The terror of the tents, or, Quarantine restrictions as imposed and enforced in Jamaica during the prevalence of small-pox, under so-called paternal government.

Date:
1872
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The terror of the tents, or, Quarantine restrictions as imposed and enforced in Jamaica during the prevalence of small-pox, under so-called paternal government. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by King’s College London. The original may be consulted at King’s College London.

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    Dr. Botverhank to the Colonial Secretaryt [Immediate.] Kingston, 30th July, 1872. Sir, In my letter of the 22nd iust. addressed to you, I respect- fully requested that if his Excellency had determined to institute no other inquiry, but such as had already been held by parties implicated by acts of omission and commis- sion in the abuses complained of, I might be informed of the same, in order that I might submit the correspondence which had passed, to persons in England interested in such matters. Well knowing that further delay is mischievous, and having received no answer to my communication of the 22ud inst.j or any acknowledgment to some four or five previous letters addressed to your office on this subject, I can only infer that it is neither his Excellency's intention to reply to my letters, or to hold any other inquiry into the alleged abuses. If such is really the case, I can only say I am sorry for it. At the same time, as I find the part I have taken in this very serious matter is being misrepresented, and doubt- less will be more so if no fair and open investigation takes place, and being conscious of having done my duty, and nothing but my duty, as a member of the community who has filled important positions of trust in it, and as a mem- ber of the medical profession, I feel bound, in justice to myself, to make known the part I have really taken ; and with this object I beg to inform you that it is my intention to publish the correspondence which has taken place be- tween us. Before doing so, however, I again beg most respectfully to assure his Excellency the Governor that I am prepared, before a fair and impartial commission, to prove by my own evidence, and that of other persons, the truth of every state- ment I have made relative to the improper and cruel treat- ment of Small-pox cases in the parish of St. Andrew's } and I again respectfully but solemnly protest against the reception of a denial of my statements, as made by into-
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