Box 7, Folder 1: Increase Lapham Correspondence 1826-1830

(Column One)

2 Platteville Academy Platteville Wis 2 Dr. D. W. Perkins Milwaukee 4 F. K. Phoenix New York 4 Temple Prime New York 2 Dr. Phelps Chicago Dr. Zina Pitcher Detroit Mich 2+4 Col. W. F. Reynolds " " 2 Dr. Rosenthal Good Hope Milwaukee Co Wis 2 Mrs. J. R. Redfield Chicago 6 Chas. J. Richards Dubuque Iowa Rev. Mr. Ruger Janesville, Wis 2 L. H. Ranson Albany N.Y. 6 Dr. J. H. Ranch Madison Indiana 2 R. H. Selden Marquete Mich 2 W. Spooner Elkhorn 4 Alex Seiler Mazo Manie Wis 6 Hon John Y. Siammon Chicago 2 Rev. Mr. Sweet Beaver Dam Wis 2 Co. Stevens Dodgeville Wis 2 W. S. Sullivant Columbus Ohio State Historical Society St. Paul Minn 2 Prof. J. R. Sewall Bloomington Ill 2+2 Rev H. W. Spaulding Evansville Ind 2 Dr. B. L.Shurnard St. Louis 2 Dr. W. Stimson Chicago John L Sibley Cambridge Mass 2 Hon Horatio Seymour Utica N.Y. Dr. Sager Ann Arbor Mich 2 Rev. J. P. Tuin Grand Rapids Mich 2 J. J. Talmadge Milwaukee 6 John Townley Moundville Wis Provincial Observatory Toronto 2 D. H. Tullis Madison Wis Prof Echo Tuckerman Amherst Mass 2 Charles Worthington Cleveland Ohio Prof Alex Winchell Ann Arbor Mich 8 Col. Chas. Whittlesey Cleveland Ohio 4 Prof. C. B. Wilber Chicago 2 Henry A Ward Rochester N.Y. 2 Ira Wood Kalamazoo Mich E. M. Williamson Madison Wis 2 Prof J. C. Watson Ann Arbor Mich 6 A. H. Worther Springfield Ill 2 Wisconsin Female College Fox Lake, Wis 2 Douglass Wolcott Milwaukee

(Column Two) 2 J. L. Willard Evanston Ill John G. Whittier Amesbury Wis 2+3 Wm White Green Lake Wis 20 cts in papers

[Letters recieved?] in pencil

6+9 Mrs. E. E. Atwater Chicago 6 H. O. Armour " 6 Dr. T. F. Allen 96 4th Ave New York 3 +2 M. Anderson La Crosse Wis 3 H. G. Bliss Madison Wis 6 E. A. Clifford Evaston Ill 3 Rev A.L. Chapin Beloit Wis. 3 Prof. E. Carr Madison, Wis. 3 Rev. Mr. DeKoven Racine Wis. 9 K. W. Doggett Chicago Ill. 6 Mrs. D.M.P. Davis Winetka Ill 6 Prof E. Daniels Chicago 6 Dr. F. H. Day Wawautosa Wis. 3 J. H. Emerson Dubuque Iowa 3 Mrs. E. Ely Chicago 3 Ira E. Goodall Veloit Wis 3 Hon Geo Gale Galesville Wis 5 J. W. Hoyt Madison Wis 9+3 Dr P. R. Hoy Racine " 6 L. Hayl Chicago Ill 3+3 William L. Henry Mineral Point, Wis 5 Dr. J. P. Kisttand Cleveland Ohio 3 Dr. Kedzie Lansing Mich 5 Leo Les grureaux Columbus Ohio 3 Nelson Ludington Chicago 3 Rev. R.Z. Mason Appleton Wis 3 Rev. J. Murish Mazomanie " 3 Prof. H. B. Mason Troy N.Y. 3 Pres. Carroll College Waukesha Wis 3 D. Phelps Chicago 3 Col W. F. Raynold Detroit 3 Prof J. R. Sewall Bloomington Ill 6 E.B. Spaulding Racine Wis 3 More Spear Mazomanie Wis 8 Alex Seiler " " 9 John Townley Moundville " 3 Col Wood Chicago 3 Gilbert Williams Hemlock Station penn 3 Bracken Mineral Point

Month of July 25th 1827 Green River Lake Erie U Canada

Dear Brother It would seem to you rather amusing to see all the waters of the globe and all the loose materials that are scattered over its surfaces; all start at once and impelled by an Extension Attraction over the surface of the earth weaning down the tops of mountains and filling up immense valleys forming ridges of fine earth, sand gravel and large rocks of great weight intermixed without order carrying primitive substances from there native places and depositing them where they are not known.

Such would be the consequences should a comet pass so near the earth as to attract these substances; and that one has passed over this part of the earth appears evident from numerous circumstances and phenomena.

David Thomas says in his remarks on the deluge that " In considering such astonishing appearances we become satisfied that these ought not be ascribed to the earth's attraction simply restoring the waters to a level. We believe indeed that the most extraordinary tides swept over this country but the ridges which were formed period give not their arrangement to water'[alone]". Many one so sharp even at this day as barely to admit a foot path on the summit. Fine earth and gravel rounded stones and rocks of great weight are intermined without order and we have frequently observed in these piles surrounded by different substances, bodies of ? which have apparently been removed entire"

"It is well known that ponderous substances in a state of minute division may be suspended in fluid. The difference is the removal of water of one cubic foot of sand and of a sand stone of the same weight will be instantly evident. In small bodies the superficies is great ? proportion to the solid content. The surrounding fluid comes more immediately in contact by proximity of attraction the general pressure to the center with increase of magnitude however there is not a proportionate increase of surface so internal parts are more distant from the contact and the consequent attraction of the fluid and inadequately supported the solid falls to the bottom.

With these principles in view the removal of large rocks by the simple pressure of water will not be admitted. On the principle of a foreign attraction however the explanation of these appearances is clear and consistent. Every loose substance on the surface of the earth would lifted or drawn along and the rock which has been fastened down by gravitation receiving a new and opposite impulse would become as obedient as feenignious sand to the magnet. The particles of clay would keep pace withe coarser materials of the hills and the great Rock at Montesuma. Estimates at 3000 cubic feet move along with the sand that supports it.

The great extent of this deluge is also favorable to our exposition of the subject its here in deed one variable and in some small distinct scarcely perceptible but a wide extent of country bears unequivocable marks of its progress and we feel a assured that future observations will attend the limits of these discoveries.

We have read no author of recent date who has attempted to account for these phenomena except Dr. Drake. His remarks are interesting but the sphere of his observations was too limited to favor a just conclusion. From him we learn that "these fragments of primitive rocks are said to be scattered extensively over the state of Ohio, the Indiana Territory and Kentucky." He also remarks, "The older alluvious are composed of sand, gravel and water worn pebbles covered from two to six feet deep with a bed of yellowish loam. "The upper table in the town of Cincinnati is of this kind. Vegetable substances chiefly of the decaying remnants of trees have been found in different parts of various depths from twenty to thirty feet. The beds of same tree lie in most parts at considerable depths and have an oblique or water like stratification."

Dr. Drake has suggested that the granite of the Ohio country arrived from the mouth We have shown that the native stories of this country have been regularly carried in the same direction, we have shown that the primitive rocks to the south vary in color from those of the same species in this district. We have believed that ours were detached from stra-

in Canada. and the observations of Mc Kensie tends to prove their identity about one hundred miles east of lake Superior he observed that "the rocks is generally now of a dark blue grey" and at Lake Winnipeek. The north bank is black and grey rock."

"He had informed us that the country is granite and although there is much variety of color in our fragments a great proportion would accord with his descriptions. This is suggested for the use of future observers."

"The gravel hills to the south of Lake Ontario have been briefly noticed but a further description may be proper. Of these astonishing monuments we have seen no place that presents them in more interesting forms than at Montezuma. The beautiful ridge on which this village stands coincides with the magnetic meridian but those to the south vary to the left from five to twelve degrees. We have not observed a greater variation however than two degrees in such as are adjacent."

The shape of the hills is various but we believe the principle number may be comprised within two classes. The highest and most abrupt appear to contain a greater proportion of coarser materials the ascent at the north end is generally steep and the greatest height and magnitude of the ridge is near that extremity. From a side view the pithed Hog backer has been applied. The descent towards the south is long and gradual though the whole distance will rarely equal two hundred rods. On the north end several ridges the eye may trace the sharpness of the summit continues down and turns toward the north east for a few rods before it terminates but the feature is not general."

"It is very rare to find one ridge commence on the southern slope of another. In some places two ridges contiguous side by side and a shallow channel of two or three rods in width extends the whole length like the indentures of a melon. Such is the hill at Dr. Clarks.

The spaces of level land between the ridges however are very irregular and in some considerable tracts a solitary ? appears. such is the hill to the north of Montezuma. We have seen several trees situated not of a greater magnitude than some mounds in the western county and only distinguishable at first sight by resembling the longitudinal section of a prolate spheroid."

"The height of the these ridges is very variable we have not estimated any at one ? feet above the surrounding lands but we think from 40 to 70 feet altitude would include a great number."

" The Leoric class will include those ridges of less elevation which are very straight and extend for greater distance than the former these ? are remarkably picturesque on many the summit is to sharp for a road but others are sufficiently broad for this purpose and in some places percentage has broken of there natural turnpikes."

"the islands which are surrounded by the marshes of the Seneca river resemble in every respect the hills on the adjacent shores. Some of these rise just above the surface as is much of these bodies of earth and gravel had been sunk in deep water."

In considering this subject it is evident that the first effects of an extension attraction would be perceptible on fluids and that in succession to the most at the ordinary tides. Detached solids of greater specific gravity than water would acquire new motion. It is clear however that the strata fastened down by cohesion would not be obedient to these impressions. In extending our views to such districts as would furnish the greatest gravity of movable matter the craggy mountain on the wave worn shore would first be presented to the river and to the south of such collections we would look for the most unequivocal traces of the deluge for although the primitive rocks in our county (Cayuga) have been removed from afar and though in several instances we have seen native rocks deposited on heights above the strata from which they were taken.

Yet it is worthy of remark that all these substances are scattered in the greatest abundance immediately to the south of their native beds. the sand and gravel fills the hills which rise on the borders of Lake Ontario were doubtless derived from that great basin."

Admitting this hypothesis the ridge road on the south shore of Lake Erie and Ontario is easily demonstrated. It is known the moon produces a tide of 60 feet in height. The ridge was on the south shore Of Lake Ontario is situated from 70 to 100 feet above the level of the lake

"The impulse by which loose materials were congregating into hills merits our attention. The manner in which earthy particles collect when agitated on a loam was considered but decisions to observe the effects an extension attraction we drew a magnet rapidly over ferruginous sand scattered evenly on a plain. When paper was introduced to prevent an actual contact. The experiment was successful the sand was collected into long ridges irregularly grouped and resembling the hills of Ontario in miniature."

Traveling to the Grand River I came opposite of hill called "Sugar Loaf" it is situated on the north shore of Lake Erie. The shore is very sinuous and the bends on which the hill stands coincides nearly with the magnetic meridian. The base of the west side of the hill is washed by the Lake while the opposite based is washed by the west side by a pond or marsh on which side also the road is cut near the foot of the hill it is about 6 chains ? at this part the lake to the pond. I found the height of the hill to be 157 60/100 feet above the of Lake. In order get it I procured a carpenter square and driving two straight stakes into the ground in a line with the top of the hill and made one of them perpendicular at the at the same time the tops were level and with a straight edge board with one end even with the top of the forward stake I form a right angled triangle the hypothesis striking the top of the hill I than measure the base arm perpendicular of the triangle, and by measuring horizontally to the top of the hill I had sufficient data to calculate the height by trigonometry.

The southern extremity terminate very abruptly and the sides also is very steep. On the Northside about the distance of 1 1/2 miles there are more than five hundred smaller mounds of sand rising one after another and gradually diminishing in height till they entirely run to nothing. They are interspersion ? ?. Some lying contiguous side by side across the beach and on the base of one commences the base of another they are composed chiefly of siliceous and ferr(?) sand. No gravel or round stones appear in sight. they are covered principally with ? maple, hemlock and oaks. there are also several small mounds of the same materials to the south of the main hill but stand entirely unconnected and so on terminate, by admitting that the theory of an extension attraction we can solve all the appearances and may appear clear and consistent.

I shall answer one of your letters in one dictated to Father respecting the progress of the Welland Canal. I am now examining and exploring the canal route from the Chippewa to the Grand river. Shall be engaged about ten days.

One plant which I hear David Thomas mention that he would like to get some of the seed was the horse chestnut which grows in in that part. The botanical name is probably the Asculus Glabra ? leaves germinated very smoothcorrolla form, petella, spreading with the claws as long as the calyx stamens longer than the corolla fruit spinous [prickly like the common chestnut] Habits wood, flowers in May a large shrub flower large yellowish white panienlata [in clusters]

Is there no appearances of a deluge or any circumstances that will tend to through light on that subject in your neighborhood. Examine the face of the country. hills and there formation & 6.

I am your affectionate Brother Darius Lapham

Increase A. Lapham Shippingport Kentucky