Mr. Perry to Mr. Seward
Sir :In my last despatch, I reported that in addition to the miseries occasioned here by the failure of the crops for two successive years, the cholera had come to add its terrible inflictions. Since writing that letter this epidemic has [Page 105] extended over the regency and increased its force, taking the lives of many Europeans as well as natives of the country. Business has been of late, and is now to a considerable extent, suspended, and each person seems to be mainly solicitous in regard to his safety. Near me, one family of eight persons lost five of its members in three days; and another family of four persons was swept off in the course of five days. There is such a fear of the cholera as to invite its approach. The populace in their ignorance of sanitary rules often bring on death while trying to escape it. This morning I saw a robust Jew, 20 years of age, borne to his grave, who was only last evening boasting of his strength and fearlessness. There are several families in the city that encase themselves in their houses and treat everybody and thing outside as infected.
On the first appearance of the cholera the multitude crowded the steamers for Europe and flocked to the sea-shore, but the violence of the cholera on the sea-shore and in numerous villages soon drove back those who had resorted there for safety, and its appearance, attended with death, on board a crowded steamer bound for Leghorn, has checked the zeal to embark for Europe. The regular steamers have now for two weeks refused to take passengers, and it is only by chartering a special steamer that anyone can get away.
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Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.