Autograph Letter Signed

Military Clothing Possibly Infected with Yellow Fever

Reports that a infectious fever rages in Philadelphia. Took its rise not far from ordnance store on Water Street in which the clothing for the troops was deposited and packed up for transportation. Expresses concern that the clothing may be infected. Has written to some physicians to request that they devise a means to dispossess the clothing of the contagious matter.

Military clothing possibly infected with Yellow Fever

1793

08

30

War Department

Isaac Craig

Henry Knox

physicians

War Department

Philadelphia

Water Street

fever

ordnance stores

stores

clothing

Yellow Fever epidemic

1793083014001

1

War Department
No. 124 Aug. 30th. 1793

Sir

I have received your letter of the

23 d instant.

It is with regret that I inform you that an infectious

fever rages in this town in a considerable degree, and that it
took its rise not far from the Ordnance store in Water Street,
in which store the clothing for the troops were deposited and
packed up for transportation.

As it is possible that the clothing which was packed up

and sent from the Ordnance after the 6th instant
may be infected with contagious matter of the said disorder,
it will be proper that the packages containing the [illegible]
Clothing should be stored for the present in some retired
store. I have written to some eminent Physicians to
request they would devise some expedient to dispossess
the clothing of the said contagious matter in case any
should be therein.

It is hoped that the idea of the clothing

having received any infection may be unfounded, but
it is prudent to take all possible precautions.

It may be proper not to mention this circum-
stance
stance, or to raise any alarm about it either in the
minds of the inhabitants of troops.

I am Sir
with great esteem
your humble serv[ill.]

Knox