally terrified, the suffer- ings of the sick, great as they actually were, would have been exceedingly aggravated. At the period alluded to, the elders of the African church met, and offered their assistance to the * The French who had been long established here, were nearly as much affected as tho natives. I The frequent use the French make of lavements, at all times, may pro- bably account for their escaping so very generally as they did. These purify the bowels, help to discharge the foul matter, and remove costiveness, which is one of the most certain supports of this and various other disorders. } Essays and Observations, vol. ii page 407. 68 ^COUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. Mayor, to procure nurses for the sick, and aid in burying the dead. Their offers were accepted; and Absalom Jones, Rich- ard Allen, and V/illiam Gray, undertook the management of these two several services. The great demand for nurses, af- forded an opportunity for imposition, which was eagerly seized by some of those who acted in that capacity, both coloured and white. They extorted two, three, four, and even five dollars a night for such attendance, a's would have been well paid for, by a single dollar. Some of them were even detected* in plunder- ing the houses of the sick. On examining the books of the hospital at Bushhill, it ap- pears, that there were nearly twenty coloured people received there, of whom about three-fourths died. CHAPTER XIV. Origin of the Disorder. This disorder has most unquestionably been imported from the West Indies. As yet, however, owing to various obvious reasons, it is difficult to fix, with absolute precision, on the ves- sel or vessels, (for it is very probable it came in several, from the different infected islands) by which it was introduced. That it is an imported disorder, rests on the following reasons, each of which singly, renders the theory plausible, but all, col- lectively, establish it to the satisfaction of every candid and reasonable man. 1st. The yellow fever existed in several of the West India Islands a long time before its appearance here.* From which islands various vessels arrived here in July. * Extract from a London paper, of August 13, 1793. " The plague, brought from Bulam, which first made its appearance at Grenada, has spread most alarmingly. Eighty persons died in one day at Grenada of this epidemic. The hurricane months just coming on, are not likely to make it less violent in its effects." [" It appears by a subsequent paragraph in the same paper, that the disease was ascertained to be the yellow fever."] Extract from the Courier, a London paper, of August 2-1 " Before the fleet left Antigua, so great was the apprehension entertained there of the plague, that all vessels from Grenada, were obliged to perform ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. 69 2d. Scarcely any precautions were used to guard against the disorder. 3d. A respectable citizen of Philadelphia, supercargo of one of our vessels, saw, in July, six or seven people sick of this fever on board a brig at Cape Francois bound for our port.* 4th. A vessel from Cape Francois, which arrived here in July, lost several of her people with this fever, on her passage. 6th. A person from Cape Francois, died of this fever at Mar- cus Hookf—*-and another at Chester.} 7th. The vessels in which those persons arrived, and which were infected with the effluvia of the sick and dead, came freely to our wharves, and particularly to that very one where the dis- order made its first appearance. 8th. Persons sick of the yellow fever have been landed in our city from vessels arrived from the West Indies.§ 9th. There is the strongest reason to believe, that the beds and bedding of the sick and dead were not destroyed, but, on the contrary, brought into our city. 10th. This disorder had every characteristic symptom that marked it on former occasions, when its importation was un- questioned. Lastly, Of all the reasons advanced to support the opinion of its having been generated here, the only one, that has even the appearance of plausibility, viz. the influence of a tropical quarantine; and all letters from the latter island, were smoked at the former. The infection was reported to have reached Dominica." Extract from the Observer, a London paper, of August 25. " The plague, we are distressed to hear, has made its appearance in several of our West India Islands. At Grenada, and Dominica, the symptoms are said to be highly alarming." Extract from a Kingston paper, of October 12. " The islands of Barbadoes and Dominica continue to be afflicted with a malignant fever: about 300 white inhabitants have perished in the former, and near 500 in the latter." * To any inquirer I am ready to communicate the name of the supercargo, • and the name of the brig. t I do hereby declare, that I was at Marcus Hook late in July, when a wo- man, who had been landed there from one of the vessels lately from Cape Francois, died ; that I was informed by a French person, a neighbour, that she died of the yellow fever; that this person burned a quantity of tar at the door, for the purpose, as he informed me, of purifying the air.—John Massey. \ My information of the death of this person is derived from a letter writ- ten by Dr. William Martin to Dr. Currie. »^« or for. 1 U1C c»arity of their neighbours. Some of our unemployed tradesmen wished to procure work ahanf X ^ ', ^^ WCre enf?a?ed' that th«* ™uld all abandon their work; so that the overseers were obliged to re- nounce the idea, at least for some time. ^ The incautious security of the citizens of Philadelphia, at the first stage of the disorder, is highly to be regretted. Most of those who died of the malignant disorder, before the 26th of August, were carried to burial with the accustomed parade of attendants which so generally prevails in this city. The chief of the persons who at that time carried the dead to the grave, and several of those who attended the funerals, were speedily taken sick, and hurried into eternity. Sebastian Ale, an old grave digger, who had long lost the sense of smelling, fancied he could not take the disorder, and followed his business without apprehension. A husband and his wife who lay sick together, wished to be interred in the same grave. Their deaths happened within a few days of each other. When the latter of the two was to be buried, Sebastian was employed to dig open the other's grave. He struck upon and broke the coffin, and in stooping down, inhaled such an in- tolerable and deadly stench, that he was taken sick inimediatelv and in a day or two died. The scourge of the yellow fever has fallen with extreme se- verity on some families. There are various instances of five and six, and some of eight, ten, and of Godfrey Gebler's family no less than eleven were swept off the face of the earth. Dr. Sproat, his wife, son, and daughter—Michael Hay,his wife, and three childrc'n—David Flickwir and five of his family—Samuel Weatherby, wife, and four grown children, are no more. And there are numberless instances of a havoc equally great iii par- ticular families. There is one house in this city, from which above twenty persons were carried, some to Bushhill, but the most of them to the grave. There is one fact respecting this disorder, which renders it probable, that the exercise of the duties of humanity towards yj ACCOl'NT OF THK FEVER IN 17.'':>. the fugitive Philadelphians, would not have beet, attended with the danger universally imagined. In defiance of all the resolu- tions entered into by the inhabitants of various towns, many ot our infected citizens evaded their vigilance, and took rctuge among them, and in very few cases communicated the mtec- tion.—Three persons died of this disorder in one house near Woodbury, in New Jersev: they had been attended during then- illness, bv the family, none of whom caught the disease. Six or seven died in Darby, as many in Germantown, and eight in Haddonfield, without communicating it to any of the inhabit- ants. A man from Philadelphia, of the name of Cornell, died in New York, about two days after his arrival. The place of his death was a boarding house, in which were several board- ers, one of whom slept in the same bed with him. Two of the family only were slightly affected—but not in such a degree as to require medical aid. Several other infected persons from our city, died there, and no one caught the infection from thein. A man died at one of the principal ta\erns in Baltimore, of the same disorder. Many people had visited and attended him during the whole of his illness, without injury. No person was affected but his doctor, whose indisposition was not of long continuance. A great number of similar instances have occur- red in Burlington, Bordentown, Lamberton, Princeton, Bruns- wick, YVoodbridge, Newark, Lancaster, and various other places. Since the first edition appeared, I have had information from a number of creditable persons, that the idea that the disorder has not been communicated out of Philadelphia, is erroneous. A family, of the name of Hopper, near Woodbury, took it from some of our infected citizens, and three of them died. A wo- man in Chester county, who had boarded and lodged some of the sick, died of the malignant fever. Three people, of one family in Trenton, caught it from a sick person from Philadel- phia, and died of it. A negro servant belonging to Mr. Mor- gan, of Pensaucon Creek, in New Jersey, took up an infected bed floating in the Delaware, which spread the disorder in the family, and Mrs. Morgan and her girl both died of it. It was introduced by his son from Philadelphia, into the family of Mr. Cadwallader, at Abington, some of whom died with it. Some others in different places caught the infection, and died. Hut the cases of this kind have been extremely few, considering the numbers who carried the disorder from hence, and died with it in the country. ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER or 1 7U3. 83 CHAPTER XVII. Another Collection of Scraps. Those who reflect on the many shocking cases of cruelty and desertion of friends and relations which occurred in Philadel- phia, however they may regret, cannot be surprised, that in the country, and in various towns and cities, inhumanity should be experienced by Philadelphians, from strangers. The universal consternation extinguished in people's breasts the most honour- able feelings of human nature; and in this case, as.in various others, the suspicion operated as injuriously as the reality. Many travellers from this city, exhausted with fatigue and with hunger, have been refused shelter and sustenance, and have fallen victims to the fears, not to the want of charity, of (hose to whom they applied for relief.' Instances of this kind have occurred on almost every road leading from Philadelphia. Peo- ple under suspicion of having this disorder, have been forced by their fellow travellers to quit the stages, and it is said, have perished in the woods without a possibility of procuring assist- ance. It is reported that at Easton, in Maryland, a wagon load of goods from Philadelphia was actually burned; but for the truth of the report I do not vouch, and presume it cannot be correct. In a town in Jersey, an association was entered into to pre- vent all intercourse with Philadelphia, and the inhabitants agreed to mount guard, alternately. One man, who was prin- cipled against this severity, refused to do duty, or join in the combination. He was advertised, and all people forbidden tu have any communication with him—indeed he was absolutely refused the necessaries of life—a butcher, who passed his door, told him, when applied to for provisions, that he had meat enough, but none for him. Having gone, for a short time, from home, in the direction towards Philadelphia, but not within * The fugitive Philadelphians were in general as stiict in their precaution* against those who fled later than they, as any of the country peoplo <%>.■ 84 ACCOUNT OK THE FEVER OF 1 7f>3. thirty miles of the city, the sentinel on duty stopped him on his return—and he persisting in his determination to proceed. the other presented his firelock, and it is supposed would have shot him, but for the interference of a third person. The son of a citizen of Philadelphia arrived at a town in Vir- ginia fourteen days before the time of fixing the quarantine, which was for twenty days. However, he was still obliged to undergo the full quarantine after that time, which made thirty- four days, exclusive of above six days spent on the road. An emigrant from Philadelphia, who had been away nearly three weeks, had to cross a ferry in the neighbouring state, and was provided with proper certificates of the length of time he was absent. He got into the scow, with his wife, and carriage, and was rowed over to the opposite side. There he was re- fused permission to land, as he had not a certificate from a par- ticular magistrate in that part of the country. He leaped out of the scow, on a rock, and the sentinel swore he would blow his brains out, if he advanced a step farther. His wife, who was in the boat, was under the most dreadful apprehensions, as the ferrymen were drunk, the horses in the carriage fretful, and the wind high. In spite of his intreaties, and his offers to prove the length of his absence, he was obliged to return in quest of the magistrate pointed out. When he arrived at his house, which was several miles from the ferry, the justice con- cealed himself, through fear of catching the disorder. He then went to another, some miles further back. By the time he re- turned to the ferry, it was nine o'clock, and he had to wait till next morning. A poor man was taken sick on the road at a village not far from Philadelphia. He lay calling for water a considerable time in vain. At length, an old woman brought a pitcher full, and not daring to approach him, she laid it at a distance, de- siring him to crawl to it, which he did. After lying there about forty-eight hours, he died; and the body lay in a state of putrefaction for some time, until the neighbours hired two black butchers to bury him, for twenty-four dollars. They dug a pit to windward—with a fork, hooked a rope about his Beck—dragged him into it—and, at as great a distance as pos- sible, cast earth into the pit to cover him. In a small town not far distant from Philadelphia, very arbi- trary attempts were unfeelingly made to oblige one of our fugi- e re- were ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF IT',3. lives to mount guard against his own fellow chizens. II luscd; and finding him resolute against every effort, they obliged to desist. ' y The 17th of September, the western shore Baltimore stage was stopped about two miles from that town, by an armed .guard. 1 he hour of arrival was about eight o'clock at ni^ht I here was a tavern at pistol shot from the place. But the ta- vern keeper refused to receive the passengers, twelve in num- ber. Ihey were detained on the road all night without anv shelter but the stage, in which they dozed a part of the nighty during the remainder of it, they lay before a fire which thev had kindled in the woods. Next morning, the tavern keeper, one Murray, an inhuman Goth, when they sent to him for breakfast, refused to give them any. But about two hours afterwards, he let them have some bread, cheese, wine, and cider, with which they breakfasted on the road. In this situa- tion they remained until the afternoon, that is, for eighteen hours. A captain in the French navy, with his wife and seve- ral French gentlemen, were among the passengers. A respectable citizen of Philadelphia left the city with his family Sept. 17th, intending to reside on Long Island till the disorder ceased. He was taken ill on the road—and prevented from proceeding, near Newark. He took lodgings at a cap- tain Littel's, near Second river. The alarm spread of an infect- ed man being in the house—the neighbours assembled—fixed a fence on each side of Littel's house, and obliged the people to remove out of a house near to it, which the fence likewise en- closed. The road and river lay before Littel's door; the form- er was entirely cut off by the fence, which run clear to the river. At the distance of a hundred yards, was a church, in which public worship was intermitted for some time through fear. Travellers took a circuitous route of nearly a mile, to avoid danger. " At length he died—and his son, about nine years old, had to assist in performing the last melancholy rites for him. The fence remained for ten days after his death, to ascertain whe- ther or not his family had taken the disorder. Justice requires me to add, that they were not suffered to be in want of any necessaries. They were directed to write what they had occasion for, on a paper, and fasten it on the fence. Persons were appointed to supply them with whatever was re- quisite. v6 \CCOUM OF THE FIVER Ol 17*'!*. An artful girl, just from Philadelphia, completely deceived the sentinel stationed near Bordentown. She asked him, with much earnestness, as if afraid to venture in " was that there con- founded yellow fever got into the town?"—" No," says ho, " you may go in with as much safety as to your own home." I need not add, that she went forward. A Philadelphian, in a small town near this city, lost his child in the fever, and went to bury it. On his return, he found all his furniture on the road, and the doors locked: and no entrea- ties could again procure him admittance. When tar was in use among the various preventives, a boy was determined to secure himself by night as well as by day; and accordingly tied a tarred rope twice about his neck, and afterwards buttoned his collar with some difficulty. lie woke in the night, half strangled, and black in the face. He may with justice be said to have nearly choked himself, to save his life. It would be extraordinary if so very favourable an opportu- nity of inventing marvellous stories, should have been suffered to pass over without some prodigies being recorded. Man- kind are ever prone to the extravagant, especially when their passions are warmed. And pity and terror, two passions par- ticularly calculated to foster this disposition, being roused into action to the highest degree, the marvellous stories, which were every where current, and which even stole into print, can be easily accounted for. Some of the Maryland papers relate, that " a voice had been heard in the streets of Philadelphia, warning the inhabitants to prepare for their doom, as written in the prophet Kzekiel, ch. 27." The Marylander who heard this voice, was certainly gifted with a most extraordinary ear, as, at the distance of above a hundred miles, he heard'what we could not hear on the spot. And it would appear that his right was equally good with his hearing; for he saw two angels con- versing with the watch. It is true, he is too modest to say, he saw them himself—he only says " two angels were seen convers- ing with the watch at midnight, about the subject of what the voice had previously proclaimed." But no person here having ever seen them—it is fairly presumable, as it would be highly criminal to doubt of facts resting on such authority, that he must have been the eye-witness himself. A merchant of Philadelphia, who had been absent for several ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. ^ be? lv! WaS rtUr,nluS t0 thC "* in the ™ond w«* of Novcm- ' ' *"»*■««* that the danger was no more. He met a man on the road going from Philadelphia; and naturally inquired into the state of affairs. The other, to indulge the contemptible propensity of hoaxing, told him, that a coffin maker, who had been employed by the committee for relief of the sick, had found such a decrease of demand two weeks before, that he had a large supply of coffins on hand; but that the mortality had again so far increased, that he had sold all, and had seven jour- neymen employed day and night. This so alarmed the Phila- delphian, that he again returned with his family, to wait a more favourable issue. A drunken sailor lay in the street, in the Northern Liberties, lor a few hours asleep, and was supposed by the neighbours to be dead with the disorder; but they were loo much afraid to make personal examination. They sent to the committee at the city hall for a cart and a coffin. The carter took the man by the heels, and was going to put him into the coffin. Hand- ling him roughly he awoke, and damning his eyes, asked him what he was about? the carter let him drop in a fright, and ran oil' as if a ghost was at his heels. A lunatic, who had the malignant fever, was advised, by his neighbours, to go to Bushhill. lie consented, and got into the cart; but soon changing his mind, he slipped out at the end, unknown to the carter, who, after a while, missing him, and seeing him at a distance running away, turned his horse about, and trotted hard after him. The other doubled his pace: and the carter whipped his horse to a gallop; but the man turnecTa corner, and hid himself in a house, leaving the mortified carter to return, and deliver an account of his ludicrous adventure. Several instances ffave occurre'd of the carters on their arrival at Bushhill, and proceeding to deliver up their charge, finding, to their amazement, the carts empty. A woman, whose husband died, refused to have him buried in a coffin provided for her by one of her friends, as too paltry and mean. She bought an elegant and costly one—and had the other laid by in the yard. In a week she was herself a corpse— and was buried in the very coffin she had so much despised. The wife of a man who lived in Walnut street, was seized with the malignant fever, and given over by the doctors. The husband abandoned her, and next night lay out of the house for SS ACCOUNT Ol III i: FEVER OF I 7 '»3. fear of catching the infection. In the morning, taking it for granted, from the very low state she had been in, that she was dead, he purchased a coffin for her; but on entering the house, was surprised to see her much recovered. He fell sick shortly after, died, and was buried in the very coffin, which he had so precipitately bought for his wife, who is still living. The powers of the god of love might be imagined to lie dor- mant amidst such scenes of distress as Bushhill exhibited. But we find that his sway was felt there with equal force as any where else. John Johnson, and Priscilla Hicks, two of the pa- tients, who had recovered, and officiated as nurses to the sick, were smitten with each other's charms—and, procuring leave of absence for an hour or two, they came to the city on the U.;d of September, were joined in the bands of matrimony, and re- turned to their avocation at the hospital. A long chasm took place in the hymeneal records: for no adventure of the same kind occurred, until the 5th of November, when Nassy, a Por- tuguese mulatto, took to wife Hannah Smith, a bouncing Ger- man girl, who, as well as himself, was employed as nurse. The state of the police and of society in Philadelphia, appears to no small advantage, when we consider one circumstance. Notwithstanding the absence of the magistrates, and the im- mense value of property left unprotected through the fears of the owners, and the deaths of the persons left to take care of it, only one or two burglaries were committed.—One was attempt- ed: but the rogues were discovered and taken. A hardened villain Iiikti a neighbouring state, formed a plot with some ne- groes t6 plunder houses. He was a master rogue, had digested a complete system, and formed a large partnership for the more successful execution of his schemes. However, he was soon seized, and the company dissolved. The jail of Philadelphia is under such excellent regulation, that the disorder made its appearance there only in two or three instances, although such abodes of misery are places where contagious disorders are very frequently generated. When the yellow fever raged most violently in the city, there were in the jail one hundred and six French soldiers and sailors, confined by order of the French consul; besides eighty convicts, vagrants, and persons for trial; all of whom, except two or three, re- mained perfectly free from the complaint. Several circum- stances conspired to produce this salutary effect. The people confined were frequently cleanued and purified by the use of the ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. a9 ^^ i?:z:izzhil: t prp,e of phi,ade,phia ™*»™- nterruptedly parched up by unceasing heat. Elijah Weed the Ute jador, caught the disorder in the city, and died in th, jail without communicating it to any of the people confined I hope I shall be excused for paying a tribute to the memory of this valuable citizen, under whose government of the jail, and with whose hearty co-operation, most of the regulations in that institution have been effected, which, with the successful expe- riments made in England, prove that jails may be easily con- verted from sinks of human depravity and wretchedness, into places of reformation; so that, instead of rendering the idle va- grant, confined merely on suspicion, or for want of friends to protect him, obdurate, wicked, and ripe for rapine and spoil,— the profligate and abandoned may be so reclaimed in them as on their liberation, to become useful members of society. 1 or the honour of human nature, it ought to be recorded, that some of the convicts in the jail, a part of the term of whose confine- ment had been remitted, as a reward for their peaceable, orderly behaviour, voluntarily offered themselves as nurses, to attend the sick at Bushhill, and have in that capacity conducted them- selves with great fidelity. Among them are some who were formerly regarded, and with justice, as hardened, abandoned villains, which the old system usually rendered every tenant of a jail, who remained there a few weeks. According to the same summary system, these men's lives would have been long since offered up as an atonement to society for the injury they had done it. That is, in plain English, because society had suffered one injury by rapine, it was necessary it should suffer another by law. But by the present improved and humane plan, they and great numbers of others are restored to society and usefulness once more. So much better, although a little more troublesome, is it, to reform men, than to butcher them under colour of law and justice. The sympathy for our calamities, displayed in various places, and the very liberal contributions raised for our relief, reflect the highest honour on their inhabitants, and demand our warm- est gratitude. The inhabitants of Gloucester county, iu New Jersey, have the honour of being first in this laudable race. So 90 ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. early as the 30th of September, they had a considerable sum collected, with which they purchased a quantity of provisions for the use of the hospital at Bushhill. They have, from that time, regularly continued copious supplies twice a week. In addition to this they have made, and are now making, consi- derable purchases of wood, for the relief of the poor during the winter. From a few citizens of Philadelphia, near German- town, there have been received two thousand dollars; from others near Darby, fourteen hundred: from New York, five thousand; from a person unknown, five hundred; from Bucks' county, sixteen hundred; from Delaware county, twelve hun- dred; from Franklin county, nearly five hundred: from Boston, sundry articles, which have been sold for nearly two thousand; and from sundry other persons and places, contributions equally liberal and honourable. There has been a very strong analogy between the state of Philadelphia, and that of an army. About the close of August, and till the middle of September, when the dangers were few, and, by prudent management, might have been easily sur- mounted, an universal trepidation benumbed people's faculties; and flight and self-preservation seemed to engross the whole at- tention of a large proportion of the citizens. Just so, with an army of recruits. Every breath of wind terrifies them. Vague rumours are heard with fear and trembling. In every tree at a distance is beheld a formidable enemy, to whom they are ready to lay down their arms, and surrender at discretion. But when the "din of arms, and cannon's rattle" have familiarized them with the horrid trade of death, the obstinate phalanx beholds, unmoved, its ranks mowed down, and death advancing, with rapid strides, to terminate their (as it is falsely termed) glorious career.—Even thus was it here. Towards the close of Septem- ber, and during the first part of October, when the horrors of the scene were constantly increasing, and from fifty to a hun- dred were interred daily, then people cast away their various preventives—thieves' vinegar, tarred ropes, garlic, camphor bags, smelling bottles, Sec—And then it was, that they as- sumed a manly fortitude, tempered with the sober, serious pen- siveness, befitting such an awful scene. A friend, to whom I communicated this idea, has endea- voured to explain the matter differently. He says, that those who were terrified at first, generally fled away—and left behind such as were possessed of a stronger frame of mind. This is ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. &, ZuZ'sonZ™7* me"' Wrh° WCre am°^ the m0St str^ing whh Ap * "" °f terr°r at fim» behaved>in ^ end, with the most exemplary fortitude Shall I be pardoned for passing a censure on those, whose mistaken zeal led them, during the most dreadful stages of the calamity, to crowd some of our churches, and aid this frightful enemy in his work of destruction? who, fearful, lest their prayers and adoration at home would not find acceptance be- lore the Deity, resorted to churches filled with bodies of con- tagious air, where, with every breath, they inhaled noxious miasmata? To this cause may probably be ascribed a consi- derable proportion of the mortality—And it is remarkable, that those congregations, whose places of worship were most crowd- ed, have suffered the most dreadfully. Will men never acquire wisdom? Are we yet to learn, that the Almighty architect of the heavens and earth, Joes not require " temples made with men's hands?" that going to a place of worship, against the great law of self-preservation, implanted in indelible characters by his divine hand, on the breast of every one of his creatures, constitutes no part of the adoration due to the maker and pre- server of mankind? That a " meek and humble heart" is the temple wherein he delights to be worshipped? I hope not—I hope the awful lesson some of our congregations hold forth on this subject, by a mortality out of all proportion to their num- bers, will serve as a memento at all future times, in the like critical emergencies]"* Some of those who remained in the city have absurdly been in the habit of reproaching those who fled, with criminality as cfeserters, who abandoned their posts.t I believe, on the contra- * This paragraph, although erroneous, is retained, that I may have an op portunity, which I cheerfully embrace, of acknowledging the mistake I have committed. On a revision of the bills of mortality, it appears, that those congregations who kept up religious worship regularly, did not lose more than, and some not so many as, their usual proportions. In one year, ending July 31, 1703, the German Lutherans buried more than a sixth of the whole number of the dead in the city—the German Reformed, u fifteenth—the Friends, a tenth—and St. Mary's, an eighth. From August 1, to .Nnember 9 1793, the burials among the German Lutherans were not quite a sixth— among the German Reformed, nearly a sixteenth—among the Friends, an eleventh—and in St. Mary's grave yard, a sixteenth. These were the con- gregations I alluded to, in the above remarks. t If they were even guilty of a crime, it brought its own punishment; as I am fully convinced, that those who were absent, and a prey to the a-.-uety caused by the frightful reports current, suffered as much as those who re- mained in the city. 92 ACCOUNT Of THF. FEVER IN 1793. ry, that as the nature of our government did not allow the arbi- trary measures to be pursued, which, in despotic countries, would probably have extinguished the disorder at an early period—it was the duty of every person to avoid the danger, whose circumstances and situation allowed it. The effects of the desertion were, moreover, salutary. The sphere of action of the disorder was diminished. Half a dozen empty houses arrested the disease in its progress, as it was slowly, but surely travelling through a street, and probably rescued a neighbour- hood from its ravages. We shall long have to mourn the se- vere loss our city has felt, in being bereft of so many valuable citizens: and had the 17,000, who retired, been in the city during the prevalence of the disorder, and lost as large a pro- portion of their number, as those did who remained, we should, instead of 4000 dead,have probably lost 6000; and perhaps had to deplore in the number, another Clow, a Cay, a Lea, a Sims, a Dunkin, a Strawbridge, men of extensive business, whose loss will be long felt—a Pennington, a Glentworth, a Hutchinson, a Sergeant, a Howell, a Waring, men endowed by heaven with eminent abilities—a Fleming, a Graessl, a Sproat, men of ex- alted piety and virtue—a Wilson, an Adgate, a Baldwin, a Car- roll, a Tomkins, an Offley, citizens of most estimable charac- ters. Let those then who have remained, regard their long-absent friends, as if preserved from death by their flight, and rejoice at their return in health and safety. Let those who have been absent, acknowledge the exertions of those who maintained their ground. Let us all unite in the utmost vigilance to pre- vent the return of this fell destroyer, by the most scrupulous at- tention to cleansing and purifying our scourged city—and let us join in thanksgiving to that Supreme Being, who has, in his own time, stayed the avenging storm, ready to devour us, after it had laughed to scorn all human efforts. ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. List of the Burials in the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, as taken from the Books kept by Clergymen, Sextons, £., from August 1st to November 9th, 1793. J W !V HI RIALS. TOTALS August September. October. November 1 2 9 8 17 74 67 13 21 113 114 'A 4 5 C 9 10 10 3 11 23 20 21 78 58 71 76 15 15 14 11 113 KXi 115 114 7 12 18 82 15 127 8 5 42 90 8 145 9 11 32 102 6 151 10 G an !>:i 128 11 7 23 119 149 12 5 33 111 149 13 1] 37 104 152 14 4 48 8J i:s:; 15 9 fit; 80 145 1G 7 67 70 144 17 G 81 80 167 18 5 68 59 132 19 9 fil 65 135 20 7 67 55 129 21 8 57 59 124 22 13 76 82 171 23 10 68 51 132 24 17 96 :i8 151 25 12 87 35 134 26 17 52 23 9? 27 12 60 13 85 28 22 51 25 98 29 24 57 17 98 30 20 63 10 93 31 17 22 39 325 1442 1993 J1H ;t87s Jews returnee in gross 3 Baptists do 60 Methodists do. 32 Free Quakers do 38 German part of St. Mary's congregation 30 Total 4041' ' From the great confusion that prevailed among the Sextons during the prevalence of the fever, tho above lists were regarded as very irregular, and far short of the real number of interments, which were considered to be at least 5000.—April 16,1830. :N OUST OF THE Fl VER OF 1793. I'rotestant Episcopalians.—Christ Church St. Peter's St Paul's Presbyterians.—First Second Third . Associate Reformed Roman Catholics—St Mary's German part of do Trinity . . Friends Free Quakers German.—Lutherans Calvinists Moravians Swedes Baptists—Returned in gross Methodists. Do. Universalists Jews.—Returned in gross Kensington Potter's field, including the new ground 173 109 70 73 128 107 12 33 251 30 54 373 39 641 261 13 75 60 32 2- 2 169 1334 4041 COUNT OF THE FKVER OF 1793. 91 METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. MADE IN PHILADELPHIA, BY DAVID RITTENHOUSE, ESQ August, 1793. Barometer. Thermometer. Wind 1 6 A. M. 29 95 3 P. M. 30 0 6 A. M. 65 3 P. M. 77 6 A. M. YVNW 3 P. H. NW 2 30 1 30 1 63 81 NW SW 3 30 5 29 95 62 82 N NNE 4 29 97 30 0 65 87 S SW 5 30 5 30 1 73 90 ssw sw ^ 30 2 30 0 77 87 sw w 7 30 12 30 1 68 83 NW w 8 30 1 29 95 69 86 SSE SSE 9 29 8 29 75 75 85 SSW sw 10 29 9 29 9 67 82 w SW 11 30 0 30 0 70 84 sw wsw 12 30 0 30 0 70 87 w w 13 30 5 30 0 71 89 sw w 14 30 0 29 95 75 H2 sw sw 15 30 0 30 1 72 75 NNE NE 16 30 1 30 1 70 83 NNE NE 17 30 1 30 0 71 86 SW SW I8i 30 1 30 0 73 89 calm sw 19| 30 1 30 1 72 82 N N 20 30 1 30 12 69 82 NNE NNE 21 j 30 15 30 25 62 83 N NNE 221 30 3 30 35 63 86 NE SE 23 30 25 30 15 63 85 calm S 241 30 1 30 1 73 81 nalm calm 25| 30 1 30 1 71 66 NE NE 26,' 30 15 30 2 59 69 NE NE 27| 30 2 30 2 65 7.'! NE NE 28 30 2 30 15 67 80 S calm 29 30 16 30 15 72 86 1 calm SW 30 30 1 30 1 74 87 calm SW 311 30 0 30 0 74 84 | SW NW Wen 6 A. M. cloudy fair ■ fair fair fair cloudy fair fair cloudy fair cloudy fair fair fair rain fair fair fair fair fair fair fair fair cloudy rain cloudy cloudy cloudy cloudy fair «)6 ACCOUNT OF THE fKVER O* 179.1 METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. September, 179:!. It; 29 17 29 18 30 3 19 30 4 20 30 3 28 30 30 5 Barometer. 1 6 A. m. 3 p. M lj 30 0 29 30 2 29 75 29 8 3 30 0 4 30 15 30 15 5 30 15 6 •>':■ :■: 30 1 29 95 7, 30 0 30 0 8 30 1 30 1 9 30 0 30 0 10 30 0 30 0 11 30 1 12 29 96 13 29 95 30 0 14 30 0 30 5 15 30 (I 30 0 '»!! 9 £) 97 9 29 8 29 85 30 35 30 15 21 30 0 29 0 22 30 0 30 0 23 30 1 24 30 2 25 30 15 30 0 26 29 8 29 7 27 29 7 30 30 29 30 3 30 15 30 3 30 35 30 3 Thermometer. (i a. m. 3 p. M. 7i 8i; 73 86 60 62 70 65 04 6*; 64 62 58 .)7 58 65 70 66 44 45 54 59 03 62 65 til 58 64 54 56 57 80 ^ 77 70 80 72 72 76 72 79 80 84 07 70 69 7H 83 81 70 OH 7!) 73 74 Winds. 6 A. M. 3 P. M. calm SW NW W SE wsw SE N NE W W NW N S N N calm calm calm calm calm NE NE N NW NW NE calm SW SW N W S w WNW NW calm calm NW NNE N NNW N NW S SW N SW SE SE ENE NE N NW NW ENE SW Weather. 6 a m 3 P. M fog fair fair fair fair fair fair fair cloudy rain fair cloudy fair fair fair fair cloudy cloudy fair fair fair hnzy hazy cloudy fair cloudy fair cloudy cloudy cloudy fair cloudy cloudy cloudy fair cloudy fair fair fair cloudy fair foggy fair fair fair fair cloudy cloudy fair cloudy fair cloudy fair fair fair fair fair fair cloudy ACCOUNT OF THE FEVER OF 1793. METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATION? October, 1793. Barometer. Thermometer. Winds. 7 A. M. 2 P. M. 7 a. m. 2 P. M. 7 A. M. 2 P. H 1 30 15 30 5 64 80 SW SW 2 29 9 30 5 70 72 W NNW 3 30 2 30 15 50 72 W SW 4 29 75 29 7 59 72 SW w 5 30 0 30 1 58 66 N N 6 30 3 30 3 43 66 NE * w 7 30 45 46 calm 8 30 6 30 6 53 m N N 9 30 5 30 4 53 70 NW NW 10 30 2 30 2 49 74 E NW 11 30 0 29 85 51 74 W W 12 26 6 29 55 58 64 SW NW 13 29 85 29 9 49 69 NW NW 14 30 5 30 0 52 76 SW SW 15 29 75 29 8 56 54 sw N 16 30 0 30 0 37 53 NN.W N 17 30 1 30 1 37 60 NE NE 18 30 1 30 1 41 62 NW NW 19; 30 0 29 9 51 66 N N 20 30 0 30 0 44 51 NW N 21 30 0 30 2 49 59 N NW 22 29 6 29 5 51 65 NW NW 23 29 8 29 8 47 60 W W 24 30 3 30 4 36 59 W NW 25 30 4 30 3 46 71 s S 26 30 2 30 2 60 72 calm SW 27 30 3 30 3 41 44 NNE NNE 28 30 2 30 1 34 37 N N 29) 29 85 29 85 28 44 NNW NW 30 30 1 30 1 23 49 calm SW 31 30 15 30 2 42 45 calm NNE Weather. 7 a. m. 2 p. M. cloudy fair cloudy fair fair fair cloudy cloudy fair fair fair fair fair fair fair fair fair fair fair fair fair rain rain fair fair calm fair fair rain fair fair fair fair fair fair cloudy fair fair fair fair fair fair fair fair fair fair fair cloudy fair, high cloudy cloudy cloudy cloudy cloudy cloudy fair fair hazy hazy cloudy rain November, 1793. Barometer. 7 a. m. 2 P. M. 30 1 30 1 30 3 30 25 30 1 30 0 29 8 29 9 30 15 30 1 29 8 29 65 29 8 29 ti 29 8 29 85 29 9 29 95 Thermometer. 7 A. m. 2 P. M. 40 32 43 55 50 63 44 43 42 41 49 56 67 64 67 64 50 61 Winds. 7 A. M. 2 P. M. NNE NNE calm SW NE S calm ssw sw NE NE sw sw NE S SW sw sw Weather. 7 a. m. 2 P. M. rain cloudy fair fair cloudy cloudy cloudy fair rnin rain cloudy cloudy fair fair fair fair fair fair cs V >>. \\fZ. It 3d M* ft M r * -A>v v t/.l*-' ■'mk\ft* ■\