Savannah, Dec. 23, 1811
ST. LOUIS
Saturday, February 22
By a
gentleman just from Arkansas, by way of White river, we learn that the
earthquake was violent in that quarter that in upwards of 500 places he
observed coal and sand thrown up from fissures in the earth, that the waters
raised in a swamp near the Cherokee village, so as to drown a Mr. Carrin who
was travelling with his brother, the latter saved himself on a log. - In
other places the water fell, and in one instant it rose in a swamp near the
St. Francis 25 or 30 feet; Strawberry a branch of Black river, an eminence
about 1-1/2 acres sunk down and formed a pond.
The Earthquake noticed in
our list has been felt in various parts of the country. The paper from
Richmond, Falenton(?), Wilmington, Charleston and Savannah, mention the
phenomenon-- In Charleston, six distinct shocks were felt; the first and
most violent about 3 o'clock, and one minute and a half in duration. It was
very severe and alarming; indeed, the vibration was so great as to see some
of the church bells ringing- the pendulums of the clocks stopped, and the
picture glasses in many houses were broken.
Saturday, February 29, 1812
EARTHQUAKE
New Orleans, December 26
A letter from Fort Stoddert
mentions, that on the morning of the 16th past, two shocks of an earthquake
had been felt. This is precisely the time it was felt at Natchez. It is
evident that our being on an island and resting on the water, prevented us
from feeling part of the shocks.
Cape Girardeau, Feb. 15th, 1812
The
concussions of the earthquake still continue, the shock on the 23rd ult. was
more severe and larger than that of the 16th Dec. and the shock of the 7th
inst. was still more violent than any preceding, and lasted longer than
perhaps any on record, (from 10 to 15 minutes, the earth was not at rest for
one hour.) the ravages of this dreadful convulsion have nearly depopulated
the district of New Madrid, but few remain to tell the sad tale, the
inhabitants have fled in every direction. It has done considerable damage in
this place by demolishing chimnies, and cracking cellar walls. Some have
been driven from their houses, and a number are yet in tents. No doubt
volcanoes in the mountains of the west, which have been extinguished for
ages, are now opened.
Saturday, March 7, 1812
Orleans, January 13
THE EARTHQUAKE
By a gentleman who came on the Steam Boat we are informed
that this convulsion of nature, (the first, we believe that has ever been
felt on the Mississippi since the settlement of the country by the whites,)
has destroyed several islands in the Mississippi, and has thereby endangered
its navigation very considerably. He also states that it has sunk the land
in a number of places on the margin of the river.
Mr. Charless,
I here
give you an extract of a letter, dated Orleans January 16th, from my friend
John Bradbury. It will be found to contain some information relative to the
effects of the earthquake of 16th Dec. on the Mississippi river and its
banks; permit me to add that you have no information from any source which
can be more implicitly relied on.
Yours, H.W.D.
EXTRACT
"Our voyage
was from various causes tedious and disagreeable, we being 28 days from St.
Louis to this place, Mr. Comegys has fared worse, being two months. Our
progress was considerably impeded by an alarming and awful earthquake, such
as has not I believe, occurred, or at least has not been recorded in the
history of this country. The first shock which we experienced was about 2
o'clock on the morning of the 16th Dec. at which time our position was in
itself perilous, we being but a few hundred yards above a bad place in the
river, called the Devils Race Ground:* in our situation particularly, the
scene was terrible beyond description, our boat appeared as if alternately
lifted out of the water, and again suffered to fall. The banks above, below
and around us were falling every moment into the river, all nature seemed
running into chaos. The noise unconnected with particular objects, was the
noise of the most violent tempest of wind mixed with a sound equal to the
loudest thunder, but more hollow and vibrating. The crashing of falling
trees and the loud screeching of wild fowl made up the horrid concert. Two
men were sent on shore in order to examine the state of the bank to which we
were moored, who reported that a few yards from its summit, it was separated
from the shore by a chasm of more than 100 yards in length. Jos. Morin, the
patron, insisted on our all leaving the boat which he thought could not be
saved, and of landing immediately in order to save our lives: - this I
successfully combatted until another shock took place, about 3 o'clock, when
we all left the boat, went on shore and kindled a fire. Between the first
shock and daylight, we counted 27. As day broke we put off from the shore,
at which instant we experienced another shock, nearly as violent as the
first, by this the fright of the hands was so much increased, that they
seemed deprived of strength and reason: I directed Morin to land on a
sloping bank at the entrance of the Devil's Race Ground, intending to wait
there until the men should be refreshed with a good breakfast. While it was
preparing, we had three shocks, so strong as to make it difficult for us to
stand on our feet; at length recovered from our panic we proceeded; after
this we felt shocks during 6 days, but none to compare with those on the
memorable morning of the 16th. I made many and minute observations on this
earthquake, which if ever we meet, I will communicate to you, &c."
* 120
miles below N. Madrid
Extract of a letter from Orleans dated Feb. 11, to
a gentleman in this place.
"This city has experienced some slight
concussion of earthquake, particularly on the 9th, whilst a number of
persons were at the theatre and the ball, some of whom were much alarmed,
tho' the shock was not severe, nor had done any damage."
Saturday, March
14, 1812
The Earthquake of the 16th of December last was felt as far
North as Charlestown, New Hampshire.
Saturday, March 21, 1812
The
Indian mode of worship, as happened in consequence of the late Earthquakes.
This alarming phenomenon of nature struck with such consternation and
dismay, those tribes of Indians, that live within and contiguous to that
tract of country, on the Mississippi, where the severity of the earthquake
appears to have been the greatest, that they were induced to convene
together in order to consult upon the necessity of having recourse to some
method of relief, from so alarming an incident; when it was resolved to fall
upon the following expedient to excite the pity of the Great Spirit. [There
follows a description of the religious ceremony of the Shawnees.]
We are
informed from a respectable source that the old road to the post of
Arkansas, by Spring river, is entirely destroyed by the last violent shocks
of earthquake. Chasms of great depth and considerable length cross the
country in various directions, some swamps have become dry, others deep
lakes, and in some places hills have disappeared.
Pittsburgh, Feb. 14
On Friday morning the 7th inst. about 4 o'clock, a shock of an Earthquake
was severely felt in this town. The effects of this convulsion were much
more sensibly felt, than the one which happened on the 16th of December.
Many of the houses were violently shaken.
Saturday, April 18, 1812
Accounts from la Haut Missouri, announces a general peace among the Indians,
it is said that the earthquakes has created this pacification.
Saturday,
May 2, 1812
Slight shocks of Earthquake continue to be felt here. On
Wednesday night last, several who were awake declare, they felt a strong
vibration of the Earth.
THE LOUISIANA GAZETTE AND DAILY ADVERTISER (NEW
ORLEANS)
Saturday, December 21, 1811
No mail north of Natchez
yesterday. Letters from that city state that a small earthquake had been
felt there some days ago. From the principles of earthquakes we are
surprised it was not felt here. Earthquakes have generally been felt in
southern mountainous countries; sometimes located to a small portion of
country sometimes more extended. Different nations, near the Adriatic and
Mediterranean, have felt the shock of an earthquake at the same moment.
The Comet has been passing to the westward since it passed its perihelion -
perhaps it has touched the mountain of California, that has given a small
shake to this side of the globe - or the skake which the Natchezians have
felt may be a mysterious visitation from the Author of all nature, on them
for their sins - wickedness and the want of good faith have long prevailed
in that territory.
Sodom and Gomorrha would have been saved had three
righteous persons been found in it - we therefore hope that Natchez
Thursday, December 26, 1811
A letter from Fort Stoddert mentions, that on
the morning of the 16th inst. two shocks of an earthquake had been felt.-
This is precisely the time it was felt at Natchez. It is evident that our
being our island and resting as it were on the water, prevented us from
feeling part of the shock.
Tuesday, December 31, 1811
From the Natchez
Weekly Chronicle
THE EARTHQUAKE - A hasty Sketch
Natchez, Dec. 18th,
1811
Sir,
Having made a few observations with respect to the
Earthquake, which has drawn the attention of the citizens of this place and
its vicinity within a few days past, I present them, to you thrown together
in a hasty way for publication, if you think fit, under the impression that
they may not be uninteresting to your readers.
On the morning of Monday
last the 16th inst. several shocks were felt - four have been ascertained by
an accurate observer to have been felt in this city. The principal one, as
near as can be collected, was about ten minutes past two o'clock, A.M. There
was no noise heard in the atmosphere but in a few instances in certain
situations-- The shock was attended by a tremulous motion of the earth and
buildings - felt by some for about one and a half minutes; by others about
five; and my own impression is, that I am conscious of its lasting at least
three, having been awakened from my sleep. Several clocks were stopped at
two or about ten minutes after. Several articles were thrown off the
shelves; crockery was sent rolling about the floor; articles suspended from
the ceiling of the stores vibrated rapidly without any air to disturb them,
for about nine inches; the plastering in the rooms of some houses was
cracked and injured; the river was much convulsed, so much that it induced
some of the boatmen at the landing, who supposed the bank was falling in, to
cut adrift. The shocks in the morning were at about six or half after, one
of them considerable. The vibration of suspended articles was, whenever room
would admit them, east to west. Accounts from Louisiana state, that the
first shock was felt about ten minutes past 2, A.M. at Black river, thirty
miles distant, and at different places on the road to Rapids, where the
trees were violently agitated. It was also felt on the river at a
considerable distance above and below Vidalia. - The shock was also felt as
far up as the Big Black, and at the different intervening towns; in the
vicinity of Washington the trees were observed to be much convulsed, nodding
their heads together as if coming to the ground.
Another shock was
experienced yesterday of fifteen minutes past eleven o'clock, A.M. The
houses in several instances shook considerably, and the suspended articles
in the stores were violently convulsed. Some clocks were again stopped, and
in one of the stores a cowbell was heard to tinkle.
AN OBSERVER
Tuesday, January 14, 1812
The earthquake that was felt at Natchez on the
16th of December, has been severely felt above and below the mouth of the
Ohio - we may expect detailed accounts of the damages soon. Travelers who
have descended the river since, generally agree that a succession of shocks
were felt for six days; that the river Mississippi was much agitated; that
it frequently rose 3 and 4 feet, and fell again immediately; and that whole
islands and parts of islands in the river sunk.
Monday, January 20, 1812
We have the following description of the Earthquake from gentlemen who were
on board a large barge, and lay an anchor in the Mississippi a few leagues
below New Madrid, on the night of the 15th of December. About 2 o'clock all
hands were awakened by the first shock; the impression was, that the barge
had dragged her anchor and was grounding on gravel; such, were the feelings
for 60 or 80 seconds, when the shock subsided. The crew were so fully
persuaded of the fact of their being aground, that they put out their
sounding poles, but found water enough.
At seven next morning a second
and very severe shock took place. The barge was under way - the river rose
several feet; the trees on the shore shook; the banks in large columns
tumbled in; hundreds of old trees that had lain perhaps half a century at
the bottom of the river, appeared on the surface of the water; the feathered
race took to the wing; the canopy was covered with geese and ducks and
various other kinds of wild fowl; very little wind; the air was tainted with
a nitrous and sulphureous smell; and every thing was truly alarming for
several minutes. The shocks continued to the 21st Dec. during that time
perhaps one hundred were distinctly felt. From the river St. Francis to the
Chickasaw bluffs visible marks of the earthquake were discovered; from that
place down, the banks did not appear to have been disturbed.
There is one
part of this description which we cannot reconcile with philosophic
principles, (although we believe the narrative to be true,) that is, the
trees which were settled at the bottom of the river appearing on the
surface. It must be obvious to every person that those trees must have
become specifically heavier than the water before they sunk, and of course
after being immersed in the mud must have increased in weight. - We
therefore submit the question to the Philosophical Society.
Tuesday,
January 21, 1812
The earthquake was felt at Pittsburg, Richmond, Norfolk,
Raleigh, and various other parts of the United Sates.
Friday, January 24,
1812
A slight shock of an earthquake was felt in this city yesterday
morning, about nine o'clock. The wind was from the southward, light and
gentle, and the morning fine-- it lasted but few seconds & but few felt it.
At that time all is bustle in the city - but many proofs, such as clocks
stopping, glass shades, and different kinds of glass ware and crockery
shaking, the feelings of many who were either writing or reading, prove the
fact. We may expect to hear more on the subject from the northward &
eastward
THE PITTSBURGH GAZETTE
Friday, December 20, 1811
On Monday
morning last, about three o'clock, the citizens of this town were greatly
alarmed by the shock of an Earthquake; a number of persons from the shaking
of their houses, were so much alarmed as to jump out of bed. About 7
o'clock, the same morning, there was another shock, though not so evident as
the first.
Friday, December 27, 1811
By accounts from Meadville, and
Waterford, we are informed, that severe shocks of an earthquake were felt at
those places on Monday morning the 16th inst. at the same time of those
experienced here. At Meadville, the one which happened at 3 o'clock was so
sensibly felt, that many persons were awaken by the rocking of their beds,
and the trea - - ious motion continued from 10 to 15 minutes - the one at 8
o'clock was nearly as severe, but did not continue so long - the top of the
trees in the town were seen to vibrate for about a minute, and the puddles
of water in the streets appeared in waves as if a sudden blast of wind had
passed over them. On Tuesday about the middle of the day, a third shake was
felt, but was slighter than the others.
Friday, January 31, 1812
THE
EARTHQUAKE
Extract of a letter from a gentleman on his way to New
Orleans, to a friend in this place (Lexington, Ky.) - dated 20th December.
"We entered the Mississippi on the morning of the 14th, and on the night of
the 15th came to anchor on a sand bar, about ten miles above the Little
Prairie - half past 2 o'clock in the morning of the 16th, we were aroused
from our slumber by a violent shaking of the boat - there were three barges
and two keels in company, all effected the same way. The alarm was
considerable and various opinions as to the cause were suggested, all found
to be erroneous; but after the second shock, which occurred in 15 minutes
after the first, it was unanimously admitted to be an earthquake. With most
awful feelings we watched till morning in trembling anxiety, supposing all
was over with us. We weighed anchor early in the morning, and in a few
minutes after we started there came on in quick successions, two other
shocks, more violent than the former. It was then daylight, and we could
plainly perceive the effect it had on shore. The bank of the river gave way
in all directions, and came tumbling into the water; the trees were more
agitated than I ever before saw them in the severest storms, and many of
them from the shock they received broke off near the ground, as well as many
more torn up by the roots. We considered ourselves more secure on the water,
than we should be on land, of course we proceeded down the river. As we
progressed the effects of the shock as before described, were observed in
every part of the banks of the Mississippi. In some places five, ten and
fifteen acres have sunk down in a body, even the Chickasaw Bluffs, which we
have passed, did not escape; one or two of them have fallen in considerably.
The inhabitants of the Little Prairie and its neighborhood all deserted
their homes, and retired back to the hills or swamps. The only brick chimney
in the place was entirely demolished by the shocks. I have not yet heard
that any lives were lost, or accident of consequence happened. I have been
twice on shore since the first shock, and then but a very short time, as I
thought it unsafe, for the ground is cracked and torn to pieces in such a
way as made it truly alarming; indeed some of the islands in the river that
contained from one to two hundred acres of land have been nearly all sunk,
and not one yet that I have seen but is cracked from one end to the other,
and has lost some part of it.
There has been in all forty-one shocks,
some of them have been very light; the first one took place at half past 2
on the morning of the 16th, the last one at eleven o'clock this morning,
(20th) since I commenced writing this letter. The last one I think was not
as severe as some of the former, but it lasted longer than any of the
preceding; I think it continued nearly a minute and a half. Exclusive of the
shocks that were made sensible to us in the water, there have been, I am
induced to believe, many others, as we frequently heard a rumbling noise at
a distance when no shock to us was perceptible. I am the more inclined to
believe these were shocks, from having heard the same kind of rumbling with
the shocks that affected us. There is one circumstance that has occurred,
which if I had not seen with my own eyes, I could hardly have believed;
which is, the rising of the trees that lie in the bed of the river. I
believe that every tree that has been deposited in the bed of the river
since Noah's flood, now stands erect out of the water; some of these I saw
myself during one of the hardest shocks rise up eight or ten feet out of
water. The navigation has been rendered extremely difficult in many places
in consequence of the snags being so extremely thick. From the long
continuance and frequency of these shocks, it is extremely uncertain when
they will cease; and if they have been as heavy at New Orleans as we have
felt them, the consequences must be dreadful indeed; and I am fearful when I
arrive at Natchez to hear that the whole city of Orleans is entirely
demolished, and perhaps sunk.
Immediately after the first shock and those
which took place after daylight, the whole atmosphere was impregnated with a
sulphurous smell."
Friday, February 7, 1812
EARTHQUAKE
New Orleans,
December 26.
A letter from Fort Stoddert mentions, that on the morning of
the 16th inst. two shocks of an earthquake had been felt. This is precisely
the time it was felt at Natchez. It is evident that our being on an island
and resting on the water, prevented us from feeling part of the shock.
Fort St. Stephens, December 24.
On Sunday night the 15th inst. the earth
shook here so as to shake the fowls off their roosts, and made the houses
shake very much, again it shook at sunrise and at 11 o'clock next morning,
and at the same time the next day, and about the same time the third day
after.
Accounts are brought in from the nation that several hunting
Indians who were lately on the Missouri have returned, and state that the
earthquake was felt very sensibly there, that it shook down trees and many
rocks of the mountains, and that everything bore the appearance of an
immediate dissolution of the world! - We give this as we got it - it may be
correct - but the probability is that it is not.
Clarion
Friday,
February 14, 1812
Nashville, (Ten.) January 21
Earthquake
From Mr.
James Fletcher, in whose statement we place the utmost reliance we have
received the following narrative: - At the Little Prairie, (a beautiful spot
on the west side of the Mississippi river about 30 miles from New-Madrid),
on the 16th of December last, about 2 o'clock, A.M., we felt a severe
concussion of the earth, which we supposed to be occasioned by a distant
earthquake, and did not apprehend much damage. Between that time and day we
felt several other slighter shocks; about sunrise another very severe one
came on, attended with a perpendicular bouncing that caused the earth to
open in many places - some eight and ten feet wide, numbers of less width,
and of considerable length - some parts have sunk much lower than others,
where one of these large openings are, one side remains as high as before
the shock and the other is sunk; some more, some less; but the deepest I saw
was about twelve feet. The earth was, in the course of fifteen minutes after
the shock in the morning, entirely inundated with water. The pressing of the
earth, if the expression be allowable, caused the water to spout out of the
pores of the earth, to the height of eight or ten feet! We supposed the
whole country sinking, and knew not what to do for the best. The agitation
of the earth was so great that it was with difficulty any could stand on
their feet, some could not - The air was very strongly impregnated with a
sulphurous smell. As if by instinct, we flew as soon as we could from the
river, dreading most danger there - but after rambling about two or three
hours, about two hundred gathered at Capt. Francis Lescuer's, where we
encamped, until we heard that the upper country was not damaged, when I left
the camp (after staying there twelve days) to look for some other place, and
was three days getting about thirty miles, from being obliged to travel
around those chasms.
Previous to my leaving the country I heard that many
parts of the Mississippi river had caved in; in some places several acres at
the same instant. But the most extraordinary effect that I saw was a small
lake below the river St. Francis. The bottom of which is blown up higher
than any of the adjoining country, and instead of water it is filled with a
beautiful white sand. The same effect is produced in many other lakes, or I
am informed by those who saw them; and it is supposed they are generally
filled up. A little river called Pemisece, that empties into the St.
Francis, and runs parallel with the Mississippi, at the distance of about
twelve miles from it, is filled also with sand. I only saw it near its bend,
and found it to be so, and was informed by respectable gentlemen who had
seen it lower down, that it was positively filled with sand. On the sand
that was thrown out of the lakes and river lie numerous quantities of fish
of all kinds common to the country.
The damage to stock, &c. was unknown.
I heard of only two dwelling houses, a granary, and smoke house, being sunk.
One of the dwelling houses was sunk twelve feet below the surface of the
earth; the other the top was even with the surface. The granary and smoke
house were entirely out of sight; we suppose sunk and the earth closed over
them. The buildings through the country are much damaged. We heard of no
lives being lost, except seven Indians, who were shaken into the
Mississippi. - This we learned from one who escaped.
Previous to the
shocks coming on, we heard a rumbling noise like that of thunder. They
continued until I left the country - some very sincere. - I cannot tell how
many there were.
The above account is confirmed by letters from the
country. A gentleman attempting to pass from Cape Girardeau to the pass of
St. Francis, found the earth so much cracked and broke, that it was
impossible to get along. The course must be about 50 miles back of the
Little Prairie. Others have experienced the same difficulty in getting
along, and at times had to go miles out of their way to shun those chasms.
We have no idea that the principal cause of the shocks originated on the
Mississippi - we have not yet heard the worse."
Friday, February 14, 1812
On Friday morning, the 7th inst. about 4 o'clock, a shock of an earthquake
was severly felt in this town. The effects of the convulsion were much more
sensibly felt, than the one which happened on the 16th of December. Many of
the houses were violently shaken.
Friday, February 21, 1812
The
following extract, taken from a letter received from Mr. Zadock Cramer, to
his friend in this place, dated Natchez, Jan. 23, 1812 serves to corroborate
the account hitherto received besides noting other remarkable phenomena in
nature, with which we have not before become acquainted.
"This morning at
eight o'clock, another pretty severe shock of an earthquake was felt. Those
on the 16th ult. and since done much damage on the Mississippi river, from
the mouth of the Ohio to Little Prairie particularly. Many boats have been
lost, and much property sunk. The banks of the river, in many places, sunk
hundreds of acres together, leaving the tops of the trees to be seen above
the water. The earth opened in many places from one to three feet wide,
through whose fissures stone coal was thrown up in pieces as large as a
man's hand. The earth rocked - trees lashed their tops together. The whole
seemed in convulsions, throwing up sand bars here, there sinking others,
trees jumping from the bed of the river, roots uppermost, forming a most
serious impediment to navigation, where before there was no obstruction -
boats rocked like cradles - men, women and children confused, running to and
fro and hallooing for safety - those on land pleading to get into the boats
- those in boats willing almost to be on land. This damning and distressing
scene continued for several days, particularly at and above Flour island.
The long reach now, though formerly the best part of the river is said to be
the worst being filled with innumerable planters and sawyers which have been
thrown up from the bed by the extraordinary convulsions of the river. Little
Prairie, and the country about it, suffered much - new lakes having been
formed, and the bed of old ones raised to the elevation of the surface of
the adjacent country. All accounts of those who have descended the river
since the shocks give the most alarming and terrific picture of the
desolating and horrible scene."
Friday, March 13, 1812
Mississippi
River, Natchez
February 18, 1812
Messrs. Cramer, Spear & Eichbaum
Printers, Pittsburgh
Gentlemen:
Your being editors of the useful
guide, the Ohio and Mississippi Navigator, induces me, for the sake of the
western country traders to inform you as early as in my power the wonderful
changes for the worse in some parts of the Mississippi river, occasioned by
the dreadful earthquake which happened on the morning of the 16th of
December last, and which has continued to shake almost every day since. As
to its effects on the river I found but little from the mouth of Ohio to New
Madrid, from which place to the Chickasaw Bluffs, or Fort Pickering, the
face of the river is wholly changed, particularly from Island No. 30, to
island No. 40; (see page 185) this part of the river burst and shook up
hundreds of great trees from the bottom, and what is more singular they are
all turned roots upwards and standing upstream in the best channel and
swiftest water, and nothing but the greatest exertions of the boatmen can
save them from destruction in passing those places. I should advise all
those concerned to be particular in approaching Island No. 32, where you
must warp through a great number, and when past them, bear well over from
the next right hand point for fear of being drawn into the right schute of
Flour Island, Island 33, which I should advise against, as that pass is
become very dangerous unless in very high water. Two boats from Little
Beaver are lately lost, and several much injured in that pass this season.
Boats should hug the left shore where there is but few sawyers, and good
water and fine landing on the lower point of the island, from there the next
dangerous place is the Devil's Race Ground, Island No. 36, (page 187). Here
I would advise boats never to pass to the left of the island and by all
means to keep close to the right hand point, and then close round the
sandbar on the lower end of the schute is very dangerous and the gap so
narrow that boats can scarcely pass without being dashed on some of the
snags, and should you strike one you can scarcely extricate yourself before
you receive some injury. From this scene you have barely time to breathe and
refresh, before you arrive at the Devil's Elbow, alias the Devil's Hackle,
Islands No. 38 and 39 (p. 188) by far the worst of all; in approaching this
schute you must hug close around the left hand point until you come in sight
of the sand bar whose head has the appearance of an old field full of trees,
then pull for the island to keep clear of these, and pass through a small
schute, leaving all the island sawyers to the right, and take care not to
get too near them, for should you strike the current is so rapid it will be
with great difficulty you will be able to save, your boat and cargo.
I
shall advise all those descending the river not to take the right hand of
Island No. 38, as it appears entirely choked up with drift and rafts of
sawyers. When through these bad places the worst is over, only fuller of
snags, but mind well the directions in the Navigator and there will be no
danger. Run the Grand Cut-off No. 55, (p. 192) in all stages of the water,
and hug close the right hand point, this pass is good. Take the left of St.
Francis No. 59, left of No. 62, right of large sand bar and Island No. 63,
and right of No. 76, in all the different stages of the water. All these
channels are much the best and safest. Should this be the means of saving
one boat load of provisions to an industrious citizen, how amply shall I
feel rewarded for noting this, whilst with gratitude I acknowledge the
obligation we as boatmen are under to you for your useful guide, that
excellent work the Ohio and Mississippi Navigator, much to be valued for its
accuracy and geographical account of this immense country.
I have the
honor to be, gentlemen, your sincere friend and humble servant.
James
Smith
Friday, April 10, 1812
"SIGNS OF THE TIMES"
Has such a
succession of Earthquakes as have happened within a few weeks been
experienced in this country five years ago, they would have excited
universal terror. The extent of territory which has been shaken, nearly at
the same time, is astonishing - reaching on the Atlantic coast from
Connecticut to Georgia and from the shores of the ocean inland to the State
of Ohio. What power short of Omnipotence, could raise and shake such vast
portion of this globe? What a tremendous natural agent must have ( sed) to
produce such mighty effects as stated that in North Carolina a volcano has
appeared, and that in an eruption a few days since, a flood of lava poured
out which ran to the distance of three quarters of a mile. - The period is
portentous and alarming. We have within a few years seen the most wonderful
eclipses, the year past has produced a magnificent comet, the earthquakes
within the past two months have been almost without number - and in addition
to the whole, we constantly "hear of wars and summons of wars." May not the
same enquiry be made of us that was made by the hypocrites of old - "Can ye
not discern the signs of the times."
(Connecticut Mirror)
PENNSYLVANIA
GAZETTE (PHILADELPHIA)
Wednesday, December 25, 1811
Richmond, (Vir.)
Dec. 16.
An earthquake was witnessed by many people in the city - about
three o'clock in the morning there were three successive shocks; another
about 6; and again about 8. Several persons were under a persuasion that
thieves had broken into their houses; and in one of the most elevated houses
of the city, the bells, both above and below, were set a ringing.
Norfolk, December 16.
This morning two distinct shocks of an earthquake
were felt in this place: The first, and (according to most accounts) the
most violent, was about 3 o'clock. It was so severe as to awaken a number of
persons out of their sleep. The shock, at two very short intervals, might
have continued about a minute. The shaking of the beds is described as if a
strong man had taken hold on the posts, and shook them with all the violence
in his power. Several clocks were stopped. The houses were shaking with
great violence. Again about eight o'clock another shock was felt by a great
number of persons, as many had risen; this was also very violent. The most
sensible effect produced by this, that we have yet learned, was that of
throwing a pipe of wine off the skids, in a warehouse, in Commerce street.