Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1842-07-09

Plata, in Hayti, with the annexed letter,
giving a more particular description of the
late earthquake in that Island, and its con-
sequences, than has before been published.
Capt. w. also states that on the evening OF
the Esd of May, another severe shock of
an earthquake was felt at Porto Plata, but
no damage done.
PoRTo PLATA, May 20, 1912.
On the 7th day Of May the Island of Hay
Ii was visited with an earthquake,s which,
in its destructive effects, has proved itself
to be the severest we have ever had on re-
cord. The weather had been for many
days past excessively hot and sultry the
temperature varying from 80 TO IS in the
shade, and 10 degrees when exposed to the
solar rays. The winds we're hot, parchng,
and unrefreshing, and the drought had been
for some time past prevailing. In the af
ternoon Of that day, at about half past
O'Clock, | was standing on the square,
which is situated in an elevated part Of This
town. The sky was uncommony serene,
and the descending sun promised to be
bright and glorious in its setting. Just
then, casting my eyes towards Mount Isa-
bella, which overlooks the town, perceived
a dark vapor ascending and enveloping its
base and sides; rolling, rumbling sound i'm
mediately succeeded, and instantaneously
came shock which nearly dashed me to the
ground. The level of the square appeared
undulating like the waves of the sea; faint
and sickly sensation came over me, and dr.
illness and difficulty of breathing. The
houses rocked to and fro, like vessels in a
storm. The ground was rent in various
parts. Many persons were thrown down
by the force of the conclusion; others were
Keeling as in state Of drunkenness. Ev-
cry moment we expected the earth to open
and engulph us. A second shock followed,
yet stronger than the former, accompanied
by the same appearances, effects, and ter
rors. The church, a strong and massive
building, seemed tottering to its fall; the
bricks flew from the solid masonry as if
from projectiles; wide assures appeared in
the walls and arches; and the whole would
have been levelled but for the uncommon
strength Of the outside buttresses and the
lowness of the building. 1t was affecting
| to hear the terrific cries and lamentations
of the women and children, and instructive
to contemplate, even then, their lowly
prostration to the Divinity, imploring his
mercy, aid, and succor, in their distresses.
| The second shock must have lasted about
60 seconds. Fortunately for us, our town
is almost entirely constructed OF wood,
which alone accounts for Its preservation.
The stone buildings suffered materially, and
some of the finest were entirely destroyed.
From the 9TH up to the present date, we
have been in continued state of alarm
upwards Of 40 shocks have taken place du
ring the interval, some more or less severe,
Professions and prayers are continually on
foot, to avert, if possible the divine dlsplea-
sure. The men wear serious and solemn
looks; the women, when not in the process
| SONS, are sitting at the doors Of their hou-
SEES, either in tears, or with books of prayer.
Business is not even thought of, such is our
state of agitation.
The fine town Of Santiago, about co miles
| distant in the interior, and the centre OF
our agricultural commerce in this part, has
been entirely destroyed. The population
consisting of about 5000 souls, of which
| 500 are buried in the ruins. Further in the
interior, the towns OF Vega and St. Osero
have met with similar fates. The city OF
Cape Haytien, the deposit of all the agri-
cultural products Of its fine plain--the cap
| itol of the northern part Of the isllnd--the
first city in Hayti for the beauty and solid.
| ity Of its buildings, and the second only IN
size and importance-has met with utter
| destruction. and it is one immense mass o.
crumbing ruin. 1t is stated that the mum
Der who have been crushed to death, ant
who have otherwise fallen victims there &c
this calamity, amounts to 1000 souls. 4
gentleman who left Immediately after lhC
disaster, informed me that so sudden has
been the catastrophe, that hardly three Sc
conds had been allowed to escape from The
| houses. Thousands were buried alive, ant
no relief at hand. Cries of agony an,
shrieks would now and then proceed from
the buildings, and break the solemn stiIlnes
OF the night. Many dead and Putrifec
bodies were lying in the streets, and nobody
to remove them. The air was tainted will
the infection, and pest seemed quietl!
settling over the city.
2lSt Of May.-Since writing the lorgo
ing, further intelligence has reached US from
the Cape, which has materially added to tn
horrors of its former situation. The cit,
being depot for all the articles importe,
for the supplies of the interior, an immens
quantity Of merchandise was general,
kept on hand for that purpose. At the pc
; riod Of its dreadful visitation, the supple
were abundant, and the stores crowded wit
i goods. Will it be believed that the cupid
a1i;y and depravity Of human nature shout
SO far overcome the terror inspired by tn
awfulness of the catastrophe, as 10 PERM
. men to indulge and riot in systematic an
organized phlage! Tins Is, however, mos
feariully true. Hundreds of individual