Laws for the preservation of the health of a community have been
established among civilized nations in every age. And when these laws
are based on reason and intelligence, they undoubtedly subserve a noble
purpose. But the quarantine laws all over the world, with some rare
exceptions, being the offspring of ignorance and terror, are not only
the climax of absurdity, but act as an incubus on commerce, causing
ruinous delays in mercantile operations, much distress, and unnecessary
expense.
The PLAGUE was formerly universally regarded as a contagious disease,
and to prevent the horrors which attend its introduction in large
cities, the most stringent laws have been enacted for ages. But
the contagiousness of the plague is now doubted by many enlightened
physicians. Whether it be so or not, it never made its appearance in
countries bordering on the North Sea or the Baltic, or on the American
continent. Although many vessels every year, almost every month, arrive
in our principal ports from the Levant, freighted with rags and
other articles, constituting a medium through which this disease, if
contagious, would surely be propagated, yet this dreadful scourge of
cities, in ancient and modern times, has never been brought across the
Atlantic.
The small pox is another disease against the introduction of which
quarantine laws have been established. That it is contagious there is
no question; but by the blessed discovery of vaccination, this disease,
once so dreadful, is robbed of its horrors, and rendered as harmless as
the measles or the whooping cough, insomuch that laws, formerly enacted
in different states to protect the people from the dangers of the small
pox have generally been repealed.
The Asiatic cholera, when it first made its appearance in Europe,
was believed to be contagious. Quarantine laws, of the most stringent
character, were adopted to prevent its introduction into seaports, and
military CORDONS SANITAIRE were drawn around the frontiers of nations
to shut it out of villages and towns, until it was ascertained to be an
epidemic disease, the germs of which were in the atmosphere, and could
no more be controlled than the winds which sweep the earth.
The YELLOW FEVER, however, has for many years been the most terrible
bugbear, and to prevent its introduction into the seaports of Europe
and the United States has been the chief end and aim of the absurd and
ridiculous quarantine regulations to which I have referred. It has never
been regarded as contagious by well-informed men in countries where it
is most prevalent, and now, in spite of long-existing and deeply-stamped
prejudices, it is generally admitted, by enlightened physicians, that
the YELLOW FEVER IS NOT CONTAGIOUS. NOT A SINGLE WELL-ESTABLISHED FACT
CAN BE ADDUCED TO SHOW THE CONTAGIOUS CHARACTER OF THE DISEASE, OR THAT
IT CAN BE CONVEYED IN CARGOES OF ANY DESCRIPTION FROM ONE COUNTRY TO
ANOTHER.
Persons in good health may leave a port where yellow fever prevails, and
carry within them the seeds of the disease, and on arriving at another
port several days afterwards, or on the passage thither, may be attacked
with the disease in its most appalling character, and die; BUT THE
DISEASE IS NOT COMMUNICATED TO OTHERS. Indeed, the yellow fever is
not so INFECTIOUS as the typhus or scarlet fever, which prevails every
season in northern climes.
When the yellow fever broke out in New York, and caused much alarm,
nearly forty years ago, the first cases occurred in the vicinity
of Trinity Church, and until destroyed by a black frost, it spread
gradually in every direction from this common centre, insomuch that the
"infected district" was clearly defined and marked out from day to day.
Persons, who had been in the "infected district," and left it for
other parts of the country, were subsequently attacked by this disease
hundreds of miles from New York, and died; but not a single instance
occurred in which it was communicated to others. And so in the West
Indies: the yellow fever sometimes rages fearfully in one city or town,
while in another, on the same island, not a single case exists, although
there is a daily and unobstructed intercourse between the two places.
And whenever, owing to some mysterious agency, it makes its appearance,
precautions to prevent its extension seem useless. It overleaps all
barriers, and attacks with equal severity the inmates of a palace or a
filthy hovel, the captain of a ship in a splendid cabin, surrounded with
phials and pills, and Jack in the forecastle, redolent of tobacco, and
destitute of ventilation.
The quarantine regulations in Boston formerly partook of the
unreasonable and absurd character, which, to a greater or less extent,
has marked these regulations in all maritime countries. Vessels arriving
from certain ports where yellow fever was supposed to prevail, were
not allowed to haul to a wharf and discharge cargo, or hold any
direct personal communication with the city, until the expiration of
twenty-five days after leaving port. Thus a vessel from the West Indies,
having perishable commodities on board, might reach Boston in twelve
days, the vessel and cargo in good condition, and every man stout and
hearty. But it was supposed that yellow fever might lurk among the
crew, or lie concealed among boxes of sugars or cigars, and, therefore,
thirteen additional days were allowed to give it an opportunity to
escape. At the expiration of that time, when the patience of the men,
kept so long in durance vile without the shadow of a cause, in sight of
their homes, was exhausted, and the perishable portion of the cargo in a
most unwholesome state of decomposition, caused by the delay, the vessel
was pronounced pure, in a fit condition to receive PRATIQUE, and allowed
to haul alongside the wharf, receive visitors on board, and discharge
cargo.
The reader, inexperienced in the mysteries of sanitary regulations, may
smile at the absurdity of such proceedings, but the system of guarding
the public against the horrors of the yellow fever, adopted by the
health department of Boston, was in those days remarkably judicious and
indulgent, when compared with the regulations in other cities, and which
exist at the present time, not only on the other side of the
Atlantic, but in this country. And, to the credit of Boston, and as an
illustration of the intelligence of her citizens, it should be recorded
that this seaport, the principal one in New England, WAS THE FIRST IN
THE CIVILIZED WORLD TO EXPRESS AN OPINION THAT THE YELLOW FEVER WAS
NOT CONTAGIOUS, and to repeal those ridiculous, useless, and burdensome
"quarantine laws," which, originating in panic terror, have been
instituted from time immemorial, to prevent the introduction of plague
and yellow fever, and establish in their stead sanitary regulations,
which are in accordance with the dictates of common sense.
Infectious diseases are sometimes caused by the foul air arising from a
ship's hold, owing to the decomposition of vegetable substances in a
hot climate, or to an accumulation of filth, without ventilation, when
crowded with passengers. The malignant, pestilential disease, caused by
inhaling this noxious atmosphere, often sweeps off portions of the crew
and passengers; and those who visit a ship under such circumstances, and
breathe the poisonous gases, even in a northern latitude, are liable
to be attacked by this fatal disease. But the ordinary quarantine
regulations will afford no protection in such a case. A few weeks' delay
in quarantine after the crew have become acclimated, and fumigations,
and sprinklings with acids in the cabin, until all hands are pickled or
smoke-dried, will not purify the ship's hold, prevent the exhalation of
pestilential gases, and arrest the progress of infection.
Then may we not hope that the expensive quarantine establishments,
with sweeping, indiscriminating regulations, founded on prejudice, and
continued through fear and ignorance, a disgrace to this enlightened
age, and a dead weight on commercial enterprise, will soon be abolished?
In their stead let a board of health be instituted, with an office where
business can be transacted at all hours. Let the master of every vessel
which arrives in port, and on board of which deaths have occurred
during the passage, report the same at the health office, that judicious
measures, such as are adapted to the particular case, may be resorted
to, in order to protect the community or individuals from inconvenience
or danger when INFECTIOUS diseases exist.
Time passes slowly in quarantine. The officers of a ship are generally
taciturn, surly, and exacting; and the crew are unhappy, discontented,
disposed to grumble, and ready to quarrel and fight on the most trivial
occasions, and often without any occasion whatever. At the expiration
of ten protracted days after we let go our anchor in the outer harbor of
Gottenburg, we were again honored with a visit from the health officer.
The crew manifested their vigorous physical condition by another clamber
up the rigging. The officer came on board, shook hands with the captain,
and congratulated him on being released from quarantine. The pilot took
charge of the vessel, the men were ordered to man the windlass, which
order was obeyed with alacrity. Faces diminished in longitude, and were
lighted up with smiles. The anchor song of "Yeo, Heave O," never sounded
more musical or inspiring than on that occasion. Sail was made on the
brig with magical dexterity, and the crew were in fine spirits, jocund,
and happy, as we thridded the channel extending some ten miles to the
city, looked with surprise upon the innumerable barren rocks and islets
scattered around, and entering the strait, surveyed with increasing
interest and pleasure cultivated fields, and neat-looking dwelling
houses, and men, women, and children, busily engaged in their customary
occupations. We felt that we were in the world once more.
Gottenburg is a large and populous city, situated on a plain near the
extremity of the fiord, about thirteen miles from the Cattegat, but
almost encircled by steep and craggy rocks, hills, and a bold and
picturesque scenery, with a fine harbor, the entrance to which is easily
defended; it is conveniently located for the foreign trade of Sweden,
and next to Stockholm, has the most extensive commerce of any port in
the kingdom. Its exports consist chiefly of iron and steel, brought from
rich mines nearly two hundred miles in the interior, by a well-perfected
system of inland navigation. We lay some weeks at anchor in the upper
harbor, and I had abundant opportunities to visit the city, mark
its peculiarities and note the character of its inhabitants, who, in
Gottenburg and vicinity, as in other parts of the kingdom, are simple
and industrious in their habits, and civil and hospitable to strangers.
After our cargo was discharged and a sufficient quantity of iron taken
on board for ballast, the American consul informed Captain Allen that he
had a prisoner under his charge, accused of a capital crime, whom it
was necessary to send to the United States for trial, and that the brig
Joseph had been selected for the honor of conveying the criminal
across the ocean. The captain did not appear flattered by this mark of
confidence on the part of the consul; he ventured a weak remonstrance,
but finally submitted with a good grace. Preparations were accordingly
made for the reception of the prisoner, who had made one of the crew
of the large clipper schooner Plattsburg, on board which vessel mutiny,
piracy, and murder had been committed.
The Plattsburg sailed from Baltimore about the 1st of July, 1816, bound
on a voyage to Smyrna, in the Mediterranean, with a cargo of coffee, and
$42,000 in specie. The schooner was commanded by William Hackett; the
name of the chief mate was Frederick Yeizer, the second mate was Stephen
B. Onion, and Thomas Baynard was the supercargo. The crew consisted
of six persons, all of whom were foreigners, and among them were some
desperate, hardened ruffians, who had learned lessons in villany on
board Patriot privateers, some of which, under no legal restraint, and
responsible to no government, were little better than pirates. The names
of these men were John Williams a Canadian, Peter Rog a Dane, Francis
Frederick a Spaniard, Miles Petersen a Swede, William Stromer a
Prussian, and Nathaniel White an Englishman.
Before the Plattsburg had passed Cape Henry symptoms of insubordination
appeared among the crew. One of the men, named John Williams, was
particularly insolent and troublesome, and was chastised by the captain,
after which the voyage was quietly pursued, and the crew were obedient
and apparently contented. But beneath this apparent calm a terrible
storm was brewing. A fiendish plan was devised by Williams and Stromer,
and agreed to by the rest, to murder the officers and get possession of
the money, which they knew was on board. They first determined to poison
the captain, supercargo, and mates, but owing to some failure in their
calculations, this plan was abandoned. When off the Western Islands,
it was determined, after some discussion to seize on the officers while
they were taking an observation of the sun at meridian, and, following
the example of the mutineers of the Bounty, compel them to embark in
the long-boat, and run their chance of reaching the shore. Williams and
Stromer provided themselves with cords in order to bind the captain, and
also with weapons to knock him on the head if he should resist; but when
the time for action arrived, the hearts of their associates failed them,
and the project was abandoned.
Williams reproached his shipmates for their cowardice. They were not
lacking in rascality, but they wanted nerve to carry into effect
the desperate design of taking possession of the schooner. Another
consultation was held, and it was concluded that the SAFEST proceeding
would be to massacre the officers before they could have an opportunity
to make resistance. This plan was resolved upon, and all the details
were carefully arranged, and every man had his part assigned him in the
fearful tragedy which was about to be enacted.
Accordingly about midnight, on the 24th of July, being then but little
more than a hundred miles to the westward of the Straits of Gibraltar, a
loud cry was heard from the forecastle, of "Sail, ho! Right ahead!"
Mr. Yeizer, the mate, rushed forward to obtain a view of the vessel,
and on stepping forward of the windlass, was felled to the deck by a
murderous blow from a handspike in the hands of one of the mutineers.
His body was instantly seized upon and thrown overboard. The second
mate, who had just been called, hearing the cry of "a sail," hastened
on deck and was going forward, when he was struck a violent blow,
and grappled by Williams, who exclaimed, "Here is one of the rascals!
Overboard with him!" But the captain, alarmed by the cries and trampling
on deck, now made his appearance, and Williams released his grasp
on Onion and attacked the captain, who, unsuspicious of any mutinous
intentions, was unarmed. He was summarily disposed of, being brained
by a handspike or heaver, and thrown into the sea. Onion, greatly
terrified, escaped down the companion-way, and concealed himself in the
bread locker.
The mutineers now called upon Mr. Baynard, the supercargo, to show
himself on deck. He hesitated, but on being assured that no harm was
intended, and threatened with instant death if he did not make his
appearance at once, he passed up the companion-way, and while conversing
with Williams, was mercilessly murdered by Stromer and Rog.
Three of the pirates now entered the cabin in search of the second mate,
and the question was raised whether his life should be spared. After
some debate it was determined that he should not be killed, provided
he would take an oath to be faithful to their interests and aid them in
their future proceedings. Onion, on hearing the decision, came out of
his hiding-place, took the prescribed oath of fidelity, and was
admitted a member of the fraternity. As some proper organization for the
management of the vessel was considered necessary, Stromer was chosen
captain, Williams's chief mate, and Onion retained his position as
second mate.
On the morning succeeding this terrible crime, the specie was taken
from "the run" beneath the cabin and brought on deck. Each man including
Onion and Samberson, the cook, who took no part in the outrage received
a share of the money, which was measured out in hats and tin pots, a
single share amounting to about five thousand dollars.
And now the important question arose to what part of the world should
they direct their course, in order to sell the vessel and cargo and make
their escape with their ill-gotten booty; for they knew the deed would
soon be known and the avengers of blood be upon their heels. They,
finally, concluded to shape their course to the northward, and enter
some obscure port in Norway, where no very strict inquisition would
probably be made into the character of the vessel of their intentions,
and from which place they could easily find means of proceeding to
other parts of Europe. Onion, who was a skilful penman, was directed to
manufacture some new invoices of cargo and alter other papers in such
a manner as to deceive, for a time at least, the revenue authorities of
such port as they might enter; and Williams altered the ship's log-book
to correspond with the story they had agreed upon.
They arrived at Cleveland, a small port in Norway, about the middle of
August, and conducted their affairs in such a way as to give no cause
for supposing anything was wrong, But when Stromer expressed a desire
to sell the vessel and cargo, without being particular in regard to
the price, suspicions were excited that all was not right; and those
suspicions were strengthened by some careless remarks of Frederick and
Rog after they had been drinking freely. The schooner was accordingly
seized and taken possession of by the proper authorities, and brought
round to another wharf, where an investigation took place. This
of course alarmed the guilty crew, and before their iniquity was
discovered, each man took his share of money so dearly earned, and in
all haste left the shores of Norway.
Williams, Onion, Rog, Frederick, and Samberson embarked in a sloop for
Copenhagen, where they landed in fine spirits; and under the direction
of Frederick, who was a native of that city, undertook to open a store,
and with this object purchased a variety of goods. But it was not long
before some circumstances drew upon them the attention of the
police. They were arrested, and Samberson exposed the whole horrible
transaction. These men were thrown into prison, and intelligence of
their arrest was sent to the American government; but more than two
years expired before they were brought to this country in the United
States ship Hornet.
Stromer and White went off together; and Stromer probably proceeded
to Prussia with his share of the money. He was never discovered by the
satellites of justice; but White was subsequently arrested and brought
to trial. Petersen, who was a native of Gottenberg, returned directly to
his home. He had parents in that city of respectable standing, besides
brothers and sisters. He told his relatives an ingenious tale to
account for his prosperous condition, but he was speedily tracked by
the officers of justice, and one day while enjoying himself with his
friends, and lavishly spending his money, he was arrested for the
dreadful crimes of piracy and murder, and thrown into a dungeon,
where he remained heavily ironed for nearly twelve months, when he was
transferred to the brig Joseph for conveyance to the United States.