The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-12-31
REPORT
Ortbe COMMITTEE f L,,est;oo,;o

OFthe Committee # Investigation
we the Committee, appointed by oar
f'ellcw-Citizens to enquire into the cau-l
ses or the melancholy catastrophe" which
tooh place IN this city on Thursday night
fast; catastrophe, which has spread 4
gloom over whole city, and filled every
BYE with tears; have given to this melan-
iichoiy duty all the attention in our power
Ne feel it due to onfsclves; it was due 20
)our weeping feliow-citizcns it was due to
he world to collect all the lights which
night serve to ciucidate an event whose ct
E.ectsa so deeply written on ouT hearts,
we have seen every person w.o was be-
faind the scenes, that was best able to
assist our enquiries-we have heard their
Istatcments, and after sitting them as accu-
lrately as possible, beg leave to submit the
FOLLOWING report to our afflicted citizens:
On the night of Thursday last, the Pam
3tomlme OF The Bleeding Nun, or. Agnes
and Raymond" came of for representation
jafter the Play was over. In the first Act.
amongst other scenes, was the scene of the
cottage of Baptist the Robber, which
WAS illuminated by a chandelier apparently
banging from the ceiling. When the curtain
3icii on the first Act and before it rose. on the
tSnd, this Chandelier was lifted from its POI
8sltioD among the scenery above. 1t was FIX
ed with wicks to it; one only of them had
3peen Int yet when it was lifted above, this
A ia iamh zvas not ertingaIShed. Here Isl
ne hrst link in the chain of our disasters 1!
4 he man who raised it, does not pretend to
ieny lt--but pleads that he did SO in conse-
ldchce pf an order from some person, whom
he supposed authorised to direct him. That
lcrson was behind him; the voice had
31eachcd him, without his seem, the person,
5:nd he does not pretend positively to recUt
la I'm. NJ mt tita y.
lea that there was the slightest mischevous
tenton iii the order or in the act-it was
1attention--lt was the grossest negligence.
nc litter or tine lamp says that ne was a.
are OF the danger, and demonstrated a
tlnst the act ; yet Yielded with too fatal u
tcility to the reiterated orders of a person
Yhom he saw not, bat supposed authorized
direct him. We cast not the slightest I'M
citations upon the Managers or any of the
/ eSular Comedians OF the stage---thcir posi-
ons nj the moment as well as other circum-
stances, forbid the idea that the order ever
passed from their lips vet the act was done.
The lighted lamp was lifted--the torch Of
I destruction cleaned at the top of the sta re.
Mr.. Rice (the Property-man of the The
$atre) says, that he saw the scene was over
in which the lamp was usei he saw the
1 amp after it was lifted up; nc was aware
fof the danger OF its remaining in that positj-
31n; and spoke to one of tho carpenters,
S.hree times repeatedly, 4" Lower that lann
eand blow it out" He did not see il put out
sfor he was drawn BY his business to a1othcr
Tpart of the stage.
Z Mr. West declares that he was passing
soy to commence The 2nd Act of the Patio
smiiHe, and saw the lamp up AMI heard Ric,
Eiylog directions to the Carpenter to ehtin-
ssguish It,,
{ Mr.. Cook (the regular Carpenter Of the
4 | heatre) declares that he saw the cqrpci
ger, alluded TO above, attempting 90 let down
.Fhe lamp immediately after the order 20 ,e
- down had been given that he has 10 19G5t
d h's attempt was made in conscq lcHcc C.. .ht
! 'r;lcrS that he 81 tho cords ttagle anl lh,
4 amp TO oscillatc several inches from il, PEI.
;oendlcular position. The chandelier above
was moved by two cords which worked ovei
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