1805 Thomas Jefferson - Yellow Fever

During the outbreak of Yellow Fever of 1793, it has been estimated that 5000 or one-tenth of Philadelphia's residents died from Yellow Fever during the outbreak. Several years later in 1805, Jefferson addressed the current yellow fever epidemic during his annual address to the nation. He urged the people to be on the side of caution and not panic. Jefferson commented that the great space between maritime cities and the agriculture heartland of the nation, as well as the cold winters would help to stem the tide of yellow fever.

"Although from these facts it appears unnecessary, yet to satisfy the fears of foreign nations and cautions on their part not to be complained of in a danger whose limits are yet unknown to them I have strictly enjoined on the officers at the head of the customs to certify with exact truth for every vessel sailing for a foreign port the state of health respecting this fever which prevails at the place from which she sails. Under every motive from character and duty to certify the truth, I have no doubt they have faithfully executed this injunction. Much real injury has, however, been sustained from a propensity to identify with this endemic and to call by the same name fevers of very different kinds, which have been known at all times and in all countries, and never have been placed among those deemed contagious."

Thomas Jefferson was not a big fan of regulation, he feared that the giving the power to decide what is right and wrong to congress would lead to tyranny. Yet he reluctantly put forth a set of health regulations to inspect every ship leaving for foreign shores. Without it, foreign countries would be fearful of trading with America.

"Although from these facts it appears unnecessary, yet to satisfy the fears of foreign nations and cautions on their part not to be complained of in a danger whose limits are yet unknown to them I have strictly enjoined on the officers at the head of the customs to certify with exact truth for every vessel sailing for a foreign port the state of health respecting this fever which prevails at the place from which she sails"

http://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/palitmap/YellowFever.html
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=29447
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8b/Andr%C3%A9_Mazet_tending_people_suffering_from_yellow_fever_in_th_Wellcome_V0010539.jpg