MITCHILL ON THE EARTHQUAKES OF 1811, 1812, AND 1813. 297 



This was said to have been more extensive than the preceding ones, 

 inasmuch as the newspapers stated that it was felt at New-York. 



Another was experienced in Kentucky, on the 30th of January. It 

 was described in a letter from Louisville to Stephen Ormsby, Esq. as 

 having proceeded from the west, about the same time of night with 

 that of December 29. It was not near so violent. The relater was 

 waked from sleep by a noise like that of a carriage, which was fol- 

 lowed by a shake. About six minutes before the shock, the whole 

 heavens appeared to be illuminated, and darkness immediately after- 

 wards ensued. No damage was done. 



These commotions were renewed in February, as appears by the 

 intelligence from Michigan, written to me by Judge Witherall: 



" The earthquakes continue to visit us. On the 3d instant, fourteen 

 minutes past 4 p. m., a small shock was felt; the mercury low, but not 

 quite in the ball ; it had risen very considerably a few hours previous to 

 the shock. On the 7th, at 4 p. m., the weather continuing moderate, 

 the shock was strong, nearly equalling the one I previously mentioned 

 to you, and continued about ninety seconds; on the same evening, at 

 half past seven, another small shock; at fifty-five minutes past nine, the 

 same evening, another small shock; at eleven, another, and at 2 a. m. 

 of the 8th, one which seemed to produce a different motion; that is, 

 like pounding up and down, instead of oscillating." 



On the 7th of February several shocks occurred at Pittsburgh. 

 These were most extensively felt, and by no means confined to that 

 region. They began about four in the morning. Many persons were 

 so much alarmed as to rise from their beds and run out of doors, 

 screaming with affright. Flashes of light similar to those seen on the 

 16th of December were perceived toward the southwest. The last 

 concussions were greater than any that had been experienced before, 

 There was another shake between ten and eleven that night. 



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