The Sun.
London, England, 1845-06-30 00:00:00

AWFUL CONFLAGRATION AT QUEBEC,
To the INHABITANTS of GREAT BRITAIN and IRE•
LAND, and of the COLONIES In BRITISH NORTH. AMERICA.

A more extensive calamity has never, it is believed, befallen any
city on the continent of America than that which now compels the
inhabitants of Quebec to appeal to the sympathy of their fellow-
subjects. One-third part of the extent of the city, and that the most
populous, covering a space ef a mile in 'length by half a mile in
breadth, now lying in ruins-1,650 dwellings, two churches, an
extensive ship-yard, several lumber-yards and wharfs laid in ashes—
upwards of 12,000 people left, in the course of a few hours, without
house, or home, or shelter, or food, or a change of clothing, or a bed
to lie on, and without the means of procuring either, except by the
labour of their hands—these single touches of the picture of devasta-
tion which we have to lay before you might suffice, but a few par-
ticulars may be added.
At eleven o'clock in the morning of the 28th of May a fire broke
out in the St. Valier suburb of Quebec, which immediately spread to
the adjoining suburb of St. Roch, closely built, almost entirely of
wood, and crowded with people; thence to the upper suburb of St.
John, and in a few hours reached the western extremity of the lower
town of Quebec, the timber yards and wharfs. Wafted on by a
strong gale of wind, the flames leaped rather than communicated,
not so much from house to house as from square to square of build-
ings, seizing various remote points at once, so that those who left
their homes in security at one extremity of the suburb to assist at the
distance of half a mile in staying the progress of the fire, were sud-
denly and soon recalled to endeavour, in vain, to save their own
houses. No human power was of any avail to arrest the conflagra-
tion ; so rapid was its advance, that but little could be saved from
the houses, and often life itself with difficulty ; many were overtaken
in their flight by the flames and perished. Many who rose in the
morning in possession of competence, or even of comparative wealth,
the fruit of many years of industry and economy, found themselves
in a state of destitution before night closed upon them.
A million of money will not replace, -in several years, the value
of the property destroyed ; nor can any correct estimate be now
formed of the re ft extent of the calamity. A large part of the po-
pulation, on whom it has more immediately fallen, consisting mostly
of Canadians of French origin, supported themselves by the labour
of their hands, and are now thrown out of employ ment by the de-
struction of the manufactories and other establishments of business
in which they found it, or by the simultaneous destruction of the
property of those in better circumstances who employed or could
have relieved them. Every class of society has directly or indirectly,
but effectually, been reached by the wide spreading calamity. From
the high public flanctionary to the pauper who walks the streets with-
out a home—ail feel its effects. The resources of all to afford relief
are impaired; and the case is in truth one beyond the resources of
any such community as ours, in its best circumstances, to relieve. Not
one-tenth part of the loss sustained was covered by insurance, and a
large portion of that so covered was insured in a Mutual Insurance
Company in the suburb destroyed, whose whole means have been
swept away in one common ruin. In a few months an inclement
winter will add its rigours to the prevailing distress of the houseless
mass of destitution ; and the ordinary channels of employment being
then closed, and navigation at an end for six months, and the ordi-
nary course of communication and of relief, or escape from the
scene of wretchedness, interrupted, the severity of the season will
complete what the rage of the flames has begun, while in the mean-
time there is too much reason to fear that, as has happened In other
instances of the like disaster, it may be aggravated by pestilence,
produced by poverty and distress crowded into confined space.
It is in these circumstances that we appeal to our fellow-subjects
In the mother country and the sister colonies to come to our aid ;
but we do not make the appeal without having ourselves put forth
our best energies to alleviate the misery around us. On the day
after the conflagration 7,0001. were contributed in an hour, at a public
meeting of our citizens, and nearly 4,0001. more have been since
collected among us. Our sister city of Montreal has liberally seconded
our efforts by subscriptions, which, with an advance from the pro-
vincial Government of 2,0001., will probably reach the sum of 10,0001.
Throughout the country parishes also the noblest spirit of liberality
and of free Christian charity has been shown, in large supplies of
clothing, provisions, and money daily reaching Quebec, although the
agricultural population has been of late in a state of great depression,
by a succession of unfavourable seasons and other adverse cir-
cumstances.

But the facts and considerations we have mentioned show how in-
adequate is this supply, even to the present immediate and most
pressing necessity. Already has one-fourth of the money subscribed
been exhausted in the supply of the daily wants of the thousands re-
duced to haacr.rv. Thankful for their own immunity from the im-
mediate effects ofthe calamity, and acknowledging their Christian
obligation to contribute to the relief of their suffering brethren, those
among us who have not been deprived of the means have freely
given of the store with which the Almighty has blessed them, to the
extent of their present ability ; and having so done they look with
confidence to the benevolent and charitable co-operation of their
fellow subjects elsewhere.
To rebuild the ruined portion of our city, to restore the ruined for-
tunes or former comforts of its inhabitants, must be the work of
time, and of individual exertions, enterprise, and industry ; but to
rescue the multitude now sunk into poverty by this visitation of
Providence from the horrors of present destitution, and probable
disease, rendered more severe by the inevitable rigours of our climate,
requires an aid larger than we can supply, and as prompt as large,
and it is for this that our present appeal is made.
Quebec, June 6, 18-15.
P. F. EVEQUE de SIDYME, Coadjuteur de Quebec.
W. WALKER,
.T. :NEILSON,
Committee of Correspondence.
A. W. COCHRAN,
J. C. FISHER,

. _
Messrs. Glyn, Hallifax, and Co., 67, Lombard-street, London, are
authorised by the Committee of Correspondence established in Que-
bec to receive subscriptions for the relief of the sufferers.
Already subscribed :
Glyn, Halifax, Mills, and Co. ..