some parts of the United States and Canada in Nov, 1819* ^69 
The cause assigned by Dr Williams^, for the uncommon 
darkness of 1780, is perhaps the most satisfactory which could 
be. given. But in the present case, no similar cause can be sup- 
posed, at least in New England. No great fires were destroying 
our woodlands. It was too late in the season. The combus- 
tible matter of the forests was not sufficiently dry. 
The darkness of 1780 occurred in May, after a long period 
of dry weather; that of 1819 in November, without being pre- 
ceded by any unusual drought, especially in this part of the 
country. The former lasted only thirteen or fourteen hours ; 
the latter nearly a week. 
The cause of this phenomenon, whatever it may be, is i|n- 
doubtedly to be sought at a considerable distance to the south 
of New England. Many persons in this vicinity, as well as my- 
self, observed, that when the wind blew most pow^erfully from a 
southerly quarter, it brought with it a vast quantity of smoke; 
or of something much resembling it ; and that the sky was then 
the darkest; that when the wind shifted, and blew a short time 
in any other direction, the atmosphere was in a degree cleared 
of this srnoky matter. During the time the darkness lasted, 
there was for the most part a pretty strong wind from the south. 
On Friday morning it changed to the west, and continued to 
blow for some time from that quarter. The unusual obscurity 
gradually disappeared, and objects, both in the heavens and 
upon the earth, soon assumed their ordinary aspect. 
Since writing the above, I have seen an article in the Mis- 
sionary,” of the 12th of November — a very respectable paper- 
printed at Mount Zion, Hancock Co. Georgia, relating to this 
phenomenon. It is stated, that ‘‘ the atmosphere had been very 
smoky for about a fortnight preceding ; so much so, that it had 
literally intercepted the rays of the sun at noon during a part 
of this time, and seriously affected tlie eyes.” “ It is doubtless,” 
added the writer, “ occasioned by great fires in the Indian ter- 
ritories. The wind has blown almost invariably from that di- 
rection for some time. 
That the late darkness had its origin in some of our raest 
southern states, or in the territories belonging to them, can, I- 
^ Memoirs of the Amcr, Acad, vol.' i. p. 23 1. 
