The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-01-02

I ny feet directly on thc window sill. at the
same instant fortunately Selling broke
| fragment Of the sash, passed my head M
der it and reached the ground without ma
terial injury-i left many behind nc.
~ THOMSON F.. MASON. +
Monday morning.
SIR-My friend Mr.: Thomas Nelson
has informed me, that you wished me to
cape from the dreadful Are viii IA consume !
the Theatre Oil Thursday night ls.st. Tie ,
are as follow: The late pen d ut which !,
arrived at the play house, compelled me to
ascend to the second row of boxes TO pro-
cure seat for Mrs. Pendlcton and my
self. where We remained until / discovered
the second spark of fire fall on the stage in
front OF the curtain, when immediately
heard the cry of fire from behintl-I then
left my seat, and proceeded along the gang
way, towards the head of the stair case, en-
treating the affrighted females to have patti
cnce, and not precipitate themselves into
the immense crowd that was pressing for
ward. lest we should be trampled to death,
believing, that By waiting few minutes, we
should have more room, and consequently
descend with more expedition and safety.
In a few seconds, however, 7 was en-
v,nced by the effect of an indisc i,ab.c Cur
rent of steam on my flesh, and smoke On my
lungs, that | had miscalculatcd, and that
our escape must be instantaneous or net at
all, as suffocation threatened. With az =
Dergy which nothing but such adreadf
crisis could inspire, / rushed fcrw ard, re-
tanning my wife's arm locked fast in mine,
until attained the first turn in the stair case
Just below, or perhaps nearly opposite the
window, next the front corner, OH the lower,
or side next the meeting house. AT this
place, the crowd behind me ;rod on the tail
at my large loose great coat, completely
stopped my progress, and had well nigh
thrown me backwards, which nothing but
an exertionI did not think myself capable
of making, prevented. In this situation, my
wife (great God, sir, figure to yourself my
agony y was torn from me by the resstless
force of the crowd, and just at the instant of
our separation, numbers were trampled
down, and did verify believe. that she was
one OF those unfortunate victims. thought
had then lost the object which had thus
far stimulated my eNertions, and remained
perfectly motionless for some seconds, hav-;
ing liked myself in the corner of the brick
wall to prevent being forced down, and
reflected on the impossibility of extricating
myself from the impending destruction. by
following the prodigious crowd that was then
weighing me in my fortunate corner. While
these reflections were crossing my mind. 1
heard the window forced opcI. Just above
me, and felt the reviving influence of the de-
ilcious air which rushed upon me, and invi-
gorated the efforts which then saved my
life. eBy exertions which now consider as
supernatural, reached the window, which
at that suspicious moment l enjoyed undis-
puted possession of, and after looking down
10 ascertain where might alight with least
injury to myself, as we'll as to others, who
had preceded me, / seated myself on the
window sill, and eased myself off very deli
beratcly and gradually, rejecting at the
same time, that if could contrive my clothes
to touch the wall as descended, the force
of my passage down would be some what
broken. / soon experienced the happy re-
atty of this experiment, for i landed on my
feet, perfectly erect, and have never since
felt the least soreness or inconvenience from
my manner of escape.-Thus, sir, have in
to the best of my recollection. i will not
for some time after ! had escaped, for
from what had seen before ! got out of the
mouse, and what saw afterwards, l was
agonizrd with the conviction that a beloved
wife and child had persisted. You who are
a Husband and a Parent, must ifpossible,
finish the picture.
] am, sir,
Your most okedient,
EDMUND PENDLETON, Jun.
9. Huntington bacChus states for the in
formation and at tie request of Mr.. Richie
that he and his PARTY were i'll the upper