With respect to the alleged novelty,—the recent production or
importation of the yellow fever, it appears to be an error, which may be
explained away, by the fact mentioned above; viz. that during a period
of peace and tranquillity it is less frequent, and passes under the
milder name of seasoning fever; but from recurring in a time of war, it
creates new alarm, and consequently issues forth with a new appellation.
Its existence is, no doubt, coeval with the discovery of the colonies;
for it is mentioned by some of the oldest writers upon the subject of
the West Indies, and is pointedly noticed by Père Labat, an author who
himself experienced an attack of it in the year 1694. Were it fit to
offer a conjecture with regard to its duration, I might suggest that, in
all probability, it will continue to prevail, so long as the hope of
riches shall impel the inhabitants of cold climates to pay their
devotions to Plutus, by a pilgrimage to tropical fields; unless these
fields shall be so improved, by tillage, as to deprive the fever of the
aliment necessary for its support.