Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-08-05
from the National h'eiligencer.
vasr F.rr nr r-s.I.r,

The Kentucky Commentator contains
letter from Mr.. Adams, giving an accoun.
| OF cave which he had explored in Ind.
ana. The editor OF The Commentator. in
his Introduction TO the letter, SAYS, this
cave has never yet been fully explored.
though several Individuals whose testimony
IS 10 be relied on, have penetrated from 6
to miles into this subterranean REGION
Mr. Adams states that the cave is situated
IN the north west quarter OF section 81, in
township No. ), OF the second eastern
range, in the district OF lands offered for
sale at Jacksonville. 1t was frs, disco.
vered about II years ago, atwhich time
the bottom of the cave was covered with
salts from TO 8 inches deep; the sides
were also coated in the same manner. and
had the appearance of snow.
The bill in which the cave is situated. is
100 leet high, the top principally covered
with oak and chesnut. The entrance is
about half way from the base 70 the summit.
and tie surface Of the cave preserves about
that elevation.
The entrance is by an aperture OF leor
Is feet wide, and or 4 feet in heiyhth:
with an easy descent, you enter a room
which continues about a quarter of mile.
varying IN height from s 10 80 feet. and in
breadth from 10 to 90, the roof arched in
some places, resembling an inside view Of
the root of house. At the extremity Of
THIS room the cave forks. the right soon ter
inmates, the left rises by fight of rocky
stairs, nearly ten feet high. into another
story, and has s. F. direction. In this
room the roof has regular arch from 5 10
8 feet high, and from TO II feet wide,
which continues 10 what is called The creep
ing place, where it becomes necessary 10
crawl 10 or 10 feet 10 get into the next
room, IRON which, 10 the distance of one
mile and quarter, there are many large
and small rooms. yariuusly situated. AZ
the end OF this journey, 4 stately white pill.
lar presents itself, which is about u feet
IN diameter. and % to 50 in height. regu.
larry reeded from top TO bottom. In the
vicinity are several other smaller pillars OF
the same description. Mr. Adams was no,
Certain what were the constituents of their
columns, but lime appeared TO be the base.
MAJOR Warren states that they are the Satin
spar.
The cave abounds in sulpha,e Of maylc.
STA or epson salts, which is found in cre..
variety ot forms, and different stage, o.
formations, sometimes in lumpsffrom ID
10 pounds, from the surface 10 three lee,
below 1.-THE walls are covered with The
same article. Mr.. Adams removed frun
spot IN the cave every yestige Of sil;. ana
an or weeks the place was covered with
small needle shared chrystais, resemh!ir-
ires,.
The quantity of the salts IS very sryc-
rleT-ihc w4st Garth yielding four pound.
to The bushel, and The bes, from 20 j
pounds.
The cave also contains great quantities
OF n,trat OF lime or salt petre earth-ni;rat
OF aliumlna, OF Ritrat OF argyll, each yielding
an equal quantity Of salt petre. The sui
Phaie OF lime is seen variously formed pon.
GeroEs. chYs;aii2ed. soft, or ligh, and
si'onsy-,here are also vestiges OF the su!
rbate OF iron, an! small specimens OF the
carbonate and nitrat Of magnesia. The
rocks in the cave are principally OF Carlo.
nate OF lime or common limestone.
Mr.. Adams closes his letter BIZ stating
that near the forks of the cave are two spe.
clmcns Of painting, probably OF Indiaao.
risin. One appears 10 be Savage. with
something like bow in his hand. and fur
nishes the hiI<s that il was done when that
instrument Of death was in use. The 0.
Their IS 50 much detaeed !ha, il IS impcssi. i,