The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1826-09-21
Interesting Narrative.
'dtcoant Of hs late Slides from he White
.hounhins.

ina Letter from the Rev Carlos Wilcox.
hANoylR n II Sept =, ls27.
Dear Sir have inst returned from m
excursion TO the White Mountains. AM
shall now spend a day Of rest in tins yil.
iase, Z" giving You some account of The
enects produced by the most destructive
iall oiraln ever known in that region. /,
4 eaplf on ~ night OF the 2ath of Az.
i THIS part OF the country.
Ie't liahl'er on Saturday last in com.
puny With Two gentlemen OF my acqnnin.
lance irom 'hc city Of New ork. aud
rode as Tar os Haverhill, whore We all
spent the Sabbath. The road over which
we passed was like bed of ashes two or
three inches deep; and the country round
rs exhibited the usual effects of a long
{ drought. he abundant rains, that foil
tnree weeks ago. over the southern half of
y. Englaat, Cid not reach the upper part
OF the valley of Connecticut river. On
Monday morning it began to rain NJ Hay.
eshill, and continued along our route for
| most ot the day, hut so moderately and nj
suth intervals, that with the helm of great
coats and umbrellas we proceeded on our
Journey IN an open wagon as far as Bothlo-
nem' hiteen miles west of the White
Mountains. AS we approached the vicin-
ny ol the Mountains, the rain increased
tlil IL became storm, and compelled US 10
stop about the middle of The afternoon.
Inc storm continued most of the nicbt,
Dut the next morning was clear and serene
Inc view from the Hill Of Bethlehem was
extensive and delightful. In the eastern
horizon Mount Washington, with the
neighboring peaks on the nerth and the
south, formed grand outline far uD in the
plue sky. Two or three small fleecv
clouds rested on it's side, little be.ow its
summit, while from behind this highest
posat OF land in the United States east of
the Misslsslppi, the sun rolled up rejoicing
IN his strength and glory. We started of
toward the object of our Journey, with
spirits greatly cxhiliratod by the beauty
and grandeur of our prospect. AS We
hastencd forward with our eyes fixed ON
The tops OF The mountain before ms. little |
uld we thlnk of the scene Of destruction n.
round theT base OH which the sun WINS
now Tor the first time beginning to chine.
In ABOUT halt an hour we entered Breton
sn our road i've niles 70 siqqRd qqRd
and thence six miles TO Crawtord's, the |
begun by Rosebrook's ia
tber, as described in the travels of DR..
Dwight. On entering this wilderness we
were struck with Its universal Stiffness.
From every leaf 10 Its immense masses Of
foliage the rain hung in gilttering drops;
and the silver note of a single unseen and
unknown bird was the only sound that we
could hear.-After we had proceeded
mile or two the rsaring Of the Amonoo-
suck began 10 break in upon the stiffness, !
and soon grew so loud a. 10 excite our sur |
prize. In consequence of coming 10 the |
river almost at right angles, aud by very
narrsw road, thr.pgh trees and bushes
very thick, we had no view of the water,
till with quick trot we had advanced up
on the bridge too far to recede, when the
sight that opened AT once TO the right hand
and to the left, drew from all Of US similar
exclamations Of astOnishmept and terror.
and we hurried over the trembling fabric |
as soon as possible.
After finding ourselves safe on the other
side, we walked down to the brink; and
though familiar with mountain scenery,
we all confessed TINT we had never seen a
torrent before. The water WAS
NJ thick with earth "a II could be, without /
being changed into mud a man living
near in II log hut showed us how high il
was at day break. Though it had lalen
six feet, be assured that it was still ten
feet above its ordinary level. To this add
its ordinary depth Of three or four feet,
and here at day break was body OF wa
Ter twenty feet deep, End sixty feet wide,
moving with he reWdity ofa gale OF wind
between steep banks covered with hem
ocks, .ad pines, and over bed of large
rocks, breaking it, surface into pillows
ike those Of the ocean. After gazing q
ew moments Oh this sublime sight, We
proceeded on our way, Tor the most part
II some distance from the river, TIL VIC
,alne TO the farm Of Rosehrook, lying on
Is banks. We found his fields covered
with water, and sand, and flood wood.
lis fences and bridges were all swept ~
way, and the road was 50 blocked up with
ogs, that we had 10 wait the labors of
nen and oxen, before wc could get to his
rouse. Hero we we're told that the river
vas never before known 90 bring dow
nv considerable quantity o. earth, o.
we're pointed to bare spots on tho sides q
he White Mountains, never seen I'LL tha' ]
morning. As our road for the remaining I
tx miles, lay quite near the river and y
rossed many small tributary sirenms, we &
Employed man TO ACCOMPANY us with All a
xe. We were frequently obliged to re- a
lovc trees from the road, to hll excaya- a
ions, 10 mend and make bridges, or con o
rive 10 get our horses and wagon along u
After tolihg in this manner 81
DR. half n day, VIC reached the end Of our h
,urney, not however, without being oblg- b,
d to leave cur wagon half a mile behind. ~
n many places ia these six miles tho. road Of