Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-02-17
MONEY DIGGING.


The Exeter News Letter describes an en-
,crpriso which has produced a scene Of ex-
element in the town Of Poplin, in New
Hampshire. 1t seems that a tradition has
been handed down among the people Of that
vicinity, that many years ago a man was
murdered and buried somewhere in thattown;
and also that large sum of money lies buri-
ed somewhere beneath the soil Of that unfre-
uuen,ed town, but whether the money belong
cd to the murdered man, and was buried with
him, or whether it was buried at some other
time, is not positively known, and there arc
Of course various opinions upon the matter.
Recently some person had adream, which
was supposed to indicate the place where the
money might be found, and consequently a
number of persons resolved to dig for it; but
after digging for a time without success, they
began 10 doub, whether they had began their
labors in the right spot. AT tho suggestion
of ono of the wisest men among them, 1t was
resolved to call in the aid Of Mesmerism,
which it was conceded had entirely super
ceded the witcl,-hazle, and the efficacy of
which has been Of late so abundantly tested.
A lady was accordingly brought there, from
a distant town, who. after being mes'nerised
by her husband, Informed them that, sure
enough, they had been digging in a wrong
spot, but TO the surprise of some, and in ac-
eordance with the confident expectation of
others, she pointed out another spot where
they might dig for the eagerly sought treasure.
The News Letter says -
at is now about a fortnight since operations have
been commenced, and carried on in the Poplin swamp.
From a dozen to twenty men, have been pretty con-
santly at work there, and sometimes Two or three
hundred visit them, in the course of The day, TO wit
ness their activity, perseverance and zeal. They are
stout, resoiute, and athletic men-resolved that ifmon-
ey is to be found there, TO get money. And that mon
10 there, they entertain no doubt"
We learn from the narrative, which is too
long 10 be copied in full, that the labors of
the party are impedcd by a great flow DIVA.
ter, which requires several pumps to be kept
in constant operation, and to increase their
embarrassment, the ground is so situated that
the water when pumped out, runs directly
back into the pit which they are digging.
They had however advanced so far, accord
ing to the latest accounts, that an iron bar
when forced into the ground to the greatest
debth practicable, is ascertained TO strike
something solid, which is conjectured TO be
either a chest of money, or IA rock. 1t is i'm
possible to tell at present which of the two,
but it is said the circumstance has greatly
encouraged the hopes Of the adventures.
The narrative adds -
non Saturday last n gentleman from this town WIS.,
tied the spot. lie informs us tina, the lahorers en-
ployed are apparently honest, faithful, pains taking
men, working as earnestly as if engaged by the job,
and that ever and anon they strike down the bar, and
listen and look wise, and smile knowingly. and go to
work again up 10 their knees in water. The good la
dy who goes to sleep, and directs their labors, was in
the swamp, and required but very little of her hus
bands paving TO put her into a stare to see wonders
The people were gathering about them in a high state
ofexctement, and waiting with great anxiety for the
result-the digging up the chest and dls,ril uting the
money"
The delusion, surprising as it may be, in a
community repu,ed to be intelligent and well
Informed, is far less ridiculous than that which
effects TO pu, faith in predictions of the APP
preaching end Of the world. These money
diggers believe in what they ardently desire,
and are excited to an effort from Which they
hope immense riches. The Millerites, with
out the excuse of any powerful emotion, ap-
parently not even that of fear, 10 %unset,lc
their judgments, make themselves the dupes
of an ignorant pretender, without any con-
eeivsble motive. If it were fear that had
unsettled their understandings, it nigh, be ex-
pected TO produce a different effect upon their
conduct. In the former case, the effect pro-
duced by the passion for acquisition, opera
ting upon extreme ignorance and its natura
companion, credulity is not entirely incom'
prehensitle; in the latter it is difficult to i'm.
agine how any one, not frightened out of hi,
seuses by the terrors of a future state, ant
possessing the degree of education almos
universal among US, can use his understand
ing TO so little purpose, as to put faith in thes,
stupid predictions. The most plausible way
of accounting for the existence of so many o
these pretended converts, is to suppose tia
none of them believe villa, they pretend, bu
that they are merely engaged in the pit,fu
sport of attempting to hoax one another. Ii
the mean time they are doing great misclie
independently Of the imputalion which the,
bring upon the character Of our community
Boston Daily Ado.
New York SENAToR.-The New Yorl
Legislature, on Tuesday, reelected the Hon
Silas Wright, Jr. to be a Senator in Congress
for that State. Mr.. Wright received l.
votes in the Senate, and II in the House,