8th Month, 17th.

I came this day to Alexan-
dria

. In coming we passed Mount Vernon, the
habitation of the late General Washington, a little
on the right, about 10 or 12 miles from Alexan-
dria, when we came within about 5 miles of this
city, the stage driver told us that before sun-rise
in the morning, while it was yet rather dark, close
by the place we then were at, his 4 horses suddenly
stopped; but for what cause he could not con-
jecture. However, on giving them a smart stroke
or two with the whip, they suddenly started for-
ward, when he immediately saw a very large
snake entangled amongst their legs; but, push-
ing on with great violence, they soon cleared
themselves; and the stage drove directly over it.
The sound of the horses hoofs, and the sensation
he felt when the carriage passed over the snake,
raised in him the idea of driving over several
sheaves of wheat; and, to the best of his judgment,
from the faint view he had of the reptile, he be-
lieved it to be as thick as the calf of of a man's leg.
The passengers were alarmed, but, on recovering
from their fright, insisted upon getting out, and en-
deavouring to find the snake, believing that he must
be disabled by the wheels of the carriage. They ac-
cordingly searched about the place, but could see
nothing of him; and, as there was a stream near,
they supposed he had got into it, and had floated
down with the current. The senior Magistrate of