網頁圖片
PDF
ePub 版

spectator of the scene, "to be a solemn appeal to heaven and earth at once. Upon the subject of this great and good man, I may perhaps be an enthusiast; but I confess I was under an awful and religious persuasion, that the gracious Ruler of the universe was looking down at that moment, with peculiar complacency, on an act, which, to a part of his creatures, was so very important. Under this impression, when the chancellor pronounced, in a very feeling manner, Long live George Washington,' my sensibility was wound up to such a pitch, that I could do no more than wave my hat with the rest, without the power of joining in the repeated acclamations which rent the air."

[ocr errors]

93. Whiskey Insurrection in Pennsylvania.

The year 1794 was distinguished by an insurrection in Pennsylvania, commonly called the Whiskey Insurrection. "In 1791, congress had enacted laws laying duties upon spirits distilled in the United States, and upon stills. From the commencement of the operation of these laws, combinations were formed in the four western counties of Pennsylvania to defeat them; and violences were repeatedly committed. In July of the present year, (1794,) about one hundred persons, armed with guns and other weapons, attacked the house of an inspector of the revenue, and wounded some persons within it. They seized the marshal of the district of Pennsylvania, (who had been previously fired on while in the execution of his duty, by a party of armed men,) and compelled him to enter into stipulations to forbear the execution of his office. Both the inspector and the marshal were obliged to fly from that part of the country to the seat of government. These, and many other outrages, induced President Washington, on the 7th of August, to issue a proclamation, commanding the insurgents o disperse, and warning all persons against aiding, abetting, or comforting, the perpetrators of these treason

able acts, and requiring all officers, and other citizens, according to their respective duties and the laws of the land, to exert their utmost endeavours to prevent and suppress such dangerous proceedings.

"The president, having ordered out a suitable number of the militia, proceeded in October to Bedford, whence he gave out instructions to Governor Lee, of Maryland, whom he appointed to conduct the militia army for the suppression of the insurgents. Governor Lee marched his troops, amounting to fifteen hundred men, into the western counties of Pennsylvania; and, on the approach of this respectable force, the insurgents laid down their arms, solicited the clemency of government, and promised future submission to the laws." Eighteen of the insurgents were tried for treason, but not convicted. During the scene of insurgency, no person was killed, excepting Major M'Farlane, who was killed in an attack on the inspector's house, at the commencement of the insurrection, and two men, who were killed by some of the army on their march.

94. Yellow Fever in Philadelphia in 1793.

The yellow fever, which has been the scourge of most of our principal southern cities, appears to have been in existence ever since the first settlement of our country. What the first cause of this disease is, or how it is propagated, are subjects upon which physicians have a variety of opinions. The most remarkable and fatal instance of the prevalence of the yellow fever in our country, is that which occurred in Philadelphia, in 1793.

The following description is taken from Dr. Rush's account of the yellow fever. This distinguished physi cian continued in the city during the whole of this calamitous period, and rendered himself conspicuous by his humanity and courage, amidst the appalling scenes of contagion, and his skill in combating this destructive

Holmes' Annals.

disorder. It commenced early in August, and continued till about the 9th of November, during which time four thousand persons died out of a population of 60,000. Its greatest height was about the middle of October, when one hundred and nineteen persons died in one day.

"The disease (says Dr. Rush) appeared in many parts of the town, remote from the spot where it originated; although in every instance it was easily traced to it. This set the city in motion. The streets and roads leading from the city were crowded with families flying in every direction for safety, to the country. Business began to languish. Water street, between Market and Race streets, became a desert. The poor were the first victims of the fever. From the sudden interruption of business, they suffered for a while from poverty as well as disease. A large and airy house at Bush-hill, about a mile from the city, was opened for their reception. This house, after it became the charge of a committee appointed by the citizens on the 14th of September, was regulated and governed with the order and cleanliness of an old and established hospital. An American and French physician had the exclusive medical care of it after the 22d of September.

"The contagion, after the second week in September, spared no rank of citizens. Whole families were confined by it. There was a deficiency of nurses for the sick, and many of those who were employed were unqualified for their business. There was likewise a great deficiency of physicians, from the desertion of some, and the sickness and death of others. At one time there were only three physicians able to do business out of their houses, and at this time there were probably not less than 6,000 persons ill with the fever.

"During the first three or four weeks of the prevalence of the disorder, I seldom went into a house the first time, without meeting the parents or children of the sick in tears. Many wept aloud in my entry or parlour, who came to ask advice for their relations. Grief after a while descended below weeping, and I was much struck in observing that many persons submitted to the loss of

[ocr errors]
[graphic][subsumed][subsumed]
[graphic][subsumed]
« 上一頁繼續 »