Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Foreign News
May 14, 1803
The Recorder
Richmond, Virginia
What is this article about?
Extract of a letter from Point Petre, Guadeloupe, dated March 12, 1803, describing five earthquake shocks the previous evening, the last being severe, causing the writer to stagger and locals to panic and pray despite their usual atheism.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
Extra of a letter dated Point Petre, Guadeloupe, 12th March, 1803.
"Last evening we experienced five shocks of an earthquake, the first of which was about 9 o'clock, and the last much more severe, about 10 o'clock. I was at that moment undressing with my face to the S. West, and the vibration was so violent as to make me stagger against the bedstead. In a few moments the street before my lodgings was crowded with men, women, and children, making a dismal noise, some screaming, and some crying on their knees to that providence which most of the people of this place have affected to deride; I say affected, because, however atheistical the free thinkers of the day may appear to be, believe it will be found that they have almost always, in the time of danger, thrown themselves upon the mercy of the deity."
"Last evening we experienced five shocks of an earthquake, the first of which was about 9 o'clock, and the last much more severe, about 10 o'clock. I was at that moment undressing with my face to the S. West, and the vibration was so violent as to make me stagger against the bedstead. In a few moments the street before my lodgings was crowded with men, women, and children, making a dismal noise, some screaming, and some crying on their knees to that providence which most of the people of this place have affected to deride; I say affected, because, however atheistical the free thinkers of the day may appear to be, believe it will be found that they have almost always, in the time of danger, thrown themselves upon the mercy of the deity."
What sub-type of article is it?
Disaster
What keywords are associated?
Guadeloupe Earthquake
March 1803
Earthquake Shocks
Public Panic
Natural Disaster
Where did it happen?
Point Petre, Guadeloupe
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Point Petre, Guadeloupe
Event Date
12th March, 1803
Event Details
Last evening experienced five shocks of an earthquake, first about 9 o'clock, last much more severe about 10 o'clock. Writer staggered against bedstead due to violent vibration while undressing facing S. West. Street crowded with men, women, and children screaming and crying on knees to providence, despite usual derision of deity by locals.