The recorder, or, Lady's and gentleman's miscellany. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1801-1802, 1802-04-10


u qosrk ppsliGsd in I7q7, BY Dr.. heSfor
.M'Lse7. 44tgfaat {aLpsfzo'' q Hspitahs
fer ST. D0miRga
Tha towns of ST Dol4nnSo, ESPECIALLY
PORT au-P Prince, are admirably caiculat-
ed for the purpofes OF commerce. Con
alterations Of health gave way TO the
fchemes of avarice and the convenience
OF attaining riches. 1t mutt be confef-
ed, that che French made che utmoit Of
every ilrlation they occupied, and I'M
proved them as far as they were capa-
bic Of improvement their ftrects were
wide, extenllve, and open, chain Of
Yirandass or piazzes, iheitcred from the
fun, connected all the fonies, under
which the pai{engcr could walk free
from every Inconvenience: a row of tfees
or. either ilde ofthe ltreet rcfreihed the
eye, and gave a rural appearance to the
whole; whit itreans of water flowing
along, carried OF any impurities, which
in fpite of every care> might accumulate.
The French ha~e taken great care 10
ilpply al their towns amply with water;
q great confederation in hot countries,
but which we ncgle6l in our colonies in
a remarkable manner, But notwithttand-
ino ehele endeaYoUrs on the part or the
French, they occupied tituations, which,
gould not be rendered flealthful by any
means they employed. Polt-au- Prince
SIS one Of thoie, LIS placed at che bot
tom of All immenie bite, which puihes
itlclf into the heart Of St Domingo.
The iciee Of the lower part of the town
is, in fa6t, ON 8 narlh gained from che
lea, the iMirts of which are covered with
weeds or naangroves, where decomro{-
ed animal andyegctablc matters are pro
mi(cuoudy throwri or theie the fun
sxefts it's power, and the breeze conveys
the noxious particles with new aGtivi-
~ to the lungs and boioms If the inha-
bitants. But this is not all the lea
breeze, which in other littlations is hail
ed rs the genial fouree Of rcfre ihment
and health. is here Interrupted, The
ifland Of Gonaive IS 70 placed in fhe
mouth of The barber, rs, in great rnta4
iure, to intercept this falusary gale and,
before it arrives at Poyt-au-P Prince, It
loies IT'S ulnai coolaeis by palTing
over heated lands and gathering in It's
ecurfe hoxious vapouts. This ne
ce11arily refulcs from fhe inland flu
ation OF the town. Bcndcs theie ,aani-
felt caules ofili health. Port-au-Princc
is expoied to the action of others. Ii
IS PLACED On 4 level, on tl.1 verge OF the
bire, and irrounded by very lofly
mountains, from the tottom Of which
ahorizontal plain ltfetches towards the
town. Z orrents Of wafer, in times of
rain, ruth through this plains ard retain
1heir impstuoiitg ELL they reach the lea.
Z he land IS rnoiitened, bur after she
torrents ceaic, the water ftagnaees faa.l
4ereamss attaining horizontal level,
!oie tbs impetus. acquired in their def
cenr, they linger III the plan, and by
ningiing with lie foil form a n7arlh.
On thls marfh ayigorous fun acts daily
and cyaPorates its noXious particles,
which ate conveyed 20 che longs OF eye
~ one ti'ac breatltes, and applied 70
their ikins, and probably in this manner
communicate with rhe blood. This IS
q never ceaGng cattle of Gifeaf., a ntr-
fry coniFantly rearing mortal potion.
In every suipirarion, We draw into our
boiom cohana Of SIT thas inpsegnated;
ID every itep We walk frelh abplica-
Or rhe{e particles IS made TO o,Ir. bodies;
II is no WoHder then, that on this fatal
}Pot rhe blItifl troops caught fever III
each treacherous breeze.