Washington sentinel., 1856-06-05
From the Norfolk Herald.

When the pestilence commenced its ravages
in Portsmouth, and subsequently in this city,
last summer, the spirit Of benevolence and
heaven-born charity, (before an appeal could
60 forth from the afflicted cities, in antcipa-
ton of their sufferings awakened in every bosom
throughout the length and breadth of our
country those sympathies and benevolent i'm
pulses which were calculated to relieve them
and they were relieved, as far as ample provi-
sion for the wants and necessities of the sick
and the destitute could relieve them. Norfolk
and Portsmouth will ever recur to this I" tenn
pering of the wind to the shorn lamb" with
feelings to which language fails to give utter
ance But while they cherish one common
sentiment of gratitude to all who aided in alle-
waiting the horrors Of their dread visitation, it
behooves them to render special reverence to
the city of Philadelphia for an act that deserves
an imperishable record. Philadelphia was
among the foremost in signalizing her benevo
lent action in behalf of the sufferers. The
contributions Of her citizens in money, in pro-
Visions in medical stores, and in the ready aid
she rendered by sending them physicians and
nurses, we're unsurpassed. Nor should we
overlook the deep interest which her generous,
self sacrificing son, Thomas Webster, jr, took
in their sufferings, and his noble efforts to
relieve them; but let his memory be perpet-
uated in the grateful remembrance of the cit-
zens of both towns. As soon as it was ascer
tanned that the disease must become epidemic,
he, with other benevolent spirits, caused public
meeting to be called in Philadelphia, by which
a committee was appointed to solicit contribu-
tons for the relief Of the victims of pestilence
in Norfolk and Portsmouth, and very large
amountwas soon collected, and from time to time
remitted or disbursed by the committee for the
benefit Of the sufferers.
When the pestilence ceased its work Of death
there remained of the fund contributed for the
relief Of its victims in the hands of the Com.
mittee, the sum of three thousand dollars. The
Committee submitted to Mr.. Webster to decide
what should be done with the surplus; and he
promptly proposed that it should constitute
fund, to be called the "Philadelphia Fund.-
invested in Philadelphia City Scrip, the inter
est accruing from which TO be divided between
the towns OF Norfolk and Portsmouth-th
former receiving interest on $1,000, and the
latter on $l400, of the fund, for the benefit OF
the Orphans of persons who died OF the fever.
The proposition unanimously concurred
in by the Committee, and deed in trust ap-
pointing Thomas Webster, jr, trustee of the
fund for the Norfolk orphans was transmitted
to Messrs. Aug. r. Cook, President, and Solo.
mon Cherry, Secretary, Of the Norfolk Howard
Association, with power Of attorney from the
trustee to them to receive the semiannnal di-
vidends thus set apart for the benefit Of the
orphans in charge Of the Howard Association.
The scrip FOR $1,000 Ia beautifully engraved
document) also accompanied the deed in trust
The deed in trust provides that in case of
the redemption of the scrip by the city, the
$1,000 shall be re-invested in some other stock
paying the lawful interest; and the three thou.
sand dollars thus dividing its product between
the two towns, will continue to be held in trust
under the designation of the 'Philadelphis
Fund the portion awarded to Norfolk being
drawn semi-annually by the President and Sec
retary of the Howard Association-Aug. r.
Cook and Solomon Cherry, Esqr's., and their
successors in Office.
THIS disposition OF the surplus Of their con-
tributions IS honorable alike to the citizens Of
Philadelphia, to the Committee who had the
disposal Of the fund, and TO Mr.. Webster, their
estimable agent in the transaction-and as
generous and disinterested friends of the
orphan and Of humanity, we tender them the
homage due to noble deeds and invoke the pro-
lection Of an over-ruling Providence to shield
them from the dread pestilence, and shower
its choicest blessings on them and their beau
tiful city.