Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1821-06-12
MASSACRE AT MANILA.
u. S. FRIGATE CoNGREss, J
al anchor IN Hampton Roads, :
June LIST. 1891.


At the request Of Captain Henley, as well
as for my own individual satisfaction, | en-
close you correct statement of the Massa-
ere of the 9th and 10th of October last, at
Manila. By giving this place in your pa
per, you will correct many errors that arose
from the manner in which a former account
forwarded by Lieut.. Allen) was published !:
in which account ii appears that Mr.. Allen
was the narrator, when, in fact, he only
forwarded for publication hasty narrative
furnished by me at Canton.
You will be enabled also to correct many
errors OF a different nature, that | have per-
ceived in the account published in your pa
per OF May 22d, although the substance OF
both accounts is the same.
With due respect, Gentlemen, remain
your ob't, &c.
SAMUEL PRINCE, Jr
On the LIST or cd Of October, the inhabi-
tants of LucOnia experienced one of the most
severe hurricanes they had ever known
Previous TO Its commencement, the marine
barometer fell in the short space of one hour
from % 80 to 90 20, and during its continue
ance fell still lower. All the low country
about Manila was inundated. The river be
came OF milky white colour, from the We
getable putreiaction washed from the high
lands trees that had withstood the fury of
gales for numbers ofpast years, were torn up
by the roots and laid PROSTATE. The gale
continued with great violence about Sc hours,
when il moderated, and was succeeded by a
series ofiine, clear, though sultry weather.
The flood Immediately subsidized, but the
river still remained swollen beyond its usual
size, and its waters continued to flow, dis
cnipIlrp1 hX- rlDrticlnc Of aCN,,nncoI
bic matter. The vapours that were now con-
tinually arising from the drenched earth,
combined with the free use the poorer class
of inhabitants made OF the river water, soon
produced disease. That scourge of India,
the Cholera Morbus, made is appearance
among them, spreading with incredible IA.
pldity The people became panic struck,
almost every person seized with this dread
tul disorder died. A splendid Ball which
was to have been given in honor of the Con-
sttutlon, was, by orders of the government
postponed, and consultation was called by
the authorities, to decide upon the best me-
thod to check the progress OF this messcn-
ger of death mixture of Alcohol, Lau-
danum and was ordered to be pro-
pared and distributed gratis to the poor IN
habltants, from the shops of the Apotheca-
ries and houses of persons pointed ont for the
purpose this was accordingly done indis-
criTninately, to all those who chose TO call
for it: the people floclled with their Walls and
cups, TO the appointed places; the medicin e
was delivered them, but not question ask
ed, as 1T regarded the age, constitution, or dis
order of the patient. An infant of two days
old, with the complaint incidental to the ear
lystage ofinfancy would receive the same dose
of physic as would be delivered for an adult.
lying on the point of death, with the Cholera
Morbus. Those |vhO fancied they had the
disorder, or wished to guard against it, would
procure and swallow the same quantlim and
sort of medicine as those dangerously ill.,
Beneficial effects, were, no doubt, felt from
this in some instances, but in Others, it was
productive of the most fatal consequences,
and upon the whole, candidly believe, oc-
casloned much more harm than good.
During this trying period, many of the
foreign gentlemen that commercial and other
pursuits had drawn to this country, actuated
by motives Ofhumanity, visited the sick, dis
tributed at their own expense, medicines pro-
per to counteract the fatal tendency of the
disease and in many instances, saved whole
families from its banefia effects.
Taking advantage ofthe terror and des-
peration of the moment, evil disposed persons
circulated among the poor and ignorant in
habtants, reports that barrels of poison had
been found i'll the river, that the strangers mad
poisoned the water, that every evening thew
scattered venomous powders in the air, that
the very atmosphere they breathed was
poisoned, that the foreigners were not affect
ed themselves as they possessed antidotes.---
These, and thousand other reports equally
idle, but of like evil tendency, were firmly
and easily credited by the coioured popula-
ton of Manila and its emvirons An unfor-
tunate event that transpired on the morning
OF the 9th, served but too strongly to confirm
them in their opinions. A young French
surgeon, Monsr. Godeloi, who had rendered
himself very conspicuous, by his humane
and visitation of the sicl,) had
ieita quantity of medicine at the house of
person where several people were lying sick,
giving directions as regarded the manner of
and the quantity necessary for
each invalid no sooner had GOdcfoi left
the house, than 4 small dog was procured
and the medicine poured down his throat
az might be expected, the dog soon died
The account Of this transaction spread like
widiirc; the inhabitants sailed from their
houses, armed with pixies, knives and clubs,
overlook poor GOdefoi, whom they cut and
manslod IN shocking manner, leaving him
for dead; his body was picked up and con-
yeyed to house opposite the DmgoOn bar
racks, near the little bridge of Santa Cruze,
where ne soon Showed signs lile-his hands
Weret tied behind hlm,a he was placed In The
prison OF the Corrcgidor, where he remained
- hours without receiving any assistance
he was afterwards sent TO the hospital, and /
am happy TO say, was recovering fast when
left Manila.
The ncws offis atroCiOus act soon spread
among the foreigners, but the person Of the
sufferer was not correctly reported. 1t was
generally believed that ! was the unfortunate
person. Capt. Nichols on hearing this start
ed Immediately to my assistance, leaving
short note to- captain Warrington and Mr.
. I. IL Z IL