Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser

The commissioners appointed by the governor to carry into effect the law for alleviating the distress of the citizens of Philadelphia, and the suburbs thereof in consequence of the late calamity,

To the benevolent donors who came forward to give relief to our suffering fellow-citizens at one of those trying periods which seldom happen in any country.

It is to you that we conceive it our duty to address at this time; not only because it belongs to you to be acquainted with the appropriation of your money that was entrusted to us as your agents, but likewise to give vent to feelings of gratitude that are engraven on our minds, for the generous and spontaneous supplies deposited in our hands, at a moment when our thoughts were deeply engaged to find out ways and means to afford relief to about six thousand distressed men, women and children, who had become objects of our care, in consequence of having received support from the sum granted by the Legislature, which was entirely expended by the eighth of October: At this juncture we called on our fellow-citizens, and were answered with that nobleness of spirit which characterizes our country, by receiving in cash upwards of twenty thousand five hundred dollars, exclusive of three hundred and thirty five barrels, and sixty hundred, three quarters and fifteen pounds in bags of wheat, rye, buckwheat, and indian meal; besides potatoes and undry other kinds of provision: aided by the above, and assisted by a number of respectable inhabitants of the city, northern liberties, and Southwark; we are enabled to continue relieving, by weekly donations, above thirteen hundred persons, chiefly heads of families, oppressed by poverty sickness and distress, and to give employment to about six hundred men on the roads; who if not provided for in that manner would, in all probability, have been, from dire necessity, compelled to descend to means injurious to themselves and to the community.

Thus have we endeavoured to explain to you, in some measure, in what manner we expended your money, entrusted to us until about the 18th inst. at which time an examination of our funds took place, and the balance found to be but two thousand dollars—After making appropriations for the purchase of five hundred cords of wood, and fifteen hundred bushels of potatoes, for the purpose of meeting the distresses of the poor in the more inclement season.

At this time we were called on by an association of young women of great respectability and known philanthropy, who have been for several winters employed in relieving without partiality the suffering poor particularly of their own sex; paying no regard to distance weather or situation; not doubting but it would meet with your approbation, and be as agreeable to you to be informed of their praise-worthy request, as it was to us by having it in our power to grant them five hundred dollars and ten barrels of flour, at a time when we had concluded to supercede the supplies as our fellow-citizens had returned home and employment was attainable; yet there might be numerous cases wherein this worthy female society might indulge themselves in visiting the mansions of distress and thereby give relief to many whose situations would never have been otherwise known.

Although we have the above balance, besides wood, potatoes, and flour, we fear it will be scarcely sufficient to meet the numerous wants of the inhabitants during the approaching winter.

Having been as brief as possible in giving you a detail of our proceedings, a more minute one we should be willing to afford by a conference with any persons who may feel themselves interested in the expenditure of the money, &c. entrusted to our care: or are desirous to obtain information for the purpose of improving by our experience, for the advantage of suffering humanity in future. For this purpose a reference to the minutes of our proceedings may be had at any time, by enquiring of the members.

Thankful we are that we have been aided by some supplied by you, and directed by Providence to give comfort to the mourner, bread to the hungry, and consolation to the distressed widow and fatherless.

Robert Wharton,
Samuel Wheeler,
Edward Garrigues,
John Wagner,
George Krebs,
George Ingles,
John James,
Robert M'Mullin,
Israel Israel,
William Linnard.
Thomas Savery,

Commissioner's Office, Old Court House
Philadelphia, Nov. 24, 1797.