Thomas Newton, Jr. to the Governor August 19, 1803
From the best authority, we have accounts that the fever rages at New York to so great a degree that it has become necessary to have vessels examined that arrive from thence, but I think that there is no necessity of performing a full quarantine. An examining physician will only be wanting with discretionary powers in the Superintendent of quarantine to direct the number of days a vessel is to lie before she is admitted, and in case of real sickness they must perform a quarantine sufficiently long to eradicate the disease. A Proclamation would answer best, as the disease rages all over the Islands in the West Indies, Bahamas, &c., and as much danger is to be apprehended from Europe in vessels 'with a number of passengers as from any place, having been applied to by a number of respectable citizens to examine vessels which can only be partially done without a Proclamation, I have considered it proper to lay the case before you that no time may be lost in so important a matter. The officer commanding Fort Nelson has offered his boats, and the Physician of the Fort would examine and report, I expect, for $30 a month if the Law would allow him to be employed. Your speedy answer will oblige me much, as the people are uneasy on the subject.
The Mayor being out of the Town, a meeting could not be had to instruct the Superintendent on the occasion.
I am, &c.
Fort Norfolk Documents
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Source of Information
CALENDAR of VIRGINIA STATE PAPERS and OTHER MANUSCRIPTS, FROM JANUARY 1, 1799, TO DECEMBER 31, 1807, PRESERVED IN THE CAPITOL AT RICHMOND. ARRANGED AND EDITED, UNDER THE AUTHORITY AND DIRECTION OF Hon. H. W. FLOUENOY, SECRETARY Of THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, AND STATE LIBRARIAN. VOLUME IX. RICHMOND: J. H. O.BANNON, SUPERINTENDENT PUBLIC PRINTING. 1890