64 On the Earthquakes of North- America. 



The first of them is thus spoken of by Mr. John 

 Heckewelder, in answer to a set of queries, which I 

 had sent him. His letter is dated December 23d, 

 1795. 



" Coshachking, which was, for many years, the 

 seat of government of the Delaware- Indians, was 

 situated on the south-east side of Muskingum- River, 

 exactly opposite to the mouth of White Woman's- 

 Creek (or the great Forks of Muskingum). I lived, 

 at the time the earthquake was perceived, about two 

 miles lower down this river, and in a southerly direc- 

 tion. I am not positive from what quarter the earth- 

 quake came. It came quick, and was but of short 

 duration. I well remember, however, that on its be- 

 ginning, the house was raised on the east side. The 

 dead-thundering noise, which appeared to be under 

 ground, followed (to the best of my recollection) the 

 shock. This dead-like sound was in a southerly di- 

 rection from the place where I was, and (as I suppos- 

 ed) scarcely a mile distant from me. However, as 

 this sound was in the same direction the river ran, it 

 might have been at a greater distance. 



" This whole country abounds with coal-mines, 

 many visible above ground. 



" I did not perceive, that this earthquake occasion- 

 ed any visible alteration in the strata of stone. There 

 is not much stone in this country ; and where there 

 are stones I always thought them horizontal, except 

 on one part of the river (Muskingum), where there 



