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No. 42. Vol. HI.
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AGENTS FOR THIS PAPER.
AUGUSTA, J. & FI. Ely.
COLUMBIA, J.Bvnom,Esq.PM.ColumbiaC.H.
GREENESBO ROUGH, A. H. Scott.
SPARTA, Cvprian Wilcox.
HARTFORD, Pulaski, G. B.Gardiner Esq.PM.
POWELTON, S. Duggar, Esq. T M.
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ABBEVILLE, (S. C.) Rev. H. Reid.
. SANDOPER, Abbeville, S. C Maj. U. Hill.
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JEFFERSOJY, Jackson, Rev. E. Pharr.
LIBERTY-HALL, Morgan, C. Allen, Esq.
WATKLYSVILLE, Clark .
H. W. Scovell, Esq. P. M.
RICEBORO', Liberty, Wm. Baker, Esq. T M.
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ERVINSVILLE, Rutherford , JY. C.
Rev. Hugh Quin.
ATHENS, Clarke, B. B. Peck.
LlJYCOltJYTON,Lincoln,Vetetr Lamar,Esq. PM.
SPARTANBURGH, S.C. J.Brannon,Esq. PM.
MILLEDGEVILLE, Leonard Perkins
ELRERTON. George Inskeep, Esq. P M.
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MALLORYSVILLE, Wilkes,
Asa Bearing, Esq. P M.
WAYNESBORO', Samuel Sturges, Esq. P M
LAURENS, S. C. Archibald Voung, Esq.
WRIGHTSBO RO', Q. L. C. Franklin, Esq.
MONTICKLLO. Greene D. Brantley, Esq.P M.
CARNESVILLE, Henry Freeman, Esq. I’. M.
SALEM, Clark, Raleigh Green, Esq. P. M.
MADISON, Morgan, William Bandy.
DARIEN, Allen Smith, Esq. P. M.
From the N. Y. Christian Herald.
TWO SCENES IN VIRGINIA.
Oq a lovely morning toward the close of
spring, I found myself in a very beautiful
part of the Great Valley of Virginia. Spur
red onward by impatience, I beheld the sun
rising in splendour and changing the blue
tints on the tops of the lofty Alleghany
mountains into streaks of purest gold, and
nature seemed to smile in the freshness of
beauty. A ride of about fifteen miles, and
a pleasant wood-land ramble of about two,
brought myself and companion to the great
Natural Bridge.
Although I had been anxiously looking
forward to this time, and my mind had been
considerably excited by expectation, yet I
\va not altogether prepared for this visit.
This great work of nature is considered by
many as the second great curiosity in our
country, Niagara Falls being the first. I
do not expect to convey a very correct idea
of this bridge, for no description can do this.
The Natural Bridge is entirely the work
of God. It is of solid limestone, and con
nects two huge mountains together by a
most beautiful arch, over which there is a
great wagon road. Its length from one
mountain to the other is nearly 80 fiset, its
width about 35, its thickness 45, and its per
pendicular height over the water is not far
from 220 feet. A few bushes grow on its
’ top, by which the traveller may hold him
self as he looks over. On each side of the
stream, and near the bridge, are rocks pro
jacting ten or fifteen feet over the water,
and from 200 to 300 feet from its surface,
all of limestone. The visiter cannot give
so good a description of this bridge as he
can of his feelings at the time He softly
creeps out on a shaggy projecting rock, and
looking down a chasm of from 40 to 60 feet
wide, he sees, nearly 300 feet below, a
wild stream foaming and dashing against
the rocks beneath, a<s if terrified at the
rock above. This stream is called Cedar
Creek. The visiter here sees trees under
the arch, whose height is 70 feet; and yet
4 to look down upon them, they appear like
small bushes of perhaps two or three feet
in height. I saw several birds fly under
the arch, and they looked like insects. I
threw down a stone, and counted 34 before
it reached the water. All hear of heights
and of depths, but they here see what is
high, and they tremble, and feel it to be
deep. The awful recks present their ev
erlasting bntments, the water murmurs and
foams far below, and the two mountains
rear their proud heads on each side, sepa
rated by a channel of sublimity. Those
who view the sun, the moon, and the stars,
and allow that none but God could make
(hem, will here be impressed that none
but an Almighty God could build a bridge
like this.
The view of this bridge from below, is
as pleasing as the top view is awful. The
arch from beneath would seem to be about
two feet in thickness. Some idea of the
THE MISSIONARY.
distance from (he top to the bottom may be
formed, from the fact, that as I stood on the
bridge and my companion beneath, neither
of ib could speak with sufficient loudness to
be beard by the other. A man from either
view does not appear more than four or
five inches in height.
As we stood under this beautiful arch,
we saw the place were visiters have often
taken Ihe pains to engrave their names
upon the rock. Here Washington climed
up 25 feet and carved his own name, where
it still remains. Some, wishing to immor
talize their uames, have engraven them
deep and large, while others have tried to
climb up and insert them high in this book
of fame.
A few years since, a young man, being
ambitious to place his name above all oth
ers, came very near losing his life in the
attempt. After much fatigue he climbed
up as high as possible, hut found that the
person who had before occupied his place
was taller than himself, and consequently
had placed his name above his reach. But
he was not thus to be discouraged. He
opens a large jack-knife, and in the soft
lime-stonp, began to cut places for his
hands and feet. With much patience and
industry he worked his way upwards, and
succeeded incarvihg his name higher than
the most ambitious had done before him.
He could now triumph, but his triumph wa3
short, for he was placed in such a situation
that it was impossible to descend, unless
he fell upon the ragged rocks beneath him.
There was no house near, from whence his
companions could get assistance. He could
not long remain in that condition, and,
what was worse, his friends were too much
frightened to do any thing for his relief.
They looked upon him as already dead,
expecting every moment to see him precip
itated upon the rocks below and dashed to
pieces. Not so with himself. He deter
mined to ascend. Accordingly he plies
himself with his knife, cutting places for his
hands and feet, and gradually ascended
with incredible labour. He exerts every
muscle. His life was at stake, and all the
terrours of death rose before him. He
dared not to look downards, lest his head
should become dizzy ; and perhaps on this
circumstance his life depended. His com
panions stood at the top of the rock extort
ing and encouraging him. His strength
was almost exhausted; but a bare possibili
ty of saving his life still remained, & hope,
the last friend of the distressed,had not for
saken him. His course upwards was rather
obliquely than perpendicularly. His most
critical moment had now arrived. He had
ascended considerably more than 200 feet,
and bad still further to rise, when he felt
himselffast grooving weak. He thought of
his friends and all his earthly joys, aDcl he
could not leave them. He thought of the
gravp, and dared not meet it. He now
made his last effort, and succeeded. He
had cut his way not far from 250 feet from
the water, in a course almost perpendicu
lar ; and in a little less than two hours, his
anxious companions reached him a pole
from the top and drew him up. They re
ceived him with shouts of joy *but he him
self was completely exhausted. He imme
‘ diately fainted away on reaching the spot,
and it was some time before he could be re
covered !
It was interesting to see the path up
these awfgl rocks, and to follow in imagin
ation this bold youth as he thus saved his
life. His name stands far above all the
rest, a monument of hardihood, rashness,
and of folly.
We staid around this seat of grandeur
about four hours; but from my own feelings
I should not have supposed it over half an
hour. There is a little cottage near, late
ly built; here we were desired to write
our names as visiters of the bridge, in a
large book kept for this purpose. Two
large volumes were nearly ‘filled in this
manner already. Having immortalized
our names by enrolling them in this book,
we slowly and silently returned to our hors
es, wondering at this great work of nature ;
and we could not but be filled with aston
ishment at the amazing power of Him, who
can clothe himself in wonder and terror,
or throw around his works a mantle of sub
limity.
About three days ride from Natural
Bridge brought us to a little place called
Port Republick, about twenty miles from
the town of Staunton. Here we prepared
ourselves to visit another curiosity. The
shower was now over, which had wet us to
the skin—the sun was pouring down his
most scorching rays—the heavy thunder
bad gone by; we threw around our de
lighted eyes, and beheld near us the lofty
Alleghany rearing his shaggy head. The
south branch of tbe Shenandoah River,
with its banks covered with beautiful trees,
wa9 murmuring at our feet—a lovely plain
stretched below us as far as the eye could
reach; and we, with our guide, were now
standing about half way up a bill about 200
feet high, and so steep that a biscuit may
be thrown from its top into the river at its
foot —we were standing at the mouth of
Ware’s Cave. This cavern derives its
name from Barnet Ware , who discovered it
in the year 1804. It is situated near Madi-
Cave, so celebrated, tbongh the latter
cancoj be compared with the .former- It
GO Ve INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE Jksus Christ.
MOUNT ZION, (HANCOCK CO. GA.) MONDAY, MARCH 25, 1822.
would seem as if in this mountain nature
had strewed her beauties with a hand so
prodigal, that it creates not only pleasure,
but astonishment also.
There were three of us, besides our
guide, with lighted torches, and our loins
girded, now ready to descend into the cave.
We took our lights in our left hands, and
entered. The month was so small that we
could descend only by creeping, one after
another. A descent of almost twenty
yards, brought us into the first room. The
cave was exceedingly cold, dark, and silent,
like the chambers of death. In this man
ner we proceeded, now descending thirty
or forty feet—now ascending as high—now
creeping on our hands and knees, and now
walking in large rooms—the habitations of
solitude. The mountain seems to be com
posed almost wholly of limestone, and by
this means the cave is lined throughout with
the most beautiful incrustations and stalac
tites of carbonated lime, which are formed
by the continual dripping of the water.
These stalactites are of various and elegant
shapes and colours, often bearing a striking
resemblance to animated nature. At one
place we saw over our heads, what appear
ed to be a water-fall, of the most delightful
kind. Nor could the imagination he easily
persuaded that this was not in reality a wa
ter-fall ; you could see the water dashing
and boiling down—see its white spray and
foam, &c.—but it was all solid carbonated
limestone.” Thus w : e passed on in this
world of solitude—now stopping to admire
the beauties of a single stalactite—now
wondering at the magnificence of n large
room—now creeping through narrow pas
sages, hardly wide enough to admit the
body of a man, and now walking in superb
galleries, until we came to the largest
room, called Washington-Ilall. This is
ceriainly the most elegant room I ever
saw. It i9 about 270 feet in length, about
35 in width, and from between 30 aud 40
feet high. The roof and sides are very
beautifully adorned by the tinsels which
nature has betowed in the greatest profu
sion, and which sparkle like the diamond
while surveyed by the light of torches.
The floor is flat and smooth, and solid. 1
was foremost of our little party in entering
this room, and was ilot a little startled on
approaching the centre, and by my small
light seeing a figure, as it were, rising up
before me out of the solid rock. It was
not far from seven feel high, and corres
ponded in every respect to the common
idea of a ghost. It was very white, and
resembled a tall man plothed in a shroud.
1 went up to it sidewaVs,” though 1 could
not really expect to meet a ghost in a place
like this. On examination, I found it was
a very beautiful piece es the carbonate of
lime, very transparent,& very much in the
shape of a man. This is called Washing
ton's Statue —as if nature would do that for
this hero, which his delivered country has
not done—rear a statue to his memory!
Here an accident happened which might
have been serious. One of our party had
purposely extinguished his light, lest we
should not have enough to last. My com
panion accidentally put out his light, and in
sport came and blew out mine. We were
now about sixteen hundred feet from day
light, with but one fefble light, which the
falling water might ih a moment have ex
tinguished. Add to (his, that the person
who held this light, was at some distance
viewing some falling vvater. “Conticuere
omnes, intentique ora tenebant.” We,
howpver, once more lighted our torches ;
but had we not been able to do so, we
might at our leisure, have contemplated
the gloominess of the cavern, for no one
would have come to us till the next day.
In one room we found an excellent spring
of water, which boiled up, slaked our tbirt,
sunk again into tbe mountain, and was seen
no more. In another room was a noble
pillar, called the Tower of Babel. It is
cotnpospd entirely of the stalactites of lime,
or, as the appearance w-oul.d seem to sug
gest, of petrified water. It is about 30
feet in diameter, and a little more than 90
in circumference, and not far from 30 feet
high. It would appear as if there must be
many millions of stalactites in this one
pillar.
Thus we wandered in this world within
a world, till we had visited twelve very
beautiful rooms, and as many creeping pla
ces, and now arrived at the end—a distance
from oar entrance of between twenty-four
and twenty-five hundred feet; or what is
about its equal, half a mile from the mouth.
We here found ourselves exceedingly fa
tigued, but our torches forbad us to tarry,
and we once more turned our steps towards
the common world. When arrived once
more at Washington-Hall, one of our com
pany three times discharged a pistol, whose
report was truly deafening. It was as loud
as any cannon 1 ever heard, and as its sound
reverberated and echoed through one
room after another till it died away in dis
tance, it seemed like moanings of spirits.
We continued our wandering steps till we
arrived once more at daylight, having been
nearly three hours in the cavern. We
were much fatigued, covered with dirt, and
a cold sweat; yet we regretted to leave it.
From the further end of the cave 1 gather
ed some stalactites, wbjcb l put
into my portmanteau and preserved as me
mentos of that day’s visit.
In comparing the Natural Bridge and the
Cave together as objects of curiosity, we
find the comparison difficult. Many consid
er the Bridge as the greatest curiosity; but
1 think the Cavern is. In looking at the
bridge we are filled with awe;'at the
cavern with delight. At the bridge we
have several views thai are awful; at the
cave hundreds that are pleasing. At the
bridge you stand, and look, and feel, like a
standing pillar of astonishment; at the cave
awfulness is lost in beauty, and grandeur is
dressed in a thousand captivating forms.
At the bridge you feel yourself to be look
ing into another world ; at the cave you
find yourself already arrived there. The
one presents us. a God who is very “ won
derful in working;” the other exhibits the
same pertver, but with it is mingled loveli
ness in a thousand forms. In each is vast
ness. Greatness constitutes the whole of
one ; but the other is elegant, as well as
great. They are both certainly very great
curiosities. Os each we must retain lively
impressions; and to witness such displays
of the Creator’s power, must ever be con
sidered as happy moments of o,ur lives.
While viewing scenes like these, we must
ever exalt the energy of creating power,
and shrink under the thoughts of our own
insignificance. These works of nature are
admirably well calculated to impress us
deeply with a sense of the mighty power of
God, who can separate two mountains by a
channel of awfulness, or fill the bowels of
a huge mountain with beauties that man
with oil the aid of art, can only admire, but
never imitate. Pep.vagus.
A NEW SOCIETY,
FOR THF.
BENEFIT OF INDIANS,
ORGANIZED
AT THE CITY OF WASHINGTON
FEBRUARY, 1822.
PREAMBLE.
Whereas the publick attention has been
recently awakened, and turned with pecu
liar interest, to the civilization of the Indi
an tribes within the United States, and it
has hence become necessary to iovestigate
the history, character, and actual condition
of these tribes: And whereas tbe labour
of a full, extensive, and accurate survey of
this wide-spread and interesting field, is too
great for individual effort: Therefore, for
(he purpose of combining the wisdom, the
talents, and active energies of men of infor
mation, all classes and denominations in our
nation, qualified and inclined to engage in
this benevolent work, and directing them
to the aid and support of these, whose office
requires that they take the lead in accom
plishing it, a Society has been formed and
organized under the following
CONSTITUTION.
I. The name of this Association shall be,
“ The American Society for promoting
the civilization and general improvement
of the Indian Tribes within the United
States.
11. The special objects of this Society
1 shall be to secure for these tribes instruc
tion in all branches of knowledge, suited to
their capacities and condition ; and for this
purpose, to ascertain the character and
strength of their moral and intellectual
| powers, and their dispositions to receive in
struction: to examine into their origin, his
tory, memorials, antiquities, traditions, gov
] ernments, customs, manners, laws, langua
-1 ges and religions; into their diseases, rem
. edies and manner of applying them ; also,
into the effects which have been already
made for meliorating their condition, and
the results of those efforts; and where
they have failed—the cause of failure; to
ascertain the number and names of the
tribes, their places of residence, the extent,
soil and climate, @l*their respective territo
ries, the stations where education families
may be most advantageously located, and
to suggest what other means may be em
ployed for their improvement.
Other objects of the Society shall be, to
obtain a knowledge of (he geography, min
eralogy, geology, natural history, &.c. of
the Indian country—to collect specimens in
all these branches of science, for the pur
pose of forming a Cabinet for the use of
the Government of the Unitpd Sfates : Al
so, to select suitable spots in the Indian
country, for making experimental farms in
the immediate view of Indians, on which to
cultivate the different kinds of grains, gras
ses, trees, plants, roots, and other garden
vegetables, adapted io tbe various soils and
climates of the aforesaid country; to intro
duce the best breeds of domestick animals,
and feathered fowls: And generally, to do
all other thiugs, which such a Society can
do, to accomplish its grand object, the civ
ilization of the Indians.
111. Two rooms in this city shall be pro
cured and appropriated to the use of the
Society; one for its Cabinet the other for
it3 Library, and the use of the Secretaries.
IV. The Officers of this Society shall be
such number of patrpns, as it may see fit to
appoint, a President, Vice President, a Cor
responding Secretary, with two Assistants,
a Recording Secretary, with an Assistant,
a Treasurer, an Auditor, a Board of Direc
tors, n Committee of Ways and Means, a
Price J * 3 ’ so pr ‘ ann> or ’ \
i / tie, j , n advance. $
Cabinet-Keeper, a Librarian, and a select
body of Special Correspondents.
V. The Successive Presidents of the
United States, who shall have retired from
office, shall be ex-officio, Patrons of this
Society ; the Vice President of the United
States, ex-officio, its President; the Heads
of Departments, Judges of the Supreme
Court of the United States, and Governours
of the several States and Territories, ex"-
officio, Vice-Presidents.
VI. The President of the Society, at its
meetings, shall take the chair, and fulfil all
the customary duties belonging to a presi
ding officer. In bis absence, the senior
Vice-President, or next senior officer pres
ent, shall take his place and fulfil his do
ties.
VII. The Recording Secretary, Treasu
rer, Auditor, and all the Assistant Officers,
will perform all (he duties appropriate to
their respective offices, which are usually
performed by officers of like name in other
Societies.
VIII. The Corresponding Secretary
shall carry on correspondence with such
members of the General, State, and Terri
torial Governments, with the Spedial Cor
respondents, of the Society, with Military
Officers, Missionary Societies, Indian Su
perintendents and Agents, and all other as
sociations and individuals in our own coun
try, who may be able to furnish information
touching the objects of this Society, or
otherwise assist its operations: Also ivith
Foreign Societies of like character and ob*
jects ; and shall communicate hi corres
pondence, and the information he shall
have received, at the annual meeting of the
Society; and, under the instructions of the
Hoard of Direction, shall prepare the An
nual Report of the Society.
IX. The Board of Directors shall consist
of thirteen members, five of whom shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of
all business of the Society, except (he al
teration of its Constitution, and the disposal
of its funds; and for these purposes nine
members shall he required for a quorum.
The Board shall make, modify, and repeal, •
at its discretion, all rules and by-laws which
they may form for the regulation of the So
ciety ; superintend its general concerns;
advise the Corresponding Secretary in the
• discharge of hi duties; and after the first
organization of the Society, shall fill their
own vacancies, and vacancies of all other
elective officers of the Society'; and shall
make such alterations and improvements of
the Constitution, plrct such Honoray Mem
bers, and add such Special Correspondents,
as they may think expedient, for the better
attainment of the objects of the Society.
The Corresponding Secretary, his First
Assistant, and the Recording Secretary,
shall be, ex-officio, members of this Board.
X. The Committee of Ways and Means
shall consist of five members, three of
whom may constitute a quorum. This
Committee shall devise, and prosecute to
effect the measures most practicable and
best adapted, to supply the Treasury with
the necessary’ funds to carry on its opera
tions. They shall also provide and super
intend the rooms for the Cabinet and Libra
ry of the Society, for the accommodation of
its officers, and for its annual publick meet
ings, and shall appdint and instruct the
Cabinet-Keeper and Librarian in their res
pective duties.
It shall also he the duty of this Commit
tee to collect materials, books, manu
scripts, &c. for the Cabinet and Library,
suited to the objects of the society.
XI. It shall be tbe duty of the Special
Correspondents of the Society, to commu
cate to the Corresponding Secretary, from
time to lime, such facts, hooks, documents,
printed and manuscript, ancient and mod
ern, and general and particular informa
tion, as they may collect or pogsess, and
may think it expedient to transmit, with
their own remarks and suggestions, to be
deposited in the archives of the Society,
at the City of Washington.
XII. Members of both Houses of Con
gress, General Officers of (be Army, Com
missioners of the Navy, the Presidents and
Professors of Colleges and Theological
Seminaries, the Clergy of all denominations
throughout the United States, (he Presi
dents and Secretaries of all Associations and
Societies who embrace Indians among the
objects of their attention, all Commanding
Officers of military posts, within, or near,
Ihe Indian Territories, all superintendents
of Indians, and Indian Agents shall be, ex
officio, members of this Society.
Any person may become a member of
this Society, by transmitting the sum of five
dollars, with his name and address, to tbe
Recording Secretary, to be placed on the
Register of Members.
The Society will depend on tbe volunta
ry contributions of its members, to supply
its Treasury with the funds necessary to
carry on its various and extensive ope
rations.
XIII. There shall be an annual meeting
of the Society, at the seat of the Govern
ment of the United States, at twelve
o’clock, on the Wednesday succeeding the
day appointed for the opening of Congress,
of which notice shall be given in the pub
lick papers, by the Recording Se^retar y,