The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-11-26

TIE HEALTH OF TUE PREsDENv.-Letters
from Washington, in some of the journals, state
that the President has been remarkably indls-
posed for some time past; but they do not state
clearly the cause of his indispostion. The
White House is very unhealthy residence.
The unheaithiness of the locality has increased
very much during the last twenty or twenty-five
years. Previous to 1920, before improvements
took place in the city of Washington it was as
healthy rs any low region of country generally
is in the same parallel Of latitude, on the banks
of sloW-moving river. During the last twenty
years, however, vast improvements and transit
tons in the surface of the earth have been made
in Washington, particularly along the creeks
and the whole length OF Pennsylvania avenue,
which have increased the malaria in every di-
rection, and especially around the White House,
to very great extent To this cause may be
attributed, in some measure, the calamities
which have assailed the inhabitants VI the White
House during the last twenty years. Gene
raj jackson had strong constitution,
but it was very much enfeebled by
. change from the healthy region of
Tennessee to the malarious situation of the
White House. Mr.. Van Buren, was also weak
ened by the same change though he was
moderate and temperate liver, and had been
accustomed to the climate Of Washington for
years before he became President. General
Harrison, accustomed to the healthy region Of
the North Bend on the high banks of the Ohio
river. could not withstand the malaria of the
WhteHouse, increased by recent improvements,
aggravated as that evil was by the tormenting
Of Office seekers and all the annoyances of po-
litical life coming upon him with an enfeebled
constitution and old age. He sunk under it.
Mr.. Polk, with tolerably good constitution,
contracted fatal disease by his residence in
the White House and the troubles of Office; and
this disease soon terminated his existence after
leaving Washington. The destiny ofpoor Genl
Taylor is known. A healthy old man in the
camp on the frontier or at the West, he came to
Washington and sunk under the accumulated
evils Of malaria at the White House, tie annoy
ance Of Office seekers, and the pest Of a trouble
some Cabinet.
Gen. Pierce has not the strongest consti-
tuition, and we would seriously advise him to
profit in time by the lesson held out to him of
the fate of his predecessors keep cool, to
get rid of all annoyances and to bind himself
to no set Of men who will keep up state OF
excitement around him. But, above all things
we should recommend Congress to appropriate
at least halt million of dollars for the erection
of a summer residence, in {. healthier locality,
within eight or ten miles of Washington. Such
building should be set on foot at once on the
meeting of Congress. The present executive
mansion is, in the summer season, one Of the
most unhealthy places within hundred miles
Of the capital. The malaria from the swamps
around it, and the trouble created by the Office
seekers and Cabinet aspirants for the succession,
are sufficient to break down any constitution,
however strong, and to finish the career of the
unfortunate possessors Of the highest executive
Office