James E. Harvey to A. D. Harrell, United States Steamer Kearsarge, Quarantine Ground, April 22, 1866

Mr. Harvey to Commander Harrell.

Sir: I have just now received your letter, bearing yesterday’s date, and shall present the subject to the notice of the minister of foreign affairs to-morrow morning.

The board of health is an organization almost entirely independent in its sphere, and its proceedings heretofore have frequently occasioned much embarrassment.

From a publication made yesterday in the Jornal do Commercio, and evidently upon the authority of the board of health, it would appear that it is really disposed to give free pratique immediately, but has been embarrassed by an alarm spread through the community of the presence of yellow fever on board the Kearsarge, occasioned by the ravages of that scourge here a few years ago, and the apprehension caused by the approach of the hot season.

It is impossible to reason with such a panic, and hence the difficulty which has occurred in releasing the ship from an enforced and unjust restraint.

I have felt an unaffected and earnest sympathy with the sad condition of your ship, and have endeavored, of my own accord, to disembarrass it, as far as possible, upon an imperfect knowledge of the facts. If the exact circumstances had been made known to me, as they are now, I should certainly, and at once, have exerted every effort to release the ship.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,