Thomas Newton, Jr. to the Governor May 5, 1795

I have not as yet been able to hire a boat that I approve of for the quarantine business, but expect one from Hampton today or tomorrow, tho' I am almost of opinion the boat may be dispensed with altogether, as I have got the boat belonging to Fort Norfolk with the Doctor to board all vessels and bring them too under the guns of the Fort for examination. Doctor Brewster of the Artillerist, attends immediately as a vessel appears, with a crew that belongs to Fort Norfolk, without any expense to the state, and serves as a guard at the same time. I hope your Excellency will approve of this mode, as it saves much and answers all purposes. Doctor Brewster is also very attentive. Doctor Mortimer the last two years attended this business with care and attention, but to have the conveniency of the boat and hands of the fort, I thought it best to do as I have done in employing Doctor Brewster.
I shall make trial of a lookout boat a while, and if I find that we can do without one, and your Excellency approves of it, I will discharge her, and save the expense.
I have fixed on 20 days for a vessel to be from her port before she is allowed to come up, and by that time it she is infected, it will appear, but this rule will vary according to circumstances. The British ships are all gone out.
I am, &c.
At Philadelphia, the time fixed for healthy vessels is 25 days, as above.

 

Fort Norfolk Documents

Before 1794, 1794, 1795, 1796, 1797, 1798, 1799, 1800, 1801, 1802, 1803, 1804, 1805, 1806, 1807, 1808, 1809, 1810, 1811, 1812, 1813, 1814, 1815, 1816, 1817, 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, 1865

Source of Information

CALENDAR of VIRGINIA STATE PAPERS and OTHER MANUSCRIPTS, FROM JANUARY 1, 1794, TO MAY 16, 1795, PRESERVED IN THE CAPITOL AT RICHMOND. ARRANGED AND EDITED BY SHERWIN McRAE and RALEIGH COLSTON, UNDER THE AUTHORITY AND DIRECTION OF Hon. H. W. FLOUENOY, SECRETARY Of THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, AND STATE LIBRARIAN. VOLUME VII. RICHMOND: J. H. O.BANNON, SUPERINTENDENT PUBLIC PRINTING. 1888