“For the Argus”

Date

2-13-1812

Newspaper

Virginia Argus

Page and Column

Page 2, column 2 and 3

Newspaper Location

Richmond, Virginia

Serial Number

1063

Abstract

Long account on earthquake theory and origins.

Transcript

FOR THE ANGUS. A Few Hasty hints on Earthquakes, &c. Among the phenomena calculated to strike terror into the human mind, earthquakes and volcanoes occupy a conspicuous rank. Yet, some acquaintance with the general laws by which the physical world is governed will serve to diminish, if not our fears, at least, our wonder. Let us first enquire into the mast probable causes of those terrific, and often devastatory, occurrences- The ancient Babylonians ascribed earthquakes to the influence of the celestial bodies. It is scarcely necessary to show the absurdity of such an idea. Let it suffice to observe, that effects produced by the planets, or other heavenly bodies, upon the earth, must unavoidably be general, and that earthquakes are felt only in particular places; and here I speak of effects in which motion is concerned. Subterraneous winds, and the movement of waters in the interior of the earth, were subsequently considered by the philosophers of Greece and Italy, as the causes of earthquakes. But neither theory was satisfactorily explained and supported by those philosophers. The action of heat, either with or without flame, is by the moderns more rationally considered as productive of those alarming shocks. That the bosom of the earth is replete with combustible materials, and that, in many places, those materials are actually in a state of combustion, cannot be denied; and it is equally certain that water abounds below the surface of the globe. Let subterraneous waters come into contact with subterraneous fires, it is evident, that steam will immediately be produced; and the powerful, and frequently fatal effects, of such a dilatation are generally known. Although it has been proved by repeated and satisfactory experiments, that combustion can take place without the concourse of external air, and although it is well established that several metallic oxids, found in the interior of the earth, contain and afford enough of pure air for the combustion of the inflammable materials alluded to, whence results the vaporization of subterraneous waters; some naturalists account for earthquakes in the following way:--They say that fermentation alone, and a simple [unreadable] of pyrites, (these are compounds consisting of sulphur and iron, and frequently containing oxide of manganese, copper, and other substances; they are found abundantly in our coal mines)-suffice for the production of those tremendous shocks, by means of the prodigious quantity of air which is then disengaged, and rarefied by heat.-This last opinion, though plausible, does not carry along with itself the same degree of conviction as the theory which admits of actual combustion; especially, as in general, earthquakes are attended with, or followed by, volcanic eruptions, more or less considerable. That our soil, whose base is granitic, and the upper strata of which, present almost every where combustible substances, such as anthracite, plumbago, sulphur, pyrites of various descriptions, fossil wood, coal of different origin, such as lithanthrax, geanthrax, xylanthrax, &c. should contain subterraneous fires, or, at least, should resemble a vast [unreadable] in which fermentation, effervescence, and a disengagement of various airs, are continually going on, and, from which issue numerous warm springs, consequently, be liable to earthquakes, is therefore, by no means astonishing. On the contrary, we are to expect from the very nature of things frequent phenomena of this sort-Nor might we to be too much alarmed on this head:--When once the rarefied vapours find a vent, the danger is over, and, in general, insulated peaks, afford an issue for the vapours, the flames, and the volcanized matters, which their agency affects.-Unless a town happens to be erected on some considerable internal cavity (which is often the case, indeed, in the vicinity of the sea, as the fate of Pompeia, Herculanum, Lisbon, &c. evidently shews) these eruptions, though terrific in themselves, are not extensively mischievous. From what I have stated, respecting the nature of the soil on which we tread, a volcanic eruption in Virginia, or in some neighbouring State, would be no surprising event.-Indeed, it is rather to be wished than deprecated; as, by affording to the [unreadable] air, or dilated vapour, a suitable vent would prevent further shocks such as those which have already been experienced, or, perhaps more considerable. A report is today in circulation of a Volcano having lately broken out in North Carolina.-We must wait for the confirmation of the fact, and for all the details relative to it, before we draw any conclusions therefrom. But be this report true or false, I have found at a much smaller distance from Richmond, undoubtable indictions of formerly existing volcanos. In [unreadable], volcanized garnets, mice, feldspath, &c. frequently met my view. I also found there in abundance specular iron, ([unreadable]) which is undoubtedly a volcanic result. The magnetic sand of our rivers, which, according to [unreadable], contains fifty per cent of iron (I have found only 33 per cent in general) may be referred to the same origin. As to the surmises of bigots, who would convert a God of infinite mercy and goodness into a God of terror and vengeance, involving in common ruin the innocent and the guilty, visiting the crimes of the fathers upon the children, &c. I will say nothing except that, had I the honor to be a minister of a religion as pure and as mild as it is sublime. I would not adopt their terrorizing plan.-In the structure of the universe, I would show to men beauty, unity, order, harmony, and consequently, boundless wisdom and benevolence. Thus would I lead my audience to the worship of God, and to the practice of virtue by motives of admiration, gratitude and love. It is with religion as with government-in either affection is more powerful than fear.-We may well believe in the justice of God without ascribing the necessary effects of his primitive and constitutional laws to particular views and designs.-Religion is injured, not promoted, by gloomy and terrific images, especially when these are mere phantoms conjured up by diseased and hallucinated imaginations. Richmond, Feb. 10th, 1812.

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