American Aurora

Benjamin [Bache] … in his Aurora … became of course one of the most malicious Libellers of me. But the Yellow Fever arrested him in his detestable Career…

It is evident that as soon as [New York Republican Congressman] Mr. [Edward] Livingston returned to that city from his duties in congress, the tories … conceived, [that] … in New York, Livingston should be the object of their envenomed malice. Night after night they paraded before his doors, playing insulting tunes … merely as a prelude … Mr. Livingston’s house was to be pulled down and perhaps he sacrificed in the disorder. The republicans fortunately took the alarm in time …

These outrages of the tories have had an admirable effect … The republicans, convinced of the lengths to which the tories would go, are forming an armed association—convinced that there is at least as much danger from domestic as from foreign foes. This prudent and proper step of the republicans has struck the tories with dismay; they know that if the arm of republicanism is once nerved to resistance, all their plans for the overthrow of the constitution, for affiliating our government to that of Britain, and for dragging us into a connection with that country must vanish.

Today, Philadelphia’s College of Physicians meets to discuss the twenty-six reported cases of the malignant yellow fever. After conferring, they unanimously adopt a resolution

“That the College inform the Board of Health that a malignant contageous fever has made its appearance in Water-street between Walnut and Spruce-streets …”⁵⁷⁰

I am not … an advocate for playing God save the King or for hoisting the British flag in the streets of America … All I wish to see is a sincere and efficient alliance between the two countries for their mutual interest and for their security against the power and intrigues of the infernal [French] republic.

MR. FENNO, HAVING seen in the Aurora of the 27th of July a set of Toasts that were drank at a fish-feast near Chester-Town … I have thought it proper to [state] … [t]here is … a violent opposition to the measures of the federal government … kept up by that worthy patriot, enlightened statesman and toaster of Bache,— Letherbury. Mr. L. was a lawyer of some note at the time the federal constitution was adopted and was strongly opposed to it—he was opposed to President Washington’s proclamation of neutrality and has been ever since a reviler of him and the present President …

A CITIZEN OF KENT

One Bache, printer of the Aurora, not long since held forth in vehement terms against adultery. Is this the same villain … who is also the grandson of old Ben Franklin ?

The memory of Dr. Franklin must be odious to the adherents of England, as he was hated and envied by them when living. A great man of the present days [Mr. Adams] peevishly complained a few years ago in Europe, “we are no more than satellites revolving round the old Doctor.”

On Friday night departed this city the soul of the Federal party by name JOSEPH THOMAS … We understand that the recent[ly] discovered scheme of swindling and forgery has but barely budded … —For these few days past, the town has rung with nothing but JOSEPH THOMAS … [H]is bawling at election meetings, at which he was the leading man among the Federalists, his exertions at elections, his impudence at the bar, his vociferations against the democrats,—–all together would never have rendered him as famous as he has become by his swindling and forgeries… Not deeming the numerous evidences of his zeal in the cause of Toryism; by spouting in favor of the administration on all occasions; by intrigue overturning the election of the people, and by heading an armed mob to intimidate republicans … a sufficient recommendation with the banks, he made it a practice, it is now discovered, … to deposit for collection forged notes to a large amount … Forged checks, in great numbers he had deposited with different persons … —The sudden departure of the great leader of the faction has put that mercenary scoundrel Fenno into a terrible humour. It is not uncharitable to suppose that Thomas, who could make thousands by the dash of the pen, must have spared his friend Fenno a few hundred; who then can wonder that he should be out of humour to have this source dried up …

Joseph Thomas’ flight from Philadelphia is a significant moment for Benny Bache. Thomas is the leader of Philadelphia’s Federalists, a friend of two cabinet secretaries and of the President himself.⁵⁷¹ In April, Thomas led the meetings at Dunwoody’s and Cameron’s which prepared addresses to the President and enlisted Philadelphia’s “young men” into Federalist militias.⁵⁷² On May 7th, brandishing a naked sword above his head, Thomas led the Federalist gang that attempted to burn Benny’s house.⁵⁷³

Tonight, John Fenno’s twenty-year-old son, Jack Ward Fenno (Irishman Mat Carey calls him “a rash, thoughtless, and impudent young man”),⁵⁷⁴ bursts into the Aurora’s offices, ready for violence. “Newgate” Lloyd and I are present. Benny Bache:

[John Fenno’s] Son chose to take notice [of the article in the Aurora] and called on the Editor to require the author. He was told to send his father who was certainly able to take his own part and who could not expect that we should allow of a proxy in settling any difference between us. He then handed a piece for publication which he was told could not then be perused, as we were particularly busy preparing our packages for the Post, the time of closing being within a few minutes arrived. Upon this, he declared that if it was not published, he would treat the Editor as a scoundrel…⁵⁷⁵

When the lad came into the room, Mr. Bache was sitting; the young man was in extreme perturbation and spoke so inarticulately as to be perfectly unintelligible. He talked of his father being stiled a mercenary scoundrel … and of Joseph Thomas, and twirld in his trembling fingers a piece of paper which seems to have been what he called an apology. During the whole time of this trifling, Mr. Bache continued writing and urged in easy and temperate language that he was too busy to be troubled, that if he would either call again or send his father, he would talk to him but at that time had not leisure and begged that the lad would go about his business. He continued to write as before.⁵⁷⁶

In consequence of a paragraph in the Aurora wherein my father was spoken of in villainous terms during his absence from the city, I waited on Mr. Bache to demand the author. He refused to give him up when, dropping the point, I handed him a paper containing a recantation which I was willing to have substituted for personal satisfaction. His behavior was that of a mean and contemptible coward—he stood trembling and quaking before the “lad” of the person he had abused but using at the same time as much insolence of deportment as his fear would allow him, which appeared almost to deprive him of his speech. I told him, if he neglected to recant the obnoxious terms,—that I should treat him as a scoundrel—and that he was a lying, cowardly rascal. Upon this he rose from his seat and made toward me—Lloyd of Newgate and Duane (the calumniator of Washington, under the signature of Jasper Dwight) who appeared to be in his employ also bristled up at the same time. Bache doubled his fist and made some show of striking a blow at me but evidently appeared to want spirit to do it. My friend, by this time, seized me by the arm and, having effectuated the purpose for which I went, we withdrew.⁵⁷⁷

Joseph Thomas has brought matters between Benny and the Fennos to a head. Whoever Thomas was, he certainly merits Poor Richard’s admonition,

There is much difference between imitating a good man, and counterfeiting him.⁵⁷⁸

Men & Melons are hard to know.⁵⁷⁹

Tonight, news is everywhere that the malignant yellow fever is in Philadelphia. Tonight, in the Porcupine’s Gazette:

THE YELLOW FEVER

Is in this city. It is now come out that it made its appearance about a week ago. Several persons are dead with it, and according to all the accounts I have heard, it spreads with greater rapidity than it did last year. A number of stories, with regard to its origin, are, as usual, on foot; but, I believe, the best way would be to lay aside all vain disputes on this subject and prepare, as quick as possible, to make provision for removing those who have not the means of removing themselves to situations more healthy.

The rapid dissemination of reports respecting the appearance of that mortal enemy of our city, the Yellow Fever, have within these few days, excited the most alarming apprehensions.

The Republicans of New York, it seems, are arming and embodying a military force against the Tories, in the terms of Mr. Bache: and this prospect of inter[ne]cine commotion, broil and bloodshed, he calls “admirable,” “prudent” and “proper”…

Bache must be conscious of meriting what he unquestionably holds: the hatred of all mankind … Bache needs only to behold his own character in its naked colours to detest himself.

For he’s a monster of such horrid mien,
As to be hated, needs but to be seen.

The man in English pay who scribbles under the wing of John Fenno has nothing to lose by the late swindling but his own sweet temper!—Fenno’s young sprig plucked up courage enough to go as far as the office of the Aurora yesterday evening in order to deny his pappy was the friend of Jozey Thomas—the lad was accompanied by a gentleman who acknowledged that he had reason to be ashamed of the youth’s behavior.— Fenno’s young lady in breeches came to require the name of the writer who called his papa a mercenary scoundrel and to demand satisfaction for his being stiled Jozey Thomas’s friend—but when the person he was offended with rose from his seat, behold the “poor little foolish, fluttering thing”—literally ran away with its mouth full of froth and its knees trembling

This afternoon, as Benny walks along Philadelphia’s Fourth-street with John Beckley (a good friend and former clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives), Jack Ward Fenno assaults Benny Bache.⁵⁸⁰ Benny:

[W]hile walking along Fourth street with a friend, I observed him coming towards me, but from his pusillanimous behavior the preceding day, had no expectation of an attack from him. As he approached, I observed indeed that he gave [me] much of the pavement, as desirous of avoiding me. But when he came abreast, he suddenly rushed on, closed in, and made a stroke which scratched a bit of skin off my nose. My cane for a moment became of little use, but soon, grasping it in the middle, made the side of his head or face feel the point of the serril and the top of his skull, its weight, having previously taken the impression of his teeth upon the knuckles of my left hand. I completely pinned him in the scuffle against the wall, whilst inflicting the merited chastisement. A crowd soon assembled and separated us. He made a great show of renewing the attack by the time 30 or 40 people were assembled. I stood ready to defend myself should he renew the assault for which he showed no inclination when set at liberty by the bystanders. Missing my comb, I deliberately passed by him in search of it, when he drew back and gave me the whole pavement.⁵⁸¹

I am indebted to my younger brother who, observing Bache walking in Fourth street, with his bludgeon, accompanied by John Beckley, ran to communicate the intelligence. Upon which I immediately proceeded towards him and, after advancing full in his view for about one third of the square, came up with him. He drew back and brandished the CLUB—I advanced and, seizing him by the collar, struck him at the same instant in the face and repeated my blows as fast as possible. He repeatedly attempted to put his stick in my face; but having closed in with him, his arms were so cramped that his attempts proved very feeble. The scuffle issued in my driving him against the wall when I should have soon wrested the club from his hand—had not his companion very improperly seized my left hand and, disengaging it from round his body, held it fast. Bache instantly drew off. My attempts to get at him again were rendered ineffectual by those around; one of whom seized me round the body and held me fast, while Bache sneaked home, his nose barked and his sconce covered with blood,—conspicuous marks of Jacobin valour. I had no weapon but my fist and received no hurt in the transaction.⁵⁸²

Today, Philadelphia’s City Hospital is open for fever victims. Four sick people are admitted. Today, Philadelphia’s Academy of Medicine recommends to the Philadelphia Board of Health “the appointment of a sufficient number of physicians to take care of such of the poor as may be affected with the fever…” ⁵⁸⁴

The assertion of Bache, respecting my friend’s declaring himself “ashamed of my conduct” is a falsehood, as he is ready to testify, as well as the correctness of the rest of what is here stated.

Young Fenno in the way of preferment.

The lad yesterday afternoon made an attack in the street on the Editor of the Aurora with tooth and nail. He deserves a reward for the exploit better than his worthy predecessor Humphreys, as he was not a little mauled in the combat. He scratched the nose of his antagonist, and his teeth took off the skin of the editor’s knuckles; for which he got in return a sound rap or two across the head and face.—Young Fenno mustered up courage enough last evening to attack unawares the editor of the Aurora in the street and strike him—the poor boy carried back some occupation for a plaister [cast maker]—The son of honest John has qualified himself for a federal appointment by an assault on the editor of the Aurora: possibly he may be thought a fit follower of Humphreys.—

The little miss who misconducts the Presidential gazette was under the necessity of changing her apparel immediately after her precipitate retreat from the Aurora office—this accounts for the strong sensation which affected the olfactories of those who were present at the fright!—

Today, Philadelphia’s newly opened City Hospital admits nine sick people.⁵⁸⁵

[T]he “young lady in breeches,” as Bache affected to call him [Jack Fenno], gave the hireling sufficient proof of her masculine powers, if black eyes, bloody nose, and a battered head may be considered as sufficient … Bache was … armed with an enormous bludgeon. Mr. Fenno was alone and unarmed; he nevertheless proved by many trials against the wall that Bache’s skull was even more penetrable than could have been supposed. It was remarked by the by-standers that his countenance, naturally diabolical, exhibited at the moment Fenno gripped him a shocking picture of agony and dismay …

The Yellow Fever appears to be spreading very rapidly;—people are moving out of the city in every direction, and if the hot weather continues another week, there is no doubt that two thirds of the inhabitants will leave their homes.

IT was observed by an old Almanack-maker who called himself Poor Richard that “co-existent with the Liberty of the Press is the Liberty of the Club” … Without assenting to this doctrine of Poor Richard, it might justly be expected that citizen Bache, who holds the old fellow to be infallible, should abide by him in his creed. Strange it may seem that he loudly complains of the practical operation of it.— Bache is advised to lay aside that great Herculean club he has heretofore carried; its weight must be fatiguing to the poor wretch; and unless he can make it more serviceable to him than it was yesterday afternoon, it certainly must be considered as a useless encumbrance.— Bache speaks of the “sound raps he gave young Fenno across the head and face.” Will he “muster up courage enough” to come and take a peep at those “occupations for a plaister”?

MR. FENNO, On the second of August, a little dirty toper with shaved head and greasy jacket, nankeen pantaloons and woolen stockings, was arrested at a whiskey distillery near Leesburgh, Virginia under the vagrant act … To place [Republican U.S. Senator from Virginia] Mr. Mason’s character in a true point of light, it must be observed that this Callender … has found an asylum in his house [and] is the notorious Scotch fugitive, the calumniator of Washington, Adams, law, order, government, God …

John Fenno informs [his readers) that J. T. Callender has found safe refuge in Virginia—as John’s friends appear to use uncommon vigilance concerning Callender, perhaps he can also tell the name of the pious tory that threatened to assassinate him !

We shall trouble our readers a moment with a statement of the assault committed on the editor on Wednesday evening and of the causes which led to it.

Those who read the Gazette of the United States must have witnessed for a long time back a studied and uninterrupted course of calumny against the editor of the Aurora, consisting of unfounded assertions and the vilest billingsgate. In all this we considered Fenno as a faithful tool in his avocation—he labored in one of the branches of the system, which has been pursued in every shape, to put down the Aurora by persecution.

One of the points most labored by this faithful tool of the most profligate faction has been to represent the editor of the Aurora as in the pay of France. Till lately all that could be produced under this head was assertion and abuse, when Kidder was pushed forward to certify something [the Talleyrand letter] on which a specific charge could plausibly rest …

In retaliation for the above mentioned ground of detraction we accused him of being sold to the British and stated on the best authority his having received as a benefaction … the sum of $500 … Fenno has never ventured to even deny publicly having received this donation; he has observed the most profound silence on the subject, probably lest it should provoke to a production of the proofs. He shall yet hear from us on this subject before long.

Today is very hot, “the mercury at 93 and upward.”⁵⁸⁶ Eleven sick people are admitted to City Hospital. One report:

The deaths and new cases daily became more numerous; the alarm increased, and [as of today] the flight of the inhabitants [is] now general. ⁵⁸⁷

NOTICE

The Subscribers to the Time Piece are requested to pay Mr. [John Daly] Burk his accounts up to the 13th of June. Any debts since that period belong to the firm and are requested to remain until the books are settled between the proprietors, as a division must take place as soon as arrangements can be made between the parties.⁵⁸⁸

[WILLIAM SMITH]

FRIEND BACHE [a Quaker writes], I have long heard that thou art a bad man … I frequently suggested my opinions to Joseph Thomas … [I]n conversation one day, he declared that all democrats were rogues and thieves and that they ought all to be exterminated … [M]any good Federalists [he said] were of the same mind … Shocked at such barbarous declarations, I determined no longer to be a federalist … Now friend Bache, I cannot help believing that Providence … made the felon expose himself to prevent the horrid scene of citizens murdering each other …

I am now thy friend. OBADIAH

In the five days since Philadelphia’s City Hospital has been open to receive yellow fever patients, thirty-one have been admitted; ten of the thirty-one have died, and not one of the thirty-one has been cured.⁵⁸⁹

Today, Federalists attempt once again to imprison Jimmy Callender. Two magistrates (Patrick Cavan and Joseph Smith) from Loudoun County, Virginia, attest:

[we were] called on by one of the constables of said county to examine a person by him apprehended, on suspicion of having eloped from the wheel-barrow, on the Baltimore roads, who on his examination, denied being a runaway—said his name was James T. Callender, lately from Philadelphia, printer of a paper published in that city; that he came from thence into this state (Virginia) at the particular request of general Mason at whose house he then resided; that his papers were at general Mason’s—and that he (gen. Mason) would give any satisfaction that might be required respecting his character…

Time being allowed Callender to procure his papers, at 5 o’clock (the time appointed for him to appear before the magistrates), Gen. S. T. Mason appeared in his behalf: produced a certificate of naturalization and said he was a man of good character. ⁵⁹⁰

I believe, however, that the distinction of aristocrat and democrat, however odious and pernicious it may be rendered by political artifice as particular conjectures, will never be done away with … The distinction is grounded on unalterable nature, and human wisdom can do no more than reconcile the parties by equitable establishments and equal laws, securing as far as possible to every one his own.⁵⁹¹

A solicitude on the part of the people to preserve their civil privileges from the deathly embraces of French fraternity is strongly reprobated in the Aurora … and because the religious principles of the intrepid founders of our independence are professed to be precious to their posterity … the philosophical fanatics mean to raise a cry of religious hatred and persecution.

The present Doers of the Aurora are [“Newgate”] Lloyd and [William] Duane; the other member of the trio, Bache, is or was absent since Saturday last.— It is an undoubted truth that some of the Jacobin papers are under the direction of as GREAT LIARS as ever escaped the hands of Justice in England, Ireland, or Scotland— … Since the passage of the Sedition Law, the scum, filth and foam of the Aurora Cauldron has flowed more than ever.

The two editors of the Gazettes printed in Portsmouth, (N.H.) have published their determination to exclude from their papers all incendiary, factious and anti-governmental speculations—Several others have done the same.

Today, Secretary of State Timothy Pickering informs John Adams that he is ready to enforce the Alien Act.⁵⁹²

The sedition bill will never extend its claws over this state. It is regarded not merely as a breach of the constitution but also of the special terms on which Virginia professed her acceptance of it. The legislature is expected to take up this business as soon as it meets.⁵⁹³

Those who can leave Philadelphia are doing so. Municipal employees have abandoned their posts. Today, by government report,

some of the prisoners in the east wing [of the Walnut-street prison] attempted to escape. Perhaps they were instigated from a consideration of the unguarded state of the city—the absence of the jailor—and the wish to escape from the fever. They seized upon the key of their apartment— forced their way out, knocked down Mr. Evans, a constable, then one of the assistant-keepers, and called to the convicts in the yard to come to their assistance. Mr. [Robert] Wharton, who was in a different part of the jail, on hearing the alarm, went immediately to the assistance of the keepers. Miller, the ring-leader, had an axe lifted to dispatch Mr. Evans, which Mr. R Wharton and Mr. Gass, an assistant-keeper, observing, prevented by well directed balls from their muskets which broke the bone of his right arm and entered his body—Mr. Wharton and Mr. Gass fired at the same time: the ball from the latter, it was generally supposed, proved fatal. Another of the assailants of the name of Vaughan struck Mr. Evans with a bar of iron. He then retreated to his apartment. Evans pursued him and lodged a ball in his lungs. He survived it about twenty-four hours.⁵⁹⁴

This morning, Frenchman Moreau de St. Méry leaves Philadelphia for France. From his diary:

I tried to sell everything that could be turned into money of which I was very short, since my business was no longer going on. My passage aboard the cartel ship Adriastes was gratis, but the expense of moving the quarters for the four of us … from the lower deck to berths opening into the Great Cabin was seventy-two dollars a head … We also had to buy provisions for the entire crossing …

Early in the morning I said a number of good-byes; and at 9 o’clock my wife, my daughter and I boarded the packet schooner La Mouche for Newcastle, where the Adrastes had already gone … [M]y son had boarded her the night before …⁵⁹⁵

Would-be citizens flee John Adams. The rest flee the yellow fever. Unable to collect taxes from its departed population, today the city council of Philadelphia authorizes the mayor to borrow ten thousand dollars for “lighting, cleaning and watching the city.”⁵⁹⁶

The people of the United States are hourly contradicting the vile and abominable slanders on the government and its administration which are published in the Aurora and its miserable imitators. However—

Tonight, Claudius Chat, a jeweler and goldsmith, a ten-year resident of Philadelphia, and an advertiser in the Aurora, dies of malignant yellow fever. He took ill only last evening, went directly to his physician, returned home, and, despite cold baths, spent today in convulsive agony, ending in death.⁵⁹⁷

From [Noah Webster’s] Commercial Advertiser. In Mr. Jefferson’s notes on Virginia … [he] is very pointed against all establishments in favor of religion. “The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others,” says Mr. Jefferson; “but it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.” With great deference to this philosopher … if my property or my limbs are less safe among atheists than among theists, the act of destroying that belief in God is a proper subject for legal cognizance.

Today, Thomas Jefferson writes Republican Congressman Samuel Smith of Baltimore,

Your favor of Aug 4 came to hand by our last post, together with the “extract”… cut from a newspaper⁵⁹⁸ stating some facts which respect me. I shall notice these facts. The writer says that “the day after the last dispatches were communicated to Congress, Bache … [was] closeted with me”…

I sometimes received visits from Mr. Bache … I received them always with pleasure, because [he is a man] … of abilities and of principles the most friendly to liberty & our present form of government. Mr. Bache has another claim on my respect, as being the grandson of Dr. Franklin, the greatest man & ornament of the age and country in which he lived. Whether I was visited by Mr. Bache the day after the communication referred to, I do not remember.

I know that all my motions at Philadelphia, here, and everywhere, are watched & recorded. Some of these spies, therefore, may remember better than I do the dates of these visits … I know my own principles to be pure … They are the same I have acted on from the year 1775 to this day … I only wish the principles of those who censure mine were also known … I am quite at a loss on what ground the letter writer can question the opinion that France had no intention of making war on us & was willing to treat [negotiate] … when we have this from [Bache’s publication of] Taleyrand’s letter…

These observations … are not intended for a newspaper. At a very early period of my life, I determined never to put a sentence into any newspaper … I have thought it better to trust to the justice of my countrymen, that they would judge me by what they see … Though I have made up my mind not to suffer calumny to disturb my tranquillity, yet I retain all my sensibilities for the approbation of the good & just. That is, indeed, the chief consolation for the hatred of so many who, without the least personal knowledge & on the sacred evidence of Porcupine & Fenno alone, cover me with their implacable hatred.⁵⁹⁹

War … Today, three large ships-of-war of the Republic of France, the Concorde (forty-four guns), Medée (forty guns), and the Franchise (thirty-eight guns), disembark approximately 1,100 French soldiers near the town of Killala in County Mayo, Ireland, to assist Irish rebels achieve independence from the British monarch. French General Joseph Amable Humbert commands French forces in Ireland.⁶⁰⁰

War … Today, in the waters of the French West Indies off Martinique, two large ships-of-war of the United States, the forty-four-gun, 400-man U.S. Navy frigate United States and the twenty-gun, 180-man U.S. Navy ship Delaware, open fire on and capture an armed schooner, the Sans Pareil, of the Republic of France. Navy Lieutenant John Mullowny, who commands the United States, records in his journal:

Between Martinico & Domini. All sail set in chace. A[t] 8 P.M. fired a bow-gun at the schoo[ner]. at 1/2 8 fired another which brought the chace too. She proved to be the Sans Pariel of Guadeloupe, Cap[tain] Touin. Eighty seven men 10 Guns 6 of which were thrown overboard … At 11 P.M. the Delaware came up. At 3 squally with rain … Tacked to the N.⁶⁰¹

As the friends of order in this city were the first to attack and batter in the nighttime a citizen’s [Benjamin Bache’s] house; first in New York to injure the representative of that city [Edward Livingston); so in New Jersey they have maintained their character for insolence, outrage and disorder … It is not the fault of the friends of order that it has not already produced bloodshed …

The public are desired to be on their guard against the depredations of a gang who … to the number of twenty-three, with black cockades, armed with pistols, swords, and clubs, made a sudden and lawless irruption into [Menham, New Jersey], and while the men of the place were in the field and meadows, with violent oaths and imprecations terrified the women and children, and in an heroic manner surrounded the liberty pole [symbol of the French and American Revolutions] in this place which had been raised the 4th of July last and ornamented with the cap of liberty and the American colors, and proceeded to cut it down …

Today, Pennsylvania Federal District Court Judge Richard Peters writes Secretary of State Timothy Pickering that Philadelphia still contains “some rascals … both Aliens and infamous Citizens” whom the law should pursue.⁶⁰²

Today, a tent city for the poor is ready along the Schuylkill River. One account:

After most of the citizens whose circumstances would permit had fled to the country, the poor began generally to suffer … The Board of Health, in conjunction with the Guardians of the Poor, concerted measures for the construction of temporary tents. They were soon afterwards erected on the banks of Schuylkill, between Spruce and Chestnut-streets. They were ready by the 24th of August where fugitives crowded … The tents were made of canvas and floored with boards. Here nineteen hundred and fifty persons were fed and some of them clothed … Guards were stationed with arms to preserve order and prevent any individuals from trespassing the rules. Schools for the instruction of children were instituted, at which 137 male and 143 female children attended …⁶⁰³

The system of terror that has been countenanced by our administration and its understrappers: the animosity that has been stirred up in all parts of the union under that influence: and the threats and acts of violence which have been for some time put in practice in order to drive men into servility and dereliction of those principles for which America bled, are objects that republicans cannot too seriously consider nor too soon be prepared against.

The editor of the Aurora was educated in the lap of Republicanism; ever since he has thought and acted for himself, his thoughts and actions have been those of a democratic republican; he was taught to wish France a republic [rather than a monarchy] before the revolution was thought of. He rejoiced when the dawn of that revolution was witnessed. He grieved at the excesses which its masked enemies had the address to excite and falsely lay to the account of republicanism. He rejoiced at the victories of the French not because they were French but because they opened the bright prospect of universal enfranchisement, a prospect which has since with rapidity been realizing. He has uniformly opposed the measures of the late and present administration of the Federal government and always will oppose measures tending to … infringe the constitution and sap the liberty of the citizen. He was a member of the democratic society and continued to be one until its meetings were suspended. He then opposed excise laws as he now does alien, sedition and libel acts. If the editor has erred, the uniformity of his conduct proves at least that he erred from principle; this would not have been the conduct of a time-serving “hireling.”

Observe all men; thy self most.⁶⁰⁴

Buried in the several Church burying grounds, exclusive of those at the Hospital, for the 48 hours ending at 8 o’clock last evening—48 adults— 17 children.

One hundred and eleven new cases for the last 48 hours, reported by 23 Physicians.

The encrease in the circulation of this paper has been beyond the editor’s most sanguine expectations; and since persecution has assumed against him a “form and pressure,” it has been rapid beyond parallel. Thus the daring hand of persecution already counteracts its own designs; disappointment and despair may prompt to more audacious stretches of illegal power—but under whatever form it may appear, of private assassination or public contempt of the established principles of the constitution and laws, or the more congenial instruments of oppressors, prisons, chains, gibbets, the axe or bowstring, it shall never shake the firm determination of the editor to discharge his duty conscientiously; he may be made a victim to the dark rage of the worst enemies of our government and liberties; but it shall not be said of him that he abandoned an important right guaranteed by the constitution because men, entrusted for a time with the authority of the people, dared to forget their duty, to trample on that right, and violate that constitution. It would be doubly criminal in him to shrink before the frowns of ambition or the malice of little men dazzled by the glory of power, at a time when the liberal support he received from various parts of the United States evince not only the stubborn consistency of freedom and the love of truth but a marked approbation of his past conduct as well as a determination to aid him in the arduous and expensive undertaking in which he is engaged.

[BENJAMIN FRANKLIN BACHE]

It appears certain that a [French] squadron sailed from Toulon up the Mediterranean … There can be no object … except the coast of England or Ireland; we have most repeatedly hinted at the latter as the most probable point of attack …

The silly Advertiser of New York exults at the provision of arms, &c. by the Virginians—but he forgets that the despotic spirit manifested in some of the Eastern [New England] states and also in Jersey towards men who adhere to republican principles and detest monarchy rendered it peculiarly necessary for the Virginians to be doubly guarded!

Today, Secretary of State Timothy Pickering writes the U.S. district attorney for Pennsylvania:

Judge Peters thinks there are some dangerous aliens in the neighborhood of Philadelphia who require his & your attention. I shall be happy to do anything to aid the measures you shall think proper respecting them.⁶⁰⁵

A correspondent of the Aurora from the true cut-throat principles which animate the writers of our foreign Gazettes proposed yesterday that the whole faction should arm.—This day, a correspondent in the same paper of the same cut insinuates that the State of Virginia is arming against the other states. There has been a fracas at New York at the Old Coffee House in which a number of persons, said to be foreigners, fell upon a citizen, supposed with a design to destroy him. Burk, the “Time Piece” man, says that 900 United Irishmen can be produced if necessary. Quere, whether persons of such description are those the Aurora proposes to arm? As to the state of Virginia, the foreign gang will find themselves mistaken in counting upon her cooperation in their villainous designs.

Who are the characters that are intended to be stigmatized [by the Republicans] as Old Tories? They are Adams, Washington, Jay … Was the firm and virtuous Adams who signed the Declaration of Independence and managed affairs of the highest importance to foreign courts, was he an enemy and traitor to this country? Was the great and illustrious Washington, who led our armies in the field and whose fame as a guardian genius hovers over this land, was he opposed to the principles of our revolution and to our national independence?

Tyrants (or … men who are aiming to subjugate the people to their arbitrary control) always pursue a preparatory system to answer their purposes. They begin by employing a number of hirelings to extol their patriotism, to represent them but little short of deities. Songs are composed in praise of their political virtues by sycophant poet laureats. Baccanalians sing them over the bottle, and a tribe of courtiers introduce them in their festivals. They pursue measures to irritate those governments who are friendly to freedom, and seek an alliance by treaty with those who favor despotism. They employ venal presses … They deceive the people by publications which they stile official… [A]fter alarming the fears of the people on the invasion of their enemies, they acquire means to borrow money, raise a standing army, equip a navy, impose innumerable taxes …

NEW YORK Aug. 25. The Time Piece… having as usual abused one of our citizens, a Mr. M’Dougal, he called at the office … The foreman of the press … told him he was willing to be considered as Mr. [John Daly] Burk himself and … would meet him … and give him satisfaction. The Old Coffee House was agreed … Mr. M’Dougal went at the time appointed … After a few words M’Dougal struck him, but before a second of time could pass, the door was burst in by a gang … Enquiry was instantly set on foot to identify the names and persons of some of the villains … [T]hey appeared to be a band of Irish … It will be useless, however, for any person of curiosity to go to his shop to look at him, for … they could [not] discover the hole where the envenomed Irish spider had retreated from the light and spins his daily web of slander for the Time Piece …

In 1781, when France was helping American rebels gain independence from the British monarch, Britain’s Lord Charles Cornwallis commanded Britain’s army at the final battle at Yorktown, Virginia. Now, in 1798, when France is helping Irish rebels gain independence from the British monarch, Britain’s Lord Charles Cornwallis commands Britain’s army in Ireland.

Today, the New York Time Piece closes. No final “good-bye.” Just a final regular edition. John Daly Burk, its former co-editor, remains under indictment for sedition.⁶⁰⁶ That sedition action and the threat of violence have closed the paper.

Benny Bache’s sedition trial is more than a month away. Others have offered to pay any fine. Tonight, in the Gazette of the United States:

It appears that all the honor of persecution for violating the Sedition Law will not accumulate on citizen Aurora … It has been stated that some of the printers who have incurred the penalty of the law against seditious publications are to be indemnified from a purse raised among the faction …

The encrease of subscribers to Bache’s publications is a circumstance that merits attention … Bache says the encrease is beyond his most sanguine expectations, and since he has been persecuted, “has been rapid beyond parallel.” However false or true this may be, there is no doubt that the more recent and outrageous attacks on the government and its administration have been made in the spirit of enterprize and experiment in order to try the strength of the laws and to excite the lukewarm partizans of the faction to come forward with their patronage.

I do solemnly declare that … the majority of the legislature of the United States who voted for the [Sedition] act … have violated the clause in the constitution of the United States which declares that “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech or of the liberty of the press …” And I do further solemnly declare, and I verily believe, if the president of the United States hath approved the said act; and if any of the judges have, by any official transaction endeavored to enforce it, that they have also violated that part of the constitution.

GEORGE NICHOLAS [Lexington, Kentucky]

THE HEALTH OFFICE.

Fellow Citizens,

September 1, 1798

Impelled by the awful progress and unparalleled malignity of the prevailing fever, we are constrained to address your feelings, as well as your reason, in order to avert the fatal destruction which, with rapid strides, is pervading our ill-fated city and suburbs.

The best skill of our physicians, and all the powers of medicine, it must be acknowledged, have proven unequal in the contest with this devouring poison …

We call your attention to the actual and undisguised state of our city. Consider the mortality and rapid increase of the sick at so early a period.—View the list of your physicians, and mark how few are at their posts; and we believe you will think, with us, that the preservation of health is only to be attained by flight…

WILLIAM JONES, President⁶⁰⁷

He’s the best physician that knows the worthlessness of most medicines.⁶⁰⁸

Benjamin Bache will not leave. If Federalist attacks and sedition prosecutions can’t intimidate him, neither will the yellow fever!

In consequence of a number of families removing from this city and leaving casks in their yards containing water which, from the late warm weather, has become putrid, thereby contaminating the air and breeding innumerable mosquitoes, would it not be prudent in the health committee to cause all tubs, casks, &c. to be turned bottom upwards to prevent a collection of stagnant water until the return of their owners?

THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLICANS of the City are invited to meet at Fouquet’s Hotel in Tenth, between Arch and Race streets, on Friday next, September 7, at two o’clock in the afternoon,—in order to determine upon candidates to be supported at the ensuing election for representatives in the Federal, State, and City Legislatures.

Today, Benny’s fourth child is born. It’s a boy. Benny and Peggy name the child Hartman to honor Peggy’s deceased mother (whose maiden name was Hartman).

MEDICAL ADVICE

To The Citizens of Philadelphia.

The following directions for the prevention and treatment of the prevailing fever are affectionately recommended to those citizens who are unable to procure the regular attendance of physicians by

BENJAMIN RUSH

SAMUEL P. GRIFFITTS

September 3d, 1798.

[Yellow fever] comes on like a cold … In the forming state of the fever, when the patient feels slightly indisposed, and before he is confined to bed, the following remedies generally check the disease:

A purge [to empty the bowels] of salts, castor oil, or a dose of jalap [a yellowish powder from morning glory plant roots] and calomel [a white tasteless powder]. If these fail of giving relief, a gentle sweat should be excited in the usual way. If there be much pain in the head or back, and the pulse be full or tense, ten or twelve ounces of blood should be lost before the use of the sweat and either before or after taking the purge …

After the disease is formed and appears with more or less of the following symptoms, viz. chills, great heat, head-ache, a redness in the eyes, sickness in the stomach, vomiting, pain in the back, limbs and bowels, &c. the following remedies are proper.

1. The loss of ten or twelve ounces of blood, two or three times a-day …

2. The bowels should be purged at the same time with calomel mixed with jalap and rhubarb, in powder or in pills—The operation of the purging medicine should be aided, when practicable, by clysters [enemas], composed of half an ounce of glauber salts [colorless sulfate crystals] dissolved in half a pint of warm water or a half a pint of warm water with sweet oil [olive oil], molasses, and common salt, of each a tablespoonful, in it …

3. If the stomach should be sick and oppressed with bile, a vomit of ipecacuanha [the dried root from a shrubby South American plant], or tartar emetic [a poisonous, white, metallic-tasting powder] may be given at any time on the 3rd or 4th day …

5. After the pulse is reduced by bleeding and purging, if the disease has not yielded, a profuse sweat should be excited by wrapping the patient up in blankets, with five or six hot bricks wetted with vinegar applied to different parts of his body, and giving him at the same time large and repeated draughts of hot camomile or sage tea, hot lemonade or weak punch, or any other hot liquor that is agreeable to him to drink …

6. Blisters should be applied to the wrists and ankles in common cases about the third or fourth day of the fever …

7. In case of delirious with a languid pulse, poultices [hot, moist coverings] of raw garlic, with a little mustard, should be applied to the feet …

It will be improper to depend exclusively upon any one of the above remedies. The combined force of them all is barely sufficient, in many cases, to overcome this formidable disease.⁶⁰⁹

The malignant yellow fever is conquering the Aurora. Eight who work at the paper will die. Sixty-two who work for printers throughout the city will die.⁶¹⁰ Today, the fever takes Mary Fenno, John Fenno’s wife of more than twenty years.⁶¹¹

HEALTH OFFICE

WANTED immediately—A number of sober men who can be well recommended as drivers for the carriages employed by the Health-Officer— Good encouragement will be given to persons of good character if application is immediately made.

EIGHTY-SEVEN new cases of the prevailing fever, reported by 17 physicians, for the last 24 hours.

The Bank of North America and Bank of Pennsylvania were yesterday morning removed to the School-House in Germantown.

War … Today, off Puerto Rico, the United States Navy’s forty-four-gun, four-hundred-man frigate United States fires upon and captures the French Republic’s eight-gun sloop-of-war, the Jaloux. From the journal of Navy Lieutenant John Mullowny who commands the United States:

Pleasant, all sail set in chace of a sloop. at 4 P.M. fired a shot to bring the chace to. fired several in the course of the afternoon and evening. at 11 She bro’t to all standing. She is a sloop from, Guadeloupe on a cruise commanded by Citoyen Joseph Renne, called the Jealous of 8 Guns. had thrown 6 overboard …⁶¹²

Today, traveling from Philadelphia to his home in Western Pennsylvania, Republican House leader Al Gallatin passes through Reading, Pennsylvania, recently described as follows:

Reading, the chief town of the county of Berks … consists at present of about five hundred houses … [T]hey are log-houses and the interstices between the trunks of the trees are filled up with stone or plaster … The town has little or no trade, and scarcely any manufactures … The population of Reading is estimated at about two thousand five hundred souls, consisting chiefly of lawyers and inn-keepers … [N]o increase of the number of inhabitants has been observed for several years … The sentiments of the inhabitants of this town and the neighboring country are very good and breathe a warm attachment to the federal government. There is no democratic society.⁶¹³

[A]bout 6 o’Clock in the Evening, arrived in this Town, Albert Gallatin, Esq. a Member of Congress, from the Western Counties in the State of Pennsylvania, with his lady, &c. on his journey … for his Home, and lodged at the Federal Inn, the Sign of PRESIDENT WASHINGTON, which is kept by Mr. Jacob Baer. About or rather before 8 o’clock, all at once all the Bells of this Place (of the two churches and Courthouse) began ringing—Numbers of People were alarmed … [T]he Cannon (a little Swivel) was fired … Soon after, a Number of the Enemies of Gallatin collected, and among them a number of Reading Volunteer Blues, with a Drum and Fife, playing the Rogue’s March, and marching before the Federal Inn. As some of Gallatin’s friends expressed dreads of personal Abuse against him, Mr. Baer, the Innkeeper, (a very stout and resolute Man) posted himself on the inner stairs to guard his guest. Soon after the swivel was silenced; and it was agreed on to silence the Bells likewise, a number went to the Churches, finding the Ringers had locked themselves in to prevent coming to them, that unless they would cease ringing, all the windows would be broke, and they stormed, put an immediate Stop to the Ringing—after having lasted for nearly half an Hour in which the swivel was four or five times discharged … The evening was spent with very much virulent Talk and Exclamations, yet without any Blows.⁶¹⁴

The scenes of distress which the Hospital exhibited were truly dismal:—there we could hear groans—the moanings—and the heavy sighs of “the hundreds sick.” No connexions were near to view their distress or to soothe, with the tear of friendship, their “little hour.” When the coachees which brought out the sick arrived, often might be seen an affrightened patient enter, supported by strange Nurses and bedewing his or her cheeks with tears. The nurses were often obliged to hold the patient in bed by force when struggling with delirium, and others seemed to sleep out their life without any feeling while the screams of many were heard at a distance. Some bled from the mouth and nose, and the black vomit issued in streams from others. Two and frequently three were placed in one coffin.⁶¹⁵

This morning, the crowd in Reading, Pennsylvania, is waiting for Al Gallatin. As the local newspaper reports,

[This] morning, before Mr. Gallatin set out on his Journey, a number of the Reading Blues collected at the Courthouse, marched regularly up and down past the Federal Inn, playing the Rogue’s March, and before and while he helped his lady in the Carriage, they burned his effigy within a few yards of the carriage, on exclaiming: “Stop de Wheels of de Gouvernement” and others: “Let them go on.” The Carriage drove off without Mr. Gallatin in, for he traveled on horseback, He preferred mounting back at the Stable and taking the Alley to get out of Town to join his Carriage at the lower end of it, and by this means to avoid being escorted by the Reading Blues.⁶¹⁶

Today, Benny Bache feels feverish and suffers from aches in his muscles.⁶¹⁷

The prevailing disease which afflicts this city has already caused the suspension of three of our public newspapers, viz. Carey’s Recorder, the Gazette of the United States and the True American … The Aurora office has hitherto escaped the affliction, how long it continues so remains in the hands of providence; should the office escape, our subscribers will continue to be served as usual, should the untoward fortune of our city also extend to us, our friends will make due allowance for what may be inevitable, a temporary suspension of our labors.

DEATHS

It is with singular regret we announce the death …

On Tuesday last, in the 43d year of her age Mrs. Mary Fenno, comfort of Mr. John Fenno, editor of the Gazette of the United States …

Benny continues feverish and sick. We are all worried. Today, if only as a precaution, Benny makes out his will, naming his father (“R. Bache of Settle”), his father-in-law, Adam Kuhn (“my respected father”), and Joseph Clay (“my friend”) as executors. James Robinson and I witness his signature. If Benny does not survive the fever, he wants all of his property to go to Peggy,

to be by her used according to her own good sense, firmly confident from the tenderness and love which I have in every shape experienced from her uniformly, that she will bestow on our dear children a suitable and enlightened education such as will be worthy of us and advantageous to themselves and render them virtuous, generous, and attached to the immutable principles of civil Liberty.⁶¹⁸

In a separate document, Benny names me to succeed him as editor of the Aurora.⁶¹⁹

ALLIANCE WITH GREAT BRITAIN

Assailed by evils as we are and beset with a nest of scoundrel Jacobins in the very bosom of the country, it is a pleasing circumstance to see that, amongst the friends of government, the destructive prejudice against Great Britain is daily and hourly wearing away … [T]he treaty will, and must, take place …

Today, though news of the event will not reach Philadelphia until November, Britain’s Lord Charles Cornwallis overpowers the French force which has come, under General Humbert, to help Irish rebels gain their independence from the British monarch. Theobald Wolfe Tone, Ireland’s would-be George Washington, will be sentenced to hang.⁶²⁰

COMMUNICATION

Philadelphia at this time is nearly desolated, & though but few inhabitants left, we behold hearses continually carrying corpses to their graves.—What a havock would death have made had all continued in the city? …

[O]n the appearance of frost, all will flock in again, and some probably may exult on their cheating death once again, forget the past, and rush into their former wickedness, vices and mockery of Heaven. But take care, sinners, or next time you may be arrested and cut down.—Repent! Repent in time, and mend your ways.

ADMONITION

Today, George Washington writes the Managers of Philadelphia’s City Hospitals,

Gentlemen: Among those who commiserate the afflicted Citizens of Philadelphia, I beg you to be persuaded that none do it with more sincerity or with more feeling than I do. And the poignancy is very much increased by the declaration of the malignancy of the fever and difficulty of cure.⁶²¹

Today, one month before he is to stand trial and face imprisonment for criticizing the President of the United States, publisher Benjamin Franklin Bache of the Philadelphia Aurora dies of malignant yellow fever at the age of twenty-nine.⁶²² His wife, Peggy, is faithful to the end. Though Peggy just gave birth to their fourth son, Hartman, she nurses Benny till the moment of his death. Liz Hewson observes:

A french doctor attended him who ordered frequent bathings. The tub leaked and there was that poor woman Margaret Bache just out of her bed continually in a room covered with water. It is a wonder she escaped with her life. She behaved with the greatest fortitude during his illness and after his death.⁶²³

Today, the Philadelphia Aurora ceases publication. At one in the morning, the Aurora’s pressmen run off, in lieu of a newspaper, a handbill which reads as follows:

In these times, men who see and think and feel for their country and posterity can alone appreciate the loss; the loss of a man inflexible in virtue, unappalled by power or persecution, and who in dying knew no anxieties but what were excited by his apprehensions for his country— and for his young family.⁶²⁴

In his Poor Richard’s Almanack for 1757, Benjamin Franklin included the following:

CHAPTER FIVE

THE PESTILENCE