“Summary”

Date

2-1-1812

Newspaper

Western Spectator

Page and Column

Page 3. Column 1 and 2.

Newspaper Location

Marietta, Ohio

Serial Number

1286

Abstract

Long detailed synopsis account for the January 23, 1812 earthquake. Note fissures at Fort Massac on both sides of the river that are 16 to 18 inches long. Notes the earthquake was felt in New Jersey and at Chillicothe, Ohio. Quotes from account from December 20 to a gentleman in Louisville, Kentucky. Good synopsis.

Transcript

SUMMARY Reports were in circulation that Gen. Hampton had offered to resign, on account of an order from the Secretary at War to take from under the generals' arrest certain officers who were desired as witnesses on Wilkinson's trail. It appears, however, he was exercising his command at Fort Stoddert on the first part of December and had been down the Mobile to ascertain a proper scite for a Fort, and it was expected one would be erected nearly opposite the town of Mobile.-The report that an order had been received from the Spanish government to surrender to the U. S. the territory of West Florida, proves entirely groundless.-The Orleans convention has decided for thirteen Senators in their proposed state-1 for the city, & 1 for the county of Orleans, and one for each of the other counties-The Steamboat, from Pittsburg arrived at Natchez on the [unreadable] of December.-The Natches Gazette observes she was only 221 hours under way from Pittsburg's a distance of about 2000 miles. [unreadable] to run as a regular trader between Natchez and New-Orleans. It being ascertained on her reascent from the falls to Cincinnati, that she will stem the current of Ohio at the rate of 4 miles an hour, the prospects of steam navigation are certainly very flattering.-The Earthquake of the 22d Jan. was felt at Chilicothe. That of Dec. 16 was so violent on the Mississippi, that at New Madrid, 70 miles below the mouth Ohio, the chimnies of almost all the houses were thrown down. At the Little Prairie 30 miles lower down, the steam boat was brought to by the cries of some people who thought the earth was gradually sinking, but declined to take refuge in the steam boat, unless they could collect their friends. But the most terrible account we have seen is in a letter (Dec. 20) from a gentleman passing down the river to his friend in Lexington, Ky. He states that being an anchor about 10 miles above Little Prairie they were aroused at half past 2 in the morning Dec. 16, by a violent shaking of the boats. That a few minutes after weighing anchor, at day break, they felt a quick succession of shocks more violent than the former. That immediately after the first of these, the whole atmosphere was impregnated with a sulphurious smell. They then saw the terrible effects 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 saw them from the several storms, and many of them, from the shock they received, broke off near the ground; many more were torn up by the roots.-As we progressed, the effects of the shock were observed in every part of the bank of the Mississippi. In some places, 5, 10, & 15, acres have sunk down in a bad [unreadable]! even the Chickasaw Bluffs did not escape; one or two of them have fallen considerably. The inhabitants of the Little Prairie all deserted their homes and retired to the hills or swamps." The writer goes on to state that he even considered it hardly safe to stay on shore, the ground was so cracked and torn to pieces!!" "Islands of from one to two hundred acres have been sunk!!! And not one that I have seen but is cracked from end to end!!!" Some parts of this letter are certainly strange, if not incredible, but all accounts concur in convincing us the shocks have been very severe on the Mississippi. The Cincinnati spy observes that it has been reported on good authority as is believed, that "at Massac on the Ohio about 30 miles from its mouth, the shock was so violent as to rend the earth on both banks by a fissure 16 or 19 inches wide, of a depth not yet ascertained. Massac stands on a high elevated bank composed of iron ore." In Georgetown, South Carolina, the parade ground at the Fort settled one or two inches. This earthquake was felt as far east as New-Jersey. We apprehend its origin to have been probably in the mountains in the Western part of Louisiana. We are informed by a gentleman who has been in the army that he has seen pumice stones floating down the Missouri. The late earthquakes may have arisen from Volcanic eruptions in that quarter.-From the Natchez Gazette we learn that an unusual heavy rain was experienced thee on the 30th of December. It fell occasionally in violent gusts accompanied sometimes with very loud thunders. The rising of the Bayous impeded the traveler.

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