Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-02-26
YELLOW FEVER ON TIE PACIFIC.

Our obituary notices to-day contain account Of the
death of estmable officer Of the army board the
steamship Tennessee her voyage in the first part of
January from Panama San Francisco of yellow fever
We have been favored with the perusal Of letter from
Lieut. GEORGE NJ TorrES U. S. Navy, commanding the
Tennessee, dated Acapulco, January TO- from which we
are allowed to make the following extract:
81 write to to you the death of Capt WEST
coTT, US.A, which occurred the 9Th instant, at
lie i'll only two days. his disease yeloW feUer.
write that his friends may receive earlier ntmation of
the fact and gentle than they would receive
from newspapers. lie treated with every attention
that could be paid him, particularly the part Of
most sful surgeon whose ithfuness and devotion to
his duty is truly admirable. lie has had his hands full
since leaving Panama. Six have been buried at sea
four of them within the last twenty-four hours.
venth has Just now died. and will be buried Shore while
two three expected TO die every moment This
state of things is terrifying and has fearful effect upon
of the passengers One Of them to-day, without
symptom of disease, became excited by fear that he
made every last preparation and laid himself down die,
calling his friends to be with him. &C. 1t supposed by
the passengers that the disease is the usual fever Of the
coast it is however yeow teUer in its worst form 1t
is my intention to hurry to with all dispatch, and get
into cool weather fast possible trust things will
improves every thing would to favor the hope for
never was there cleaner ship say il without hesita-
ton and her ventilation is almost perfect Add to this
the care and skill Of the surgeon, red think we hope
with reason. Capt w. has, am told brothcr-in.law
at San Francisco The effects Of the deceased together
taken AFTER death, Will De de-
liyered to him"
We subjon copy of letter from the United States
Consul at Panama respecting the origin of the yellow
fever
CONSULATE or UNITED STATES or AMERICA
PANAMA, JANUARY 81 1853.
DEAR SIR: Lest exaggerated reports may reach the
United States with regard to the yellow fever on the
Isthmus, am induced to address you this that you may
be enabled to correct any Misrepresentation the
subject.
.
passengers from ST. Thomas Mt which place they mnst
have contracted it, the yellow fever has never been
known to exist the sthmus previous their arrival
As soon as il understood that the disease was in
midst, steps Immediately taken by the local
authorities and the Board Of Directors the American or
Foreign Hospital to prevent its spreading; and am
graed in being able to state that the sanitary
adopted have been attended with the happest results
The few which occurred were Immediately sent 10
the hospital large, capacious, airy building selected
for the purpose where the best medical attention was
dispensed The disease has not only been confined TO
that particular locality, but has greatly abated in vru-
ence much so, that il is matter of doubt whether
the disease exists, there, at present At any rate
you may be assured that the yellow fever does not now
prevail here epidemic has ever assumed that
type on this lsthmus All the physicians of the place.
and the Board of HEALTH unite in this opinion As an
evidence of this fact will mention that not solitary
citizen OF Panama, whether native born or foreign has
contracted the diseases and the same may be said with
regard to the California bound emgrans with perhaps
very few EXCEPTIONS quite large number of whom
have recently embarked this port The records of my
consulate will show that American citizen has fallen
victim to il.
am, sir very truly, yours,
A. Il. CORwINE.