The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1821-11-21
BUFFALO, (N..Y.l NOV. 6.


in a storm, on Thursday morning last
On Wednesday last, the Steamboat
Walk-in-the-Water, left Blackjack at
4, P. NJ. on her regular trip to Detroit !;
the weather though somewhat rainy, did
not appear threatening. After she had
proceeded about 4 miles above Bird ISL
and, she was struck by severe squat,
which it was Immediately perceived had
injured her much, and caused her 10
leak fast. The wind from the S. S. E.
continued to blow with extreme severi-
ty through the night, which was ex-
ceedngly dark and rainy, attended atm
tervals with the most tremendous squalls.
The Lake became very rough to a ter
rifying degree, and every wave seemed
to threaten immediate destruction to the
boat and all on board. This was truly,
to the passengers and crew, a night Of
terrour and dismay-to go forward was
impossible to attempt return to Black
Rock, in the darkness and tempest,
would have been certain ruin, on ac-
count of the difficulty Of the channel !;
and little less could be hoped, whether
the boat we're anchored or permitted to
be driven on the beach. She, however,
was anchored, and for while held fast,
but as every one perceived each wave
increased her injury and caused her to
leak faster, the castings in her cabin
were seen to move at every swell, and
the creakiBg of her joints and timbers
was appalling her engine was devoted
to the pumps, but in spite of them all,
the water increased to an alarming ex-
tent-the storm grew more terrifck.
The wind blew more violent as the
night advanced and it was presently
perceived that she was dragging her
anchors, and approaching the beach.
10 such blackness of darkness, could her
helm have commanded her course, not
the most skilfuL pilot could have chosen
with any certainty the part of the shore
on which it would be most prudent to
land.-The passengers on board were
numerous, and many of them were la
dies, whose fears and cries were truly
heart-rending.
The boat was at the mercy of the
waves until half past five o'clock Thurs
day morning, when she beached short
distance above the lighthouse, when
the passengers and crew began to de-
bark, which was effected without the
loss of lives, or any material injury.
Some idea may be formed. of the fury
of the storm, when.it is known that the
boat, heavily laden as she was. was
thrown entirely en- the beach.
PORTLAND, NOV. 49,.
We, are happy to announce to the
publiek,, that the REVISED Statutes of this
State have at length. issued from the
press. The labours of the g Board of
Jurisprudence have resulted in the
publication of two royatoctavo volumes
of about 450spages each, exclusive of a
copions index: the typographical exc
cution is not inferiour to any statute
book in the United States, though we
are sorry to learn that the erEata are
very numerous.
The laws which had been enacted in
Massachusetts, during. our connexion
with her, had swelled to five large oc-
tayo volumes, of which, many statutes
had been repealed, and others so alter
ed and amended, that but little of their
original remained. So that it had be-
come a difficult and dangerous task, for
persons nat very familiar with. the STAT
ute book, to ascertain the precise bear
ing of existing laws on certain Subjects
and not a little perplexing even to the
lawyer, to steer his way through the de-
vious'track Of obsolete, repealed and adj
ditiona acts. This obvious evil de-
manded attention.; andit was enc Of the
first objects of our new Government to
bestow it. The selection of the Judges
of the Supreme Court to perform the
duty Of revision, was at once pledge
of the good intentions of those who adj
vised the MEASURE and for its able and
faithful accomplishment
1t was the duty of the Board of Jhris--
prudence, to select from the laws ofMas-
sachusetts, all those parts applicable to,
this State, which had not been repeal
ed--to bring those together which re-
lated to the same subject, and class the
whole under general heads they were
then reported to the legislature who