fijj;)ij [!jS§2?i';j | fej!^'^i!;!::'':!iLjiL;.:':r, '':^r';:!';/',i''',:': ' UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WASHINGTON, D. C. GPO 16—67244-1 INTERESTING ESSAYS, CHIEFLY ON THE SUBJECT OF THE YELLOW FEVER, INTERSPERSED WITH SOME REMARKS ON THE PROGRESS OF THE PREPARATIONS FOR A PERMANENT BRIDGE; AND OCCASIONALLY CONTAINING A FEW OBSERVATIONS, RELATIVE TO THE GREAT CAUSE OF GENERAL HUMANITY. By a PHILADELPHIAN. Addreffed to thofe of all claffes, who without any improper prejudice* are willing to fee, that fubje&s of great importance may be treated oj with all due attention to truth ; and even with refpedlful confideration in regard to thofe, whoever they may be, who on fome occafions have expreffed a difference of fentiment. Printed ly BUDD tSf BARTRAM, No. 58, North Second Street. Dttemher, 1802. INTERESTING ESSAYS. Philadelphia, November 13^, 1802. ITl A VIN G again returned to the* city after an abfence from it of nearly three months, I was glad to fee many of my fellow-citizens who as well as myfelf have been favored to efcape the late exifling dangers, and have it yet in our power to reflect on recent circumflances. It may be well remembered, that as early as the latter part of March laft, an intimation was given in the American Daily Advertifer, that as there was a danger to our city from the probability of arrivals from St. Domingo with an infectious difeafe; it would be well to be properly guarded againfl the introduction of that dreadful calamity. This cau- tion (without knowing the author) I thought a very good one, and could have wifhed to have feen it feconded by any perfon whatever, in a manner which I think it duly merited, but after waiting feveral days without feeing it otherwife publicly noticed, I believed it right to forward a piece to the printer of that paper, which he was fo obliging as to pub- ( 4 ) Iifh the eighth of April following. In that piece, without pretending to any extraordinary forefight, more than might have naturally arifen from the cer- tain knowledge of what had happened in fome of the latter years—I fay, in that piece it was parti- cularly mentioned, that at fome times, a fingle in- fected veflel might again be a means of putting to flight many thoufands of the inhabitants of our city; and now as numerous recent circumftances are well known to thoufands, by the mod authentic informa- tion, may I not afk any perfon who has dwelt in our city only the fpace of ten years, whether in his opinion, the fame caufes may not produce the like effects, even at a future time; and if fo, whether this is not a fubjeft worthy of due consideration, notwithflanding the prefent healthy flate of our in- habitants ? To ward off evils, as far as may be in our power, I believe is right, and that the reafonable caution which was ufed to prevent the importation of the yellow fever into our city in the years 1800 and 1801 was very neceffary ; and as the good effects of that care in thofe years, were fo remarkably evi- dent, 1 hope no perfon will find fault with fuch an opinion. Is it poflible that any of my fellow-citizens who have given any attention to this matter, and wifh ( 5 ) for the general welfare, can think a native of Phi- ladelphia too officious, in adverting, with renewed concern, to a fubject of fuch magnitude, when the flricteft truth is his object, and his defign to be flu- dious of avoiding the expreffion of any fentiment that may give juft occafion of offence to a fmgle individual. In full confidence therefore of the rectitude of my intentions, I proceed to confider in a brief man- ner fome of the late circumftances, without entering on fuch particulars as may interfere with other* writers, who have already exhibited to the public a great number of cafes of ficknefs and mortality, as well as their obfervations on the nature of the origin of fuch diflrefs. One thing in particular I now think truly deferr- ing of notice. Since my return, I have feen in the Philadelphia Gazette dated the 6th November, a comparative flatement of the number of deaths in the city, in the years 1793, '97, '98, '99, and 1802, and as other publications will fhew numer- ous particulars relative to the commencement of the difeafe this year, I fhall juft repeat the account of that flatement from the firfl: to the fixth of Au- gufl, when the board of health gave public notice of their belief of the propriety of thinning the city by an immediate removal to the country. ( 6 ) The comparative statement for Jive days is as follows: I 2 3 4 5 l793 1797 1798 1799 1802 9 8 9 IO IO 5 4 7 10 6 5 4 6 5 7 9 10 10 8 9 11 14 16 *9 IO 46 32 27 1 4.6 70 Thus we fee the mortality in thofe five days in the current year, was considerably greater than had been for the fame time in either of thofe preceding years, which were fo remarkable for the importation of the malignant fever. In the papers dated the 6th Au- gufl, numerous new cafes were reported, and fundry deaths were particularly mentioned; and who can fay that under fuch circumftances there was any im- propriety in the formidable alarm publifhed the fame day by the board of health ? For ray part I think it was truly commendable, if not abfolutely incumbent; and the confequence was, that thoufands in a little time haftened from their habitations and thinned the city, by which means there can be no doubt that many lives were faved; the powers of the contagion were evidently checked, and the danger exceedingly leffened even to thofe who re- mained, who had alfo this advantage, that there ( 7 ) was a greater probability of a competent fupply of provifions than could have been expected, efpecially if the difeafe had increafed, with its well known at- tendant terrors, among a large proportion of the ufual inhabitants. And now, as it will not interfere with the future obfervations of others reflecting a continuance of particulars, relative to the progrefs of the calamity in our city, after the month of September laft, I fhall advert to another matter of a very affecting nature, which I find an account of in the American Daily Advertifer, concerning the town of Wilming- ton, Delaware. In that paper dated the 9th inftant there is a publication of the board of health for that place, containing a very refpedtful memorial of one of their members, John Ferris, jun. who fell a victim to the mortal fever on the firft inftant; of whom they fay, " as foon as the difeafe appeared, which has made fuch ravages among our citizens, and configned 82 of them to their filent graves, he commenced his arduous fervices, and during its continuance, did not intermit his attention to the fick, the dying, and the dead." After other parti- culars reflecting his exertions, they conclude that he" left on the hearts of his fellow-citizens a grate- ful remembrance of his labors and his virtues." On this occafion, I have" a thankful fenfe, that feveral of my valuable fellow-citizens who have been ( 8 ) thus employed, have been preferved through the late exifting dangers in the city of Philadelphia. Here again a comparative flatement may be pro- perly made: Wilmington is remarkable for the ad- vantages of a free circulation of country air, the water good, and the general ftate of cleanlinefs in that place perhaps never difputed. In all thefe re- fpects, may not Wilmington be equalled to the city of Burlington; where it is believed there was but one death by the malignant fever during the late fummer, and that was a perfon who had gone there from our afflicted city. No fuch thing therefore as the yellow fever being a native diforder, either in Wilmington or Burlington, could be fufpected, with even the fhadow of reafon or propriety. But a communication with the infection of the imported diforder may readily account for fuch comparative mortality : and when a difeafe is prevalent in any city, who that knows the near affections of relation- fhip, or the difagreeablenefs of confinement, can doubt the frequency of fuch communication. To the Sorrowful experience of many Survivors it is well known, that feveral active men, in the prime of life, anxious to refume their bufinefs, by returning too foon to our city, were feized with the prevailing ficknefs, and fell victims to the mortal difeafe. In addition to a number of thofe who fell in the latter part of October, a young man, who was taken ( 9 ) ill but a few days before the remarkable froft which happened on the Second inftant, died of the mortal diftemper, and was buried a few hours after on the Sixth of the prefent month. This young man had returned to the city about two weeks before he was taken ill; he was told, foon after his arrival, of numbers who had lately died, and was advifed to go back to his family in the country, where an ample provision for his maintenance might no doubt have been at his command; but alas! it was his lot to be cut off at a time, when the citizens were moftly returned to their habitations, and believed the feafon was fo advanced as to preclude every idea of general danger. Thus having mentioned a few particulars which I think the moft proper at the prefent time, perhaps there may be no impropriety in changing the Subject; neverthelefs in full hope, that with the bleffing of Providence, and a reafonable care of my countrymen, our city may be guarded hereafter againft the impor- tation of foreign difeafe; and if fo, that a great num- ber of thofe who are now furvivors, may enjoy the profpect of greater fafety, and have a favourable chance of feeing the progrefs of a public work to its proper ifTue, as I believe it is now forwarding on the moft honourable principles; I mean the work acrofs the river Schuylkil; which noble river has been to me as well as to many of my fellow citizens, B (■ io ) an object of our delight from early youth to a ftate of manhood, and even far beyond the period moft com- monly distinguished by that title. A permanent bridge has been projected, I moft heartily wifh it fuccefs to its full accomplifliment, and hope to be excufed if I make a few remarks on this occafion. On the 17th inftant I walked out towards the ri- ver, with fome expectation that I might fee the rock, on which the fecond, and moft important pier is in- tended to be founded ; but great was my difappoint- ment, when inftead of this I heard a misfortune had happened, and that a leak in the coffre-dam had occafioned fuch a difficulty, that to prevent a greater mifchief, it had been thought neceffary to admit a- gain fo much water that the pumps were afrefh em- ployed, with more than ufual power of men and horfes, to free the works from the impeding element, which is fo excellent a Servant but fo bad a mafter. This at firft appeared difcouraging, but when I re- membered what had happened to the enormous col- lection of waters intended for the canal fome years fince, and the ideas I then had of what might have been done by a Brindley in cafe of accident, fo in my opinion, what was now going forward refpecting the coffre-dam, was exactly confiftent with thofe ideas; ( II ) and the proper bulinefs was, as I believed, to repair the breach, and attempt to counteract the difficulty, with manly fortitude, as foon as poffible. Some may fay this man writes as if he would give countenance to great and extravagant cxpenfes; on which occafion I hope a fmall portion of freedom of fentiment may be excufable. I do understand that this bridge bufinefs is undertaken by a company at their own rifque. If it fucceeds and Should be pro- perly executed it will be a public benefit, and in that caSe, I cannot fee why the company Should not be reafonable gainers, if it does not fucceed, they pre- tend to no right to call upon others to bear their lof- fes: and as to expenfes beyond the neceffary and reafonable bounds, I hope the directors will proceed, after the piers and abutments may be finished, with prudent caution, and due regard to their funds. Shall I fay, without faying any more as to the after progrefs of the bridge, that I have heard with plea- fure of the manner of building bridges among our countrymen to the northward, and I hope that Some „ of their ideas on this fubject will meet with due con- sideration. On the 20th I walked out again, and as I met an old acquaintance on the road, who I knew was an ingenious man, I afked him if he had Seen the works, and how matters were going on, but to my Surprize, he feemed to know but very little about the bufinefs further than he thought the coffre-dam was ( 12 ) nearly full of water, and thus finding him (like many others) fo totally indifferent, I proceeded and found it much as he faid; alfo that the pumps were filenced, and fome other appearances were rather difcouraging. On the 2 2d I went again in the morning, I obfer- ved the tide was high, but the fcene was much more lively, Six horSes were employed at the pumps, and it appeared that the water had been exhaufted from the mighty well to a degree far beyond my expecta- tion. This being the cafe I had a mind to take a little more time, with all reafonable patience, to fee what would be going forward, not doubting a con- tinuance of the fpirit in the overfeers and workmen to make a further trial; this again was encourag- ing ; and with all due complaifance to two of the directors whom I faw there, I was glad that fome of their ideas were confiftent with my own. On the 25th, being as pleafant a day as could be de- fired at any feafon of the year, I again vifited the river Schuylkil, which from a distance I could See appear- ed both calm and beautiful. On this fide of the river I obferved a great collection of materials, fome exceed- ing large, and many others ready prepared, and pro- perly numbered for the outfide work of the intended pier. 1 contemplated with pleafure the future ufe of thofe materials, and wifhed they might be fafely lodged in their proper deftination. After this I C 13 ) paid my ferriage as ufual, croffed the temporary bridge, and proceeded to the coffre-dam, which I « found as I thought in a ftate of great improvement; the obstruction which had been fo formidable appear- ed to be nearly removed, the water was lowered perhaps to the deepeft floor, and the two pumps with 7 horSes, as well as one other with it men, and another pump of leffer confequence, were all active- ly employed, and confequently pouring out the water in great abundance. This, it may be eafily fuppofed, was agreeable to me, and moreover, I was prefented with two fmall pieces of the rock, which had juft been bored, probably for the purpofe of afcertaining the depth, about 38 feet from high water: thefe pieces I received from the complaifance of two principal workmen ; and foon after I had an oppor- tunity of fliewing them to the fmiling countenances of two others of the directors who were there this time, with an expectation that thofe pieces of the rock might have been the firft they had feen, and undoubt- edly muft be to them, as well as to many others, agreeable fymptoms of what may be reafonably ex- pected with regard to a further progrefs. Since writing the foregoing I heard fome intelligence ref- pecting the ,works at Schuylkil, which if it had been a full reprefentation of the cafe, would have been very difcouraging, and almoft Sufficient to make me believe, that I might be again difappointed in my expectations concerning thefe works, as I was once ( 14 ) before refpecting thofe of the canal, which I have before alluded to. After that intelligence, I was defi- rous of feeing for myfelf the actual fituation of things, and determined to fet off foon after breakfaft this morning the 29th inftant, November. Agreeably to that intention I proceeded according- ly, and when I came within fight of what was going forward, who Should I meet but my friend the mafter carpenter? I intimated that I had heard bad tidings, but I faw the bufinefs was not deferted : I thought his countenance appeared a little doubtful, but I told him in plain terms that I would not give up the matter; this happened juft on this fide of the bridge, and as I had no difpofition to detain him, I foon proceeded, and on my arrival at the coffre-dam I faw, in addition to all the pumps before-mentioned, a new fcene which was peculiarly agreeable—a num- ber of men were fully employed at feveral different places to hoift up mud and Sand from the bottom of the mighty well—I then looked down, and as there appeared but a fmall depth of water, I was foon indu- ced to go near to the lowed floor of the ingenious fabric to make further obfervations : I could perceive nothing either improperly cold or damp in that fitu- ation, and was glad to believe myfelf there in a ftate of fafety. I congratulated the mafter mafon on the prefent appearance of their operations, and I believe that he as well as myfelf, was pleafed with the idea C 15 ) of his aSTociates being employed in Skilfully handling the firft materials for a good foundation in a little time. Thus believing there was reafon to be fatisfied with prefent appearances, I left the various workmen with good wifhes for their fuccefs and general wel- fare ; and although I faw none of the directors of the inftitution at this vifit, I have not much doubt but the curiofity of fome of them will lead them, this fine afternoon, to fee the progrefs of this interest- ing, pacific, and valuable undertaking. Pacific did I fay ? and Shall I not remember the pleafure I enjoyed, when the amicable works of peace were rapidly pro- greSfing, and appeared to be fo much approved even by different parties among the European nations. Had the profpedts of a general peace been pro- perly profecuted in deeds as well as words, how honourable would it have been to mankind in gene- ral, and how rejoicing, in particular, to all the friends of humanity ; who in that cafe, would not have had to mourn the numerous lamentable fcenes which have Since exifted. Fleets and armies with hoftile inten- tions againft a people who acknowledged themSelves a part of the French nation, was fuch an event, that if every idea of principle and honour had been alto- gether out of the queftion, I firmly believed, from the firft hearing of fuch preparations, that the fingle article of policy was abhorrent of fuch a proceeding; ( 16 ) a proceeding in fact of fuch a nature that the friends of humanity in every country muft revolt with painful feelings at the idea of the terrific, dreadful and mournful confequences. I do not wifh to make any apology for fuch an apparent digreffion from my in- tended general fubject, which neverthelefs if that fubjedt is recollected, who that knows the lately de- ferted fituation of our city can forget the name of St. Domingo ? Neither can I forget another name, which, not- withftanding fome of my laft ideas, I have often con- fidered as a durable honor to the French nation ; and again acknowledge with pleafure, that Some of the manly, and chfiftian-like fentiments of Fenelon, will deferve to remain as valuable, and instructive leSTons to the nations of different climes, even to the lateft ages. And now, without faying more on thefe latter Subjects, perhaps it will be right to proceed to a piece which was written and copied before my return to the city, videlicet. New Jerfey, November ist, 1802. PREVIOUS to the year 1793 the inhabitants of my native city, confident of the falubrity of our climate, were under no apprehenfions of being driven from their homes by a wide fpreading and mortal C 17 ) calamity. From the beginning of the laft century to that period, no extraordinary ficknefs of fuch a na- ture had occafioned any general alarm, and the for- mer citizens of Philadelphia might with propriety reft fatisfied in their own habitations, with a thankful fenfe of the favors of a benignant Providence, in the reafonable expectation of health, and even with a profpect of longevity, proportioned to the life of man in the moft favored European climes. Since the commencement of that fatal year 1793, how amazingly has the cafe been altered with refpect to the once highly favored city of Philadelphia! Five times, a dreadful, infectious and contagious difeafe, has threatened the inhabitants. Two years in parti- cular the mortality has been terrible to a great degree, and in three other years, had it not been for the gene- ral defertion of the citizens, it is reafonable to believe that thoufands of thofe who are now furvivors might have been numbered with their departed friends. Thefe fentiments appear to me fo undeniable, that I fhould think they cannot be contradicted, even by that part of my fellow-citizens who are moft indif- ferent as to fuch events. Much has been written from time to time on the melancholy Subject, containing the cieareft proofs, by C C 18 ) various writers, that the dire difeafe has been impor- ted ; and this affecting truth has been So manifeft, that previous to the late importation, warnings were given to this exprefs purpofe, that the approach and continuance of a Single infected veSfel at one of our wharves, at fome particular times, might endanger the city in fuch a manner, as again to put to flight the numerous inhabitants, who have been fo fre- quently diftreffed on fimilar occafions. How justifiable fuch a fentiment was at the time it was publifhed, one would fuppofe might be left to the judgment of any candid inquirer, who has had an opportunity of being acquainted with nume- rous recent circumftances, concerning which a collec- tion has been lately exhibited to the view of the public in feveral of our daily papers. Awful indeed has been the time fince the publication alluded to. The difeafe appears to have much increafed in the latter part of October, and numbers who had been abroad for many weeks, having returned to their ha- bitations in various parts of the city, have fallen vic- tims to the mortal calamity, leaving their friends to mourn on account of their apparent untimely deaths. To reflect at large on the numerous loffes, perplex- ities and difficulties, of great" numbers of my fellow- citizens, is not my prefent object, many no doubt who with their families had left their homes, have in many inftances experienced fuch diftrefs, that in fome ( '9 ) cafes, even the alternative of the moft probable dan- ger, appeared to them more eligible than the longer continuance of an involuntary exile. It is not on my own account I have this fentiment, but it is for many others I feel a Sympathy. I now think that however lightly fome may have treated this Subject, yet I am ready to confefs that I have a pleafing fatisfaction in knowing, that there are others who think as I do, that it is a Subject of great importance, and that an attention to it ought not to be neglected. Philadelphia is a place of incalculable value, it deferves not to be compared to the infected Cairo, and it appears to me, that it may be the duty of fome of its native fons to Strive to deliver its charac- ter from fuch an imputation. What! if it has been difficult for fome men to find the means of expreSfing their fentiments on fuch a fubject, yet fuch expreffion has been fometimes ad- mitted into the public papers. As to further publi- cations, intended by various writers on the fame occafion, difcouragement has been the confequence, and thus our fellow-citizens have been prevented from an adequate knowledge of very important and deeply interesting truths. I now believe it right to republifh fome pieces, which may be found in papers of different printers, ( 2° ) not doubting of their appearing well adapted to the Solemn occafion, as they will fhew fome of the circum- ftances which have actually happened from time to time, and have been thought deferving of attention at different periods. If the prefent writer has a wifli that the Pennfylvania hofpital fhould be benefited by this publication, he hopes no man will think fuch a motive incompatible with other objects promotive of the public welfare. Without any intention of interfering with others, who may be much better qualified than I am, to enumerate additional accounts of the progrefs of the difeafe, and its fatal confequences in the prefent year 1802, I now conclude this introductory effay to the pieces intended to be republifhed, which are as fol- low, videlicet. From the Philadelphia Gazette, dated 23d April, 1800. WHEN I read letters from Britain containing the Sympathetic feelings of her inhabitants, on account of thofe dreadful and mortal calamities, with which the people of America have been lately afflicted, I am ready to hope, that, notwithstanding the unac- countable apathy of too many, yet that a difpofition is ftill exifting, which would labor to inveftigate the caufe of evils of fuch an extraordinary magnitude, ( 21 ) and attentively confider the probable means of pre- vention previous to their recurrence, wherever may be the danger. Perhaps fome may fay, what are the evils fo ftre- nuoufly alluded to ? Have not thoufands and tens of thoufands of the inhabitants of different cities furvi- ved the effects of contagion, and been totally exempt- ed from the dangers of the yellow fever ?—True! " But is it not alfo juft" to recapitulate fome of the actual circumftances; which may be done in a few words. It is well known that in the year 1793 there was a dreadful ficknefs in Philadelphia, which fwept off thoufands of its inhabitants; that in the year 1797 the malady again prevailed ; that in the year 1798 the deftruction was terribly extcnfive, and in all probability, might have been incomparably more fo if the city had not been generally deferted, and great numbers of the houfes totally forfaken by their tenants; threatened again, a fourth time, in the year 1799, by the fame difeaSe, the city once more became, with refpect to its ufual inhabitants, like a place of defolation. Thefe facts being undeniable, the accounts of them have reached to foreign countries, and obfer- vations are made in foreign letters adapted to the ( 22 ) mournful occafion. In one of thofe letters dated in Birmingham, I have feen fentiments expreffed agree- ably to the following purport; that as the yellow fever is again common to New York as well as to Philadelphia, " it may poffibly at laft unite the two cities in the neceffary exertions to prevent the con- tinual importation of a malady, fo fatal to individual, and injurious to national profperity." The writer proceeds with a ftriking remark refpecting the ideas of the people in that country, where, Che adds) " it Stamps the United States with a character of gene- ral unhealthinefs;—nobody, (he fays) will believe that it has been Suffered to fpring year after year from a foreign fource, while the plague, which ufed to vifit London in twenty or thirty years, has been fhut out by an effectual quarantine for near a cen- tury and a half: this is now enforced with the ufual ftrictnefs, on account of the peftilence at prefent raging in Morocco, and which would other wife in all human probability foon be introduced here, by the conftant intercourfe with the Mediterranean." Such, it appears, are the fentiments in Britain; what then muft be thoSe of the confiderate part of the community, fo deeply interested in the commer- cial cities of America ? Cities, which, it is well known, for more than ninety fucceffive years, were never much alarmed even with an imported conta- gion ; and it is believed, that during the whole peri- ( n ) od, there was no good reafon to apprehend that fuch a difeafe as the yellow fever could originate among them. On the contrary, I Shall juft menti- on one of the remarkable inftances, within my knowledge, of its not fpreading in the city of Phila- delphia, in a cafe of importation which occurred the laft year.—A gentleman arrived from New York, where he undoubtedly had taken the infection, but as his cafe was at firft unknown, he was received at lodgings in a populous part of Second-ftreet, where it foon appeared he was ill with the fever, and where after lingering a few days, in a miferable condition, he died ; but notwithstanding fome extra- ordinary and dangerous incidents relative to this alarming circumftance, the neighbourhood continu- ed free from this diforder as before, which in the opinion of the prefent writer, is among the proofs, that had it not been for importation in that and other cafes, our city would have enjoyed its ufual health, and alfo that the ftate of the atmofphere in the year 1799, was evidently fuch as to be in oppofition to the fpreading of the difeafe, even af- ter it was imported. With a full perfuafion that a public duty, forbids a total Silence on the Subject of thefe remarks, I remain with anxious folicitude for the welfare of my country, and believe there will be no impropri- ety in fubfcribing myfelf AN AMERICAN. r 24 -) From the American Daily Advertifer9 dated $ist Oclober, 1800. f ON reading in this day's paper the letter of the committee of correfpondence in Philadelphia, and the anfwer from the board of health at Baltimore, I obferve that an actual remittance was made of three thoufand dollars from Philadelphia, and that the fame was accepted for the purpofe for which it was intended. This to me was very agreeable intelli- gence, as well as that a further fum was likely to be remitted ; for, if any judgment may be formed of the ftate of Baltimore by what was feelingly ac- knowledged to be the cafe in Philadelphia under the like circumftances, where is the humane man in either of thofe cities but muft rejoice to fee the pre- valence of a fpirit of benevolence, fo truly honora- ble as a part of the American character. To relieve the diftreffed, to confole the afflicted, are noble objects; and in times of general calamity, which have frequently happened of late years in different cities, it is well known that the difpofition of my countrymen for charitable purpofes, without being confined to this or that particular fituation, has been eminently confpicuous. ( =>5 ) Had a general difpofition been equally evident to inveftigate and underftand the caufes of thofe ca- lamities, by giving a fair opportunity for fuch in- veftigation, I have no doubt that, under the favor of a fuperintending Providence, thofe calamities might have been leffened in a very considerable de- gree ; and that by the fame rule that occafion was taken to congratulate the city of Baltimore for her exemption from the yellow fever in the year 1798, when fuch dreadful mortality prevailed in other cities of America—by the fame rule, the city of Philadel- phia may be now congratulated under a ferious and religious idea of the joyful tidings announced fome weeks fince by our board of health, in this becoming and expreifive language:—" Impreffed with a fenfe of gratitude to the great Author of all our bleffings, we thankfully acknowledge his protecting Providence over this city, being as perfectly free from ficknefs as at any period within our knowledge. "—That communication of the board of health contains a ftriking and memorable fact refpecting the city of Philadelphia, fimilar to the experience of a number of her native fons previous to the year 1793, who for a long courfe of years before that time knew our city to be a healthy fituation, and in which no fuch diforder as the yellow fever had ever in their time occafioned much alarm, even though there might have been at diftant periods, a few cafes of importa- D ( 26 ) tion, as it is probable there have been with refpect to a few individual fojourners even in the prefent year, but certainly without much apparent danger. How different would have been our fituation du- ring the late fummer, if fome particular veflels had approached the city ? in which cafe a communication with infection would no doubt have been the confe- quence, a fpreading of the difeafe might have been reafonably apprehended, and very poffibly the city again disturbed by a general defer tion of its inhabit- ants. With fincere wifhes that Philadelphia, Baltimore, and other cities may be preferved in future from the dire calamity; I offer this to the Succeeding printer of the American Daily Advertifer, believing it right to do fo, and in order to know whether fuch a com- munication will be acceptable from A Continued Customer. As the printer Z. Poulfon, jun. was fo attentive to the foregoing effay as to annex to it a number of particulars reflecting the mortality in feveral differ- ent years, it is believed there will be no impropriety in adding the fame account on the prefent occafion, viz. C 27 1 comparative' Statement of the Number of DEATHS -which occurred each Day in the City of Philadelphia, from the firft of Auguft to the laft day of C\Ar.V.or i~ tU. V«ro Tin? T7Q'7. ttoP. and tioq. durinv the breva- lence of fi6* Contagious Pestilentiai Fever. b AUGUST. 11 SEPTEMBER. | OCTOBER *i 1793 1797 1798 1799| 1793 1797 1798 £799; I793J 1797 1798 1799 1 9 5 5 9 19 16 ' 48 IOJ 76 22 85 8 2 8 4 4 10 19 II 41 9 69 17 83 10 3 9 7 6 7 18 17 28 23 79 24 49 5 4 10 10 5 5 24 19 65 12 60 27 46 12 5 10 6 7 8 *5 15 67 20 72 14 3o 15 6 9 11 9 9| 26 9 50 14 77 17 38 14 7 12 9 7 7 22 13 5* 3i 83 21 25 16 8 8 7 10 10' 43 16 63 9 9i 8 29 13 9 11 9 12 6 36 32 73 3°! 103 13 20 12 10 9 10 7 7 3i 27 74 14I 97 20 14 11 u 8 9 16 5 27 30 73 19; 119 14 43 10 12 6 S 20 7 35 27 7i 17 in 15 41 5 13 11 8 17 9 38 18 57 17,' 105 19 27 10 14 6 H 20 7 49 17 61 9' 83 13 40 8 15 9 7 27 8 i6 23 60 3 82 7 34 9 16 7 10 17 10' 60 15 62 16 71 11 32 8 17 7 12 15 8| 82 16 68 9 81 15 25 5 18 8 9 19 19 72 15 57 14 61 19 »J 6 19 10 8 24 12 64 16 58 11 66 11 34 7 20 8 10 16 11 68 20 69 11 58 5 19 5 21 9 9 20 I0i 61 6 78 18 60 11 14 8 22 13 11 31 17 77 17 68 16 83 7 20 6 *3 14 13 20 18* 70 28 7i 20 56 5 22 '5 24 17 11 *5 20I 97 23 63 *s\ 42 5 17 4 25 16 12 i 40 18 88 33 80 21 36 5 16 7 26 17 14 48 21 58 24 77 24 25 10 20 7 27 18 16 ! 34 13 62 14 86 15 17 8 20 6 28 22 14 36 10 55 17 106 16 25 5 16 5 29 n 10 1 33 12 59 21 75 9 19 ' 5 22 6 3° 20 14 1 45 14 64 24 85 13 17 9 15 4 31 r7 •9 j_3i Jl 21 4 16 5 rl 361 3°3 ' 626 1 346 1514 579 2004 475 2045 386 943 2J2 RECAPITULATION. 1793- Auguji 361 September 1514 Oclober 2O4J 1797- Auguji September Oclober 3°3 579 386 I798. Auguji 626 September 2004 Oclober 943 [ 1799- .Auguft 346 September 475 Oclober 252 Tote/ 3920 | Tote/ 1268 Tote/ 3573 | Tote/ 1073 iVbfc, From a review of the bills of mortality, publifhed before the year 1793, it appears, that the deaths in the city of Philadelphia, during the preceding months, (which is the moft unhealthy period of the year,) would not average more than Six a day, if the city were not afflicted with this Fever, notwithftanding its increafed population. ( *8 J For the American Daily Advertifer. ON reading the letters published on the morning of the 26th inft. respecting the city of Cadiz, I was Struck with aftonifhment, and was ready to make fome comparifons with refpect to what I had actually known as an inhabitant of a city, which had been afflicted, in fome degree, in a fimilar manner, with a dreadful, contagious and mortal calamity ; a cala- mity which of itfelf was Sufficient to bow the Stout- eft heart, and make the man of the greatefl fortitude acknowledge his debility; but in our cafe, no hoftile armaments were thought of to add to our diftrefs—we were left as it were in the hands of a fuperior power, and at full liberty to fly for our lives without interruption from our fellow men.— Thoufands of lives were probably faved by fuch flight; and as to property to a vaft amount, al- though haftily deSerted, and unguarded by human means, yet thanks be to Providence, it was general- ly preferved in a wonderful manner for the rightful owners until their return. Such, it is well known, has been the actual fituation of the favored city of Philadelphia, especially at two different periods ; and if the certain knowledge of fuch circumftances are not Sufficient to cauSe a fympathy in many minds, I know not where we Shall look for a due affection ( 29 ) for the " milder virtues." * Let me then confider fome of the circumftances of the unknown inhabi- tants of another populous city, and attempt in a brief manner to promote a valuable purpofe, if it Should be but like a mvtp caft into the treaSury, at a moft uncommon period, on the Subject of general humanity. In a paper dated the 20th inftant, there are theSe and other remarkable particulars concerning the Situation of Cadiz on the 4th September, from the account of the governor's fecretary. " Convalefcent 25,000 Died up to the 4th Sept. 7,000 Sick 8,000 Left Cadiz for adjacent towns 33j°°° Total 73»ooo " The convent in which the Francifcan friars re- sided, contained one hundred and fifty, out of which one hundred died." * " milder virtues." Thefe words are quoted from a beauti- ful expreffion of an inhabitant of Mount Vernon in the year 1788, a year remarkable in Europe, as well as in America for the prevalence of fuch fentiments in favor of general humanity, as will be always honorable to the chriftian charafter. ( So ) In the early part of October, a mighty fleet ap- peared before Cadiz ; the Spaniards who remained were alarmed, and minute guns were fired along the coaft. On the fifth, a letter was written by the governor of Cadiz to the commanders of the fleet, to which a reply was forwarded, and on the 6th it appears an anfwer was fent to that reply; but in truth the whole Subject is fo extremely affecting, and of fuch a nature, that perhaps it is beft to mention no par- ticulars concerning the contents of thofe letters. They are confpicuous proofs of what the fpirit of war may poffibly lead to, if not interfered with by a fuperintending Providence. For my part, I am thankful in a belief, that fuch an interference was remarkably evident, and prevented an attack, which if it had been made, would moft probably have been attended with, and followed by, horrors unparallel- ed, and beyond the powers of defcription. Let not imagination dwell on fuch a melancholy Subject, apparently threatening immediate inevitable miSery to thoufands and eventually to " thoufands upon thoufands," in cafe the troops had landed; but with different feelings, let me repeat a memorable anecdote respecting a Spanifti officer towards an enemy. The pleadings of humanity, it appears to me, were fo completely exemplified by the conduct of that officer in a certain cafe, which he acknow- ( 3i ) ledged to be " an aft of God," that I hope a re- publication of that inftructive anecdote will be ac- ceptable in the following words: " In 1746, when we were in hot war with Spain, the Elizabeth of London, Captain William Edwards, coming through the Gulph from Jamaica, richly laden, met with a moft violent Storm, in which the Ship Sprung a leak, that obliged them, for the faving of lives, to run her into the Havannah. The cap- tain went on more, directly waited on the governor, told the occafion of his putting in, and that he fur- rendered his Ship as a prize, and himfelf and his men as prifoners of war, only requesting good quarter. No, Sir, replied the governor, if we had taken you in fair war at fea, or approaching our coaft with hof- tile intentions, your Ship would then have been a prize, and your people prifoners. But when dif- treffed by a tempeft, you come into our ports for the fafety of your lives, we, though enemies being men, are bound as fuch by the laws of humanity, to afford relief to diftrefled men, who afk it of us. We cannot, even againft our enemies, take an ad- vantage of an act of God. You have leave there- fore to unload your Ship, if that be neceffary to Stop the leak; you may refit here, and traffic fo far as (hall be neceffery to pay the charges; you may then depart, and I will give you a pafs, to be in force till you are beyond Bermuda, If after that ( 32 ) you are taken you will be a prize, but now you are only a Stranger, and have a Stranger's right to Safety and protection. The fhip accordingly de- parted and arrived fafe in London." That the nations of every name, may be more and more inclined to defift from war ; and, that peace, the beft of bleffings, may Soon Succeed and promote the general happinefs, is again the conclu- ding wifh of A Friend of Humanity. Dec. 29, 1800. For the American Daily Advertifer. THE aftonifhing and contradictory tales about the yellow fever, which have been lately publifhed in feveral papers, are really of fuch a nature, that it is now become a queftion, whether it is not the duty of thofe who have given attention to the fubject to exprefs fome of their fentiments, in a firm and decent manner, confiftent with truth and propriety : and if this can be done without giving occafion of offence to any, it may be reafon- ably hoped, or at leaft it is poSfible, that fuch an intended public Tervice may be of ufe with refpect to future periods, when any thing like the prefent reigning fervor of oppofition may have entirely fub- fided. ( 33 ) To proceed in this line it appears to me that there are two objects which particularly prefent themfelves;—the* firft is, the happy fituation of the city of Philadelphia in a Slate of total exemption from any danger, or even the leafl alarm concerning the yellow fever, for the fpace of two fucceeding Summers. And the fecond is, the experience, and perhaps it may be called the certain knowledge of a number of the inhabitants, for a long courfe of years, during the increafe of the city, even from its Small beginnings. To trace thefe objects, let it not be faid, that a Short explanation of the moft undoubted facts re- specting our city, are meant as a reflection on any other of the cities on the continent; for however clear it has been proved* by various documents that the calamities which have prevailed in Philadelphia in the years 1793, gy, 98, and in a fmaller degree in 1799, originated from importation; yet if fome of the inhabitants of New York, Baltimore, Charlefton, or Norfolk, will have it fo that their cities owe their calamities of the fame fort to a domeftic origin; let us in that cafe leave them to their own ideas; but it would be quite unreafona- ble that the Philadelphians fhould follow fuch an opinion in direct contradiction to their own fenfes and certain knowledge with regard to the citysin which they dwell. E ( 34 ^ With refpect to the firft object particularly allu- ded to, let the prefent healthy fituation of our city bear witnefs; and let it be remembered with all due refpect to our board of health, that not a Single veffel has been knowingly permitted to approach our wharves with contagious diforder on board, for the two laft fummers; and that during the whole time not a Single inhabitant has removed on any juft occafion of alarm. In truth, the confidence in our board of health was fo general and well found- ed, that all thofe who chofe the city for a place of refidence might Safely continue in it without fear or apprehenfidn. With refpect to the fecond object. There is no neceSfity of referring particularly to former publica- tions, except with regard to the firft importation of the yellow fever, more than one hundred years fince, when Philadelphia in its infant State was grievoufly afflicted with that calamity, and loft a confiderable number of the new fettiers. From that period 1699 to the year 1793, it is well afcertained that no extraordinary alarm exifted on account of fuch a diforder: but from the laft mentioned period, about eight years fince, memory may readily ferve for fome of the melancholy parti- culars with regard to our city. ( 35 ) In the Summer of 1793 the fatal diforder was imported into Philadelphia, and firft prevailed in Water-Street above Arch-Street. The failors died by numbers at the lodging houfes in that quarter; the neighbourhood was foon infected, and in a little time the difeafe fpread further and further, and finally about 4000 of the inhabitants were cut off by the mortal contagion. In the years 1794, 95, and 96, it does not appeal that in Philadelphia, any fuch diforder was imported. In 1794, it is well known to the prefent writer, that both New York and our city were in a remark- able healthy ftate in the warmeft weather of that year ; notwithstanding which New York was griev- oufly afflicted by the dire contagion in the year 1795 ; and it would be an eaSy matter to mention the names of feveral veffels by which it was then and there imported, as well as fundry other circum- ftances relating to the calamity in that city. In 1797, the diSeafe was brought again to Phila- delphia ; it broke out in Penn-ftreet, which, had it not been for its vicinity to the infected fhips, was one of the leaft fufpected parts of the city ; great alarm Soon prevailed below the draw-bridge; the deaths were numerous: and I know of one man, a consider- able mill owner, who came from the country, juft ( 36 ) palfed along in that quarter, called, on bufmeSs, at a houSe in the infected neighbourhood, went home, fickened, and died in a few days, leaving a large family to lament their lofs. The fame year was remarkable for the deaths of Doctor Way, and an uncommon number of other phyficians ; concerning whom a Short but reSpectful memorial was publiflied in this city, near the cloSe of the ficknefs. In the year 1798 the dreadful fever was again imported, it raged violently throughout our city; and the havoc it made was truly terrible; among the numerous victims, many valuable men fell in that fatal year. In the year 1799, proofs enough were manifeft of a frefh importation; thoufands and tens of thou- fands fled again from the city ; and although we loft a number of refpeclable citizens, yet the fpread of the difeafe was not fo generally confpicuous, especi- ally north of Market-Street. Thus having juft fketched the outlines of feve- ral remarkable periods, I believe it right to add a fmall tribute of refpect and acknowledgment to our board of health, for their care of the inhabitants of our city, during the two laft feafons: and with a thankful difpofition for the favors of a fuperinten- ( 37 ) ding Providence in our preservation, I hope that thoSe favors will be continued to my native city : as well as that the other cities of America may be kept in future from fo dreadful and mortal a calamity as the yellow fever. A Philadelphian. October 21ft 1801. For the American Daily Advertifer. HAVING read the feventh ingenious letter from the Hindu Philofopher in this day's paper, I took particular notice of one of his fentiments, perhaps too Strongly expreffed in this manner. " Party fpirit and the luft of gain rule the American nation with fuch undivided Sway, as to engroSs every paffion, and enlift every propenfity." This fentiment ap- pears to me to want fome qualification,; and if we will confidcr the noble, general and manly efforts, which have been exhibited to relieve the diftreffed in times of great calamity, perhaps it would be well if fuch an idea as this, fo honorable to our country, Should accompany that of the Hindu Philofopher. I have known the time when party distinctions have been laid afide, and even the fympathetic feelings of oppofites in political notions, remarkably mani- fested towards each other; their views and ex- ertions being freely united for the public benefit ( 33 ) amidft the mutual danger: but perhaps that time was not fo well known to the entertaining writer above alluded to. Great indeed were the difmte- refted efforts of my countrymen at feveral awful periods; and although the diftreffes frequently ex- perienced may have paffed away, yet as they are not to be forgotten, perhaps the following additional remarks arifing from recent circumftances, may not be unacceptable to the printer of the American Daily Advertifer. When the minds of the citizens of Philadelphia were deeply impreffed with a fenfe of thofe calami- ties which were occafioned by the prevalence of the yellow fever, particularly in the years 1793 and 1798, it may be well remembered what an anxiety was manifested by many, and even by the legislature, to confider the moft proper means of ufing fuch en- deavors as were practicable to prevent the recur- rence of fuch calamities. This undoubtedly was a becoming concern, and truly justifiable on the moft virtuous and patriotic principles, and it might have been expected would have met the approbation of every friend of humanity. How furprifing is it then, that at the very time, when a neighbouring city was in fome degree afflicted with fo dangerous a difor- der, injurious reflections Should be caft on the Phi- Iadelphians for their care on fo important an occafi- on ? Had not the yellow fever exifted in New-York ( 39 ) we fhould hardly have heard of fuch a cafe as the following, which appears by an authentic account, dated there the 14th October laft, viz. " On Wed- nesday morning died Mr. Charles Miller, copper- fmith, and fince that his wife, her filter, and an ap- prentice boy, all of whom were in good health eight days ago," and this immediately following another account of the death of " a promifing youth in the 17th year of his age," who had been employed in one of the printing offices, and particularly mention- ed to have died " of the prevailing fever." This is not introduced by way of alarm at the prefent time, for we know, and have reafon to rejoice that the feafon is far advanced, and that a confiderable frofthas occurred, although no doubt a few fuch inftances, when they happened were Suffici- ent to drive a number of the inhabitants from the ci- ty. Had even a fmall number of fuch cafes occurred in the fummer months, it may be eafily imagined from what has happened in Philadelphia, that the flight of tens of thoufands might have been neceffary to avoid the dire effects of a mortal contagion. But thanks be to Providence, the diforder appears to have been limited this year to a fhort continuance to the northward ; and I repeat a wifh, that no unaccount- able and unreasonable apathy may fet afide the ufe of thofe means in our power, which ought to be pro- perly exerted to prevent the recurrence of fuch C 40 ) calamities. It is well known that the city of Phi- ladelphia has been happily exempt from any alarm for two Succeeding fummers: great quantities of merchandife have been brought up in lighters from fundry veflels at different times, and although this may have been inconvenient to many of the traders, yet that inconvenience has been reputably fubmitted to ; and fome of the anecdotes respecting them have been truly honorable, fuch as that, agreeable to a noble expreffion, they would not be the means of bringing a mortal difeafe to the city, for any prof- pect of gain whatever. Now left fome of my countrymen Should take of- fence at the mention of two inftances of the effects of the late prevailing fever in one city, without men- tioning other diftant cities, I may juft fay, that the melancholy inftances of the fame nature in Philadel- phia at feveral periods, were indeed fo numerous, that with refpect to many particulars, nothing fhort of a hiftory of thofe periods would be competent to fo mournful an occafion. With a thankful fenfe to a benignant Providence for our exemption as before mentioned, and Sincere- ly hoping that the cities of America may be favored with fuch health as was generally experienced by their inhabitants before the year 1793, 1 remain their friend and well wifher. A Philadelphian. November 10, 1801. ( 4» ) To the Printer of the American Daily Advertifer. A fhort piece having appeared in the American Daily Advertifer dated the 30th ultimo, with the fignature of " A Friend to Mankind," I have wait- ed for feveral days to fee if any of my fellow-citi- zens would publicly take notice of it; but whether it was from a fear of entering " a field of contro- versy with the learned medical characters of the prefent day," or from whatever caufe, certain it is, I have Seen no obfervations on thofe important hints, contained in that brief, fenfible, and thoughtful per- formance. I knew nothing of that piece, until I faw it pub- liflied ; but as it is my lot to have no fuch fear about controverfy, as that apparently apprehended by that writer; I believe fome fentiments on the Subject he particularly alludes to will be quite proper at'the prefent time, and may poffibly be of fome confe- quence to the promotion of a reafonable, timely, and guarded care for the fafety of our city during the approaching fummer. With thefe ideas, and with all due refpect to the medical characters in our city, I Shall firft give them that credit which I believe they fo generally merit,' in their unitedly approving of the new mode of mi- F ( 42 ) tigating the terrors of that common diforder, the fmall-pox, which was formerly fo fatal to great num- bers, and frequently fo extremely injurious to the comelinefs and beauty of many furvivors, whofe lot it was to be grievoufly afflicted with that baneful and terrible diforder ; a difeafe in truth of fo conta- gious a nature, as to be fcarcely avoidable to the inhabitants of populous towns, or to thofe who occafionally vifited therein. Inoculation, as practi- fed for many years, in the common mode, has appa- rently faved the Jives of thoufands ; but from the numerous recent proofs of the fafety and benefits of vaccination, I am clearly of opinion that fuch an additional favor granted to the knowledge of men, is worthy of due attention ; and I hope the refpectable phyficians of our city and other places, will not think me too officious in fo heartily concurring on this Subject. As to the other matter, I mean the awful calamity of " peftilence:" Let any man who has any pre- tence to the name of a Philadelphian, reflect on his certain knowledge of what has been experienced in this city within a few years, and then fay whether it is not a laudable anxiety, to ftrive to prevent, as much as may be in our power, the recurrence of the like terrible and dreadfully extenfive evils. That " an epidemic fever bordering on the plague" fas another writer has expreffed it) that fuch a difeafe, ( 43 ) commonly denominated the yellow fever, has been imported, at feveral times, into New York and Philadelphia, within the fpace of nine years, and has been attended with great mortality, is a truth fo well afcertained, that for any man, even for a Single one, to deny it muft appear totally unaccount- able ; the proofs being as incontrovertible as any of thofe can poflibly be reflecting the effects of vaccination; or according to my opinion, as that the fun gives light to the earth, and has a powerful influence on the fruitfulnefs of its various producti- ons. Such then having been the cafe, concerning which much has been written, why fhould we not confider the matter as it really is ? With reSpect to Philadelphia, we well know what has occurred at feveral different periods, which although it would be very eafy to recapitulate numerous particulars, yet as the circumftances alluded to are of fo recent a date, as to be within the memory of many young people who are not yet grown up, perhaps a general reference to memory for fuch late exifting circum- ftances, may Suffice at the prefent time. To me it appears that the queftion is not whether a few men fhall obtain a Small additional profit on their merchandife, or whether a few others fhall have an opportuimy to fhew a fearlefs difpofition of ftoicifm, or total indifference as to what may hap- ( 44 ) pen; thefe in my opinion are not the queftions adapted for a grand community, but that the pro- per queftion in reality is, whether thouSands and tens of thouSands fhall be at the hazard of being routed from their homes, by a freSh importation of a dreadful and mortal difeafe, which from what has been certainly known, appears to have been of fo contagious a nature in thoufands of inftances, that there is the greateft reaSon to believe, that the ap- proach and continuance of a fingle infected veffel at one of our wharves, at fome particular times, might endanger the city in fuch a manner, as again to put to flight the numerous inhabitants, who have been fo frequently diftreffed on fimilar occafions. Now I do not mean by any thing I have faid to take off from that credit fo juftly due to our board of health for the two laft years, nor from the re- spectable acquieScence with needful regujations on the part of the merchants and traders of our city. On the contrary, we have reafon to acknowledge, that under their care, and " the bleffing of a benefi- cent Providence," our city has been So remarkably exempt from the dangers of the yellow fever, that it was not neccffary for a fingle individual, during the Space above Specified, to remove from the place of his abode, under any of thofe fearful apprehenfions, which made our city, in Some refpects, like a dreary defert, in the years 1793 and 1798 in particular; ( 45 ) and in the years 1797 and 1799, were the occafioa of a melancholy defertion of the inhabitants, to avoid by flight the impending dangers, which were fo clearly raanifefted by the Sudden deaths of consider- able numbers, even in thofe years, which were not fo much diftinguiibed for the greatnefs of the mor- tality. In full agreement with the pious and patriotic wifhes in the concluding paragraph of the unknown writer " A Friend to Mankind," and moft fincere- \y defirous that there may be a great increafe of thofe who may deferve the title he has adopted, I hope there will be no impropriety in following his example, and concluding this effay with the fame honorable fignature. Another Friend to Mankind. April 6th, 1802. THUS having attended to a number of Effays, fome of which have been published at various pe- riods, I hope there will be no impropriety in again adverting to a work which I have frequently vifited, with fuch a confidence in the beft intentions of the managers, as to be generally fatisfied with the pro- grefs of thofe preparations which have been judged neceffary for a permanent bridge, to facilitate an ( 46 ) immediate intercourfe from either fide of the beauti- ful river Schuylkil. On the 20th inftant, December, after consider- ing the uncommon feverity of the weather, which was experienced particularly on the 16th, 17th and 18th days of the prefent month, I had an inclination to know what might have been the effects on the works at Schuylkil, and as the weather had now be- come quite moderate, I proceeded to the coffre dam, and with great Satisfaction I foon found the Spirit of activity appeared to be afrefh excited,—large quan- tities of rough ftone had been brought forward, much had already been conveyed to the bottom of the river, and numbers of men were employed in breaking and fixing them for the foundation of the intended pier. This was all agreeable to me, as from the beft of my underftanding, and from the information of the mafter mafon (who I had the pleafure of feeing there this time) I have caufe to believe that a good firm foundation will be acquired, although not quite in the exact manner which had been contemplated, that is to fay, to begin the noble ftru&ure immediately upon the, mighty rock. To do that I knew had been much labored for; but when all is done that can be done without running the greateft riSque, or at leaft being Sub- jected to a moft diScouraging delay, the conSe- quences of which no man could forefee, I truly be- lieved it was beft to proceed as they had done, ( 47 ) and more efpecially as it appears by information that the rock is remarkably regular on its furface, there not being much more than 18 inches differ- ence with refpect to a level, from one end of the projected work to the other; this it is faid has been afcertained by actual boring in numerous places. Who then can doubt but that after the moft lkilful preparations three or four tiers of the moft weighty ftone, fuitably depofited andfecured, will fettle on the remaining three or four feet of cover- ing on the rock to good Satisfaction ? At this vifit I faw feveral of my fellow-citizens, and among them one who had been, from time to time, particularly attentive to the operations, and almoft unreasonably anxious to See the rock ; I told him Some of my ideas on the Subject, and as in his obfervations, he luckily mentioned the word Spring, I thought I had a fine opportunity to put him in mind of what had happened fome years fince, in confequence of a moft extraordinary frefh : this ap- peared very apropos, for I found he not only re- collected it, but could tell me about the poor horfe, who had got up into the chamber of the ferry houfe to fave his life from the Surrounding dangers. After further conversation with the gentleman allu- ded to, I thought he was almoft reconciled to the works going forward on their prefent plan, and ( 4* ) after all, I have no doubt of his good wtthes for their complete fuccefs. He informed me of one matter that was very pleafmg, and perhaps it might be the more fo as it related to the article of ice ; he told me that the wonderful recent froft was in favor of the coffre-dam; I underftood him at once, for no doubt, wherever there was any part that could admit water down to the loweft tide, all muft be So far immediately filled up, and under that circumftance, the leaks confiderably diminifhed perhaps for feveral days; fo that fome part of the labor of continual pumping might be properly dif- penfed with; and I am very glad the poor horfes could have a little more time to reft, which I have no doubt they have fometimes Stood in need of: I further think, if the famous pier fhould be Successfully carried on,, that thofe horfes who have fo faithfully contributed to the work, will deferve a peculiar at- tention even in future time. This day the 24th December 1802, being as I expect a memorable day to numbers as well as to myfelf, I fhall relate fome particulars to fhew the reafon for fuch an opinion. In the morning about 11 o'Clock there were in view from the city, nine or ten topfail vejfels commencing their voyages, the wind N. W. and no material obstruction from ice, there having been a fucceffion of very mode- rate and foggy weather for feveral days: I hope ( 49 ) thofe veSTels, and feveral others, which put off in the morning, may have arrived Safe at Reedy Ifland this evening, as they had the advantage of all the ebb tide ; which advantage appears to have been prudently attended to, by fetting off two or three hours before it was high water. In the afternoon I made another excurfion to Schuylkil, and found the bridge works were advan- cing in a very Satisfactory manner. I obferved that a number of the large hewn ftone were now brought forward. I looked down the ingenious and fub- ftantial fabric called the coffre-dam, and was in hopes that fome of thofe grand materials had reached the bottom : not fatisfied with this, I firft delibe- rated, and then proceeded gradually from ladder to ladder, until at length I was fo near the bottom, that I thought it would be a curiofity to walk upon it, being now in fo dry a ftate as to admit of all thefe proceedings, as I believed, without any dan- ger. In this fituation, fheltered from the wind, I had the pleafure of feeing the mafons fixing and levelling the firft hewn ftone as a commencement of the noble pier; and I doubt not the complaifance of the workmen would have admitted even a further intrufion, fo far as, to have touched that firft mate- rial, if I had requefted it in a manner fuitably adapt- ed to fo uncommon an occafion ; however, without any interruption to their bufinefs, I did not omit G ( 5o 1 fuch an attention to feveral others of thofe firft ma- terials, which were juft at hand, and expected to be foon depofited in their proper fituations. I now congratulate the mafter workmen, and all their affiftants, on the prefent fituation of their operations, which muft undoubtedly afford the means of full employ to a great number of men, even during the winter feafon; and to their em- ployers the agreeable profpect of a fuccefsful iffue to a grand undertaking, which may be properly characterized as an interesting and ufeful work ; altogether pacific in its nature, and therefore peculi- arly agreeable to an individual, who would rejoice to fee the honorable principles of chriftianity, more generally cheriflied and promulgated amongft man- kind. And now, as I have no objection to an allufion to a time, So long diftinguifhed in many countries, and leading the mind to Serious reflection, I Shall juft add : if in Some Succeeding days, the gracious import of thoSe dignified words, " Peace on earth, and good will to men," Should be duly imprefled, with chriftian boldneSs, on the minds of numerous hearers in various congregations. I fay, if this fhould be the cafe, the approaching anniverfary may be a memorable period for religious fervices; ( 5i ) which if exercifed confiftent with comely order, and for the general benefit, among the different deno- minations without exception, it will be intelligence indeed of valuable importance, and I hope, under a fenSe of the propriety of due humility, will be very acceptable to their friend. A PHILADELPHJAN. THE END. MecLHist WZ