Dunlap's Pennsylvania packet , The general advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1774-04-04 00:00:00, page 1

& Historical Account of the PLAGUE;
together qvith a floort narrative of the many dread
ful ravages it has occasioned in the city of London,
Jroin the earliest time, to the year 1665, therein
.60,566 ,erijhed cfthat fatal disorder only.
F*'^''^)^' '1” a " the nations on this fide of
fr^ ^ Europe, have been for some
^<2{''\^ time past alarmed with that
^A A ^^ dreadful disorder the plague,
rs ^^^ ^ which now rages in Poland, and
th e western parts ofthe Turkilh
n«.^^ ,^\ st em empire, we hope it will not be
unentertaining to many of our readers, if we lay
before them the opinion of some great writers on
that fubjed, and also an account of the devalua
tion made by it at different times.
The plague (fays Dr. Mead) is amoft acute fe
ver, arising from a poisonous effiuvia, brought
from the etftern countries, lodging itfelf among
bale goods, which when exposed to the air, proves
fatal to the bystander, unless the podon is imme
diately expelled.
Hoffman fays, the venom is swallowed with the
air, and insinuates ifelf into the falival juice;
whence it assaults the head, brain, nerves, and
animal spirits, producing a stupidness in the head,
a Geepinefs, forgetfulnefs, inquietude and lols of
strength. All which are generally signs of the
plague, and are of a more violent and quick ope
ration, in proportion to the virulence of the poison.
This diLafe differs from other contagions, ma
lignant, and eruptive fevers, because it is the moss
acute, and sometimes kills on the firft, and some
times on the second day. In our climate it does
not become epidemic, from a bad way of living or
unhealthy air, but happens when it is most serene,
and is imported from hot countries, particularly
the Levant. Nothing brings on this distemper
sooner than fear, a dread of death, or a sudden
consternation of the mind. If the pestilential poi
son is not expelled to the external parts, it is cer
tainly fatal.
To trace this calamitous disease from its origin
would be irapoffible; but that it is very ancient is
indisputable, it being often mentioned by the oldest
writers now extant. Besides it being often men
tioned in the old testament. Homer, the most an
tient Heathen author, tells us what devastation it
made at the siege ofTroy, in the Grecian army,
when the dispute arose between Agamemnon, and
Achilles.
" Latona's son a dire contagion spread,
" And fill'd the camp with mountains of the dead:
" The King of men his reverend Prieff defy'd,
" And for the King's offence the people dy'd."
All the latter Greek authors, whose works have
come to our hands, mention the pestilence, and
confident with their own notions of religion, con
sidered it as an immediate judgment of the gods,
for some great offence committed by the people,
without enquiring into the natural causes.
It is often mentioned by Livy, who laments
the losses which their armies (offered from the pes
tilence when they crossed into Africa. When the
Romanempire was Gripped of many of its best
provinces by the Hunns, Goths, and Vandals, and
the feat of fovereigrity transferred from Rome to
Constantinople, the pestilence often became more
fatal to the northern Barbarians, when they ap
proached south to the Mediterranean, than it did
to the natives themselves.
Toenumerate all that is found in history con
cerning the plague, by which so many of the hu
man race have been swept away, would swell this
effayto a volume, we shall, therefore, only men
tion two more, and then proceed to relate its pro
gress and effects in London.
Weare told in the history ofthe Crusades, that
above one hundred thousand of the Europeans who
went on that romantic expedition, died of the
plague; at Smyrna, Antioch, and other parts of
the east ; and it is almost recent, that the plague
broke out at Marseilles (1,26) which destroyed
above nine tenths of the inhabitants of that popu
lous city, and although our trade to the Mediter
ranean was then very extensive, yet happily it was
not brought into this kingdom.
The firft time we meet with any mention of the
plague in London, is in the year 1347, and 21st
of Edw. 111. when a dreadful pestilence broke
our, said to have been brought from India, and
carried off prodigious numbers of people, by which
the consumption of allforts of provisions were so
exceedingly lessened, that, 1. s. d.
A line horse formerly worth forty fail-? , „
r ' >0 6 8
hogs, was fold atJ
The bed fedox, at 04 c
The bed cow, at 0 1 0
The bed heifer, or fleer, at 0 0 6
The best weather, at G 0 4
The bed ewe, at 0 0 3
The best lamb, at 0 0 2
The best hog, at 0 0 5
A stone of wool, at 0 0 9
This shocking distemper continued to rage so
violently, that the common burying places were
But Urge enough to receive the dead bodies, and
^^^l^@^^^^
s^l^lll^
O R,
GENERA L
V O L. 111.
M () N D A Y,
people were obliged to purchase ground for that
purpose; particularly Ralph Stratford, Biihop of
London, who purchased a piece of ground, inclo
fed with a brick wall, and dedicated it to the pur
pose of burying the dead ; and it is recorded that
Sir Walter Manny, purchased a piece of ground
adjoining to St. Bartholemew's holpital, in which
fifty thousand persons were buried, who all died
of the plague, and a Latin inlcription was after
wards fixed on a stone cross, near rhe premises,
of which the following is a translation.
" A great plague raging in the year of our Lord
" 1347, and within the bounds of the present
" monastery, were buried more than fifty thou
" sand bodies of the dead, besides many others,
" thenceforward to the present time; whose fouls
" the Lord have mercy upon. Amen."
In the year 1361, a dreadful plague broke out
in France, and as it was apprehended that it might
either be communicated to London, or revived
therein, by the putrifying of the blood, and en
trails of beasts, which the butchers used to throw
into the streets, the King issued his commands to
the Mayor and Sheriffs, to the following effed.
That all forts of cattle to be killed for the sus
tenance of the city, be carried as far as the town
of Stratford on the east, and the town ofKnights
bridge on the weft, there to be flaio, and their
bowels to be there cleansed, and brought together
with the flefh to the city to be fold ; and all but
chers transgressing against their ordinance, to for
feit all the beasts killed, and to be imprisoned one
year.
Notwithstanding this prudent care, the pesti
lence reached England, where it ravaged to such
an astonishing degree, that in the city of London
only, twelve hundred persons perished in the space
oftwo days ; a prodigious number, indeed, if we
confider the great difference of population between
those times and the present.
A most dreadful plague broke out in London in
1407, and Bth of Hen IV. which raged to such
a degree as to destroy thirty thousand of the in
habitants in a very short time, which considerably
lessened the price of all forts of provisions, so that
a quarter of wheat was fold for three Killings and
fix-pence.
In 1523, and 15th of Hen. VIII. the plague
raged so violently in London, that, the King re
moved to Eltham, the term was postponed, and
the city so much deserted by its inhabitants, that
the feftival of Christ's nativity, was that year cal
led the still Christmas.
In the year 1543, and 34th of Henry VIII. the
plague raged so violently in London, that a great
number of the citizens died, and the term was ad
journed to St. Albans.
About four years afterwards, 1547, London was
again visited with the plague, which carried off
great numbers ofits inhabitants.
In the year 1563, the plague broke out vio
lently in London, and on the fifth of July, the
Lord Mayor, by order of her Majesty, com
manded the master and wardens' of the company
of clerks, to enquire the number of those who di
ed of the plague, within their refpeAive parishes,
and to make a certificate thereof; and that the
curates and church-wardens Should give notice
to them of such houses where tlie plague appeared,
and to forbid every person in such houses coming
to church, the space of one month following, after
the plague had been in it, and to fix a blue cross
on the door, with a writing underneath, fignify
ing that the infection was there, and to avoid it.
It was further ordered on the ninth, that every
man, in every street and lane, should make bon
fires three times a week, on Mondays, Wednes
days, and Fridays, till the infection should cease.
The number of people that died of the plague,
and other diseases this year, amounted to twenty
thousand, three hundred and seventy two.
In 1569, the plague broke out again in Lon
don, which occasioned the term of Michaelmas
to be adjourned to that of Hillary; and the Lord
Mayor issued his order for preventing its spreading,
by hindering idle persons going about who might
disperse it among the citizens.
In 1591, the plague broke out in London so
violently, that notwithstanding the most salutary
measures were taken to flop its progress, it took
offno less than ten thousand, fix hundred and fe
ventv-five citizens.
After the death of Queen Elizabeth, when King
James made his public entry into London, the re
joicings on that occasion were obliged to be post
poned to the following year, on account of the
plague, which at that time raged so violently in
the city, that within the city it carried off thirty
thousand, five hundred and seventy-eight persons,
three thousand arid ninety of whom died in one week.
At the accession of Charles the firft, like that
of his father, the citizens of London were again
obliged to defer their rejoicings, on account of the
plague, which raged so violently in the city and
fiiburbs, that in one year it carried off thirty-five
thousand, four hundred and seventy people, be
sides upwards of eighteen thousand who died of
other distempers. The cfle&s of this fatal ca-
D UN L A P's
i^ IGO;
lamity is beautifully painted by Bishop Hall, in a
sermon preached before the court at that time.
In the year 1635 London was again visited with
the plague, which raged lo violently, that within
the space of one year, it took off ten thousand,
four hundred citizens, on which account the fairs
of St. Bartholomew, and Southwark, were for
that year suppressed.
The last and most dreadful plague, that the
city of London has been afflicted with, broke out
in the beginning of May 1665. The cause ofthis
calamity was alcribed to the importation ofinfcft
ed goods from Holland, where the plague had
committed great ravages the preceding year.
1 he week wherein this most dreadful distemper
was firft difeovered, it carried off nine persons,
whereby the citizens were so greatly alarmed, that
an universal dread diffufed itfelf amongst people of
all ranks : But the week after, the number, ac
cording to the bill of mortality, being reduced to
three, the fears of the citizens were greatly alle
viated. The next week, however, the number
increasing tofourteen, and progressively to forty
three, the people were struck with consternation,
and many of them had thoughts of leaving the ci
ty: But in the month of June, thenumber having
gradually increased to 470 a week, the nobility,
gentry, and principal citizens fled for fafety, all
being instantly in an amazing hurry, and the city
emptying itfelf into the country, the Greets and
roads were excelfively crouded with carriages and
paffengerr. In July the bill increasing to 2010,
all houses were shut up, the streets deserted, and
scarce any thingto baleen therein but grass grow
ing, innumerable fires to purify the air, coffins,
pelt-carts, red crosses upon doors, with the in
scription of " Lord have mercy upon us !" and
poor women in tears, with dismal afeefts, and
woeful lamentations, carrying their infants to the
grave ! And scarce any other founds to be heard
than those incessantly repeated from the windows,
“ Pray for us !" And the dismal call of " Bring
" out your dead !" With the groans ofthe dying,
and the melancholy tolling of bells for bodies rea
dy for the grave ! But what greatly added.to this
diftrefsful feene, was the fpe&ator's own reflexion,
that he himfelf should perhaps toon make one
among the dismal objects, whose groans resounded
in his ears.
Under these deplorable circumfiances, the citi
zens, when in the greatest want of spiritual guides,
were forfaken by their parochial ministers, when
those who had been just before ejected from the
pulpits, considering their indifpehfible duty in this
dreadful visitation, were induced, though con
trary to law, to lupply their place; upon which
the people, laying aside the diltindion of church
men and dissenters, joyfully resorted to church,
where the concourse was so exceeding great, that
these non-conformift ministers were frequently
obliged to clamber overthe pews to get to the pul
pit; and if ever preaching had a better effect than
ordinary, it was at this time, when the people listen
ed with the utmost eagerness, and attended as iftheir
salvation depended upon every word they heard.
In the month of September death rode trium
phant, for the burials then amounted in one week
to 6988; but the week after the bill falling to
6544, gave some glimmering hopes that this dread
ful distemper was past its crisis: However, the
great increase the week following to 7165, reim
merged the survivors into an abyss of horror and
despair ; for now they were struck with the dread
ful apprehensions, that in a few days the living
would not be fufficient to bury the dead. They
were, however, happily mistaken; for after this,
the contagion gradually decreased, till it pleased
the Almighty to restore this desolate city to its
pristine Rate of health; after the direful ravages
of this distemper had swept off 68,566 persons,
which, together with thole who died of other dis
eases, made the bill of mortality for this year
amount to 97,306 Many thousands of the dead
bodies were carried out in pest-carts, and thrown
into holes dug for that purpose at the place called
Holloway-mount.
As to the natural causes of this last pestilence,
physicians differed greatly: However, Dr. Bay
nard observes, that during the havock made by it,
there was a general calmness and serenity of wea
ther, without the least wind or rain; and through
the great scarcity of nitre in the air, the fires in
the streets were with great difirculty made to burn;
and by its extreme rarefra&ion, which was doubt
less increased by these fires, the birds panted for
breath, and those of the larger forts were observ
ed to fly more heavily than ulual.
We cannot conclude this article without re
marking that England was never in greater danger
of being infested with the plague than at present.
The Ruffian officers now in the Levant, will
acquire great riches, and as that will doubtless be
in goods, the product of those illands, which be
ing sent to England, may unwarily be bought up,
either by the ignorant, or those who aft from mo
tives of covetousness, and those goods being ex
posed to sale, it is impossible to imagine what
dreadful consequences may enfae.r
I^ll^l
T HE
ADVERTISER.
A P R I L 4th, 1774-
Sa em County, Weft Neiv-Jerfey, Feb. 22, 1774.
BY VIRTUE of a WRIT, to medire&ed,
will be exposed to sale, on the premiles, on
Friday the xzd day of April next, the plantation
late the property of John Ray, or part thereof as
case may require, lituate in Upper Alloways Creek
townihip, whereon is a good law mill, and two
dwelhng-houtes; seized and taken in execution,
and to be fold by
BATEMAN LLOYD, Sheriff.
MASON and DORSE Y,
In Water-ttreet, a little below Walnut-street, hate
for SALE, the following GOODS, viz.
RUM and molasses, by the hogshead ; loaf,
lump, and Mufcovado sugars ; tea, coffee,
chocolate, and rice ; alfpice, pepper, ginget, and
muttard ; mace, cloves, nutmegs, and cinnamon ;
Weston and country made fuuff; brimstone, allom,
copperas, and lalt-petre, by the keg, or otherwise;
indigo, madder, logwood, redwood, and fuftick;
wrapping paper, cotton, bar lead, and (hot ; bar
iron, of the belt quality, and T. Crawley, No. 3,
Heel. Also choice mackarel, and a quantity of ex
cellent pork, with sundry other articles.
Philadelphia, April s, 1774
TEN POUNDS REWARD.
STRAYED or STOLEN, out of a lot
near the Hospital, on the night of the 29th of
September lift, a dark brown MAR E, seven years
old, high spirited, about fifteen b ands high, fliod Hl
round, paces and trots remarkably faft, has a mealy
mouth, is wide between the ears, with two white
foots occasioned by the saddle; she has had the pole
evil, which may be observed by a fear. Whoever
will bring said mare to the fubferiber, Ihall receive
THREE POUNDS, and if stolen, for mare
and thief the above Reward, paid bv
CHARLES RISK.
March 29, 17741
THE Subscriber requests the favour of
all who are indebted to him while he prac
tifed Physic and Surgery in the county ofLancafter,
that they will pay off their accounts to William
Hamilton, Esq; in Lancaster, or to himfelf in
Chefnut-dreet, between Second and Third-fti e e.s,
Philadelphia. ROBERT BOYD.
TO BE SO L D,
THE TIME of a servant girl, who has two
years and a half to serve ; the is mrich used
to tending children, and can do house-work and
cook : She can be recommended for her honetty.
Enquire of the Printer.
Salem, in Ne-w-Jerfo, March u, 1 774 .
NOTICE is hereby given to the Creditors
of the fubferibers, Thit by an order of the
Inferior Court of Common Pleas, in and for the
county of Salem, Tuesday the twelfth day of April
next is appointed for them to appear, at the Conrt
houfe in Salem, before Grant Gibbon and An.
DREW SiNNiCKsONi Efqrs. two of the Judges of
the said Court, to shew cause why an alignment
of the said fubferibers elates should not be made
for the benefit of their creditors, and their perlons
difeharged from imprisonment.
JAMES GARDINER,
GEORGE MEYERS.
Philadelphia, March 25, 1774.
To be exposed to S ALE by Public Vendue, the
fifth day of next month, on the premises, the
file to begin at ten o'clock in the morning, if
not fold before at private sale,
THAT healthy, pleasant, and valuable plan
tation in the township of Bristol, and county
of Bucks, on which Joseph White resides, con
taining about 263 acres, about 96 cf which are
^ood-land, about 0 acres of apple orchard, about 34
acres of meadow, which do not require manure;
the remainder fields for tillage, &c. the dwelling
house near the center hands high, and the fields
and meadows may be viewed from the house; a large
barn very convenient to tl e fields and meadow,
with cow- houses, flieep-lioufe, and cart houC, a
large milk-house fupphed by a spring never known
to fail. It is expected lime will suit the upland foil
well ; and lime-stone may be brought by water at a
moderate expence near the place.
To be exposed to sale at the fame place and fime
day, a plantation in tenure of John Wright, ad
joining the above, containing about 170 acres, on
which is a dwelling-house and bain, a fm.dl or
chard of apple trees, about 65 acres or upwards of
woodland, about 30 acres of meadow ground, the
remainder chiefly fields for plowing. These places
are about 5 miles from Bristol, and about 24 miles
from Philadelphia. One third part of the purchase
money being immediately paid, a de p d and pofldfc.n
will be given ; the remainder will be taken in dated
payments, with interest. Draughts of these places
may be seen in Bristol, and at the London Coffee
houfe in Philadelphia; and application may be liiad#
to John Pemberton in said city.
It is desired, those who incline to purchase, or at
tend the sale, may be punctual to the time, that
the time of felling may not be so tedious as is too
common in the country.
T 0 - M O R RO W,
At ONE O'CLOCK, at
JOHN H A R T's
VENDUE-STORE,
At the corner of South and Front-Streets,
Will begin the SALE of a large and neat
assortment of
MERCHANDIZE
NUM B. 12 8.