Draft Document

Malignant Fever in Philadelphia

The Department of War has been understaffed due to the yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia. Secretary of the Treasury Hamilton has removed to Albany and Secretary Knox has gone to Boston. Howell himself is in Montgomery County, 10 miles from the city. He describes the impact of the fever in Philadelphia.

1793

10

14

Montgomery County

Joseph Howell

Caleb Swan

Secretary of the Treasury

Alexander Hamilton

Secretary of War

Henry Knox

clerks

Comptroller

Jacob J. Howell

George Walker

Captain Hannah

Philadelphia

Montgomery County

Albany

Boston

falls of the Schuylkill

fever

infection

business

vessels

weather

infection

yellow fever epidemic

1793101421000

is more than the sum appropriated by Congress for that purpose. a demand was made by his attorney in Philada.. for the amount granted in the appropriation act not knowing I suppose of your advance. As there was no such officer as an Adjutant General contemplated in the acts of Congress I did not feel myself at liberty to admit the claim but reported Specially theron to the Secrety of War with whom it now rests. -
By With the next remittance I shall furnish funds to replace the sum you have taken from the pay of the Army for other purposes.
Before the arrival of this you will no doubt have forwarded Mr. Britts Accounts & Vouchers their delay has occasioned much inconvenience.
[Daev.?) Allisons claim will be considered as soon as possible - I am &c
W. Dep. A. H. Octo: 1st: 1793

Scr You will no doubt before this reaches you have heard of the deranged situation of the public officer owing to a malignant fever which has raged in Philada.. from the beginning of August with increased fatality & still continues
The Sect. of the Treasy has been severely attack'd with this disorder but fortunately has recover'd - fortunate indeed for the United States for his loss to them could not be repaired he is now at Albany. The Sect. of War is at Boston he has escaped the infection although he continued at business in Philada.. untill there remain'd not a place of safety. Since his departure I have retreat about 12 miles from the city in Montgomery County, two of my clerks attend the office & bring
bring me all official Communications. The Comptroller
cntinued in the City untill he was almost entierly deseted. he has since
has moved to the Treas.s offices to the falls of [undecipherable]
but the clerks generally have fled in all directions
excepting those who have fallen victim to the disorder.
a number of them have died among whom are Jacob
J. Howell, George Walker, & a brother of Cap.t Hannaks
late of my office with several other [undecipherable] of

The continuance of the disorder has
The number who have died since the
Commencement of the disorder is estimated from good authority
to be about 3000 persons. there is almost a total suspension
of business the merch.t have all mostly fle, their
Vessells have arrived & remain in port. the city is
very generally deserted by all who could get ou the means of
conveyance & support in the Country. The coninunace of
the disorder is attributed to the weather which has been
in the season mos uncommonly hot & dry : but we flatter
ourselves that the frost which in this is so sever
will totally eradicate all the infection. [insert sign - text above line:] which is not natural to the climate, it was brought in a vessell from the W. Indies [end insert] The general distress of the citizens is to be conceived is not to be described.
I am &c
Howell



Caleb Swan Esqr.
[undecipherable]