284 MITCHILL ON THE EARTHQUAKES OF 1811, 1812, AND 1813. 



of the legislature, who were in the state-house, and were considerably 

 alarmed at the shaking of the building. 



From Georgetown, (S. C.) it was told, that several shocks had been 

 experienced between the hours of three and eight, on the morning of 

 the 16th. The inhabitants were much alarmed. The shocks were so 

 considerable, that the parade-ground of the fort was said to have settled 

 from one to two inches below its former level. A tub of water, standing 

 upon a table in the barracks, was reported to have been overset by the 

 jarring of the building. Another severe shocjt was felt two days after- 

 wards, at noon. 



At Columbia, (S. C) the inhabitants were alarmed by repeated 

 shocks. The first took place at half after two in the morning of Mon- 

 day, which was represented as shaking the houses as if rocked by the 

 waves of the sea. It was followed, after the cessation of a minute, by 

 three slighter ones. At eight o'clock two others took place, and at ten, 

 some slight ones. The South Carolina college appeared to rock from 

 its foundation, and a part of its plaster fell; which so alarmed the stu- 

 dents, that they left their chambers without their clothes. It seemed as 

 if all the buildings would be levelled. The dogs barked; fowls made 

 a racket; and many persons ran about with lights, not knowing where 

 to go, so great was their terror. During the first agitation, it was ob- 

 served, that the air felt as if impregnated with a vapour, which lasted 

 for some time. 



On Tuesday, at a quarter after twelve, another smart shock was 

 experienced. At Laurens and Newbury, in the interior districts, it 

 was so violent as to crack and start several chimnies. 



At Charleston (S. C.) the sensation was of considerable strength. 

 One account stated, that on the morning of the 16th, at a few minutes 

 before three o'clock, a severe shock of an earthquake was felt. Its 

 duration conjectured to have been between two and three minutes. 



