Mr. Perry to Mr. Seward
Sir : I have to report that the cholera has broken out at Tunis and at several other points in the regency. It appeared several weeks ago in a mild form, and much doubt was entertained in regard to the nature of the disease. Physicians were apparently divided in opinion; some of them declaring the existence of the cholera, and others denying it. Whether these different representations arose from policy or from ignorance I am unable to say, but of late the distinctive features of the Asiatic have been daily manifested. Fear has come over the people lest the horrors of former years might be repeated here, and great numbers are hastening from the country, crowding the steamers to Italy, notwithstanding the quarantine of 15 days on their arrival there and of 21 days in Malta.
I am informed that many who are attacked by this disease recover; perhaps one-third of the number. Many die after five or six hours’ illness, while others linger along two or three days. Mere fright has caused some horrible scenes to be enacted. Four days ago a Jewish girl dropped upon the floor and was supposed to be dead, when forthwith, according to the custom of the place, she was borne to the cemetery for interment; but just as the bearers were letting her body descend into the grave she recovered her consciousness, and finally succeeded in walking back to her home.
There is great misery in the country in consequence of the failure of the crops and the bad state of the finances of the Bey; and now this epidemic falls with crushing weight upon the people and government. The number of reported deaths per day has not yet exceeded 30, and there is reason to hope and believe that the country is not destined to be ravaged this year as when this disease made its last visit here 17 years ago.
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Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.