Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-06-19
From the Raleigh Star fJme Il.
DISTRESSING cAI.,uIrv

on tuesday, night last, about IL o'clock, our
ciuzens were alarmed by cry fire, which was
FOUND issuing from VIM. Shaw's counting room.
and IT spread with such wonderful rapldity that
IN "o rrs up~s is fif bI idings, mpris.
ing dwelling houses, stores, shops, &c were con.
sumed. The wind was high, and favourable or
lne destruction must have been much greater
Inc progress OF the flames Was finally arrested
oy the streets in other directions, and al John
Stuarts dwelling house on the north, princip ally
ny the blowing up one house, pulling down part
OF another, and by the fortunate intervention of
hummer OF trees. The heat was SO intense that
the hand could not endure a contact with the
Misunderstanding of the houses on the west side
Oh Fayetteville street, which SO feet wide. The
o'ar once was twice on fire, as was also John
iionoway's new house, bus with extreme Difficult
| ~ they were saved. To the nor,h the faxes of
burning clnders were carr ed to a great DIS
lance The roofof the State House was seye
raj tunes on bre, as was also that of the Easie
iiotei, yet more distant the State-House was
saved by placing number of men in ths s,eeple
and on the roof. The fire fell upon Judge Sea-
"eifs house which rs more than quarter of a
nHe from the scene of devastation Mrs. Casso's
buildings were also several times on fire, blu,
were happily saved.
Inns dreadful visitation found us wholly un-
prepared for,it We had neither h.e engines
Ducke's, ladders, matches, nor pulleys and tie
ID
opes We were also unprovided with regulations
10 ensure concert OF exertlon. The grea e.
part OF the goods and household fiunl,u1e was
saved from those houses were not atLacke ed IN the
commencement. Every tning that our Amos
nelpieSs situation permitted us to do, was done
Many ladies', during the conhagration, were OBJ
SefVsd exertng themselves, with the gr eaIest en-
ersy and effect, and they displayed, IN some IN
stances, wonderful presence If mnd as well a.
nj rOafa INF sf Hu
veal Strangers who were present also dstn-
euiShed themselves, and deserve our warmes
ACKNOWLEDGING I; and we musl be permitted 10
say tlat the blacks conducted themselves " It'll
great proprieiy, rendering every where all pos
sbe ASSISTANCE.
IL is estimated that the whole loss exceeds one
hund. ed thousand dollars, including tina, sustain.
GU " ule ohited States. One or two gentlemen
'Usl their books, papers, and even the cash they
'ad on hand, such was the violence with which
Tie flames progressed Fortunately, m few in.
@hces' Ins'lrances had been effected but upon
tbe whole, we do not remember hat any town of
me size OF ours, has within many years, suffered
SO severely from fire c have IN th,s instance
The spectacle yet presented by the smoking ru.
ms IS gloomy beg ond description.
There seems to be but little doubt that tb;e
cOnfiaBratlon was the work OF some vile incendi.
ares .-ConJectures as 10 the persons are uniform
and expectations are entertained that Ii ey viii
be detected and brought to justice At the com.
mencement OF the fire, Captain Parsley, keeper
OF the PRISON, very promptly placed guard a.
round 1t, TO prevent the success of any attempt
10 relieve the prisoners, sho, Id that have been
lle design intended. Information, we under
stand, had been received the very day before
that some desperate attempt tor that purpose
would IN all probability be made
Tins sudden Calamity, which has distressed
many and ruined some, ought to stimulate Us TO
regulations and precautions against other vista.
tons OF the kind. Had We been properly preps
red, the destruction in THIS case might have been
much less extensive and we shall "A future de-
serve TO suffer if wedo not hold ourselves IN rea.
dlness to combat calamity of tie kmd when II
may chance to come upon US.