41 



out more clearly than they appear at present, to eve- 

 ry one. 



Of its gravity and velocity, we must judge by its 

 effects. Of its cause and duration, it is impossible to 

 determine. 



I shall assume the position that the course of this 

 current, was not only influenced by, but, in fact, de- 

 pended on that of the general current of the Atlantic 

 ocean. That from some unknown cause, its waters 

 rose, not merely above the common height of flood- 

 tide, but to that degree, that it overran its ancient li- 

 mits, and spread desolation on its adjacent shores. 



The same fruitful source, from whence proceeded the 

 probable cause of the Atlantic ocean rising at first, 

 above its ordinary height, continued to yield its in- 

 exhaustible supplies, until this current, knowing no 

 bounds, swept lawlessly over the desolated land. 



In proportion to the increase of the waters of the 

 Atlantic, (for I speak only of it at present,) and the con- 

 sequent rise, so must have been the acceleration and 

 force of its current ; and in proportion to the velocity 

 or rapidity of this current, so must have been its ra- 

 vages and its general destruction wherever it may have 

 prevailed, whether over the extended plains, or be- 

 neath the mountains lofty heights. 



The consequence was, that the earth or soil, suscep- 

 tible of the operations of this current, was hurled from 

 its bed, wafted beyond the shores of the continent, 

 and deposited in the ocean all along the coast. And 

 in proportion to the extent of soil or land over, which 



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