The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-07-01 00:00:00

FORETGN.—There is not much doing to-day in bills on Eng-
Land, and we continue quotations at 7 a 7,1 c per cent premium.

THE RECENT DREADFUL EARTHQUAKE
(From the Journal of Commerce.)
FROM HAYTI.—V i e are indebted to a commercial house
for Port-au-Prince papers to the 26th ult., from which we
derive the following particulars :
PORT-AU-PRINCE.—The Chamber of Representatives, on
the recommendation of the President of Hayti, has passed a
law to exempt the inhabitants of the districts devastated by
the recent earthquake from taxes. The Senate, at its sitting
on the 23d May, concurred.
CAPE HAITIEN.—News had been received at Port-au-
Prince from Cape Haitien, by the return of Captain Faubert,
aid-de-camp of President Boyer, who sent him on a mission
thither. The disorders that prevailed in this unfortunate
city in ruins, of which we have before heard so much com-
plaint, have been consummated by the pillage, or rather theft
of the public treasure, which had been hitherto preserved, it
is said, by a guard. Letters announce the conflagration of
the rest of the houses overturned, and not before burned.
The first fire consumed only a quarter of the city, and was
extinguished by rain.
ST. JAGo.—Letters from this unfortunate city confirm
the sad news of the overturning of all the houses built with
masonry, and of all the public edifices. About 200 persons
have perished. The earthquake was perceived at the same
time as at Cape Haytien. -New shocks, very strong, conti-
nued through the night and the following days. The rest of
the population removed a half league from the city. At the
first moment of this strong convulsion of the earth, the ri-
ver Yaque was seen to go up toward its source, and to di-
vide into two parts, leaving a dry passage in its bed ; then
to descend with astonishing impetuosity.
The excesses committed here by the prisoners who es-
caped in consequence of the fall of the
an prisons, are deplora-
ble,—also, by some country people, dby some from the
city, who thought they had a right to pillage. But it ap-
pears that the authorities have not fulfilled their duty in en-
deavouring to prevent this disorder. St. Jago is described
as a very tlourishinr, city, that had just begun to acquire the
prosperity due to industry.
ST. DOMINGO.—The powerful shock experienced here was
preceded by a terrible noise coming from the east. The fine
cathedral, commenced in 1514 and finished in 1540, had re-
sisted every earthquake, especially those of 1684 and 1691 ;
but it was considerably injured by that of the ith inst. The
sea was excessively agitated near the harbour. The injury
experienced by the cathedral occasioned the fear of its fall,
on which account the vicar-general Portez thought proper to
take away the holy sacrament and carry it to the church St.
Dominick, and afterwards to a barrack constructed in haste.
A repetition of the atrocious piracies of Cape Haitien and
St. Jago is expected at St. Domingo.
THE MINES.—The mines on the east of Haiti have re-
cently been explored by an Englishman named Robertson,
who is now going to England to solicit the patronage of
English capitalists in the work.

The following gratifying correspondence has taken place
between the passengers on board the Columbia :7

- -
" R. M. Steamer Columbia, off Liverpool,
June 28th, 1842.
" SIR,—We, the undersigned passengers in the Royal
Mail Steam-ship Columbia, under your command, on her
present voyage from Boston and Ilalifax to Liverpool, are
unwilling to separate without adding our testimony to your
already deservedly high character as a thorough seaman, and
particularly to the kind, gentlemanly, and courteous treat-
ment which we have all experienced from you during the
present very short and pleasant passage, and which, under
Divine Providence, we are satisfied is mainly attributable to
your unceasing personal exertions, and to the high state of
discipline preserved on board.
" We feel extremely happy in being permitted to state,
that the Ladies fuliy concur with us in the sentiments which
we have expressed, respecting your kindness and attention ;
and, with best wishes for your continued prosperity and
happiness,
" We have the honour to subscribe ourselves,
" Your very faithful servants,
[Signed by nineteen passengers.]
" Capt. C. H. E. Judkins," &c. &c. &c.

" R. M. Steam-ship Columbia, 28th June, 1812.
" LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
" The feelings of satisfaction and pleasure expressed in your
letter of this date, cannot but be most gratifying to me; and
allow me to remark, that it will always be my endeavour to
make the voyage not only speedy and safe, but also comforta-
ble and agreeable to those who may find it expedient to ho-
nour my ship with their company.
" I have the honour to be,
" Ladies and Gentlemen, yours, &c.,
" C. H. E. JUDKINS.
" To the Passengers on board the Columbia."