A narrative of the proceedings of the black people, during the late awful calamity in Philadelphia, in the year 1793: and a refutation of some censures, thrown upon them in some late publications / By A.J. and R.A.

Philadelphia : Printed for the authors, by William W. Woodward, at Franklin's head, no. 41, Chesnut-street, 1794.

28 pages ; (12mo)

Austin 1079

Austin, R.B. Early Amer. medical imprints, 1079

ESTC W28650

Evans, 27170

Sabin, 36442

"To Matthew Clarkson, esq. Mayor of the City of Philadelphia [with reply]": p. 21-23. "An address to those who keep slaves, and approve the practice": p. 23-26. "To the people of colour": p. 26-27. "A short address to the friends of him who hath no helper" [signed Absalom Jones, Richard Allen, followed by five stanzas of verse]: p. 27-28

The "publications" referred to in the title are those of Mathew Carey, and the writers take particular exception to the paragraph in his "Short account of the malignant fever, lately prevalent in Philadelphia " Phila., 1793, where he says "At an early stage of the disorder, the elders of the African church met, and offered their services to the mayor, to procure nurses for the sick, and to assist in burying the dead

Their offers were accepted; and Absalom Jones and Richard Allen undertook the former department, that of furnishing nurses, and William Gray, the latter--the interment of the dead. The great demand for nurses afforded an opportunity for imposition, which was eagerly seized by some of the vilest of the blacks ... But it is wrong to cast a censure on the whole for this sort of conduct, as many people have done. The services of Jones, Allen, and Gray, and others of their colour have been very great, and demand public gratitude"

Carey replied to this "Narrative" and to a criticism signed "Argus", in "Address of M. Carey to the public. [Philadelphia, 1794]" 8 p