The following comparisons between St. Louis and several eastern cities, will afford some evidence of the opinions expressed above. I have remarked already, that 1821, was more sickly in St. Louis, than any preceding year, and deaths were more numerous in proportion to the population. Some cases of fever were more malignant in 1820, in that place, but deaths were more frequent the following season. I solemnized the marriage of a young lady of my acquaintance, who was under the age of fourteen years. In eight days she was a widow. At the funeral of a gentleman the same season, who left a widow under twenty years, there were present thirteen widows, all under twenty-four years of age, and all had lost their companions that season. Young men were victims more than any other age or condition. And yet I am prepared to show, that St. Louis, that summer, was not more sickly than several eastern cities were in 1820 and 1823.
The population of St. Louis in 1821, varied but little from 5,000; the number of deaths during that year was one hundred and thirty-six. This account was taken by the Rev. Salmon Giddings, who was particular in collecting the facts. The proportion of the deaths to the population was one to thirty-five.
In 1820, Boston contained a population of 43,893,—number of deaths 1,103; proportion one to thirty-nine and three fourths.
New-York the same year contained a population of 123,000,—deaths 3,515; being a proportion of one to a fraction less than thirty-five.
In Philadelphia, the population then was 108,000,—deaths 3,374; being a proportion of one to thirty-two.
Baltimore had a population of 62,000,—deaths 1,625; being a proportion of one to thirty-eight.
The aggregate population of these four cities in 1820, was 336,893; the aggregate number of deaths, 9,617; the proportion of one to thirty-five, the same as that of St. Louis.
In 1823.
Boston. Population estimated at 45,000; number of deaths by official returns, 1,154; the proportion of one to thirty-nine.
New-York. Population about 130,000,—deaths 3,444; proportion of one to thirty-seven and two thirds.