The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-11-30

"In passing the mountain Of Uzdom, (Sodom) we un-
expeciedly and much to our aStonlshment continues
our aid ventuTous expOer, "saw large, rounded tunet
shaped column, facing towards southeast, which proved
TO be OF solid rock SALT capped with carbonate OF lime
OF crysallization. Mr. Dale took sketch OF
il, and Dr. Anderson and J. with great difficulty, landed
and procured specimens from II"
The sea soon proved shallow that they could pro-
coed no further. Half mile from The southern Shore
they found but six inches water and beyond, an exIen
sive marsh too yielding for foot hold
Near the eastern shore they encountered slrocco
which came sweeping from the southeast across me aes
ert OF Arabia with sitting heat. ATS p m Their Their
momeeT, which before had ranged from 50 TO 81 de-
grees stood 1906 .We could not take our tents with
u.s." says the interesting letter from which we are quo
ting nor did we need them, as we found IL more agree
able sleeping in the open air upon the beach"
| Having circumnavigated the lake, and returning to
their place of departure, they found The sad intelligence
of Mr. Adams's death awaiting their arrival. Their
colors were lowered at hal mast, and there out upon
the dark of this mysterious sea- this little band OF
true hearted Americans paid tribute to the memory OF
the patriot and statesman with twenty one minute guns,
fired from their frai vessels The echoes from the cav
enous recesses of the lofty and barren mountains which
surrounded thsm startled the Arabs and reverberated
loudly and strangely upon the ears OF the mourners.
The letters of Lieut. Lynch, giving an account errene
eaamo Of his proceedings are Of great value and EXCEED
nouncng his return to the United States, and OF welcom
ing him and his companions back to country, home and
friends.
We have" says he, ELECTED several facts of inter-
est to the man of science and the Christian
"The bottom of the northern half of this is almost
en(tTe pam. lis al bnOTl
from the shore vary in depth The deepest sound
ing thus far ss athoms (l2S feet) Near the shore the
bottom generally ncrusation of salt, but the inter-
mediate soft mud with many rectangular crystals
mostly cubes of pure salt AT time Stellwagens
lead brought up nothing but crystals.
"The southern half of the sea is shallow as the
northern is Deep and for about fourth OF its
tire length the depth does not exceed three iathoms
feet Its southern bed has presented crystals but
the shores lined with incrusatons OF SALT and when
we landed at UZdom IN the space OF an hour our loot
prints were coated with crysalliZation.
"The opposite shores Of the peninsula and the west
| coast present evident marks of disruption:
the Shores and ducks sometimes upon the sea, for
we have them, but cannot detect any living thing
within it; although the salt streams flowing into il con
tain small fish. My hopes have been strengthened into
conviction, and sure that the results OF this survey
will fully sustain the scripture. account OF the cities of
tn. Ea,E. one exception we are WE'LL save to that ONE
not dose of medicine has been administered; and his
disease is neither caused nor affected by the climate AL
meals day, save when we are restricted to one, there
is compainng-al seem to be actuated by a. high
of duty The preserved meats have proved almost
worthless few being able to eat them and sometimes
only food is rice Oranges and lemons, uxuries in our
country here from the want OF vegetables absolute
necessares Still, there cavaliers at home, have
sent to Jerusalem and purchased them Tor the
at my own expense.
"The expense OF guards to our baggage while we are
absent, am obliged to incur, also for their anspora-
ton from place TO place for the boats can carry no more
than the officers and the arms, instruments, food,
and water The whole cost from Beirou 10 this place,
including purchases transportation of boats camels,
horses guards and guides, amounted to about 500.
strive to be economical
"Wh the Arabs on the most friendly terms.
In accordance with the tenor of my orders have agreed
to pay them fairly for all the services they may render
and provisions they may bring, but for nothing
Thus far, two false alarms excepted we have been
disturbed in progress and operations scarce know
what should have done without the Arabs They
bring food when nearly famshed and wafer when
pached with thirst They act as guides and messengers,
and in absence faithfully guard our tents bedding,
and clothes Adecided course. tempered with courtesy,
wins at their respect and good will Although they
are mpetuous race not an angry word has thus far
passed between With the blessing of God, hope to
preserve the existence of harmony to the last.
The Jordan, although rapid and impetuous, is grace
full in its windngs and fringed with uxuriance, while its
waters sweet, clear, cool, and refreshing
Even if my letter brief, this is not proper
place to dwell upon the wonders of this sea, for
drons 49, in every sense OF the word so sudden are the
changes of the weather and different the aspects il
presents, at times to if in world of
entertainments We alternately beside and upon the
brink and the surface OF huge and sometimes seethng
cauldron."
The greatest depth obtained was 2ls fahoms, q Jos
feet) Having completed the survey of the sea- the party
shores and to run level thence via Jerusalem to the
Mediterranean They found the summit of the precipi-
tous ridge which forms the west bank of the Dead TO
be than thousand feet above its surface, and very
nearly level with the Mediterranean.
1t is curious fact that the distance from the top to
the bottom of the Dead should the height of
its banks the elevation OF the Mediterranean, and the
difference of level between the bottom of the two
and that the depth of the Dead should be also
act multiple of the height of Jerusalem above it.
Another not less singular fact, in the opinion of Lieut.
Lynch, is that the bottom of the Dead forms two
submerged plains elevated and depressed one The
FIRST its southern part, of Shiny mud, covered by shall
low bay the last its northern and largest portion, OF
mud and demonstrations and rectangular crystals of salt
al great depth, with narrow avne running through
it, corresponding with the bed of the river Jordan at
extremity, and the Wady eel Jeib, wady within a
wady, at the other"
The shiny ooze upon that plain at the bottom of the
Dead will not fail to remind the sacred historian of
the "sme PITS in the vale, where joined in battle
''four kings with i've"
June the 9th, the whole party, after an absence of
little two months, had returned TO St Jean dAcre
on the Mediterranean They brought back their boats
in complete order they received them board
New York. The party in fine health. Save flesh
wound 10 one man from the accidental discharge of his
piece, not accident mshap had occurred any
The Arabs would point to them and say, "God is with
them"
Lieut. Lynch has endeared himself to his countrymen
his Christian brethren look upon him with pride, and the
whole Christian world with eager interest await his
turn and the forthcoming of his final report
| By this expedition, problems great and important in
the eyes of Chrisendom, have been solved by the Amer
government, and that too at a cost trng to be
named in such connection.
| Seven hundred dollars for scientific exploration of
the Dead seal There is not village church in the land,
where. if the matter had been proposed, such could
not have been raised at for the work. Still there
be cavaliers at home )" and as of old, now there be
those who can 'strain at gnat and swallow camel "
But the enlightened and patriotic minds which planned set
on foot, and consummatcd this undertaking. have also
used their high privileges of place advance the honor
of their and the glory