Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-05-24

though without the limits of the state of Ohio,
NAV be mentioned the Inscriptions engraven
nm a large stratum of rocks, on the south east
aide of the river Ohio, about two miles below
the mouth of Indian or Kings Creek, which
empties into the Ohio fifty miles below Pitts.
burg. The Greater part OF the rocks lie near.
" in a horizontal direction, and so close to
the edee of the river, that at times the water
entirely covers them. AT the distance of a
few wards howe yer, from the bank of the ri
yer, there are several large masses of the
same species of rock, on which are inscrip-
tions also. These 1t is probable, have been
formerly attached to the horizontal stratum,
and have been either removed by the hand of
man, or by some violent inuadation of the RI
yer. 1t IS, at least, Certain, that the Iinscrip-
tons upon both arc Oh the Same kind, and
there can be little doubt taat they have both
been engraven at the same time.
The town of Touiiinson, state Of Ohio, is
partly built upon one os the square forts. Sc
verai mounds are to be seen within mile.
Three of them which stand adjoining one ano-
tacr, arc of superior height and magnitude to
those which are most commonly 10 be met
with. In digging away the side OF one Of
Gus stone implements were to be found one
resembling syringe there was also a pes
tie, some copper beads Of an oval shape, and
several other articles. One OF the mounds in
col. Briggs garden Vas exCavated in order to
make al ice house. 1t contained vast num-
Der o: nun,aa bones, variety of stone tools,
and KIND of stone signet of ain oval shape,
two incues iii length, with figure in relieve
= xl,l
by two raised rims. Capt. Wilson observed
that it was exactly the figure Of the brand
with which the Mexican horses were mark
eds One os the mounds was surrounded by
a regular ditch and parapet, with only enc en-
trance. The tulnulus was above twelve feet
high, and the parapet five.
The Big Gave, as il is called, is most
astonishing mound. We measured the per-
p.ad.cuL,r height, and it Was sxty-sevcn feet
and half Its sides are quite steep. the
diameter OF the top is fitty-hve feet ; but the
apex seems to have cdved in; tor the present
summit forms bason three or four feet in
depth. We iadscd that its base covered more
than half AN acre. 1t is overgrown with large
trees on all sides. Near the top is white
oak of a three feet diameter one still larger
grows en the eastern side, about half way
Gown. The mould sounds hollow. Ondoubt-
edly It's contents will be numerous, curious,
and caicn.atea to dcrclope, in farther degree,
the histo'w of the Antiquities which abound in
this part ofour Country.
AS there are no excavations near the mound,
and no hills or banks of earth, we infer that it
must have been principally formed OF seds,
skinned from the sutfice,or of earth brought
from great distance. The labor OF collect
ing sucha prodigious quantity must have been
inconceivably great and when we consider
the multitude of work,neii, the length of
time, and tue expense requisite to form such
d mound when we reflect upon the spirit Of
ambition which suggested the idea of this mo-
numeut of great but simple magnilicence, to
the memory ofsome renowned prince or waE-
rior, we cannot but regret that the name and
the glory it was designed to perpetuatc are
gone---lost in the darkness Of the grave.
1t ought to be mentioned that the Rev. Dr.
Madison objects to the idea OF these earthly
elevations having been Qualifications. His an
gumcnts may be seen at length IN the sixth
volume of the Transactions Of the American
Philosophical Society. He thinks they were,
fixed ha0lt.tionS.
This singular marking Stone is Ho5' IN 4'1''.
4 IN,