symptoms of the Harrisburg disease, nor were they the same in all that were sick; but a general one was, an affection of the stomach, or nausea, with violent retchings, and a yellowness of the skin. Some were ill a week, some longer, some died in two or three days from the time of their being seized, and others who were walking about with symptoms only of the ague, suddenly took ill and expired. The black vomit, which has some time been supposed peculiar to the yellow fever, appeared in some cases. I was attacked with a quartan ague about the middle of September, but had none of the grievous symptoms of the malignant fever which prevailed.

"The matter which produces ague, i. e., miasmata, caused by vapors from low and marshy situations and waters, rendered baneful from certain adventitious circumstances, may be pronounced to be the support or aliment of all diseases, more particularly of the latter, perhaps, when the exhalations are rendered more than commonly noxious, from the general state of the atmosphere-this cause existed at Harrisburg. A mill-dam had been erected the season before on the Paxton, rather a turbid and sluggish stream, within five or six hundred yards of the middle of the town, on its eastern side. The obstruction must have spread the water over a surface of from eight to ten acres; and this, co-operating with a state of the atmosphere, unusually morbid this season in such situations, may fully account for the fear which prevailed.

"In the fall of the year 1792, there were some cases of it, and still more in that of 1794, equally malignant, after which the mill-dam was removed. I have been the more particular on this subject, though without being able to offer anything satisfactory, from knowing it to have been a matter of some interest with the physicians of Philadelphia to ascertain the nature of the Harrisburg disease, thence to deduce data towards the solution of the question, whether the yellow fever, as appearing in our cities, be, or not, a malady of exclusively foreign origin."

The "Oracle of Dauphin," printed here at the time, contains a number of spirited communications upon the mill-dam troubles.

* * * *

One writer, in alluding to the tender of the terms of sale demanded by the Landis' a year previous, says: "Should they (Landis') refuse to accept them now, there cannot be a doubt but that we shall be fully justified, both upon the principles of law and justice, in prostrating the dam. As to those persons who may refuse to contribute, in proportion to their ability, to do away with this dreadfully destructive nuisance, I hope their fellow-citizens will have spirit enough solemnly to agree to have no kind of dealings with them, and (as far as in them lies) by all just means to oblige them to leave the town, and make room for others who may have more sense than humanity."

Another writer says: "Fellow-citizens, you have acted justly, and you have acted with patience, in offering to pay the man's price before you came to the resolution of destroying this reservoir of contagion. * * * Go on, gentlemen, in an undertaking which is founded in such justice; make up the £2600, and tender it according to the man's terms; and if he does not receive it, have respect for yourselves, for your families, and for your solemn resolution-TEAR DOWN THE MILL DAM!"

The editor of the "Oracle" wrote as follows: "On Thursday last, a committee appointed by the citizens of Harrisburg waited on Abram Landis and Peter Landis, and tendered the whole demand they made last year for the mill, with its appurtenances, agreeable to the terms they had proposed, but they now thought proper to require a much greater sum; wherefore, apprehending that the owners of the said mill intended, through the distressing calamities thought to be occasioned by the mill-dam, to extort an enormous price from the people for the enjoyment of health, by the unreasonable sum now demanded for the mill, they did almost unanimously proceed, on Saturday afternoon last,

to take down and destroy that intolerable nuisance which has for three years past rendered this borough a mere hospital and graveyard; and therefore it is now hoped that, under the blessing of Divine Providence, this once flourishing place may be restored to its former state of healthineus and prosperity."

FIRST NEWSPAPER IN HARRISBURG.

The first newspaper printed in Harrisburg was established in 1791, by Mr. John Wyeth, father of the Messrs. Wyeth still residing here. It was called "The Oracle of Dauphin, and Harrisburg Advertiser," and was published every Monday, in Mulberry street, at fifteen shillings per annum. It was a common folio, and its pages measured 17 by 9 inches, containing three columns each. We have before us several bound files of this paper from 1794 to 1802, from which we extract a number of items that will be read now with interest.

THE "WHISKEY INSURRECTION"-UNITED STATES TROOPS AT HARRISBURG.

1794, Sept.-"On Friday, three companies of horse, containing in all 130, arrived from Philadelphia, the whole under the command of Capt. John Dunlap. The company of light dragoons, commanded by Capt. John Irwin, of this town; the corps of light infantry, commanded by Capt. George Fisher, with the most distinguished officers of the county, were paraded all in complete uniform, in order to receive them. After the usual ceremonies, the dragoons dismounted to refresh themselves, and yesterday morning they proceeded to Carlisle."

"Tuesday last, passed through this place, on their way to Gen. Wayne's army, about 80 regular troops, commanded by Captain Lyman. They were from the State of Massachusetts, and in good spirits."

"Thursday evening, arrived here from New Jersey, under the command of Richard Howell, Esq., Governor of that State, about 370 dragoons, completely mounted and equipped-all volunteers. It raining very rapidly on their arrival, the citizens of Harrisburg, with their usual degree of affection to the sons of liberty and patriotism, voluntarily opened their doors for their reception. The next morning they crossed the Susquehanna, on their way to Carlisle, after expressing their satisfaction in the following manner :

'The commander of the Jersey militia detachment feels himself bound to acknowledge the politeness of the citizens of Harrisburg to his company, and requests that their gratitude and his own, joined with the highest respect, may be signified in a proper manner.

HARRISBURG, Sept. 25, 1794.''

RICHARD HOWELL, Commandant Jersey detachment.

"HARRISBURG, Dec. 1, 1794.-On Tuesday last, arrived in town from the westward, Capt. M'Pherson's company of Blues, belonging to Philadelphia, and the next morning proceeded homeward.

"And on Saturday last, Brigadier General Proctor's brigade also arrived, and this morning early marched for their respective homes.

"Col. Chambers' brigade, we hear, will also arrive this day or to-morrow, with one hundred prisoners."

VOLUNTEERS FROM HARRISBURG CALLED INTO SERVICE DURING THE INSURRECTION.

The following is a list of the companies composing the second Pennsylvania regiment, ordered into service by Presiden Washington during the "Whiskey Insurrection." The regiment was composed principally of citizens of Harrisburg and vicinity.

Regimental Officers.-Lieutenant Colonel, Thomas Forster; Major, Frederick Hummel; Paymaster, John Brown; Sergeant Major, Philip Stoher.

Infantry.-Captain Wallace's company, composed of 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 1 ensign, 4 sergeants, 2 corporals, and 32 privates-served 1 month and 20 days.

Riflemen.-Captain Ainsworth's company, composed of 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 1 ensign, 2 sergeants, 1 corporal, and 19 privates--served 1 month and 20 days.

Captain Devin's company, composed of 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 1 ensign, 4 sergeants, 4 corporals, and 30 privates-served 1 month and 20 days.

The above list of companies is taken from the advertisement of the paymaster of the troops, published in the "Oracle of Dauphin," in January, 1795. It is presumed that the compa nies named were only mustered into the service of the United States, but did not march to the scene of the rebellion.

A company of volunteers, however, from this place, commanded by Capt. George Fisher, father of J. Adams Fisher, Esq., actually marched as far as Carlisle on their way to the seat of the rebellion. At Carlisle, Capt. Fisher was elected Major of the battalion of troops from this and adjoining counties.

GEN. WASHINGTON IN HARRISBURG.

"On Friday last, (October 3, 1794,) the President of the United States arrived in town. The pleasure excited in beholding, for the first time, our beloved chief in this borough, is not easily described. The following address was delivered to him by the Burgesses, in behalf of the town:

To his Excellency George Washington, President of the United States of America:

SIR: We, the Burgesses and citizens of Harrisburg, while we rejoice in the opportunity of presenting our respects to