Kingston records (regionally related)

42.

We were overturned in the Sleigh descending one of these mountain passes, fortunately for us was not deep just at that part of the road, and [no?] accident whatever took place no one hurt, the great danger attending being overturned is in case of being dragged, the sides of the sleigh being open, an accident of this description is frequently attended with the most serious consequences, the Horses were instantly taken out. Providentially the accident happened in a plateau of road where precipices were guarded by some rocks, we might have rolled down some hundred feet.

There was one Lady in the Sleigh Mrs. McKay whose fortitude and courage during the accident was worthy of example, she never said one word, but was thankful that is was no worse.

An event took place in this State in the year 1810 of a very alarming nature, one of the small Lakes which are so numerous in the upper part of this state, burst its bounds by an eruption Long Lake a beautiful sheet of water a mile and a half in length and three fourths of a mile wide was situated in the town of Glover and communicated with Lake Champlain, about 200 rods from Long Lake was a smaller lake on a much lower level the outlet of which was Barton river flowing in an opposite direction into Lake Memphremagog, the land separating these lakes was a deep declivity, the water being low at the mills on Barton river during the summer of 1810, it was thought advisable

43.

to obtain a new supply by letting out a portion of the water of Long Lake into the lake beneath by means of a trench down the intervening declivity accordingly on the 6th of June the people assembled with their tools, and began the work of cutting the trench when on a sudden the lake burst its borders and poured with its whole mass down the descent; rushing with inconceivable velocity in an immense column three quarters of a mile wide and 80 feet in depth across the country 15 miles into Lake Memphreuagog. The furious torrent tore up in its course, rocks, hills and forests, sweeping away houses, mines, cattle & roaring like thunder, and streaking the earth like a mighty earthquake. The inhabitants of Barton hearing the roar looked up toward the lake and beheld the torrent coming down upon them, bearing a whole forest upon its top. The cattle for many miles round ran bellowing to their home and all the neighbourhood were thrown the [greatest?] terror, no lives were lost, but a vast amount of damage was occasioned.

This town Burlington is situated in a small bay of the same name on the shores of Lake Champlain. This lake is 90 miles long in a direction due north, and 15 miles wide its broadest part its depth is sufficient for the longest vessel. It divides the north part of the State of New York from that of Vermont. It receives the waters of Lake George and sends its own waters a north course through Chambly river into the St. Lawrence