The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-06-19

fdl laundering noise, at tho time sending down
its sides torrents of burning matter and srs.tcrng in
the air, large pieces OF rock, which in their descent
made a dreadful ravage among the cattle, &c.,
Some idea may be formed Of this awful sonlagit,on
when stated, that showers of volcanic particles con.
tnued pouring tor several hours all the Island,
accompanied at intervals with violent shocks of
earthquake; and ut times, from tho dreadful apcr-
ture of the mountain, were shot off rocks OF enor-
NOUS size, which, in their fata! fall have dime the
most caa'nitoas injury aud sach has been the
destructive inpetuosty OF the liquid fire, that its
baneful effects OF the most serious nature
"Thc briliiancy Of the flames. which maesticallv
rose from the mouth of the crater, had most sub
lime and awful effect, and the burning stones which
darted in the Air resembled the stars in rockets.
The vivid flashes Of lightning which shot forth with
noise far exceeding the heaviest artillery, rescm-
bled in colour. aud brightness what is usually seen
IN tempest; and the curling sheets OF smoke 90
obscuredthe sky, that yesterday morning until ten
o'clock was nearly involved in nocturnal darkness
30 dreadful were these epr earsnces, that
rors added new horrors to the scene the Whole
island was in astate OF trepedtation, and the people
klled with duplication and dread, precipit:. e.
y retreated from their homes to places of shell
"About noon yesterday, the wind blew from the
south east, the sun made lite appearanc aud the.
heavens began to brighten. The eruption, we find
has abated considerably in it's violence, but I'M
derstand that the leewart! and wintlwa,r planta-
tons are covered all over with torrents OF melted
natter. .
:" We have not been able as yet to ascertain cor
reetly the extent Of damage done or of the number
OF lives ost but the principal rivers Of the island
those particularly within the influence Of the voca-
no) are all dried up. The Negro provision grounds
Tor miles around arc completely destroyed, and the
pastures on the windw;rd aud leewar,l side of the
island, are covered with ashes and yit,ihed
stone, that there is not left Bit of ground in appear
ance tor the cattle to feed upon. Every means
should Instantly DC resorted to, to repress the ca
families likely to ,ensuc from distressing ca
tastrophe; and we trust the legislature will immc-
ti'atey adopt such measures as will ensure the inn,
Poration OF dry provisions sufficient tor the call of
the inhabitants.
- Accounts from the Post at Owa. have lust reach
ed town, they report that that part Gf the island
presents nothing but objects of desoation--Th
stupendous block hosse there having fallen to the
ground and the range of the mountain ON the wind
ward side split open-from which issued torrents of
lava, consuming in its course every tree and shrub
that impeded its way ; and the surface of the hills
val,es In that quarter .yerct a several inch.
es thick with sort of volcanic NATTER resembling the
dross that is thrown from smiths forge The
NOISE from the mountain has been SO violently felt
there, that to give an idea Of it, one may imagine
mixed sound made up of the raging of q tempcst-
the murmur OF troubled sea--and the roaring of
thunder and artillery confused altogether