“Again we are bound to notice...”

Date

2-21-1812

Newspaper

Charleston Courier

Page and Column

Page 2, Column 3

Serial Number

349

Abstract

Long account of the effect of the February 7, 1812 earthquake at Augusta, Georgia. “On Friday last at 20 minutes before four o’clock in the morning, another severe shock of an earthquake was experienced here, and throughout the country in every direction from which we have yet heard:- and in most places we believe with more severity than any preceding shock, it continued between three and four minutes.- At about 20 minutes before 11 o’clock in the evening of the same day, a smart shock was also felt, and though considerably less severe, was to may more alarming than the former one-this might have arise from the apprehensions previously excited, from the repetition of an occurrence so peculiarly calculated to create astonishment and terror.” “Light tremulous motions of the earth continue occasionally to be felt.” Report dates from February 13, 1812 from he Augusta Herald, account notes earth subsidence and broken windows in the area.

Transcript

AUGUSTA, (GEO.) FEB. 13. Again are we bound to notice what is very justly considered as among the most astonishing and alarming phenomena in nature. On Friday last at 20 minutes before four o'clock in the morning, another severe shock of an earthquake was experienced here, and throughout the country in every direction from which we have yet heard;--and in most places we believe with more severity than any preceding shock, it continued between three and four minutes.-At about 20 minutes before 11 o'clock in the evening of the same day, a smart shock was also felt, and though considerably less severe, was to many more alarming than the former one-this might have arisen from apprehensions previously excited, and from the repetition of an occurrence so peculiarly calculated to create astonishment and terror. Indeed since the settlement of this place, we venture to say, that a large proportion of our inhabitants, never lay down at night, with feelings similar to those they experienced when going to bed during the past week. Light tremulous motions of the earth continue occasionally to be felt. Whether volcanic matter, or the principle of electricity is the agent commissioned by Omnipotence to produce these concussions, they are beyond all question under the controul of a superior power, who has permitted their occurrence for some great and important purpose, and they may be considered as solemn and impressive harbingers of some interesting event. It will be the part of wisdom to prepare for this whatever it may be. To explain the causes of these phenomena, philosophers have labored in vain, nor has any theory of them been formed that is not encumbered with insurmountable difficulties. Nor can they be explained in any way so short, rational and satisfactory, as to ascribe them, to the will of him, who created all worlds by the word of his power, and who "looketh on the earth and it trembleth." They are well calculated to lead the mind to serious reflection, and to direct poor feeble dependent beings, to seek the favor and protection of him whose throne is imovable. If when "the judgements of God are abroad in the earth" the "inhabitants thereof learn righteousness," the purposes of mercy they were designed to answer are accomplished. But as repeated warnings, are either slighted or regarded, so are the future proceedings of providence often regulated. The present is indeed an eventful period of the world-Many new and surprising events constantly occur. Could we read the language of Prophesy as understandingly as we peruse the pages of history;--it is probable that but few occurrences would be unexpected to us-as it is however, most of those events which excite our wonder, are found when detailed to be but the order of things which ancient prediction had prescribed. Seeing then we are to "look for these things" that "nation is to rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom," and that "there shall be earthquakes in divers places"-let us take heed to our ways and be always found with our lamps trimmed and burning; then will no occurrence excite our alarm, the dissolution of the world itself might justly be to us a subject of rejoicing. From the accounts we have received we believe the Earthquake on Friday morning last, was more severe in several parts of the country than in this place-at General Twiggs, about 9 miles below this place, we understand the agitation of the house was so violent as to break fifty squares of glass in the windows, and throughout the neighborhood, the concussion created general alarm. By a gentleman from Jefferson we are informed, that on the plantation of Mr. Ephraim Ponder, near Brier Creek, about 18 miles from this place, a body of earth about ninety feet in circumference, sunk, as was supposed on Friday night last-that the earth being held on one side by the roots of a tree at the edge of the opening, sunk in a sloping direction, and that the lower part of it was covered with water, in which bottom was not found with a sixteen foot pole. The gentleman saw the opening,, but does not know that any other attempt to find bottom was made, there being no pole at hand, when he was there, longer than the sixteen foot one.--Herald.

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