Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-05-04
The Poisoning at the National Hotel.
From the Albany Argus


Referring to the death of John e. Montgomery
NJ u from Pennsylvania, and to the continued
illness Of the Collector of the Port Of Philadel-
phia. the Pennsylvania SAYS:
- There are certain condolences connected with
thlS subject, which are suggestive of the most
horrible suspicious, hut for the honor of human
nature, we hope they may be unfounded. Mr.
Buchanan arrived at the National Hotel on the
18th of January. On the 18th, DR. Hall was sent
for to see the first case. A few DAYS afterwards
ne had thlrty-hve cases, and quite number took
SICK; many Of them after leaving Washington
Mr. buc hanan was among the latter. The syInI-
TOMS IN all cases were the Same-viOlent, copionS
Pgrging, Inflammation of the larger intestines
with a constant disposition to relapse
." during an interval of several weeks DreyiouS
TO the 2nd Of March. no new cases occurred I'm
the evening Of that day, Mr.. Buchanan returned
10 Washington, and about that period the hotel
H mdS crowded with visitors. On the ith of March,
the disease broke out with increased violence
and many hundreds were affected The symn,
toms uniformly indicate poison which some
physicians consider of miasmatic, and others of
mineral nature-probably copper. No satisfac-
tory eincidatiOn of the mystery has vet been
made - ~
Ii Is said that there have been 10 deaths and 7sO
cases OF extreme sickness from this cause and
yer II il treated with levity that is wonderful
The victims al Washington are accu.tomei IN
speak OF u with rldIcule; and though the general
impression was that poison was the cause there
was no apparent solicitude as TO whether il was
accidental or designed. Never Was the American
disregard Of life exhibited with so much reck
lessness as in the crowd al Washington when the
sickness was most rife
Ihere was an eX animation into the hotel prem
lses, and an attempt made to aScribe the disease
20 iouI air and defective sewerage; but the dis
coVery OF this cause OF general i'll health did not
account Tor the specific ailment and did not pre
CIlde me idea OF poison.
What we wondef at iS, that there was No I'm
f'Iiy oi persons, no arrests, investigation and
explanation, by the criminal authoritiex of tbe
OlSulct when 30 persons are killed and 7OO
more barely escape with life, il is worth an in.
curry how Il happened for even careIessnexs tb,t
produces such a result Is a crime No vnnDo,.tsr
piot and no internal mac hine such 40 inSbir. ,ha
Investigations Of history for Centuries was evsr
more murderous. "
One OF the newspapers has said that tho p,asi-
dent had received a letter warning him moi 70 nar
take Of food a the National III so. here is rth.
syluehce OF crime, and perhaps the clue TO its
discovery. Why Is IL not pursued Nbv bsys
not the black servants Of the hotel been 49,
interro2ated' IL the life Of the President I,,,,
aimed at, who knows how soon the blow nav he
repeated Perhaps the pOsOners or some nsr,y
70 the plot, finding the object of their h.tred ~
escaped, and others have fallen victims NV n.
moved 10 give evidence. "
We by no means conclude that there has heen
chine. But If what Is said is true the presume
uohS are strong that the life Of the President WI
alhioo at and that the criminal was some gross
ignorant, brutal creature, who know no better how
70 70 compass the death OF his victim than ly A
"noiesdle assassination.
Ihe apathy OF the criminal authorities at WaSb.
IhYIoh, the indifference Of the victims, and the
. 1oie,s with which the public receives and com
-. uPOh the news OF each successive death
OF the people. viz '''- ''''