Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-04-23


to be indispensably necessary, and that suitable
house, as an hospital, should be provided near
the city, for the reception Of the infected poor.
In consequence, in the evening OF the same
day, the guardians of the poor agreed to sucary
resolutions, viz: to use their utmost exertions
to procure a house, of the above Description, ior
an hospital, tout of town, and as near as might
be practicable, consistently with the safety OF the
inhabitants,) for the poor who were or misn1 oe
afflicted with contagious disorders, ana De oest-
tute of providing necessary assistance otherwise;
to engage physicians, nurses, attenaahts' ana oil
necessaries for their Relief in that house; to ap
point proper persons in each district, TO inquire
after such poor as might be afflicted; to admins
ter assistance to them in their own houses, ahd'
if necessary, to remove them to the hosPltai.-
They reserved to themselves, at the same time,
the liberty of drawing on the Mayor for such sums
as might be necessary to carry their plans ih'o
effect. IN.
Comfortably with these resolves, committee
of the guardians was appointed, to make inquiry
for suitable place; and on due examlna1io on
thew Judged that a building adjacent to Bushhlll,
the mansion house Of William Hamilton, ESQ.
was the best calculated for the purpose. That
gentleman was then absent, and had no agent IN
the CITY; and the great urgency of the, case adj
hitting no DELAY, eight of the guardians, accom-
panied by Hilary Baker. Esq. one OF the city al
dermen, with the concurrence OF the Governor,
proceeded. on the 3lst of August. to the build
inn thew had fixed upon; and meeting with some
opposition from tenant who occupied 1t, they
took possession of the mansion-house itself. to
which, on the sa,se evening, they sent the four
patients who remained at the circus.
Shortly after, the guardians of the poor tor the
city, except James Wilson, Jacob Tomkins, jun.
and William SAMSON, ceased the performance Of
their duties, nearly the whole of them having re-
moved out of the city. Before this virtual vaca-
ton of office, they passed resolve against the
admission of any paupers whatever into the Aims
House during the prevalence of the disorder
The whole care of the poor Of the city. the pro.
viding for BushhiIl, sending the sick there, and
burving the dead, devolved, therefore, on the
above three guardians.
General Dependency. Deplorable scenes. Fright
fid rie,c of Human Nature. A noble and er-
Vibrating Contrast.
The CONSERVATION of the people of Phiadel-
phia, at this period, was carried beyond all
bounds. Dismay and alright were visible in al
most every persons countenance. Most OF those
who could. by any means, make it convenient,
fled from the city. Of those who remained, ma
nv shut themselves up in their houses, being
afraid to walk the streets. The smoke of tobac-
CO being regarded as preventative, many per-
sons, even women and small boys, had segars al
most constantly in their mouths Others placing
full confidence in garlic, chew ed it almost the
whole dav; some kept it in their pockets and
shoes. Many were afraid to allow the BARRIERS
or hair dressers TO come near them, as instances
had occurred of some of them having shaved the
dead, and many having engaged as 5leeders.-
Some who carried their caution pretty far, bought
lancets for themselves, not daring to allow them
selves to be bled with the ancets of the beeders.
MANY houses were scarcely moment in the
day, free from the smell of gunpowder, burned
tobacco, nitre, sprinkled vineagar, &c. Some of
the churches were almost deserted, and others
wholly closed. The coffee house was shut up,
as was the city library, and most of the public
ofices-three out of the four daily papers were
dscontinued,t as were some Of the others. Ma
nv devoted no small portion Of their time to pu-
rifying, securing, and whitewsshing their rooms.
Those who ventured abroad, Had handkerchiefs
or sponges impregnated with vinegar or camphor,
at their noses, or smelling bottles full of thieves
vinegar.-Others carried pieces of tarred rope
in their hands or pockets or camphor bags tied
round their necks. The corpses of the most re-
spectacle citizens, even those who had not died
of the epidemic, were carried to the grave on
the shafts of a chair the horse driven by negro,
nattended by friend or relation, & without any
sortof ceremony. People uniformly and hastily
shifted their course at the sight of hearse com
ing towards them. Many never walked on the
foot path, but went into the middle of the streets
to avoid being infected in passing houses where
in people had died. cquaintances and friends
avoided each other in the streets, and only signi-
fled their regard BY cold nod. The old custom,
of shaking hands fell into such general disuse, that
many shrunk back with alright at even the offer
of the hand. A PERSON with Grape, or any ap-
pearance of mourning, was Stunned like viper.
And many valued themselves highly on the skill
and address with which they got to windward of
every person whom they met Indeed it is not
probable that London, at the lowest stage of
the plague, exhibited stronger marks of terror,
than were to be seen in Philadelphia, from the
25th or 26th of August, till late in Sep
TENDER. When the citizens summoned resolu-
ton to walk abroad, and take the air, the sick
Al Il Al