New York City Epidemic, 1702

Burning of Oyster Shells Banned

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Edward Lord Cornbury His Majesty's Capt. General and Governour in Chief of the Province of New-York, and Territories depending thereon in America, and Vice-Admiral of the same, &c.

A PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS sundry Persons within the City of New York have made a common Practice of heaping together great Quantities of Dead Oysters, as well as Oyster-shells, within the said City, and of burning the same there into Lime, the Nautious and Unwholesome Smoke and Smell whereof hath been enought a very great means and occasion of increasing the Malignant Distemper with which the Inhabitants of the said City have been and still are grievously visited and afflicted. In order therefore that so common a Nusance may be Removed, and the Mischiefs and inconveniencies thereof, by Gods Mercy, prevented. I have thought fit, by and with the Advice and Consent of Her Majesties Council for the said province, to Publish and Declare, That from and after the publication hereof still further Provision be made herein) No Person or Persons whatsoever do presume to lay together any Heap or Heaps of Dead Oysters or Oysters-Shells, or to burn the same at any Time or Times, Place or Places within the City aforesaid, or within a Mile of the City-Hall of the said City, upon Penalty of Five Pounds currant Money of New-York, to be paid by every person and persons Offending herein, for every Offence by them committed contrary to the Tenor hereof, to the Mayor of the said City of New York for the time being, and to come, who is hereby Impowered to Demand and Receive the same for the Use of the Poor of the laid said City. And the Mayor, Alder-man, Sheriff, Constables, and other Officers of the said City of New-York, for the time being and to some are hereby Required to take care that this Proclamation be in all things, according to the Purport hereof, effectually put in Execution, as they will answer for their Neglects at their Perils.

Given at Kings-Bridge the 17th Day of September, in the First Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lady ANNE, by the Grace of God of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, QUEEN, Defender of the Faith, &c. Anne Dem...........1702.

Cornbury.

God Save the Queen.

Printed and Sold by William Bradford, Printer to the Queens Most Excellent Majesty, in New-York.

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