The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-04-03

CHARLESTON. April 1, 1869.
To Aessrs Welch & Brandes, Risley 4 Creigh-
ton, 4. Canale, Bart 4 Wirth, ". r.
Hall and J. A. Enslo,O 4 Co.
GENTLEMEN-I have the honor to acknowl-
edge your letter of 31st ult, requesting to be
informed 'as to what restrictions are imposed
by the recent quarantine law upon vessels
trading between this port and the British and
spanish West Indies during the summer sea-
beg leave TO inform you that the act of the
Genera! Assembly, passed on the sixth day of
september, 1868, establishing quarantine at
GEORGETOWN, Charleston and Hilton Head, will
be rigidly executed.
Tue second section of this act fixes the terms
OF quarantine. viz: Vessels arriving at the
ports of Georgetown, Charleston and Hilton
Head, shall be subject to quarantine as fol-
tilential, contagious or infectious disease ex-
listed at the time Of their departure, or which
shall have arrived at such place and proceeded
thence to either Of said ports. or on board OF
which. during the voyage, any case Of such
disease shall have occurred, arriving between
the first day OF May aud the first OF November,
shall remain at quarantine for at least thirty
days atser their arrival. and at least twenty
days after their cargo shall have been dis
charged, and shall perform such other quar-
antine as the Health Officers shall prescribe.
~. Al vessels from any place Qncludlng
or from any Of the West Indies. Bahamas.
Bermuda or Western Islands, or from any
place in America, in the ordinary passage from
which they pass south Of Hilton Head; and all
vessels on board OF which, during the voyage
or while at the port OF thelr departure, any
person shall have been sick, arriving between
the first day OF May and the first day OF No
vember. and all vessels from foreign port,
and not embraced in the 6rst subdivision OF
this section, shall, on arriving at the quaran-
tine ground, be subject to Visitation by the
Heslth Officers, but shall not be detained be
yond the time requisite for due exam nation
and observation. unless they shall have had on
board BOARD during the voyage some case Of infe:-
tious, contagious or pestilentias disease, in
which case they shall be subject to such quar- :
antine and regulations as the Health Ofacers
''3. All vessels embraced in the foregoing
provisions, which are navigated by steam, shall
DO subject only to euch length Of quarantine
and regulations as the Health Officer shall en-
)oln, unless they shall have had on board
during the voyage some case Of infectious,
contagious, or pes'ilential disease. in which
case they shall be sub ject to such quarantine
as the Health Officers shall prescribe" This
isithe law.
Upon careful consideration of this section
OF law. am OF opinlon that the first clause is
imperative. and that all vessels from any mort
where, at the time OF their departure. any lnsec-
tious, pastiiential or contagious disease ia pre-
yailing. whether tho Grew and passengers have
been healthy or not must be quarantined by
this oct for at least thirty days after arrival.
and at least twenty days after the cargoes have
been discharged. The seco i'd clause. in my
Judgment, admits al. from ports named in the
section, and are detained only for visitation
and examination by the Health Officer. unless
age some case OF disease in tho soregoirig
clause. The third clause. In regard to steam
vessels. ia entirely discretionary, unless they
shall haye had on board during the passage
any of the prescribed Diseases. :.
Ihus, gentlemen, you have my interpreta-
ton OF the quarantine laws. entrusted 10 me for
the protection OF the community of Charles ton
and the prevention by importation Of all epi.
demi0 or contagious Diseases. Wnilst it would
Givs me much pain to traMmel or embarrass
your trade or commerce tn any manner, have
duty TO perform, and that fearlessly and i'm
partially, to execute the law, for which I have
been eeleoted bEtthe Executive Of South Oar
olina. Arn. Rentlemen, very respectfully.
RoDrRT LNBBY, M. D., Health ora Scr,
(,4@gS. Port Of Charleston.