One of the resident doctors was charged with the distribution of the victuals for the sick. At eleven o'clock, he gave them broth, with rice, bread, boiled beef, veal, mutton, and chicken, with cream of rice to those whose stomachs would not bear stronger nourishment. Their second meal was at six o'clock, when they had broth, rice, boiled prunes, with cream of rice. The sick drank at their meals porter, or claret and water. Their constant drink between meals was centaury tea, and boiled lemonade.

These regulations, the order and regularity introduced, and the care and tenderness with which the patients were treated, soon removed the prejudices against the hospital; and in the course of a week or two, numbers of sick people, who had not at home proper persons to nurse them, applied to be sent to Bushhill. Indeed, in the end, so many people, who were afflicted with other disorders, procured admittance there, that it became necessary to pass a resolve, that before an order of admission should be granted, a certificate must be produced from a physician, that the patient laboured under the malignant fever; for, had all the applicants been received, this hospital, provided for an extraordinary occasion, would have been filled with patients whose cases fell within the cognizance of the managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital.

The number of persons received into Bushhill, from the 16th of September to this time, November 30, is about one thousand; of whom nearly five hundred are dead; there are now in the house, about twenty sick, and fifty convalescents. Of the latter class, there have been dismissed about four hundred and thirty.

The reason why so large a proportion died, of those received, is, that, in a variety of cases, the early fears of that hospital had obtained such firm possession of the minds of some, and others were so much actuated by a foolish pride, that they would not consent to be removed till they were past recovery. And in consequence of this, there were several instances of persons dying in the cart on the road to the hospital. Were it not for the operation of these two motives, the number of the dead in the city and in the hospital would have been much lessened; for many a man, whose nice feelings made him spurn at the idea of a removal to the hospital, perished in the city for want of that comfortable assistance he would have had at Bushhill.*

I omitted, in the former editions, to mention the name of a most excellent and invaluable woman, Mrs. Saville, the matron in this hospital, whose ser

I speak within bounds when I say, that at least a third of the whole number of those received, did not survive their entrance into the hospital two days; and of those that died in the hospital, many would have been rescued had they been taken there in proper season.

Before I conclude this chapter, let me add, that the perseverance of the managers of that hospital has been equally meritorious with their original magnanimous beneficence. During the whole calamity to this time, they have attended uninterruptedly, for six, seven, or eight hours a day, renouncing almost every care of private affairs. They have had a laborious tour of duty to perform. Stephen Girard, whose office was in the interior part of the hospital, has had to encourage and comfort the sick-to hand them necessaries and medicines-to wipe the sweat off their brows-and to perform many disgusting offices of kindness for them, which nothing could render tolerable, but the exalted motives that impelled him to this heroic conduct. Peter Helm, his worthy coadjutor, displayed, in his department, equal exertions, to promote the common good.

CHAPTER VIII.

Proceedings of the Committee.-Loans from the Bank of North America. Establishment of an Orphan House-Relief of the Poor-Appointment of the Assistant Committee.

THE Committee, on its organization, resolved that three of the members should attend daily at the City Hall, to receive applications for relief; to provide for the burial of the dead, and for the conveyance of persons labouring under the malignant fever to Bushhill. But three being found inadequate to the execution of the multifarious and laborious duties to be performed, this order was rescinded, and daily attendance was given by nearly all of the members.

A number of carts and carters were engaged for the burial of the dead, and removal of the sick. And, to the terror and dis

vices, in the execution of her office, were above all price. Never was there a person better qualified for such a situation. To the most strict observance of system, she united all the tenderness and humanity which are so essentially requisite in an hospital, but which habit, rendering the parties callous, so very frequently and fatally extinguishes.

may of the citizens, they were incessantly employed through the whole day, in these mournful offices.

The Committee borrowed fifteen hundred dollars from the Bank of North America, agreeably to the resolves of the town meeting by which they were appointed. Several of the members entered into security to repay that sum, in case the corporation or legislature should refuse to make provision for its discharge. This sum being soon expended, a farther loan of five thousand dollars was negotiated with the same institution.*

In the progress of the disorder, the Committee found the calls on their humanity increase. The numerous deaths of heads of families left a very large body of children in a most abandoned, forlorn state. The Bettering-house, in which such helpless objects had been usually placed, was barred against them, by the order which I have already mentioned. Many of these little innocents were actually suffering, for want of even common necessaries. The deaths of their parents and protectors, which should have been the strongest recommendation to public charity, was the chief cause of their distress, and of their being shunned as a pestilence. The children of a family once in easy circumstances, were found in a blacksmith's shop, squalid, dirty, and half starved, having been for a considerable time without even bread to eat. Various instances of a similar nature occurred. This evil early caught the attention of the Committee, and on the 19th of September they hired a house in Fifth-street, in which they placed thirteen children. The number increasing, they on the 3d of October, procured the Loganian library, which was generously tendered them by John Swanwick, Esq. for the purpose of an orphan house. A further increase of their little charge, rendered it necessary to build some additions to the library, nearly half as large as that building. At present, there are in the house, under the care of the orphan Committee, about sixty children, and above forty are out with wet nurses. From the origin of the institution, one hundred and ninety children have fallen under their care, of whom sixteen are dead, and about seventy have been delivered to their relations or friends. There are instances of five and six children of a single family in the house.

To these precious deposits the utmost attention has been

* On the repayment of these sums, the directors declined accepting interest for the use of them.

paid. They are well fed, comfortably clothed, and properly taken care of. Mary Parvin, a very suitable person for the purpose, has been engaged as matron, and there are, besides, sufficient persons employed to assist her. Various applications have been made for some of the children; but in no instance would the Committee surrender any of them up, until they had satisfactory evidence that the claimants had a right to make the demand. The relations of those who remain are now publicly called upon to come and receive them. For such as may remain unclaimed, the best provision possible will be made; and so great is the avidity displayed to have some of them, that there will be no difficulty in placing them to advantage.

Another duty soon attracted the attention of the Committee. The flight of so many of our citizens, the consequent stagnation of business, and the almost total cessation of the labours of the guardians of the poor, produced among the lower classes of the people, a great degree of distress, which loudly demanded the interposition of the humane. In consequence, on the 20th of September, a Committee of distribution, of three members, was appointed, to furnish such assistance, to deserving objects, as their respective cases might require, and the funds allow. This was at first administered to but few, owing to the confined state of the finances. But the very extraordinary liberality of our fugitive fellow citizens, of the citizens of New York, and of those of various towns and townships, encouraged the committee to extend their views. In consequence, they increased the distributing committee to eight, and afterwards to ten.

Being, in the execution of this important service, liable to imposition, they, on the 14th of October, appointed an assistant committee, composed of forty-five citizens, chosen from the several districts of the city and liberties.* The duty assigned

*The following is a list of this Committee:

SAMUEL COATES, Chairman.

JOHN OLDDEN, Secretary.

Northern Liberties.-William Peter Spragues, William Gregory, Jacob Witman, James Swaine, Joseph Burns, George Forepaugh, Casper Snyder, Peter Smith.

Vine to Race Street.-Richard Whitehead, Joseph Kerr, John Ettries. Race to Arch. Thomas Willis, Daniel Dawson, Peter Thomson, Thomas Allibone, Lambert Wilmer.

Arch to Market.-William Sansom, Justinian Fox, Amos Wickersham. Market to Chesnut.-Arthur Howell, Alexander Cochran, Thomas Dobson.

this assistant committee, was to seek out and give recommendations to deserving objects in distress, who, on producing them, were relieved by the Committee of distribution, who sat daily at the City Hall, with money, provisions, or wood, or all three, according as their necessities required. The assistant committee executed this business with such care, that it is probable so great a number of people were never before relieved, with so little imposition. Some shameless creatures, possessed of houses, and comfortable means of support, have been detected in endeavouring to partake of the relief destined solely for the really indigent and distressed.

Besides those who applied for assistance in the way of gift, there was a class, in equal distress, and equally entitled to relief, who could not descend to accept it as charity. The Committee, disposed to foster this laudable principle, one of the best securities from debasement of character, relieved persons of this description with small loans weekly, just enough for immediate support, and took acknowledgments for the debt, without intending to urge payment, if not perfectly convenient to the parties.

The number of persons relieved weekly, was about twelve hundred; many of whom had families of four, five, and six persons.

The gradual revival of business has rescued those who are able and willing to work, from the humiliation of depending on public charity. And the organization of the overseers of the poor has thrown the support of the proper objects of charity into its old channel. The distribution of money, &c. ceased therefore on Saturday, the 23d of November.

Chesnut to Walnut.-Jeremiah Paul, James Cummins, Casper W. Morris, Thomas Castieres.

Walnut to Spruce.-George Rutter, Benjamin W. Morris.

Spruce to Pine.-Samuel Pancoast, Jun. John Woodside, Levi Hollingsworth, William Watkins.

Pine to South-John Wood, Adam Brittle, William Eckard, Thomas Dicksey, Ferguson M'Ilvaine.

Southwark.-William Innis, Richard Mosely, William Robinson, Sen. John Grantham, John Savage, John Pattison.