CHAPTER VI. Proceedings of the Citizens and of the Committee of Health. TO THE BENEVOLENT CITIZENS. THOSE of the Overseers of the Poor, who attend to the care of the unfortunate now labouring under the prevailing malignant disorder, are almost overcome with the fatigue which they undergo, and require immediate assistance. This, it is hoped, may be found amongst the benevolent citizens, who, actuated by a willingness to contribute their aid in the present distress, will offer themselves as volunteers to support the active overseers in the discharge of what they have undertaken. For which purpose, those who are thus humanely disposed, are requested to apply to the Mayor, who will point out to them how they may be useful. September 10, 1793. FOR THE BETTER PROTECTION OF THE CITY. WHEREAS, the City Commissioners have observed, that a great number of dwelling houses and stores in this city are, for the present, shut up; and having good reason to apprehend that some evil disposed persons may avail themselves of the opportunity to commit burglaries or other outrages-the said Commissioners, taking the same under their serious consideration, have agreed, that a number of able bodied men, well recommended for their sobriéty, honesty, and vigilance, shall be employed in addition to the present Watch, to act as a Patrol, or in such other manner as the said Commissioners shall think most expedient, for the more effectual protection of the lives and properties of the citizens, for the time being. Now, this public notice is hereby given, to any person, or persons, willing to execute the trust, being recommended as aforesaid, that they may make application to either of the Commissioners, without delay, or at their stated meetings, on Tuesday and Friday evenings, at the Court House-they being determined to proceed therein, with all possible prudent despatch. By order of the Board, September 13, 1793. JOHN MEASE, Clerk. Philadelphia, Sept. 12, 1793. At a meeting of a number of Citizens, held at the Court House, this evening, in consequence of an appointment of the Mayor and others, convened at the City Hall, to take into consideration the present calamitous state of the city and its environs, And several of the Overseers of the Poor. The Committee having made inquiry into the situation of the poor and afflicted, are of the mind, that as it is not in the power of the overseers and guardians of the poor to afford the necessary aid that the cases of the sick require; that the citizens be again convened, in order that some effectual means be used, and a plan adopted to mitigate, and, if possible, to afford relief to the afflicted, both in the city and at the hospital at Bushhill. Resolved, That the secretary be directed to publish the foregoing minute, and to request the citizens to attend a meeting to be held at the City Hall at 12 o'clock, on the 13th inst. and that in the mean time Israel Israel, Thomas Wistar and Caleb Lownes, be desired to confer with the physicians who have the charge of the sick at Bushhill, and obtain information of their situation, and furnish the necessary aid and relief in their power to afford. On motion, Resolved, That as this city is much exposed, for want of a suitable place to receive and accommodate those that are afflicted with malignant disorders; and, as the increased trade and population subject the citizens to constant danger from the numbers that are daily arriving from foreign parts, where infectious disorders are frequently prevalent, that this subject be laid before the citizens at their next meeting, in order that some steps may be taken to bring the subject before the legislature, that the evils we now experience may be avoided in future, by suitable and comfortable provision for those who may experience a similar affliction. Adjourned to half past six to-morrow evening. E At an adjourned meeting of the citizens, &c. held at the Court House, Sept. 13, 1793, And several of the Overseers of the Poor. The Committee appointed to confer with the physicians who have the charge of the sick at Bushhill, Report, That they have attended to their appointment, and have produced the following account of the situation of that hospital, as given by Doctors Cathrall and Physick. The Hospital is without order or arrangement, far from being clean, and stands in immediate need of several qualified persons to begin and establish the necessary arrangements-There are five or six female attendants; but none qualified for the proper management of the sick.-It has been attended by four physicians, viz. Doctors Cathrall, Physick, Annan, and Leib; the latter is indisposed, and unable to attend. There are immediately wanted, A person qualified to arrange and manage an hospital, as steward; A person qualified to act as barber and bleeder; And eight nurses. It is unnecessary to enumerate all the wants; they are numerous, and call for speedy attention; but the abovementioned call for instant attention, which, when supplied, will reduce the number to a few, and render the institution useful and beneficial. Whereupon, it is agreed, that the following propositions be laid before the general meeting, viz. 1. That a sum of money be instantly procured. 2. That a large Committee be appointed from the different parts of the city, Southwark and the Northern Liberties, to aid the sick and distressed. 3. That they have full power to act as circumstances may require. 4. That they keep a just account of their proceedings and expenditures, and report to a future general meeting of the citizens. Resolved, That the chairman and secretary attend the ensuing general meeting; with the proceedings of the Committee. Extract from the minutes, CALEB LOWNES, Secretary. Whereupon, it was unanimously agreed; That fifteen hundred dollars be immediately procured for the purpose of furnishing suitable accommodations and supplies for the use of the afflicted under the prevailing malignant fever -and that Thomas Harrison, Thomas Wistar and Caleb Lownes, be appointed a Committee to procure the said sum at the Bank of North America. That, MATTHEW CLARKSON, ESQ. SAMUEL WETHERIL JON. D. SARJEANT †DANIEL OFFLEY *JOHN M'CULLOCH CALEB LOWNES Thomas Wistar ISRAEL ISRAEL THOS. HARRISON †JOSEPH INSKEEP JAMES KERR, and Be a committee|]] to transact the whole of the business relative to mitigating the suffering of those who are or may be afflicted. with the disorder prevalent in this city and vicinity—to procure physicans, nurses, and attendants, and generally to furnish those Those in italics are still living-March 4, 1830. The four whose names are preceded by a star, did not accept the appointment. Those to whose names a dagger is prefixed, died of the fever, caught in the execution of their duties. This committee was subdivided as follows: President.-Matthew Clarkson. Secretary.-Caleb Lownes. Treasurer.-Thomas Wistar. Managers of Bushhill Hospital.-Stephen Girard, Peter Helm. Orphan Committee.-Israel Israel, John Letchworth, James Kerr, James Sharswood. Committee of Distribution.—Israel Israel, John Haworth, James Swaine, Mathew Carey, Thomas Savery, James Kerr, Jacob Witman, Andrew Ad things that now are, or may become, necessary to be procured for the above named purpose. That they, or a majority of them, have full powers to appropriate such sums as may be necessary for obtaining supplies, and for compensating those who may be employed in the business under their direction. That they keep a fair account of their proceedings and expenditures, and report to a future meeting of the citizens. Resolved, That MATTHEW CLARKSON, be President of the Board. SAMUEL WETHERIL, Vice President. THOMAS WISTAR, Treasurer. And CALEB LOWNES, Secretary. Resolved, that the said committee take under their consideration, the propriety of providing suitable accommodations for the reception of such as may hereafter be afflicted by similar complaints, and to guard against the dangers to which this city is exposed from its increased trade and population, and the danger which the daily arrivals from foreign parts, where malignant disorders are frequently prevalent, constantly subject us to, and to report thereon at a future meeting. CALEB LOWNES, Secretary. September 13. In consequence of an appointment, at a general meeting of the citizens held this day, at 12 o'clock, at the City Hall, the gate, †J. D. Sargeant, Daniel Offley, Joseph Inskeep, John Letchworth, James Sharswood, Samuel Benge. Superintendant of the Burials of the Dead, and Removal of the Sick.—Samuel Benge. Distributor of Supplies.-Henry Deforest. Committee of Accounts.-James Sharswood, John Connelly. Committee on the publication of Letters.-Caleb Lownes, Mathew Carey. |