The New York Herald Newspaper, July 20, 1845, Page 2

TERRISLE CONPLAGRATION IN NEW YORK. THREE HUNDRED BUILDINGS. BURNED. FROM $5,000,000 ‘TO $10,000,000 OF PRO- PERTY DESTROYED. TREMENDOUS EXPLOSION. | Serious Loss of Life. TROOPS ORDERED OUT FOR THE | PROTECTION OF PROPERTY. INCIDENTS, ACCIDENTS, &c. The greatest, the most terrible fire that has occur. | red in this eity since the great conflagration of De- | eember, 1835, has spread devastation through- | out the lower part of the city. Three hundred | buildings, according to the best calculation, have been | develled to the ground. Most of them were large | three, four and five story houses, and occupied prin- sipally by importing and other merchants. It isa close estimate to set the loss, ut from five to ten millions of dollars. This dreadful fire broke out about clock yesterday morniag, at No. 34 New street, about tires doors irom the corner of Exchange Place, in a sperm oil store, belonging to J. L. Vandoren. It then spread toa chairfactory, the next door towards Exchange Place; then through to Broad st, and to the corner of ExchangePlace,where it communicated to abuilding occupied by Messrs. Crocker and Warren, who either had a large quan- uty of saltpetre on storage, or some worse combus- tible material, for in fifteen minutes after it caught three o’- | th \a bales of cotton was in thimesyawhieu broke out from the roof. The diferent fire companies around, findiug they could not save the building, directed their at- tention and energies to the surrounding buildings, aud those.on the other side of the street, and bravely did they work und act. The fire-proof warehouse ct Mr. Geo. Sheldon, close adjoining, had long pre- vious fell a prey to the flames. Several times, from this hour to nine o’clock, did the flemes break from the houses in Broad, South William, and Stone streets, but were promptly again got under way by ie activity of the different companies with their hose, many of the men placing themselves in perilous places, amid the burning houses, for s object. About half past nine o’clock, the roof f the Broad street Hotel, at the corner of Broad and arl, was found to be on fire, to the great surprise of every one, as it Was some three or four blocks to ihe leeward from where the flames were raging at the {ume quite in an opposite direetion,and to appearance where none of the burning fragments could have reached.One opinionappeared to pervadethemass sent, that it was the act of some diabolical scoundrel, for the purpose of plunder, or something else. An en- gine was prompily on the spot, and a hose was car- | ried through the upper windows, which in ashorttime | were subdued, and the ignited fragments cut away. Had this fire got headway, there is little doubt but that the amount of damage done would have been much greater, the whole of the block of stores around to the river side, filled with the most com- bustible materials, would have been destroyed. | In the meanwhile the flames from Mr. Lewis's warehouse inereased in volume. About ten o'clock the root teel in, and one of the grandest and most awful 1t8 imaginable took place, in the shape of cloulds of smoke und flume. The front in Stone stveet now threatened to fall, and the street was cleared of every person, except two firemen on a tadder, playing on the houses on the opposite side.— The wall gave a slight bend forward, and directly afterwards fell, burying the fwhole street in dust and smoke. A scream of horror burst from those around and on the roofs of the buildings in | the neighborhood. It was expected at least the two men on the ladder were killed, but when the smoke cleared away they were shaking the dust off them- selves, and resnming their playing on the other side, while the street was tilled with ruins of the building fire, the whole blew up with a tremendous explo- sion, carrying six or seven buildings with it, and shaking the whole city like an earthquake. The concussion was so great as to smash more than haif amillion panes of glass in the neighborhoed, to the extent of 200 yards distant. Immediately after the explosion, fire was discovered at four different points showing that the entire block in the rear was ina complete blaze After this the fire spread down on both sides of Broad street; thence through to Broadway, taking both sides of New street, including the Waverley House, which is destroyed ; then down Broadway towards the Bowling Green. On the other side it extended to Wall street, and it came near reaching the magnificent Merchant’s Exchange be- fore it could be stopped. Both sides of Exchange Place between Broad and William streets, and half way down to William, were burned. The fire in Broad street extended to Beaver, through the latter to New street, both sides of which are in ruins. Francis Hart, of Engine Company No 22, standing on the roof of the store next to the cor- ner of Broad street and Exchange Place, when the explosion occurred, was thrown over the building upon the very roof on which he had been standing, to the opposite side of the street, and escaped on his feet, scarcely injured. He was missing for about an hour, and it was feared he had perished, but he ap- peared again among his companions, with but a slight injury in one of his ancles, which had, in the in the interim, been bound up. ‘The engine, and the men working her, were blown, by the explosion, nearly across the street and she was finally burntup. Report stated that some of the company had been killed, but we are glad to state that none appear to be missing. There were a large num- ber of @rangers and others on the spot, and it is feared some of them have been buried be neath the ruins. Previons to the above explosion, the foreman of 22, foreseeing the peril ous condition of the inen, surrounded by fi that no human frame could withstand the h with danger,from which escape appeared impossible, ordered them to retire, and before they had time to move their engine, the walls fell. They left just in time to escape with their lives. As faras car be known other member of that com- pany was seriously injured. ‘The engine was buried under the wall. This is one of the ost narrow es capes we ever heard of. It is said that there were two explosions which oc- eurred during the early stage: which was undoubtedly th ylosion of the reser. voir of gas in New street. The effects of this ex- plosion are to be seen in several parts of the city in the neighborhood of the fire wherever a gas pipe opens near a window, there the glass is, in many in- stances, broken by the shock. On the bursting of the reservoir, the whole air was filled with a mass of living flame, which in « few instants attached itsel! in various places to the surrounding buildings, and from this circumstance, mainly, it was that fire extended itself with so much rapidity — It was supposed that many lives had been lost by this terrible explosion. As the streets and hoi near by,were filled with firemen and citizens, it w painfully expected that many had been sacrificed to the wickedness of storing large quantities of saltpe- ire, or some other explosive matter, in buildings in the heart of the city. About 4 o’clock the Waverley House was in flames, and ull the building in the rear as far as New street, and spread from thence with great rapidity down through the whole block, to Beave from. thence it traversed across to Broad street, at both sides, and we regret to say that, in all prob- abilit , some lives have been sacrified. About this time ({ to five o’clock) the Empire Fire Compa ny bad been et work from the commencement in the rear of the Waverley House, and it appears that Mr. Augustus Cowdry, a lawyer, was holding the penwgh the hose in one of the’ buildings which rea from New to Broad street—just at this mo- ment an explosion took place, from the fact of a quantity of saltpetre and powder being stored in the warehouse Mr. C. was in, when the whole building ‘was, in the twinkling of an eye,as ley the street, and Mr C. was irom that moment missed, and ha: not since been heard of. There is searcely any doubt but he perished in the explosion. 2 A Mr. Cox and Mr. Edward Johns, on, who had been staying at the Waverley Hotel, were dreadfully mangled in trying to eseape with their clothes to the opposite side ‘of the street ; they had oace left the houce with part of their things.and returned a second ume, when they were stopped by the flames on the main stairs, and all chance of escape for some mo- ments appeared cut off; but ina few minutes after- wards, by the assistance of ladder, got down from the second story, but not until they had been much burned, and Mr. Johnson’s shoulder drea fully man- gled from the falling of a bean. A member of the Southwark blown,at the time of the explosio ty yards down through Exehang: of the same company no of the fire, one of reet: Fire Company was upwards of twen- Infact, nearly hell the fire department vet to have suffered. Between 5 and 6 o'clock neem men wero bronght into K. B. Daly’s wine ang epirit warehonse, one of them a fireman, and the other g man who had been employed in the burdine gt nr houses adjoining ; both of them had Teceived se- vere contusions trom the falling of the house adjoin ing the new buildings at the comer of Marketfield street; the fireman has been taken to the Hospital, crushing the lower parts of many of them, The flame now burst forth from Mr. Lewis’ store in in- creased volume, but were confined to the building, not proceeding further on the north side. While this was raging, one or two colored men were detected stealing, and taken into custody, as were one or two others of fairer color, but not in actions; they were quickly removed. The police along Broad, Pearl, Stone,jand Williamjstreets, was most energetic, at the same time civil and firm. The value of the new body was spoken of by allin th: Inghest terms, and have doubtless been the means of preventing the plundering of some thou- sand dollars worth of property. About eleven o’clock, it was evident that the de- vouring element was under control—so far as being confined to the limits. Upon taking a survey of the circle or extent of the ruins, we found that in Broap street, the fire proceeded northward to the store of Messrs. Wood and Sheldon, at the cor- ner of Stone street. The Southwark was stationed in Bridge street,in active operation, ay the hose run through the dwelling house of Mr. Bloomfield, playing on the buildings in Stone street. of Marketfield street, destroying all the buildings be- hind. Here was in active operation Engine No 25, and just above ,in the Bowling Green, some four or five engines were stationed, playing with great en- ergy on the different points. ‘The flames appeared to have crossed Broadway at Mr. D. Hale’s house, about two doors above the Atlantic, progressing to- wards Greenwich street, the back of the faldincs and ont-houses much damaged. But here, fortunate- ly, the flames were checked, and at this hour some degree of composure was manifest. Some ten ora dozen doors from the end, towards the Battery, in Morris, out of Greenwich, was stationed engine No. 13; the fire had extended half a dozen houses down this street, on the right, and this appeared to be the extreme length of the destruction on this side. Broap Street, next to Wall, the fire had reached to within some three or four doors of the corner of Wail, on the right, just as far as Messrs. Davis, Brooks & Co., and as far as Nos. 20 and 22 on the opposite side. Excuaxcr Strezz—Towards William street the tire reached the store of Messrs. Bird, Gillingham % Co., No. 52, on the left hand sid Wuirrnat..—The flames reached to the corner | MAP OF THE BURNT DISTRIOF— A. Where the fire originated. B. Place of the explosion. ee { Two points where the fire extended, despondency that were visible on every hand. A negro servant, who was amusing himself by throw- ing about water in the street, and upon and against the house of his emdloyer, was told not to lavish the water in that manner, as it would be all wanted for the fire. At this time the flames were distant, and unlikely to attain Broadway, and so the negro continued his gambols with the hydrant. At last the flames arrived, and that house fella prey. The man of color was greatly distressed, and endeavored to palliate his waste of water in saying, “ Why didn’t ye say the fire would come here, and then I would not have thrown away the water.” Within the above circle there was reckoned to be about three hundred buildings, most of which were well stocked with every variety of goods, froma child’s toy to the most massive piece of machinery. A great amount of goods were saved by the timely removal. The Exchange was turned into one large store-room. In the centre of Old Slip and Coenties Slip, the goods were piled from 10 to 20 feet high. Wall street was completely blocked up. A great quantity of valuable goose ware stowed away in the Custom-House—so that it is hoped that, beyond the destruction of the buildings, the loss of property will not be so great as anticipated. £ The area swept over may be'thus described :—On the east side of Broadway, it commences with the great establishment, the Waverly Hotel. On the corner of New street, which is utterly destroyed, and from this point southward to Marketfield street below the Bowling Green, and for three or four houses on Whitehall street, every house is destroyed This line is about a quarter of a mile in length, and the number of buildings is about forty-five or fifty, including two among the most splendid hotels in the city, the rest consisting ef stores and dwellings. The Adelphi House on the corner of Beaver street, was six stories in height, and was one of the orna- ments of that ancient part of the city. It is level with the ground. } ‘ The fire then proceeded eastward along the middle of the block between Marketfield and Stone, until it bursted into Stone street, at the great storage ware- Messrs. Richards & Blake on the rig! Beaver Sovran Winuram Srreet.—It extended to Mr. Alexandres on the Jeft, a smail wooden shanty, used 1s a Cooper's shop, next to Shelton & Phelps’, was enurely destroyed, while the buildings on either te were but litte injured. Barrery.—A wonderful scene was presented on he Buttery. From one end to the other it was turned into a vast emporium of effects, snatched from the flames. Vast piles of cotton bales, chests of tea, household furniture, principally of a valuable kind, oceupied every available inch of ground. A few military were placed here and there so as to forma cordon round the area, so that none of the property could pass out by any of the numerous whilst thegowners within sat watching, with and care-worn visages, the remains of their ance—the ead relies of comfortable homes. Al! the walks which intersect the Battery were alive with carmen, plying their vocation, in arriving and daparting with chattels and merchandise. Bow.ine Green —This formerly cool and refresh- was soon transformed into a scorching and e. The hee a it was so great hat nothing but hardihood could approach it. Dense volumes of smoke so obscured itthat a distinct view could not be had of the fountain, even from the iron railing. Now and again, as a gust of rarified air rushed past, ance might be caught ef the indom- table firemen, battling with the raging element at lantic Hotel, Broadway, in Whitehall street, In no quarter, perhaps, was the destructive ef- feets of the conilagration more apparent than at the Bowling Green, where, butyesterday, all was green, tresh, exhilirating and beautiful, but where now al is changed into a dreary and repulsive desert. jecenwicn Srnect.—In Greenwich street the same pressure among the masses prevailed. A dif- ferent mode of remedying it was here adopted some one having given out that a grand blow-up was to take place in one of the houses near the Bat- tery, a terrific rush was made by the retreating thou- sands on the street. Horses and carts, vehicles of kinds caught the alarm, and several persons were more or less injured. One man had his arm broken, another received a severe contusion against he iron railing of a dwelling-house. How many nore occurred it is difficult at present to determine. A report was spread that some powder was ubout to explode in Greenwich street, which spreadjalarm, and there was an immense rush of people toward the Battery. The ludies of the pave, many of them, nade themselves particlarly conspicuous during the day, dressed in all their finery. They appeared to enjoy the scene a good deal, as if it wassome gal, Jev on Broadway Broanway.—From a very early hour the streets in the environs of the burning district became crowded with spectators, who stood stricken with horror and bewilderment at the awful devastation t property soing on. A party of U.S. troops ar- rived from Governor's Island, and contributed, by their eflorts, to repel the dense crowd which was incommoding the firemen. The plan adopted, was the formation of lines et soldiers across the street, a ie being passed along from hand to hand to fill up the interstices between the men. In this way, Broadway, from a point far below the first of the burnt houses to Wall street, was cleared with des- pateh and little trouble. ‘The rapidity which the fire communicated across this broad street, was the sub- ject of frequent remark, a d shows how strongly the heat of the weather during the last fortnight must have acted on the timbers of the different dwellings as they burned like so wuch tinder We could not, with any degree of certainty, as- certain the names of the sufferers in this part of the city. Several private houses were completely consumed, and also several large stores, extending from Waverley House to Marketfield street; and, at the West side, from Morris street to No. 15, were several splendid private residences, which were completely ruined. The crackling of the flames, the falling down of stacks of brick-work, the shrieks, but the man_who was a mason, has since died? furniture in every quarter, gave this part of the city taken to hisfriends who reside in South Brodin ie aepearana ee ae gigs Bahia a . of ree! From the Atlantic Garden, up as far as C street, furniture, beds, of wearing ap) —children and mothers are lying about the streets, watching whatever proj perty may have been saved: een more fortunate in the houses and every flerers. Opposite to and those who have neighborhood, have shared their eng An hei yer with the su rind hurch a bi is guarded by a sang te se: Tsons passing whi been erected, which - . + Hehe ot Lig i to prevent e eithe ie department or connected With offiat Bae The same system is observed at all the av ing towards the Battery from Rector st., and no doubt will be the means of saving a large quantity of oe perty from being carried away by those Wh Sy ri prowling about in large numbers, ng bed which every place presents itself is truly horrify- The walls of the houses througn the e trict have been hourly tumblin, Larose Hepa and many houses in the teighboriood, which have wore the flames, are in much danger of being crushed to atoms. One of the firm of Bevin, & Bro- ther, No. 48 Praadway, had head, neck and hands much burned. When rowing out furniture through the windows, the flames burst into the establish- ment almost instantaneously, and long before it was expected they vould have reached the locality. . \hout 8 ofclock, the large store of W. Lewis, si- so tn Stone street, containing upwards of 2000 s Courdandt bedding, and in fact all sorts rel, are strewn along the side-walks - © appearance in the vicinity of Waverly House, as far ag the Battery on Broadway, at twelve o'clock, baffles all descrip- tion. A large rope was drawn across Broadway, immediately opposite Trinity Chareh; the street at either side was strewn with a perfect wreck of all kinds of furniture; broken chairs, beds, broken ta- bles, bottles, carpets, dishes of broken meat, crowds of anxious and enquiring spectators were to be seen in this quarter and the adjoining streets,all in a state of utter consternation. Three firemen were taken into a house near the Bowling Green,on the shoulders of some of their companions in a state of utter ex- haustion The fire continued to rage in this quar- ter with unabated violence up to 11 o'clock, when the flames partially subsided, having given way to the superior management of the firemen.. Here- abouts the police had arrested two darkies with stolen property in their possession, and drag- ged them off to the watch-house. Several persons were more or lees injured from the effects of the smoke and heat. The scenes in some of the branch streets in this part of Broadway were truly ludicrous Groups of firemen and some of the police were to be seen, some with their faces black as 80 many darkies, eral Mg Gr sofas—others chawing the ernal quid,” a their breaktans om others squatted down, taking ei throwa across the streets to prevent the crow from breaking in Here there oecurred curious and somewhat amusing inci 4 ted in Broadway, in the im oC tee Geo ae pieces of brick or planks of tim- | bustle and confusion, with the wreck of household | house, whose destruction we have des It then proceeded along Stone street to Broad, and crossed Broad, consuming both sides of the ey, ? the east line of the burnt district passes along the rear of the stores on the west side of South William street to Exchange street. On Exchange street the fire approached close to the south west corner of the new Exchange. The fire crossed Exchange street, riddling the dry goods warehouses in its course,and approached the rear of the Wall street banks, and came into Broud street, at the iron warehouse of Davis, Brooks & Co. f It here crossed Broad street again, just below the vast store houses belonging to the government, which happily eseaped, and then followed up Ex- change street, to its junction with Broadway, at the Waverley House, the point at which it began to trace its ravages. The space thus bounded is not partially burnt, but it is one blackened mass of wreck. We have never seen destruction more la- mentable or complete. It was nearly all covered, with the exception of the dwelling houses on Broad- way, with the largest iron and dry goods establish- ments in the city. On the opposite side of Broad- way, at the head of the Bowling Green, three or four of the largest and finest dwelling houses in the city caught at about sixo’ciock, and were wholly de- stroyed, but fortunately the fire was checked before it spread to Greenwich street. The inside of per- haps three or four fine buildings on this side of the street were ruined, besides those quite consumed. ‘The sight around the environs of the fire, as well 1s within the space burnt over, was heart sickening. The families at least filty houses on Broadwi both sides of Greenwich street, on State, White hall, Stone, and Pearl streets, and Battery Place, had been turned into the street, with the ir furniture, through dread of their houses being burned over their heads. Broadway, at that part where both sides were burning, is at least one hundred and fift teet wide, yet so intense was the heat in the middle of the street, that for a hundred yards, not even the daring firemen could venture upon the burning pave- ment Incidents, Accidents, d&e. The ponie among the merchants on William, Pearl, aud the lower part of Exchange streets, on the east side of the conflagration, was equally great, and we suppose that one hundred stores were emptied of their goods, at prodigious expense and loss, which were not reached by the fire. Vast amounts of va- tuable goods were loet by being deluged with water. ‘The stench of the city was so great, caused by the burning of spirits, oil, and every combustible matter, that it was offensive to those approaching the city for many miles before they reached the fire. _ The city from the es presented a vast sublime sight. Spectators beheld it in silence. It seemed as if all thecity was in flames. The sheet of fire and smoke ascended to the clouds. In Brooklyn many of the inhabitants felt their houses rock te the very foundation. One gentleman who was watching the fire from Brooklyn heights, saw the blazing fragments blown into the air, above the spire of Trinity church, two hundred and sixty feet and over. He says that they were in a circular form, like a bow, increasing their cirele both as they rose and fell. Some say that the spire of Trinity shook for nearly a minute after the explosion; we don’t know how true this may be, but after all, that we do know, it does not seem at all incredible. The ee boats were carrying furniture to Brook- lyn throughout the day, and we snw several of the wretched and homeless families sitting on the bridge on the Brooklyn side, not knowing where to go. Such was the power of the explosion that it was heard by those on bonrd of nbrig off Sandy Hook, thatarrived here yesterday morning, and was thought tobe the blastires of some rocks in the highlands, — it was distinctly heard by the residents of Gowanus. It was thought by many ata distance to have been an carthquakeyoaursd by the recent high tempera- ture of the atinosphere A gentleman of this city residing temporarily at Stapleton, Staten Islond, on hearing the explosion, Gt up, supposing it to be the eienal of the Great estern, when he found the ground covered with cinders of hats, oil cloth, paper printed as bank notes, and other articles of light substance. The harbor, for ten milee below the city, was co- vered with floating fragment. Several pieces of burnt goods were picked «tp on Staten Island. A letter, nearly perfect, was picked up at this spot, although somewhat charred, It was signed Ale gar ever & Co,and musthave come from road street, a distance of seven miles, The Bay House, Clfiton Hotel, and all the houses on this island, a distance, some of them, of eleven miles, were made to tremble by the explosion. _ Throughout the whole affair, the activity of Jus tice Matsell was most remarkable; he appeared to be ubiquitous—move wherever a person would,there might he be found,directing, urging,and entreating. About ten o’clock a body of soldiers from Bedloe’a Island was placed onder his direction, whom he sta- tioned in various spots around the scene to protect property and keep the thoroughtares free. At 12 o’clock the dwelling house No, 23, corner of Broadway and Morris street, fell wi tremendous crash, tbe || with great force against the o ite building, and breaking in the windows, We. No one hurt. About one o'clock, the Chief of Police and Ald. Charlick had a very narrow escape of their lives. ‘The walls of a building, while shey were in Stone street, nearly hemmed them in, fell, and is known to have killed one man and a boy—it is supposed Col. Johnson, of the new police, who was in front, and who has not since been seen, Provisions Were sent for to the Astor House at about two o'clock, as well as to various other quar- t the midet of the gloom and | were »'! ters, The appearance of the poorer sufferers, who | equatied on the Battery, wae reslly heart- rending. The fire at about the hour of half-past two, was nearly got down, but the hose companies were still actively engaged in their vocation. The Mayor remained at the City Hall during the greater part of the day. The scenes to be witnessed, on several of the owners of property claiming it from the police,were really amusing, if en so seal an occasion we could apply such a term. The claim- ants storming loudly for their property, while the keepers, refusing to give it up without orders; seve- ral hight exciling disputes arose between the par- ties. ds, tables, chairs, baskets, _ bottles, and every description of household furniture, were strewn here for safety upon the grass inside the rail- ing. At nightfall last evening, a cordon was drawn by ; the military around the site of the calamity, and no one was allowed, without being well known, to ap- proach the buildings or places where property was deposited. t Several iron safes have been saved from the ruins, many of them so little injured that the books and papers are perfectiy legible. That ot Davis & Brooks is still standing on the second floor, and though several times enveloped in flames, is still in available condition. Barclay & Livingston have al- sosaved their books and papers. Mr. Augustus L. Cowdrey, a member of No, 42, son of the late Samuel Cowdrey, was in one of the buildings in Broad street when it fell—he has not been heard of since. A reward is offered for his discovery. The terror and alarm was so great, that the board- ers and many of the females, half-dressed, fled in fright from the yereuy House, the moment that pile of buildings took fire. Many of them ce shelter in the City, and Croton Hotels, and other places. All escaped in safety ; some, however, lost their luggage. ‘4 5 Dr. Burkelew’s drug store in Broadway, is entire- ly consumed, with its contents. We regret to hear that he is greatly injured by the explosion. His arm was broken, and his head bruised. It is feared his wounds will prove fatal. He has been removed to his house, No. 9 Clinton street, Brooklyn. A melancholy and truly distressing ‘seence took place at No. 10 Greenwich street. M. Henry, son of John Carey, died of consumption while the fire was raging, and while the flames were spreading to snch an extent that it was supposed that the house in which he was might be consumed. Death, however, came, and his body, wrapped in his bed clothes, was immediately conveyed to a place of safety. Mr. Moore, of the Croton Hotel, hearing that there were some poor families made houseless by the fire, loaded a cart with provisions. and sent the grateful and timely relief to hundreds, who, ex- hausted and fasting, would,but for this;have suffered hunger, perhaps starvation. 3 sa Such was the alarm at one time prevailing, that many persons residing at a considerable distance began to remove their goods. At the Pearl Street House all was activity, everything was packed up at an early hour. Capt. Flint, in the most praiseworthy manner, placed all his stores at the disposal of the needy, and those whose duty required them to exert themselves, himself assisting most heartily in more respects than one. From the roof of this building a most capital view was had of the whole progress of the fire. The Philadelphia Hotel, at the corner of Beaver ind Broad streets, presented a sublime sight. The whole seven stories were wrapped in flames at one moment. The sides being stone, it presented the yppearance of a volcano. The flames, ascending upwards, from the centre to an immense height, while the fire pouring out from every window on its four sides, gave ita grand and majestic appear- ance. The Broad street Hotel, corner of Pearl street, was on fire and the top was damaged. The loss of this building would be deeply regretted, as it is a building memorable in olden time. It was here that Gen. Washington took his leave of the army, which is so touchingly described by Marshall. When he called his comrades in arms to him, and after ne ass of wine, with tears, bade them farewell, an after embracing each, left the city in a boat then waiting at Whitehall, for Mount Vernon. A rumor prevails that there was a quantity of guni powder in the building where the explosion took received in barter for saltpetre. Of the truth of this we cannot at present obtain any satisfactory evidence, though it 1s very certain that saltpetre in its common state, and having undergone no_pre- paration, will not explode, though it is highly combustible. There were about one thousand bags of it in the building. About twelve o’clock, a firemen, apparently in the agonies of death, was lying on the steps of the Bank ot Commerce, surrounded by physicians and friends. Neither his name nor the cause of the ac- cident conld be ascertained. A good view of the fire, as it raged in Broad street, was obtained from the Custom House steps They were crowded with Heit from the earliest hour, principally by. females. Numbers of others {cept continuallymoving to and fro in open carriages, deavoring to catch a glance of what was going forward wherever there was a chance, Mr. Robert Ray’s splendid dwelling in Broadway, next to Mr. D. Hale’s, which may be recollected by having two splendid couchant lions at the entrance, was “Staaf destroyed. Mr. Ray is at presentin Europe, and the house was in the charge of Prime, and King. Had the crew of the U. States ship North Caroli- na been landed, as they might have beet, they could have relieved the firemen and prevented much of the loss of property, if not‘of life. Col. Bankhead, Captain Hudson, U. 8. N., the Mayor, Aldermen Charlick, Stoneall, and Assistant Alderman Purser and the Chief of Police, were early on the ground, and contributed, by their presence and direction, to encourage the firemen and prevent depredations. Wallstreet, Pine street, Pearl street, and other places, even as fur up as Burling slip, ure filled with masses of goods lying in heaps and strewed along the pavements. ould it not be well to provide at onee some place of safety, in which these goods could be stored? They are now exposed to every sort of depredation. ‘The books, papers, &c., belonging to Barclay & Livingston, were all saved. Several gentlemen were relieved of their wallets in the crowd. {n some cases, (indeed in all.) the business was done with great expertness. Mr, B—, of the City Hotel, had his wallet (containing some 30 or 40 dollars,) taken from the inside breast pock- et of hie coat, and others from the close pocket of their pantaloons—and a wholesale business done in pocket handkerchiefs, &c. Fire engines from Newark, Jersey City, Brooklyn, and all around, were present lending their aid. The po- lice were very active, and most Kf the property res- cued from the fiames has been saved by them. Their great value to the city has been seen at this fire. The following proclamation was issued at ten o’clock, by the Mayor, and extensively placarded throughout the city. Proct.smatiox.—-General Sandford is horeby requested forthwith to order out a Company of Horse, and such other force as he may deem necessary to protect the Property of our citize: persons are requosted to render assistance on this great public calamity. July 19, 1845, Z } In accordance with the above proclamation the | Eleventh Regiment of Washingtor Greys were or- dered out. We saw in the Park part of the First Company and a detachment of the troop attached to that regiment. As we left, orders were received and the troop of horse went down Broadway on their way to the scene of the conflagration. Ist and 6th Brigades of New York Police, under W. F. Havennren, Mayor. the direction of Justice Matsell and the Aldermen of the ward: United States troops, under the command of Col, | Bamford ; Capt. Swartwout’s com Shackleford’s do; Lieut. Brooks’ do; Lieut. Hunt’s do. U.S. Mintria—3d_ regiment Washington Greys; 27th do National Guards, and 1t is. strongly believe: Fd 2d regiment New York State Artillery ; and the regiment. The City Companies were under the command of Maj. Gen. Sandford. ar Hudson, from the Navy Yard, Brooklyn, arrived at an early hour in the morning, accompanied by a body of marines, and a number of sailors, having with them several powder magazines, to blow upfany premises, if it was found necessary, to stopthe progress of the flames. He tool: up his station on the ttery. List of persons sent to the Hospital by Dr. Quack- enboss, Peter Quinn, 27 years old, fractare in the arm. Rebecca Miles, 45 years old, contusion in the face by powder. This woman lived opposite the house where the explosion took place in New street, which was’blown up with two women and one child —supposed to have been lost. Rodolph Schmaltz, 45 years old, burned in the face and both arms, from explosion of brandy, pass- ing basement of store 48 Broad street. aot Banker, sailor, 45 years old, severely wound- ed by powder in the face. Mr. Adolph Groning, importer, of Pearl street, was iosantly killed by the falling walls, caused by the explosion. : , James Kelly, belonging to engine No. 22, was se- verely cut in the side in passing through a window at the time of the explosion. He was sent home ina cab, by the other members of the company. r. Johnson, a porter in a store in Broad street, is lost in the ruins. EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE. The following is a summary of the extent of the damage done, up to the latest hour last evening, as well as could be ascertained :— EXCHANOE PLACK. No 46. Occupied by Franklin & Harris and Henry Stevens. No, 48. Starr & Co. No. 50. No. 51, Andrew Mitchell & Co, No. 52. Reiss, Brothers & Co., (books and papers all saved,) Bird, Gillelan & Co. (removed to 54 Pine street,) and Hutchinson, Tiffany & Co. * No. 54. Richards & Uronkhite—estimate their loss at $100,000. Insured. Upper floors occupied by A. P. Montant, No, 56. Eli Goodwin & Co, This is the corner of Broad and Exchange streets, No. 58. No. 60. No. 62. Markoe, Wilbur & Scott. Most of the books destroyed. They have removed their office to No. 44 the same street. No. 63. Post, Themas & Dale, and Butterfield & Bro- thers. No. 65. Fearing & Hall. No. 57. No. 59. Joseph Rhodes. NEW STREET. No. 24. Corner building, a porter house, kept by Van Dolan. No. 12. A carpenter's shop. No. 26. W. Durtring, tail No. 28. First Ward Hou SOUTH WILLIAM STREET. No. 16. John Allen, cooper. No. 18, A. Rolker & Co. ssone & Gomez. Among their goods de- ere about 150 cases of essential oils. . P. & E. Porier and G, Ginnett. No, 22 and Both down. No, 23. Dutilh aud Cousinery, No. 25 and 27, Sheldon and P ‘The above extend through to Stone street. BROAD STREET. No. 17. Wilkins & Rollins. No. 19. and 21 Davis & Brooks. No. 22. Bolton, Fox & Livingston, much damaged, but not destroyed. N . ape jiderably damaged. No. Hugene Grot No. 26. Barclay & Livingston—books all saved. No. 27. Dunscomb & Beckwith. No. 28. Coe & Anderson, and KR. Gracie. No. 29, C, Darbefeuille and F. Echartre. No. 30. Sherman, Atwater & Co. No. 32. Wilson & Brown. No. 33. Ernest Fiedler. No. 34. Schmidt & veee! (removed to 112 Wall street.) No. 35. E. Blackburn, E. Lentilhon & Co., J, C. Hooker. No. 36. Amzi Cook, furniture; T, M. MORaanD CRY weigher; R. Schoyer, wine merchant, lost as oe partner of Paris R. Pomeroy, in 36 Beaver street, $6,505, also wines in 31 Broad,street, 2,000—total $8,600—par- tially insured. No. 38. Crocker & Warren. No. 39. Maitland & Camrie. No. 40. JR. Coddington. e The whole of Broad street to Exchange place below Beaver street. No. 41 Maitland. No. 42, Oelrich & Kruger; Herckenrath & Van Damme. No. 44. A. De Rham & Moore (removed to 68 Wall) ; Faber & Bierwirth. No. 46. John J. Leger. No, 60. E. C, Little, chair maker; Jonathan Clark, ca- binet maker. No. 65, Kingsland & Co. No. 67. Myers, Lawrence & Co. . W. Conklin, chair mal Asa Dow. jardner’s eating house. Mo. 86. Carpenter’s shop. No. 83. Smail grocery. Nos. 3, 5,7 and 9, constituting the block between Bea- verand Marketfield streets, were entirely gutted. They were occupied as private dwellings. No. 13. Mrs. Barker’s extensive boarding house. side completely burnt—walls standing. No. 15. Elegant three story marble dwelling—all de- stroyed but the walls. It was owned and occupied by tr. Brevoort. (0. 17. ‘The beautiful blue granite house, with spa- ious porch defended by two cast iron lions—was occu. pied by Mr. Ray, and was built by Mr. Martin Thompson. Iti completely gone, except the massive walls, No. 21. A large private boarding house. No. 23. ane private boarding house, formerly oc- cupied by Mr. David Hale, corner of Morris street. No. 30: Jas Griflin, hair dresser, and dwelling. No. 32. Dwelling. No. 34, Dwelling and silk manufactory of O. R. Burn- 1am, an extensive establishment, where from 200 to 800 ‘ans were employed. Mr. Burnham lost his whole es- tablishment once before, at the gt Fulton and Ann st. ‘ire. The Norwich and Boston Railroad and Steamboat °o. office was in this building. No. 36. Mrs. G. B. Miller & Co. tobacco factory. No. 38. Dwelling. Ne. 40. P. Chouteau, Jr. & C Ni 44. Jobn Miller. 46. Sevin & Brethers. . 48 and 50. Dwelli 52, W. L. Branch; . 54. ©. Boeram, Jr. No. 66. Stanford & Smith; Sif’ ken & Ironsides. No. 63. Mrs. Marv Wild. ‘The Waverley House on the corner of Broadway and Exchange Place, was completely destroyed, and but lit- le of the property saved. The front wall ia still stand- ing, but is in a tottering condition. New Jersey Railroad office. G. Douglass’ warehou Mr. Alvia’s private dwelling, corner of Morris street. Broad on the South-East le from Marketfield at. to Exchange, all down; and Nos. 1 and 3 Whitehall st. On the opposite side of Broadway dwelling houses Nos. (8 to 23, ax far as the corner of Morris street, all burned out. The Atlantic Hotel, Broadway, opposite the Bowling Green, is not injured by the fire. REAVER STREET. Both sides burned from Broadway te sea 1 William street. No. No. No. No. 7. Mra, Seymour's boarding house. ). A. C. Rossire & Co, . Merrian & Benard. . Jolin Scott. . Breithay i & Chun. ‘ol . Joel . T. Derrir H. W. T. & H. Mali. ngal . James W. . Daniel Oakey & Sons, (removed to 61 William 37. Brinkerhoff, Fox & Polhomus (removed to 76 No, 88, G. M. Haywood & Co., 2d and 3d stories, valua- ble stock of silk goods, all lost, together with the hook: ind papers : insured. W. W. Rose : for storage, goods all burned. Loss $10,000—partly insured. No. 40. D, L. Suydar No. 41. Barbier Brothers. No. 42. B. Babcook, No, 46. Hall, Brothers & Co. . 48, J. Robinson & Co. No. 60, H. her. No. 61. Wilmerdings, Priest & Mount. No. 53. Benkard & Hutton. No. 57. Draper, Dias, & Warren No, 60. ©, Bridge. aid ( The destruction of other property than buildings, has been enormous. The stores burnt being princi- pally occupied by merchants, their contents were of greatvalue. The flames*spread with such rapidity, and the panicereated tiny all classes by the explo- sion was so great, that very little property was saved. And in only a few cases were even the books res- cued from the burning buildings. Our city readers will be generally aware that the burnt district is the most important and valuable part of the city, being composed of large and costly | buildings, tilled with expensive merchandise. ‘The | French and German merchants congregated chiefly ine district. é din whieh . Thirty stores were destroyed, in which goods en- titled to debenture, had bess ored by the officers of the Customs. ‘There were also 4 large stores belong- ingto the Custom House, filled with liquors, de- stroyed, ‘The following is the estimate made of the whole ings destroyed by the fire + number o buil Brond street, east si ++ 86 fe west side,. a Ob New street, east side,. a) «west sido, Mice 4 Broadway, east side ti os be west side, eile Whitehall street, la Beaver street,.. « +48} Marketfield street, . . . 16 Stone aan, sor ae pony ny z Exchange Place, so he vie 7 mee “north side. . ‘ 112 South William street, west side, 18 " east side a9 8 It is estimated that the loss of merchandise is $92,000,000, we thinteit will prove much ier. We heard of two firms who lost $300,000 each ; very many lose $100,000. We think the loss in buildings and merchandise will be not less than $6,000,000. - INSURANCES, The following are the amount of insurances af- fected in the diilerent_ offices, together with their amount of capital, as far as is wn, Am’t insured. oil. Firemen’s. . .. 6: 300,000 North River. 350,000 Equitable. . .. 000 Mutual Safety. peas Contribution. . 300,000 ‘Trust Fire..... 150,000 National. .... 150,000 Hartford Ageuicy 150,000 Howard. 300,000 New You 200,000 105,000 300,000 250,000 140,000 200,000 210,000 200,000 800,000 200,000 200,000 600,000 250.000 250,000 300,000 Greenwich, . 200,000 Protection, Hartford. . 150,000 ‘Total insured, + «$4,215,000 INSURANCE FFFECTED—PROBABLE RECOVERY. The Jefferson Insurance Company has not suifer- ed by the calamity of Yosanday. to, the amount stated ina Wall street ‘print. ey suffer to the amount of $10,000—their capital exceeds $200,000. See advertisement in another column. It will seen by our advertising colums that the loss sustained by the National Fire Insurance Com- pany, 62 Wall street, by the great fire, will not ex- ceed twenty-eight thousand dollars, (probably not more than twenty-five thousand dollars ) We un- derstand they have heretolore constantly refused to take more than $5000, in any one risk, hence their great escape. They continue business «s usual. The East River Mutual Insurance Company hay: policies,on which claims’can be made not to exced $154,000, of which a salvage may be expected. The New York Equitable Insurance Comjany have insured in the burnt district, policies to the amount of $242,380 a considerable portion of which is now burned or destroyed {The officers of the’com- pany estimate that their losses will not exceed 125 to $150,000, which they expect to meet punctually, it betng less than one half of its capital and at Croton (Mutual) Insurance Company, 35 Wall street, will not lose over $35,000 and will pay their losses promptly, hes ‘There are other insurances effected in distant of- fices; for instance, there is an insurance effected in Europe on the plate-glass warehouse in Broadway, to the amount of $400.000. There are others, we believe, insured in oflices in Boston, Hartford, Phi} adelphia, Georgia, &c. ‘The fire could not possibly have occurred ata more unfortunate period. ‘e_understand from merchants in Exchange Place, Beaver and Broa¢ streets, that a great many warehouses had upwards of $350,000 worth of goods stored within them.— This is an unusually large amount for this season ; but it is a fact, that all the dry goods houses were overstocked with merchandise. Many large estab- lishments had no insurance, and are, therefore, en. tirely ruined. There is something appalling and startling in this sudden destruction of property.— When we think of men, who, in the proud con- sciousness of being worth millions, calmly retired to rest, with the assured conviction that all was safe, and whose vast fortunes, acquired by long years of toil and hardship, have been thus swepi away forever—it makes us shudder and grow sick at heart—we cannot but exclaim— “Can such things be, And overcome us like a summer's oloud, Without our special wonder ?” The instability of all sublunary things is clearly established by this most fearful ca! ais Wending our way through the burning ruins, the pale, care- worn, anxious faces of bankrupt merchants met our gaze. Universal horror, confusion, terror and dis- ae every where apparent. is calamitous affair, it is to be feared, is caused by the criminal practice of storing saltpetre and oth- er still more combustible material, in large quan- tities in the compact portions of the city like that of New street. In this very case the large quantity of that eet material deposi- ted in Crocker & ‘arren’s store, has been the cause of an immense loss of propery, that otherwise might have been saved. The explosion of course discouraged the + firemen, and for a time paralyzed their exertions. The noble fellows fought like lions, however, and deserve the highest praise for their indomitable, and in most in- stances, undiscouraged exertions. It is thought by many that something still more combustible and of greater strength than saltpetre must have been de- posited in this store. Meny old military and naval men eay that gunpowder alone could make such a sudden and violent discharge. OCTOR CORBITT, Member of the University of New York, also Member of the Medical Society, has removed his office from 16 Duane street to 3. Oliver street, wear Chathi Square; may be consulted confdeutially on all diseases of deheate nature. rangers are wtor:ned that the Doetor has ex- clusively confined his practice from being general to the treat ment of certain cla ixeases, (now over thi which engaes Iu ¢ anninls lo, not record grea he found in his practice. ‘The Doctor eau f aiust the use of mercury, as it has its thou tims. lecent cases are removed in three or four days {from the system, Those protracted and mal-treoted cases that have been under the treatment of physicians Less experienced, will be sure to find rompt relief by calling on tice of many years ‘atablished the Doctor's reputation for skill aud veapectabil ictures engage the tor” tention. A me- event eine may be hed to opu any of tes » Open from 7 A. yl im os*m ihn Sih hci Ratti Sa alia adil CURL YOURSELF—PRIVATE DISEASE. AY} {Cure Yourself,” and escape the mortification and shame 2 ob applying to the humerous quacks infesting this aud every city, whose sole ohject, is sordid gain at the expense of your health aud your peace of inind--whose treatment in its futur consequences, onyont childres, is worse than the tell, Dela; accumulating expense, at ler ve you Prostrate and penny less, forever ruined in body and mind. Bay uot the quack specifics because they are offered cheap, they are ouly snares to entrap you, and make a patient. So alko with the trashy books, which so far from giving the least information ae merely intended to alarm you into the purchase of their “Black Pills” or ‘Blue Pills.” or some mercurial specific. ‘The deplorable and melancholy effets daily witnessed, in the course athis pradtice, by the advertiser, from neglected, or ‘makcreat, nt of the most virulent and poisonous disease, has in Recipe,” one universally successful in e' ng a thorough cure, by whieh every one who hs momentarily yielded to the temptation: ol dly cure hitnseli, vithout violence to jected to the extortions of. (postpaid) to “M1. Cloquet, M “ikeevine will be sent by mail—Prive $9. Har directions as to die mode of preparation, ayinptom ofdiseane in its differ ‘of cure aro specified inthe di- ree ject iy a suggestion, if possible, of still i the moans by whieh ieg coutraction id thus arrest the progress of this loathe- rmimate its existence. A certain means some disease, and ext by which this most desirable end can be ea sit be ob- tained by addressing as above. Price $5. UANO—The cargo of the ship Shakspeare, direct from Gy Tehadoe, in tight casks, and unsurpassed in quality by any in the market. For sate in lots tosuit purelsers. by E.R COLLINS & CO., ‘& Sonth atreet. ImD&W*re intder Passes, SHIP ROSCIUS from Liverpool. — bP this ship will Pisses, have their permits on ) at Orleans wharf, foot of Wall street, immediately. All goods ~~ in five days must be seut to Public Store, Jedi re ageimmoge: eens SHALL, Esta Aone a5 Wal erent Re Pleat Nitty ead, arate Philadelphia. Pans, Specifications end Estivoates for Build: ing; Drawings and Sjecifications for Patent Kights, Real Ea: tate bonght and sold; ‘asad and Feats Wien ee vena rece? LANGLEY’S piscuTientT CORN rraster, ‘ il is warranted a certain . [tis spread. ready for use, Sold at 192 Broadway; 771 Broadway; 114 Canal st.; Broadway; 208 Greenwich street; 41 1. Cottouly Bleecker steer, | 1°" i 1) EXTRACT OF SAKSAPA NTIAN AND SASSAFRAS. PREPARED by the New York College of Medicine, and tn ofgunekery. This wery: 192 Kast Sth A 4 5 teh frei, and Pharmacy, established for the sappressi refined and highly concentrated extract, posse: fying qualities and curative powers of th dently recomended y the Colleges rat 0 rilla at preseat before the pu ‘tin remed: blood, sae! rp ) Siders, bata ni cutungous eruptions, alceretedeore throat ‘or ar from the secoudary etfsets ofsyphilis or hx injadh "5 eouts each 3 0 0 to wholesnte purchasers TR ee 5 at dozen bottles, omen rts of the Union. iaeou' ©! Unnes forwarded to all NB +A were tibaenl 1 dkewre Ww ———— > tHE NEW YORK HERALD, JAMES GORDON BENNETT, Proprietor. Circulation---Forty Thousand. DAILY HERALD—iivery day, Price 9 cents per “Uy, $7 25 per anunm—payablo in advance, KEKLY HERALD—Every Saturday—Price 6} cents yor copy —43 10" conte per anhum—payabl ne. ADVERTISEMENTS. : Peer nlwene sash in advance, URINTING of all kinds executed with beanty ond fexpntch, All letters or commun: rs at the wena! ions, by mail, add co the ostablishiment, must be post paid? ot the portage will be deducted from the subscription monoy remitted eb ioe Yorke bl 5 imron ov tHe New Youu Henin or, pod 8 Ri up Beran Pro MENT streets 7