Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1837-02-14

The unfortunate individuals, VINO were iOSt
in the bark Mexico, lately shpwrccked on
Long Island Beach. Mercantile journal.
On reaching Hampstead, concluded 70
90 somewhat off the road 10 look at the
place where the ship Mexico was cast a.
way. III hall an hour we came TO Lofts
tavern, some four or five miles this side Of
the beach where the ship lay-and here,
in his barn, had been deposited the bodies
OF the illlated passengers which had been
thrown upon the shore. went out tc the
barn. The doors were open, AMI such
scene as presented itself to my view,
certainly never could have contemplated.
1t was dreadful, irightlu scene OF horror.
Forty or fifty bodies, Of all ages and sexes,
were lying prnmiscuously before me, over
the floor, all frozen, and as solid as marble
and all, except lew, in the very dresses
in which they persisted. Some with their
hands cenched, as if for warmth, and al
most every one with an arm crooked and
bent, as it would be in clnging TO the rig
ging.
There were scattered about among the
number, four or five beautiful little girls,
from six To sixteen years of age, their
cheeks and lips as red as roses, with their
calm blue eyes open, looking you in the
loce, as if they could speak.
could hardly realize that they were
dead. | touched their cheeks, and they
we're frozen as hard and as solid as rock,
and not the least indenion could he made
by any pressure OF the hand. ] could
Dreccve a resemblance TO each other, and
supposed them to be the daughters Of a
passenger named Pepper, who persisted,
together with his wife and all the family.
On the arms OF some were 10 be seen the
impression OF the rope which they had
chung lo--lhe mark OF the twist deeply sunk
into The flesh. saw one poor negro SAL
Tor, tall man, with his head thrown back,
his lips parted, and his now sightless eye
bal turned upwards, and his arms crossed
over his breast, as il imploring Heaven for
aid. This poor fellow evidently had fro
zen, while in The act Of iervent prayer.
One female had rope tied 10 her leg,
which had bound her 10 the rgging--and
another little fellow had been crying.
There was a brother and cser dashed
| upon the beach, looked in each others
| arms but they had been separated in The
barn. All the men had their lips firmly
compressed together, and with the most
agonizing expression on their countenance
ever behed.
A little grl had raised herself on tiptoe,
and thus was frozen just i'll that position.
1t was an awful sighl-and such picture
of horror was before me, that | became
unconsct'usy fixed to the spot; and found
myself trying 10 suppress my ordinary
breathing, lest ! should disturb The repose
of those around me. | was aroused from
The reverie by the entrance Of a mana
coroner.
AS was about 10 leave. my attention be-
came directed 10 a girl, who, afterwards
learned, had come that morning from the
city 10 search for her sister. Size had sent
for her TO come over from England, and
had received intelligence that she was in
this ship. She came into the barn, and the
second body she cast her eyes upon, was
hers. She gave way TO such burst OF i'm
passioned grief and anguish, that l could
not behold her without sharing in her feel
ngs. She threw herself upon the cold and
| icy face and neck of the lieless body, and
thus, with her arms around her, remained
wailing, moaning and sobbing, Till came
away-and when some distance off, could
hear her calling her name in the most fran
tic manner.
SO little time, it appears, Lad they TO
| prepare Tor their late, that l precelVed n
bunch of keys and half eaten cake, fall
from the bosom Of a girl whom the coroner
was removing. The cake appeared as il
part Of it had Just been bitten and hastily
| thrust into her bosom, and around her neck
was a ribbon, with pare OF scissors Sus-
pended.
| And 10 observe the stout, ragged sailors,
too, whose iron frames could endure 50
much hardship, here they lay-masses Of
ice. Such scenes show us indeed how
powerless and feeble are all human efforts
when con!enAiug against the storms and
tenpesrs which sweep with resistless vio-
lence over the face OF the deep. And yet
the vessel was SO near the shore, that the
| shrekG and means of the poor creatures
were heard through the bitter, dreadful
night ill towards morning, the last groau
died away, and all was hushed in death
and the nurmur Of The raging billows was
~ The sound thai then met the ear.
| Alter the storm, The wreck was approach
| cd, and here and there were seen columns
pillars Of ice, which was formed on The ro-
zen bodies, as The sea breaks over them.