The Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1822-1822, 1822-05-07

obtain any thing ike an accurate account
OF its origin; TO ascertain with any pre-
cision. the amount of property destroyed,
.she names Of all the sufferers, or the ex.
tent oflndividual loss.-For the present
We can only say The watehmen. as we
earn, first discovered body OF flames IS
Jung from an old frame house. on Fayette
street nearly adjoining the large FIRE proof
" arehouses owned by Mr. George Min
tosh, and lately occupied By MIR. F. Whit
lie. This fine block of Buildings owes its
safety not more to its being what's termed
fire proof, than 10 the fortunate prevalence
of the wind from quarter that gave the
flames an opposite direction; as the stills OF
some of the windows and doors were on
fire in several places from the heat. The
house from which the FIRE was FIRST seen
to issue was speedily consumed. and the
flames impelled by strong S. 5. W. wind
soon enveloped the whole block OF build
ings, included between 1t and the ware
houses Of Messrs {, E. P Tabb, in that
direction, and between the east side OF
Fayette street and the warehouses built
by Mr. George Murray, and recently oc-
eupied as the Custom-House; Of all OF
which, with the exception of the bake
house OF Mr.. Stephen Harris, and the ware
houses OF Mr.. George M'Inlosb, nothing
remains but heap OF ruins.
The number of houses destroyed is com.
puted to be upwards of thirty, the most
valuable of which were the ware houses OF
Mr.. John .M'Phail, that of Mr. Wsllock,
and the large brick dwelling owned by
MIR. Henry M Doyel in addition to which
the last rien iouet; gentleman lost mum
Der of small comfortable residences, which
were occupied by families in slender cir
cumstances, who by this dispensation
of Providence, are deprived OF their only
shelter; but we trust the liberality OF those
who enjoy more OF the bounties OF NE,
will rescue them from suffering. Mrs.
Hamilton, on the south side, and MIR b.
Bedout, and Mrs. Merchant, on the north
side of Wide Water streeI, are also con.
siderable sufferers, with many others, OF
whose names we are not in possession
The sympathy of the community 49, very
warmly excited for the loss of Mr.. John
M'Phail, in comparison with which, that
oi any other individual is very inconsider-
able. His ware houses slowed with Rte,
Tobacco and coffee, the cargo OF the brig
UNr1Y, which recently put into this port
in distress; on her voyage from Baltimore
to Rotterdam, and large quantity OF salt,
Slaves and Cotton. all OF which, with the
exception of a few tierCes OF Rice, which
had been previously taken out, were en-
tirely destroyed. Mr.. M'Phail's individ-
ual loss is stated to be about 10 to $4,000
dollars.
Tobacco Warehouse, on the wharf, be-
longing to the Corporations; the property
OF Gen. Taylor at the end OF Maln.street,
occupied by A. AImand, Esq. and the res
idencs of L. w. TazewelI, Esq. were In
imminent danger from the volume OF flame
constantly setting towards them, and the
fakes of fire thrown from the burning
warehouses Of Mr.. M'Phall and Mr.. Will
lock they were, however saved by the
United exertions OF the Union and Frank
lin fire companies, the officers and men
of the U. S. ship Hornet, detachment
of u. S ArtIiIersts from Fort Norfolk.
and number of othet officers and citizens
all of whom are entitled to- the thanks OF
the owners of that property, and OF the
community. The lowness ofthe tide was
great obstacle to the effective exertions
of the Fire companies, at the commence
ment of the 65e, but from the time that
they were enabled to gain position, in
which they could operate to advantage,
and command good supply Of water,
their activity and exertiohs were such as
entities them to the warmest thanks OF
their fellow-citizens.-Nor did they relax
until late hour yesterday, in the most
jealous aud indefatigable exertions to ex-
tinguish the immense body OF Fire, that in
the event of change of wind, might re.
new the scence of Tuesday. 1t is much
to be regretted, however, that their efforts
on this occasion, were not crowned with
that success which they merited.
FIRE.
Baltimore, May4.
Yesterday morning, about o'clock
fire broke out in that part of the city
20 He'd sTr;Sh tOgra" on Eutaw street