“the Earthquake”

Date

4-30-1812

Newspaper

Virginia Argus

Page and Column

Page 1, Column 5

Newspaper Location

Richmond, Virginia

Serial Number

1141

Abstract

Report from La Guria on the March 26, 1812 earthquake.

Transcript

THE EARTHQUAKE. Extract of a letter from a gentleman at LaGuayra to his friend in Philadelphia, dated April 2, 1812. "I cannot sufficiently thank the Almighty Disposer of Events for rescuing me from death, while it played no idle part in this place. "On Thursday, at 4, P. M. (the 26th March,) a severe shock of an Earthquake was felt here. It came from the East. On its first approach, it appeared as though there were a discharge in the neighborhood, of some thousands of cannon; a moment after, the earth began to rise about 18 inches, and ran in waves for about two seconds, of at least that height; it continued altogether for about one and an half minutes, during which time it prostrated more than two-thirds of the houses, and rendered the others untenantable, killed at least one half of the inhabitants, and wounded very many. Neither the strongest fancy nor the brightest imagination, can come any way near to pourtraying the dismal aspect of the scene. Words to describe it are not in use; you can form no idea of it. On every side was to be heard, my wife, my husband, my children, my sisters, my brothers-where are they, where are they! They are dead! Oh! they have perished! These words were uttered in the strongest tone of anguish and despair. Caraccas has lost about ten thousand of its inhabitants. It was one of the holidays, a day rendered remarkable in Christian annals, by being the anniversary of that day on which our Saviour was nailed to the Cross-an hour only before a representation of that ceremony was to have been carried through the streets. Every Church was full, and every one was shaken to the earth. To the amount of 900 or 1000 persons can be counted in two Churches, all having perished. Not a house in Caraccas is inhabited. The people have, as well as here, left the place, and raised tents in the open fields. I was a witness to the interment of about fifty, who, on their knees, were imploring the protection of the Divinity, and who, at a less distance than twenty steps, were covered by the falling of two houses. My dear friend, it was dreadful to behold, and never will the remembrance of it be effaced from my memory. The heart-rending shrieks of those who had lost their friends, joined to the dismal groans of the wounded and dying, were enough to cause the strongest and most stubborn heart to feel the miseries of mankind. Even now, every thing smells of death. No more than one third of the unfortunates have been found-those that have been found-those that have been, are either thrown into the sea or burned. La Guira will never assume its former appearance-no, never!-such a hope is vanity!-The streets are filled with ruins. About 20 slight shocks have been felt since.

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