Litchfield enquirer., 1844-09-19
PROVIDENCE. BY WILLIAM CoAGsToCK.
|" "Shall not the Lord of all the earth do right

l
 recollect that, when lad, was crossing the East river from New York to Brooklyn, on very foggy day, in small ferry boat. My father and several other individuals, belonging to the same ciey with himself, were desirous of going to Flush- ing on Long Island, to attend a meeting It was necessary, therefore, to the river early and when we arrived at the foot of Fulton street, we found that the steamboat had just left the wharf Being unwilling to wait for its return, we made up a company, with the passengers who stood on the ground, sufficient to put off in a small boat, and convey us across the river. The ferrymen hesita- ted for some tine, but at length the offer of su- cient reward induced them to set out The reason of their objection to start was that the thick fog would render the passage uncertain. They could scarcely see from end of the boat to the other and much they feared that they would lose their way, and row about the river several hours, to no purpose.
 | At length we set out, the ferrymen magnifying the difficulties of the passage as much as possible in order to enhance the value of their services | When we first left the wharf, stranger stepped towards the stern of the boat, and took the helm. Every eye was fixed on him who had assumed this responsible station-a station from which every passenger had shrunk. But now that one of their l number had seen fit to take the command of the boat, on whose skill and knowledge solely depen- ded the success of our little voyage, every was disposed to criticise him. There could be no doubt that if he failed bringing safely to the landing place on the opposite side, he would be obliged to endure the reproaches of every one who had embar- ked. Indeed, 1t was soon perceived that some were unable to wait for his failure before they gave vent to their feelings Thinking it matter of certain ty that he could not find the way to the ferry stairs during fog as impenetrable as midnight darkness, they began to murmur in anticipation. The ferry men were the first to eyince their uneasiness, by casting glances at each other, which were noticed by the passengers, and regarded as prognostic of Ill-success. One of the passengers then asked the stranger at the helm if he did not think he was go ing too far up the river. The stranger bowed and made answer that if any other gentlemen present wished to take the helm, he would resign it to his charge, from which it readily inferred that 90 long he held his place, he intended to be guided solely by his own judgement. This answer silenced complaint for time, as no other individual felt disposed to relieve him of his responsibility. But the uneasness of the passengers increased as we proceeded; and when we became entirely surroun- ded by fog, with no object in sight by which our course could be directed, the mnrmurs and conjec- lures of our little company were audibly expressed
 "Why don't he put the helm up" said one, nesting in his seat
 "We shall come out somewhere near the Navy | Yard, , said another.
 | "He had better let the helm go, and trust to the ferrymen," said lady present.
 l Why don't he keep the tiller to him }" said an elderly black woman, anxiously.
 As the stranger paid attention to these remarks his silence was sent down for obtsinacy; and am | afraid that few observations were added which somewhat exceeded the bounds of civility. The stranger evidently heard these injurious observa- tions, for he made again, that if any other gentleman wished to take the helm, he would re- sign 1t tO his hands. Just about this time, dark object appeared on the water, and as it became more visible through the fog it was recognized as vessel which lay at anchor between the landing places on either side of the river This convinced every one that, far the stranger had gone cor rectly as if the sun had shone, unclouded, upon 1 the river; and silence was at once restored. All murmurs were hushed, satisfaction appeared on every visage. But the vessel very soon faded in the midst, and again nothing but fog and water surrounded us. Dissatisfaction once more prevail | ed, and the steersman received a great many ln- structions in his duty, to which he paid no heed, and only returned for answer, as before, that he was willing to resign his station to any one who l would accept it.
 After great deal of frettng and needless discom- posture, the passengers perceived land dimly emerg | ing through the dense fog of the morning. Shape less and unusual every thing lappeared. it is no wonder that some imagined they had reached the 1 Navy Yard. about mile above the proper landing l place. But all doubts were at an end, when the prov of the boat struck the ferry stairs, and we discovered that the stranger had conveyed us as straight as an arrow, to our point of destination.
 Many years have passed away since the occur renee of this event, yet occasions which have taken place. nave trequently brought lI IO my 5eCohIeC" tion. When heard my fellow creatures find fault with the ordering of Providence-when l have | heard them undertake to account for His decree, who maketh darkness His pavilion, and whose ways are past finding out-when see the good distress ed, apparently ready to murmur at the decree of 1 Heaven, remember the stranger at the helm; and | I say to myself that however inscrutable may be the great Father of Life, and however He may suf- fer darkness and doubt to overshadow our souls He knows what is best for us; and makes all things work together for good in the end
 | We have Pilot at the helm of the Universe who can see through the mists which envelop us, and will bring all His ransorned creation safe to the ha ven of eternal rest.
 Correspondence ofHe United States Gazette.
 THE GREAT FLOODS IN VENEZUELA. | SAN FERNANDO, July 90, 1S44.
 How unfortunate has been the year 1S44 for Ven- ezuela! what evils have we suffered, and how much more are we yet to suffer before this fatal year Is sepulchered in the abyss of time! We have now 1 to present relation of new, tremenduous cat- astrophe to our fellow citizens; if indeed we may be able to attract, for a moment, the consideration and commiseration of Venezuela to the miseries of this unfortunate province, which the iron hand of destiny appears to wish to blot from the map o the Republic. But how difficult will 1t be for us to awaken to these disasters the attention of breth- ren who also have to weep their own calamities! | San Fernando may now be said not to exist! The river began to rise in May last, and continued un til it covered the entire surface of the land, and in spite of our most efficient, active and constant ef forts to save ourselves, by opposing barriers and dikes to the force of the waters, the Apure has at
 last reached the height of two yards above the gen. l eral level of the land, and has inundated the entire community. The houses have alsob obeenfooded