The Arkansas advocate., 1837-01-06


 detaton-beeause desired to think and act for my seit-because was | Van Baren man, and not a Van Buren dog-tha am thus denounced by the Gazette In this consists 'the head and front of fny offending Though but comparatively stranger among us von have already established such character, that any far her answer to charges preferred by you would be a work ot sHPeferegaton: and here et the matter rest
 VIM. D. PERCUSSION.
 We copy tie following marvellous account from the Baltimore American, which paper is in turn indebted for 1t to the Wheeling Gazette. The Baltimore editor is of opinion that il Is the sea serpent on fresh water cruise. We saspeet however, that hen lis snake ship reached Baliimore--on raper=hs was rearer tbo sea than he before. The whole affair Is most probably hoax-ai any fale it sinaeks strongly Of fish, and is the most wonderful snase story that so have read ia long time.
 EXTRAORDINARY PEiEN 0MENON!
 .iif. Editor.-About fortnight ago, as the Mogal steamer bound from New Orleans to St. Louis, was proceeding up the Mssissppl and had arrived in thai pert ot the river directly opposite to the cliffs of Selma an immense aquatic serpent observed, at the dis tance o quarter of league, by several of the passen- gers 10 direct lts toward tue vessel with all ta awkwardness oi motion peculiar to large un.ycldg bodies, lifting at times large portion of its enormous body above the surface of the water, dasrous, as il were of taking an extensive view around and ascertain lng the immediate cause of the agitation of is watery doaihtons
 As the vessel approached, straghtway the lengthy monster ot the deep began dstort it's hideaus and misahapen body into a variety of the most fantastic gyraons; at time darting npetuousy forward it's voiainous folds n direct line towards the vessel with an uadulatory motion, which excited in the minds Of the female passengers, particular, apprehen- slons for their immediate safety; another subInerq- ing Its head and the anterior parts of it's sduafnos hGdV tha lar conceivable fury into broad and whitening sheet ef clfcumambieat foam. My informant who happened 10 lbe passenger board, assured me that it's total length must have been from seyenty-fve to eighty feet and that rhe circumference Of is body, which iu bulk resebled that of ordinary sized ree could not have measured less than from Ege to feet at least. Alarm to considerable exeut per8aacd fhe minds of many on board, lest n the event o ts approach Ii might flag Is prodgious folds across the boat, and thereby unfortunately consien all on board 10 wasfy grave he man at the wheel was forthwith ordered to tack without deay and steer wide of as present circumstances and tic depth of the channel would per- init; while the carpenter, and some o1ar of tie boats crew. were ordered to be in immediate readaess with axes and other instruments Of destruction, m order sever the monsters body, a should come nl- fortunately ia contact with the vessel. Most happily however for the safety Of all, such necessity exist ed. it length, when the unweldy animal after re- poaed etcrts found l.seli incapabc. by reason of is enormous length. of oyertakng lhe boat, saigbway it appeared 10 experience all the iighfu agony of mad denlng disappointment and despair, writhing and dis orng lis sqoanous body into succession of tho most marvellous and intricate convoutions, aud rearing itself again into the attitude of some tall and stately pillar at which time is fesplenden hues, radiant the rai- bow, and beautifully diversified with alternate stripes of green and gold and suady iaear variations of color which, varying with every change of light reflected g,eam of nconeeyable Gstre and beauty in the rays Of the setting 4 gentleman on board, by the aid of small telescopes was enabled to take an accurate ob- servaton of its bo,ly and Of is head, in particular which, lie remarks from its extraordinary magnitude and the singular eongation of its jaws, deuoted the monsters uneommon capabty of swallowing bodies oi no ordinary dimensions As the vessel gradually moved away, leaving the aquatic monster of he deep mmeasuraby bohiDdit then, for the last time seen by the passengers, appeared 10 be stationary with its bo dy reared alot n tie attitude of colossal arch; is head and tail appearing i'll the distance, to rest only up on the waters Whether this animal, so extraordinary III It's size, and apparently ferocious ill its nature s according to the classification of fishes by nneus to be ranked among tic larger species of serpens or not, leave fo others, a present, better acquainted with the subject, to determine.
 Since writing the above, have been informed by.a gentleman, of similar one seen by bm few years ago. while travelling up the Missouri river Whether these animals indigenous with these waters or have forms fiji and interesting subject of inquiry for the na- urallst Should the above prove in any wise interest ing to your very intelligent readers, it will afford gra- icaton 10
 T Your obedient servant,
 ! T. R-N.
 
 .hcrI Gatf. ei1a oofIN