45

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