A Resolution for the relief of the Inhabitants of the County of New Madrid

Whereas in the Catalogue of miseries and afflictions, with which it has
pleased the Supreme Being of the universe, to visit the Inhabitants of this
earth there are none more truly **** and destructive than Earthquakes.
Man's wisdom can not forsee nor *** precaution guard against them.  In
whatever Sections of the habitable world, this wreck of matter, these
convulsions of nature occur; they do not fail profoundly to impress us with
awe, and to ignite (inspire?) our ** ** ** at their terrible effects.  As
members of the great human family, our deepest Commiseration should not fail
to be excited, and our hearts expanded with charity for the relief of those
whose lives were saved from the general wreck.  We ought never to forget
that what was their fate yesterday may be ours tomorrow.  And whereas it is
notorious(?) to this general assembly, that the Inhabitants of the late
District now County of New Madrid in this Territory, have lately been
visited with several calamities of this kind, which have deluged large
portions of their County and involved in the greatest distress many
families, while others have been entirely ruined, whole districts of country
have been **** and many valuable farms *** destroyed.  Many **** our
unfortunate fellow citizens are now wandering about without a home to go to,
or roof to shelter them from the pitiless storms.  And whereas the best
light in which the calamities are viewed by the enlightened humane
government of the United States, has been conspicuously manifested by their
liberal distribution in favor of the sufferers at Carracas, this General
Assembly can not therefore doubt but what (that?) it will equally ready to
extend relief to a portion of its own Citizens under similar circumstances.
Be it therefore resolved by the General Assembly for the Territory of
Missouri, that they do recommend the inhabitants of the Said County of New
Madrid, who have thus suffered, to the consideration of the National
Legislature and that in the opinion of the said general assembly provisions
ought to be made by law for granting to the Said Inhabitants relief, either
out of the public fund or in such other way as may be in **** to the wisdom
& liberality of the general government.

St. Louis, January 13th 1814                Geo Bullitt
William Clark                               Speaker of the House of Representatives
Governor of the Missouri Territory          S. Hammond
                                            President of the Legislative Council