Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-18
Correspondence Of the Baltimore sun
FEVER an NORFOLK.
NonroLK, August IA, 1855.

NoRFoLK, August IA, 1855.
The Feper Panic and its Consequences ctivity Q
| The .Mayor-OppoSiti0a 10 HIS .heasures-H
Effect on the Disease and The PopHlation-Iht
Suspension Of Comnlunica ti0n-.No Necessity to'
Such Proceeding-Generotis Hospitality Of tn
Eastern ore-Heary "A. Wise-Humiliaiion
and Prayer-The Feper Less Indignant
The announcement Of the existence of yellow
fever in this city has produced an unprecedented
panic, which in its consequences VIII be truly
disastrous. On the 30th of July report that a
physician had eleven patients with the fever, in
Barry's Row, caused terror TO seize the weak
and timid, and a number Immediately fled from
the city. Our Mayor, with an indomitable zeal
and a noble, self-sacrifcing ardor, Immediately
commenced the work of purifying the loathsome
spot where the fever was reported to exist, and
causing the sick to be taken without the limits of
the city. For the want of proper assistance, and
meeting with opposition when he should have
received aid, he did not accomplish his task as
soon as the exigency of the case demanded, con-
sequently other cases Of the fever made their ap-
pearance near the infected row; when this be-
came known, the panic increased; men, women
and children crowded every public conveyance
that took its departure from here. In their flight
they carried the panic with them, and it became
an infection wherever they went. In few days
the act of cutting off or restricting communica-
ton with us was commenced by New York,
Philadelphia, Baltimore, Richmond, Petersburg,
Edenton, Suffolk, Elizabeth City and Weldon.
At Old Point soldiers were stationed with fixed
bayonets to oppose the landing of our citizens.
The stage which carries the mail hence TO Eliza
beth city was driven away from that village, and
Edenton and Suffolk held town meetings in
which they resolved to impose fine upon any
citizen of Norfolk or Portsmouth who should at
tempt to seek their hospitality.
Now let us see what cause there has been to in
duce such heartlessness on the part Of our neigh
bors, and to make our own citizens suspend their
business and fly from here as if Gas said one of
our popular ministers) "the angel of death or the
devil was at their heels" In July the mortality
from all diseases in Norfolk city was 20 per cent
less than in July, 1854, and from the 10th of July
up to Saturday last, the number of deaths from
yellow fever was tceny. The Board of Health
reports eight deaths in the AZ hours ending yester
day at O'clock. Will any one say that this is
good reason why we should have our healthy citi-
zens who wish to leave the city driven away as if
they were lepers, and Norfolk cut off as if it was
a den of leprosy? Have we acted in this manner
towards New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore
when they have been scourged with infectious
diseases'
Let me record an instance of whole-souled gen.
crosby and nobility of heart, which is in pleasing
contrast with the above conduct, and which will
ever live in the memory of our people. When it
became known on the Eastern shore of Virginia
that the residents of Norfolk and Portsmouth
were flying from their homes and that other sec
tons of country were driving them away, the
"sea grt peninsula" greeted those who came to
her shores with hearty welcome. Carriages, wa
gons, carts and vehicles of all kinds were ready
at the landing whenever the steamer arrived from
Norfolk to convey the refugees to hospitable
homes. "Tell them, " said the Hon. III. A. Wise,
"to come on, that we have open hearts and
houses to receive them"
To-day has been set aside "a public day of
penitence and prayer to the Almighty, that He
would look down upon the afflicted city with
compassion, and in His infinite mercy stay the
scourge that is prevailing to some extent at pre-
sent in our midst, and in consequence the stores
are closed and all bushes operations suspended.
The fever is not so malignant as when it made
its first appearance. A physician who has large
practice in the city stated, day or two since
that he thought they were saring 20 per cent of
those who were attacked. In only small local
ity is it epidemic, (viz south of Main street,) and
those cases which have occurred elsewhere were
contracted in the infected district. OMIcRoN