More
of the Earthquake
Since the repeated shocks
we experienced during the preceding week (of which some
notice was taken in our last number) every mail has
brought various other accounts of this awful phenomenon,
as felt in different parts of the Western country. And, from what
we already see, there can be no doubt that, when future
mails shall arrive, this Earthquake will appear to have
extended, in various directions, over a great portion of
the continent. Different
conjectures are formed as to the quarter whence it
originated, but none of the proofs in which they rest
can be admitted as satisfactory criteria, since
it known that, according to the cavernous of other
structure of the region lying in its range, the
concussion will operate with a proportionate force, and
be sometimes rebutted so as to deceive the perception
with so apparently opposite direction of its course. Were we to
hazard a conjecture of our own, it would be, that the
convulsion had its source on the Missouri country; for
it well known to some, that, at the distance of about
1300 miles up that river, there exists a volcanic
mountain, lying ten computed leagues above its northern
bank, and which is frequently in a state of eruption and
it is from this cause that pumice stones are so often
found floating down that and the Mississippi River.
Earthquakes are commonly
classed as vertical and undulatory. The shocks of
the former have been observed to proceed by a noise
similar to that of carriages driven over a rough
pavement; of the latter, a noise has commonly, if not
always preceded them, resembling that of distant
thunder, or a storm of wind rushing through a forest. Persons of
observation in this place & concurrent testimony had
from elsewhere, sufficiently demonstrate (without
recurring to other facts) that at least the first shock
of the earthquake felt here and in many other places,
was preceded by the latter sound.
It was our intention to have detailed this week, the
substance of the several accounts we have received
from various parts concerning this extraordinary
Earthquake — but, from the press of matter, it is of
necessity reserved for our next; by which time we shall
doubtless, have additional facts to state.
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