Gazette Of The United States

NEW-YORK COMMITTEE of HEALTH.

Fellow Citizens,

But three persons have died on the last four days in this city, and but three at Bellevue since the 27th of October, of fever, in any degree resembling our late Epidemic.

The alarming situation in which this city has lately been, is calculated to excite the most serious reflections—to inspire feelings of veneration for that all controuling power who in the midst of such judgment remembers mercy!—We trust that it has been under a sentiment of grateful dependance on him, that we have been encouraged to fulfil the duties you had entrusted: And we trust that while congratulations are repeated upon returning seasons of health, all hearts may be disposed to improve to moral and virtuous purposes both the threatening and felicitating dispensations of Heaven. Your Committee at this period chearfully recognize those principles of undeviating veracity, which during the increasing terrors of their fellow citizens, directed their daily reports respecting the progress of the disease.—It is with great satisfaction they have found it evinced by their experience, that such exact details as they have made to the public, instead of increasing those terrors, have tended in a great measure to subdue them; and the accomplishment of this is of immense importance to public happi-ness and convenience; fear mitigates its objects.—During the existence of a calamity of this kind, circumstances will be ever exaggerated, by the timidity and credulity of individuals.

It is to be lamented, however, that, falsehoods have been propagated from the basest, meanest, and most despicable motives—by some as an apology for their panic apprehensions—by others, from the imbecilities of self interest, and to gratify a sordid lust of gain.—Lies have been propagated for the sake of the wonderful, and the excitement of sur-prise, by persons ungenerous forgetful of the ex-tensive mischiefs naturally originating from this source—Despair—desertion—poverty—famine and death!

Perhaps an ill judged tenderness for their reputation has prevented the publication of the names of some offenders. Had these falsehoods repeated with great confidence in the country, had any proper foundation, our city would long since have been nearly depopulated.

We turn with pleasure to the recollection of cir-cumstances more creditable to humanity; and to acknowledge the liberality of those of our fellow ci-tizens who have contributed to alleviate the distress-es of the sick and suffering poor. The generous interferences of sympathy from Philadelphia, and some neighbouring villages, demand our lasting gra-titude: Such instances of mutual good will and be-nevolence remain grateful memorials of the fraternity of a free and virtuous people.

From these resources, 8837 dollars have been re-ceived; and your committee feel a responsibility in the faithful and just distribution. Its proper objects being numerous, and often probably not within the sphere of their individual knowledge, each of the members of the committee is associated with two respectable citizens in seeking out the sick, and re-lieving those to whom their charity is directed.

Circumstances have not been wanting to shew the happy influence of temperance, cleanliness, and cold upon the late Epidemic. But while we rejoice that benevolent nature has given power to these a-gents to set bounds to its ravages, let us recollect that they are assiduously to be employed. We feel it incumbent on us to remind our fellow citizens of this truth, particularly those who are returning from the country. Houses which have contained the sick, should be carefully ventilated; and things that have been employed by them, that cannot con-veniently be cleansed by water, should be subjected freely to the action of cold.

It is not impossible that neglect in these particu-lars may occasion a few solitary instances of this di-sease, until we have experienced intense frost. For though we flatter ourselves it is extinguished as an epidemic, and our streets free from infection, we have before us the experience of other places to im-press the necessity of such precautions.

Among the arrangements made by the commit-tee to prevent the spread of infectious disease, they consider early interments and the use of the hearse, as one of the most important. Satisfactory proofs of its utility might be detailed. It is to be wished that the good sense of the community might be ex-erted to conquer any prejudices which may remain in opposition to a practice of burial so much more convenient than the common mode, and so much more safe.

The present state of Bellevue hospital is pleasing: not only from it we anticipate the speedy extinction of all disease therein, but from the happy and com-fortable situation of the sick, and from the satisfaction expressed by them, with respect to their me-dical aid and attendance. But 3 new patients have been received during the last 10 days. There are now 13 sick in the hospital, 12 of whom are con-sidered as out of all danger. Since its first esta-blishment 89 persons have been discharged cured the deaths have been published with our daily re-ports.

It is with great satisfaction that we remark, that altho some of the people who have been employed in attending this hospital, have been slightly affected with the Epidemic, no one has died.

Much to the injury of the unfortunate persons who have been sent to this place, its circumstances have sometimes grossly misrepresented. The sick have, in consequence, in numerous instances, sought this asylum with hearts aching with anxiety and despair.

A senior consulting physician, was early ap-pointed to visit it occasionally from this city.—From its first establishment one, and since the 24th of September two physicians have constantly resided within its walls. A new building has been erect-ed during the sickness, and no expense has been spared to render the sick commodious and happy.

A committee from this board have made frequent visits and examination of its circumstances, and, from time to time, have witnessed, with pleasure, its im-proving state.

A more vigilant, humane or attentive man, was never appointed Purveyor to an hospital, than our late worthy member Mr. Fred. Stymets, whose death reminds us of the loss of our other friend and associate, Dr. M. Treat, who, there is reason to suspect, was also a victim to the discharge of faithful duty. The public will join with us in de-ploring the loss of such worthy and respectable mem-bers of society.

Before we dismiss the subject of the hospital, it is but just that we acknowledge our sense of the merit of Dr. Alexander Anderson, and Dr. M-Farlin, resident physicians at Bellevue*. Both for their persevering attention, humanity and fidelity to the sick, they have deserved well of their coun-try.

*The former of these gentlemen engaged with zeal and virtue, at an early period, and under discouraging cir-cumstances, in their arduous duty.

The committee being employed in arranging ex-penditures, and in the settlement of accounts, re-quest that all persons having demands upon them present the same to Alderman Furman, No 106 Broad-way, on or before the 20th inst.

This Committee acknowledge receipt of the following donations, since their last report:

Six barrels of flour from several Captains of North River sloops.

Under cover from Mr. Samuel Blagge, of Boston, 50 dollars.

John Broome, Chairman.
Robert Bowne,
Gabriel Furman, Alderm’n
Nicholas Carmer,
Andreas Van Tuyl,
do.
Dr. William P. Smith,
John Campbell,
do.
Isaac Stoutenburgh,
Robert Lenox,
do.
George Faneway,
Theophilus Beekman, do
Nathaniel Hazard.

N. B. Doct. Samuel Bard, absent from this city on bu-siness.

November 4.