Part 17 (1/2)
On March 28, 1788, Dr. d.i.c.k was offering a reward of eight dollars for a runaway servant:
I will give the above to any person who will secure in Alexandria Gaol a Negro fellow named Ned, who ran away from me about three weeks ago. He is between thirty and forty years of age, about 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high and was formerly the property of Mrs. Clifford of whom I bought him. Having a wife in Maryland, belonging to Mr. Samuel H.
Bean, I imagine Ned will be inclined to make a nightly resort to her quarters. His winter clothes were made of a mixed cloth of a gray color and it is probable he will be found with a soldier's old napsack upon his back in which he carries his provisions.
Dr. d.i.c.k was one of the founders of the Alexandria Masonic lodge, to which Was.h.i.+ngton belonged. In 1791 he was Wors.h.i.+pful Master when the cornerstone of the District of Columbia was laid. Arm in arm with the President of the United States, who acted as Master, Dr. d.i.c.k led the procession with George Was.h.i.+ngton in 1793 at the laying of the cornerstone of the Capitol. This same year, as Master of the lodge, he solicited the President to ”set” for the portrait by William Williams, which still graces the lodge room. In 1794 he commanded a company of cavalry raised in Alexandria and under ”Light Horse Harry” Lee marched into Pennsylvania to help quell the famous Whiskey Rebellion. In 1795 he was superintendent of quarantine, an office he held for many years. In 1798 he was appointed coroner; in 1802, justice of the peace.
Dr. d.i.c.k ama.s.sed a great deal of property and was constantly buying and selling land, houses, s.h.i.+ps, and so on. In April 1797 he disposed of the brig _Julia_ to Robert Mease for ten thousand dollars, ”with all her rigging and materials, together with the cargo of flour and corn now on board as she lies at Ramsay's Wharf in the Port of Alexandria.”[143]
Two letters to the governor, written during his service as quarantine officer reveal the fact that he was alert to his responsibilities and give some idea of how grave they were:
Alexandria 4th Sept, 1795
Hon Robert Brooke Sir:
Having received from various persons pretty certain information that a malignant fever is now prevalent in the town of Norfolk, I take the liberty of soliciting your instructions with regard to the propriety of interrupting the intercourse by water between that place and this.
The inhabitants of Alexa. discover considerable signs of apprehension, and the corporation have entered into some temporary arrangements until more permanent ones can be obtained.
I have not yet received a compensation for the last year on account of my services as Superintendent of quarantine. Such sum as you may think me ent.i.tled to for last year as well as the percent you will oblige me by placing in the hands of Mr. Thomas Majore [?] subject to the order of Mr. Charles Turner of this place.
I am with great regard Your Excellys Obed Servt
ELISHA C. d.i.c.k
Alexander, 24th July 1800
Hon James Monroe Sir:
The s.h.i.+p Two Brothers on her voyage from New Orleans to this point having put into Charleston S.C. there contracted the yellow fever or some other infectious disease, by which two of her crew have died.
Exercising a discretionary power given by the quarantine laws to the Superintendant, I have caused this s.h.i.+p to commence her quarantine near this place between Rozins Bluff and Jones Point. As the removal of vessels from this port to the mouth of Elizabeth River has been found to be attended with considerable inconvenience, the Executors have hitherto authorized me to use the situation above mentioned as the anchorage ground for all vessels bound here. I shall thank you sir for such instruction as you may deem it advisable to communicate on this subject, as well with regard to my present and future government.
I have the honor to be with the highest regard
Your obed. servt.
ELISHA C. d.i.c.k Superintend. of quar.
Port of Alexa.
In 1801 Dr. d.i.c.k was declared bankrupt, but in 1811 he was setting free his Negro slave, Nancy, aged about forty. During these years he tended the sick (a bill for sixty-five dollars was tendered to John Harper's widow in 1804), fought the plague and fever, epidemics, and prescribed for his friends with time out for a song or a sketch. His copy of James Sharples' George Was.h.i.+ngton, now in the Mount Vernon collection, is a competent, artistic portrait. He was fond of good food, good talk, people and music. His genial spirit and charming wit graced many a festive board, and that he was hospitable as well needs no further proof than the following invitation:
If you can eat a good fat duck, come up with us and take pot luck. Of white backs we have got a pair, so plump, so sound, so fat, so fair, a London Alderman would fight, through pies and tarts to get one bite. Moreover we have beef or pork, that you may use your knife and fork. Come up precisely at two o'clock, the door shall open to your knock. The day 'tho wet, the streets 'tho muddy, to keep out the cold we'll have some toddy. And if perchance, you should get sick, you'll have at hand, Yours,
E.C. d.i.c.k[144].
Surely this friendly medical advice is well worth including in any sketch of Dr. d.i.c.k. A mature physician, he wrote to James H. Hooe:
Alexandria 20 of 2nd Month 1815
Respected friend: